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Inspections for New Residential Building Construction
New residential building construction requirements:
Inspection Type | Permit Type | Preparation | |
---|---|---|---|
Footing | Building Permit | Before pouring concrete, the property must be flagged in such a manner that the building inspector can verify the general setback requirements. Dig your footing trench, install grade stakes to show the depth of concrete to be poured. Some footings may require additional reinforcement which must be in place at the time of inspection. After approval of the footing inspection you may proceed with the placement of concrete and the framing of your structure. | |
Slab (if applicable) |
Building Permit |
After approval of all subtrade ground work and after installation of reinforcement, vapor barrier and perimeter insulation (if required) and prior to placement of concrete. | |
Water/Sewer | When tapping mains/before backfill
Note: Well water and septic tank must contact the Health Department |
||
Rough-In | Electrical Permit Plumbing Permit Mechanical Permit |
Have the work inspected and approved before covering the wall. Inspector will inspect duct work and rough-in of all equipment and fixtures. |
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Gas Pressure Test | Gas Permit | Have work inspected before concealing gas piping. | |
Framing | Building Permit | All framing must conform to the approved plans. The exterior walls and roof may be covered (dried-in). The interior of the structure shall be left open and unfinished. DO NOT INSTALL INSULATION UNTIL APPROVAL RECEIVED ON ALL ROUGH-INS AND FRAMING INSPECTION. |
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Insulation Inspection | The insulation may be installed after the approval of the framing and all required rough-in inspections by each discipline. | ||
Final | Mechanical Permit Electrical Permit Plumbing Permit Gas Permit |
After work is complete | |
Final | Building Permit | Inspector will check the following items: | |
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Lot Grading Certificate | Builder/Owner | Must be received in the Development & Permits Department Office. | |
Flood Zone Letter | Builder/Owner | Must provide a FEMA flood zone letter. *for the property in flood zone |
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Septic | Builder/Owner | Must deliver the Septic and Well Approval Letter from the Health Department![]() |
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Print above chart – Required Steps ![]() |
The City will make every effort to provide inspections on your requested date. However, please be aware the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code allows two working days from the date of request to perform the inspection.
You can request your inspections by phone or online.
Process for Requesting Inspections
You may request inspections by telephone or online via our eBuild site.
All phone-in inspection requests should be directed to the City’s Customer Contact Center at 757-382-CITY (2489). You may also submit your inspection request online via the City of Chesapeake Customer Contact Center. On-line submittals may be made 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
You may request a next-business-day inspection by phone, or online up to 11:59am the previous day.
Instructions for Requesting an Inspection:
- Request by phone -Please call 382-CITY (2489) to request an inspection.
- Request online – eBUILD.
Request by Phone
All inspections by phone should be directed to the City’s Customer Contact Center at 382-CITY (2489). Operator on duty - Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Callers must be prepared to provide specific required information when requesting an inspection.
- Permit Number
- Property Address
- Type of Inspections – See Required Steps
pdf format
- Contractor’s Name
- Phone Number
- Requestor Name
- The Department of Development & Permits issued standard operating procedures include the Code Compliance Inspectors leaving a yellow inspection card at he job site to notify the permit holder if the inspection was approved or rejected with a brief explanation if rejected.
All new residential dwellings are required to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy after the completion of all required construction inspections.
As required by Section §116.1 of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, any building or structure constructed under this code shall not be used until a Certificate of Use and Occupancy has been issued by the building official.
You may contact the Building Code Official in the Department of Development & Permits and apply for a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy. However, the following are guidelines to apply for a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy:
- The building permit holder is the only party eligible to request a temporary certificate of occupancy.
- All inspections (plumbing, electrical, mechanical, gas) except building final must be finalized. A final building inspection must be done before applying.
- If the property is located in the flood zone, the FEMA letter is required.
- Septic tank and /or well water approval letters must be received in this office.
- A review of any rejected or outstanding issues will be considered prior to issuing a temporary certificate of occupancy.
Should the applicant fail to renew and/or complete inspections/conditions of a permit authorized a temporary occupancy, this privilege will be suspended until full compliance is achieved.