Commercial Site and Subdivision Inspection & Acceptance Process

Commercial Prerequisites

A Final Site Plan must be approved by Development and Permits Department - Development Engineering.

Review the Utility Activation package letter which was mailed subsequent to plan approval. In particular, large water meter(s) (≥ 2") are provided by the developer and delivered to the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) meter shop to be installed by the City.

To Begin Construction

  1. Complete the Resident Notification Form (PDF) - The resident notification form shall be completed and mailed / delivered to the adjacent property owners thirty (30) days prior to commencing construction, if required.
  2. Obtain the Right-of-Way Permit, Land Disturbing Permit, and if applicable, the Stormwater Permit. Stormwater Permit is required if the site plan was approved for Stormwater Quality (BMP). Prior to issuance of a Land Disturbing Permit, obtain a Construction General Permit, if disturbance is 1 acre or above, from DEQ.
  3. Email Development and Permits, Development Construction Division or call 757-615-9264 no later than forty-eight (48) hours prior to land disturbing activities so a pre-construction meeting and inspection can be scheduled, according to the recommended construction sequence (PDF). Any deviation from the approved construction plan shall be addressed by a plan revision or a field change request (PDF).
  4. Apply for Building Permit (New Commercial Building / Addition) - Call 757-382-6018 or submit application in eBuild.
  5. Utility Final / Activation (Utility Activation detailed process).
    1. Complete the water and sewer improvements within the public right-of-way and public easements in accordance with the approved plans and the Public Facilities Manual (PFM) Volume II and III.
    2. Request a Utilities substantial inspection upon completion of improvements which will generate a punch-list inspection.
    3. Submit the Activation Package including the Water and Sewer Construction Record Drawings ('As-builts'). (flowchart). 
    4. Complete the permit punch-list items.
    5. Upon approval of activation package, take water samples per Flushing and Disinfection Policy. If the site is protected by a fire protection system, the Fire Protection Division will perform an additional pressure test.
    6. Request Utility Activation.
    7. City accepts water and sewer improvements and sets meter.
      Note: For Commercial Sites - there are unique coordination issues for the meter, on-site utilities and utilities in the building - see Utilities Activation for Commercial Sites.
  6. Street and Drainage Final Acceptance.
    1. Complete all entrance and drainage improvements on the approved plans, including SWMF.
    2. Request a street and drainage inspection upon completion of improvements which will generate a punch list.
    3. Submit Site Plan Construction Record Drawings (As-Builts). 
    4. Defect Bond for ROW improvements (i.e. pavement patch, public drainage pipe, structures).
    5. Complete the permit punch list items.
    6. Request the final inspection.
    7. City releases Permit performance bond and accepts the entrance and drainage public improvements.
  7. Building Permit & Zoning Inspections - Call 757-382-2489 CITY.
  8. Prior to Certificate of Occupancy.
    1. The above list must be complete.
    2. Submit Site Plan Certification (PDF)
    3. See Certificate of Occupancy

NOTE: If full vegetation has not been established at the time of final inspection, the Land Disturbing Permit and bond will remain in effect and released once vegetation fully established. If a Construction General Permit was required by DEQ and after final stabilization, a Notice of Termination (PDF) must be submitted to Development and Permits in order to cease SWPPP inspections and avoid an annual maintenance fee.

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Subdivision Prerequisites

A Subdivision Plan must be approved by Development and Permits Department, Development Engineering Division.

To Begin Construction

  1. If required, complete the Resident Notification form (PDF). The resident notification form shall be completed and mailed/delivered to the adjacent property owners thirty (30) days prior to commencing construction, if required.
  2. Obtain the Right-of-Way Permit, Land Disturbing Permit, and the Stormwater Permit. Prior to issuance of a Land Disturbing Permit, obtain a Construction General Permit, if disturbance is 1 acre or more, from DEQ.
  3. Email Development and Permits, Development Engineering Division or call 757-615-9264 no later than forty-eight (48) hours prior to land disturbing activities so a pre-construction meeting and inspection can be scheduled, according to the recommended construction sequence (PDF). Any deviation from approved construction plan shall be addressed by a plan revision or a field change request (PDF).
  4. Plat Recordation must occur prior to the Utility and Streets and Drainage acceptance.
  5. Utility Final / Activation (Utility Activation Process).
    1. Complete the water and sewer improvements on the approved plans and the PFM.
    2. Request a Utilities inspection upon completion of improvements which will cause Development and Permits to perform a punch list inspection.
    3. Submit the activation package including the Utilities Construction Record Drawings ('As-Builts') (PDF) 
    4. Complete the subdivision punch list items.
    5. Upon approval of the activation package, the Development and Permits Development Construction Inspector will notify the contractor to take water samples per Flushing and Disinfection Policy (PDF).
    6. Request Utility final inspection.
    7. City accepts water and sewer improvements and activates utilities.
  6. Streets and Drainage Final Acceptance
    1. Complete all streets and drainage improvements on the approved plans and the PFM.
    2. Request a streets and drainage inspection upon completion of the physical improvements according to the approved plans.
    3. Submit the Streets and Drainage Acceptance Package including the Streets and Drainage Construction Record Drawings (As-builts) (PDF). 
    4. Complete the subdivision punch list items.
    5. Submit the Streets & Drainage Defect Bond.
    6. Request the streets and drainage final.
    7. City releases performance bond and accepts the streets and drainage public improvements.

NOTE: If full vegetation has not been established at the time of final inspection, the Land Disturbing Permit and bond will remain in effect and released once vegetation is fully established. If a Construction General Permit was required by DEQ and after final stabilization, a Notice of Termination (PDF) must be submitted to Development and Permits in order to cease SWPPP inspections and avoid an annual maintenance fee.