New Commercial Building Construction Permits

Where do I obtain a permit?

City of Chesapeake
Department of Development & Permits
City Hall 2nd Floor
306 Cedar Road
Chesapeake, VA 23322

Hours: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Phone: 757-382-6018 757-382-8424 757-382-6890

What should I bring upon notification of plan approval?

A building permit application will be processed by a Building Official. To begin the permit process, bring the following documents:

Approved final site plan from Development & Permits/Development Engineering
Virginia State Contractor's License
- Note: Out-of-state contractor must obtain a valid State of Virginia Contractor's License.
- For questions concerning the state license requirements, please contact the State of Virginia, Department of Professional Occupational Regulations, 804-367-8511
City of Chesapeake Business License
- The Commissioner of the Revenue for the City of Chesapeake requires a city business license for a contractor whose business is based in the City of Chesapeake
- Out-of-state contractors must obtain a City of Chesapeake Business License
- Other Virginia municipality city business license is recognized until the threshold of contract value work conducted in Chesapeake accumulates to $25,000.00 in a calendar year; when this contract value is reached, a Chesapeake City Business License is required.

Upon the arrival at the Department of Development & Permits, a Senior Code Compliance Inspector will issue a permit application after conducting a zoning review. You will visit the Development Construction Division on the 3rd floor of City Hall for a Land Disturbance Permit and bonding requirements and payments. Next, you will make payments for water, sewer and HRSD in the Department of Public Utilities. After payment to Development Construction and Public Utilities, you will return to the Department of Development & Permits for building permit issuance from the building official.

How much does the permit cost?

The minimum fee is $40.00.

The permit fee is based upon square footage of the structure. The minimum fee is an administrative fee of $40.00 for issuing each permit, plus an additional $10.00 per 100 square feet or fraction thereof.

For example: For a new commercial building with 14,000 square feet, the fee will be:

14,000/100 = 140
140 x 10 = $1,400
+ $40.00 (administrative fee) = base fee $1,440.00
New Commercial Fee Schedule

Additionally, the plan review fee Plan Review Fees and a 2% state levy are assessed to the permit cost plus a $5.00 technology fee.
Base fee $1,440.00
+ $30.00 Certificate of Occupancy = $1,470.00
+ $350.00 plan review fee = $1,820.00
+ $36.40 (2% State Levy) = $1,856.40
+ $ 5.00 technology fee = $1,861.40

What other permits are required?

After obtaining the building permit, the electrical, plumbing, mechanical and gas (if applicable) permits are required.

Next step...

Inspections