You should submit the following via our online eBUILD system or bring the following to the City of Chesapeake City Hall, 2nd floor, Department of Development and Permits:
- One set of Survey / Site Plans (Electronic Submittal preferred)
- A survey site plan is a plan of the property, drawn to scale, showing the true dimensions of the lot and the location and true dimensions of all existing and proposed structures. A copy of the most recent survey of the property is the preferred document for this purpose. Any recent or proposed structures can be drawn onto the survey.
- One set of Building Plans (Electronic Submittal preferred)
- A floor plan of the existing and/or proposed structure.
- A wall section showing the proposed foundation, framing, insulation, and roofing. (Note: Additional details may be required depending upon the scope of work.)
- Landscaping Plan
Step 1
If not utilizing the eBUILD system, you will need to complete a Building Permit Application (PDF) and submit one Survey / Site Plan for approval.
The following information must be submitted at the time of application:
Step 2
Upon the completion of Step 1, you will then need to submit your Building Plan to the Plans Examiner for review and approval. A $100 Plan Review Fee is required at the time of the plan submittal plus an additional 2% state levy to all plan review fees.
Plan Review Timeframes
Note: Plan review timeframes are contingent upon the quality of the plans submitted and may vary during spikes in the quantity of the plans submitted for review. The Department will make every effort to address the schedule demands.
Standard Residential Plans
The initial plan review timeframe is 7 business days from date of plan submittal. The approval of the construction plans is contingent upon the applicant addressing and making corrections to all plan review comments and then re-submitting the corrected plans.
- Standard plans are considered one-time builds not submitted as a model plan for construction in multiple locations.
- Subsequent review of re-submitted plans are normally completed within 3 business days.
Master Model Residential Plans
The initial plan review timeframe is 14 business days from date of plan submittal. Final plan approval or plan review process is subject to the response to the review comments and the re-submittal of the revised / corrected plans.
- Master Model plans are those submitted with the intent of registering the plans and various options to be used to obtain permits for the same model in multiple locations.
- Subsequent review of re-submitted plans are normally completed within 3 business days.
- Once the Master Model Plans are approved, a minimum of three business days is required to configure them into the eBUILD System and allow application for a model permit.
Please Note: During a code change cycle (every three years) the State of Virginia allows a one-year grace period to continue to use the previous code edition for plans and permits. At the end of the one-year grace period, the plans must comply with the adopted code. There is a $40 fee for each option set created from a Master Model Plan as well as a 2% State Levy.
Due to the volume and time required to review model plans for the new edition of the code, it is highly recommended to submit model plans early in the one-year grace period and not wait till the deadline. Model plans submitted within the last three months of the one year grace period are subject to a lengthy review time that may take 30 to 60 days.
The inspector will utilize the City of Chesapeake or Development and Permits Residential Plan Checklist 2018 (PDF) to ensure that the detailed plan is completely and thoroughly reviewed.