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1. Where should I start to get a building permit for my new home?

If the home will be constructed in a new subdivision, a subdivision construction drawing must be submitted to the Department of Development and Permits, Development Engineering Division, City Hall, 3rd Floor, for approval (Site Plan Approval).

The plat for a private residential lot in the City of Chesapeake should be recorded in the Circuit Court Clerk's Office with a Map Book and Page Number. If the plat has not been recorded, the builder or owner builder may apply to have the plat recorded with the Clerk of Circuit Court.

2. What should I bring for my plan review approval?

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
    • A single family residential landscaping plan for tree canopy is required that includes a standard calculation format to be printed on or attached to the plan. (See Landscape Guidelines)
    • Single Family and Duplex Residential Development Landscape Requirements
  • R-5 Residential Plan Review Information Sheet - 2018 Code (PDF)
  • R-5 Residential Plan Review Information Sheet - 2015 Code (PDF)

Step 1

If not utilizing the eBUILD system, you will need to complete a Building Permit Application (PDF) and submit a Survey / Site Plan for approval.

The following information must be submitted at the time of application:

• Land Disturbing Permit (PDF)
  • A lot over 10,000 square feet requires a Land Disturbing License.
• Mechanics Lien Agent (if desired)
• Commonwealth of Virginia Contractor's License (builder or contractor)
• City of Chesapeake Business License (builder or contractor)
  • This is required if the contract value is more than $25,000 or if the contractor's business is located out of state.

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 3 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 3 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 2015 Adobe PDF - graphic icon to ensure that the detailed plan is completely and thoroughly reviewed.

3. How do I know if my plan is approved?

If your plan is approved, you will receive an email from the eBUILD system with the approval and your plans can be downloaded from the eBUILD site.

4. What should I do if my plan is disapproved?

If your plan is disapproved, the eBUILD system will notify you by email. You will need to download the plan review letter from the attachments in eBUILD. A Residential Plan Checklist containing correction information will also be attached to your plan.

After your plan is corrected, you will need to resubmit our revisions by uploading to the attachments in eBUILD. You will not have to pay a plan review fee for resubmittal. Normally, a resubmitted plan review takes a maximum of 3 business days.

After your plan has been reviewed and approved, you will receive an email from the eBUILD system the plans are approved and may be downloaded from the attachments in eBUILD.