Building Inspections

Welcome to the Building Inspections Department.  It is our goal to provide exceptional customer service through clear communication in order to help you achieve your goals!

We are now enforcing the 2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, effective January 18, 2024.   All plans being submitted must bear the code year and building code type on the set of plans.  Plans noted with any previous code cycle cannot be accepted.

Permit Applications:  We are beginning to transition into a full electronic submittal process for all permits.  Please begin to bring all plans to our office in an electronic form, preferably on a USB flash drive.  Permit applications delivered in person will only be accepted if all necessary documents are present and fees are paid at the time of submittal.  We are no longer holding permits submitted without payment or missing information so that all permits are able to be processed in the order that they are received.  We accept permit applications and fees between 9 A.M. and 4 P.M. Monday through Friday.     

Changing to electronic forms and submittal of plans may be challenging for some and we are here to work with you through these difficulties.  In the end, this transition will save everyone trips and reprinting of plans should any changes be necessary.  It will also allow our staff to email you the approved plans and permits once they have been fully approved.  The approved plans and documents will need to be printed in color and to the correct size, along with being on site for all inspections.  

Proffer Payments: Proffer payments can only be accepted after ALL final inspections have been passed in our system.  This includes the Final Erosion Inspection and the Final Health approval, which we must originate and be received from the Health Department. 

Inspections: Inspectors typically take place between 9:00 AM and 4:30 PM.  While we try to accommodate time requests for certain inspections, please know that we must make a route and a requested time may not always work with our daily workload or route.  Inspection results are left at each job site along with any comments noted on the inspection.  They may also be viewed online by visiting https://keynet.powhatanva.gov/KeyPermits/index.asp?LoginMode=Ext

Third Party Inspections: Anyone wishing to have inspections performed by a third party agency will need to have their inspection agency approved prior to the inspection. Approval can be obtained by providing information, in email, to the Building Official at ddunivan@powhatanva.gov. Once approved, the third party inspection agency may perform the requested inspection.  Inspection results must be stamped and sealed and a report sent to the County immediately following the inspection.  Results shall indicate that the approved plans were on site during the inspection, the permit was properly posted, and pictures of the inspection shall be included with the inspection report.