Overview
The City of Richmond Department of Planning and Development Review handles building and trade permitting through its Permits and Inspections office. This guide applies to Richmond city, not Henrico or Chesterfield County.
Permit authority
Richmond Planning and Development Review
Jurisdiction
Independent city; not Henrico or Chesterfield
Trades
Select a trade for its permit path, licensing, code resources, fees and filing pitfalls.
Electrical permits and DPOR credentials
Richmond PDR / Virginia DPORApplicable Code
2020 NEC within the 2021 Virginia code cycle; coordinate with the applicable building or residential code.
License Requirement
Verify the DPOR electrical tradesman credential and the contractor firm’s appropriate license class and specialty.
License Fee
Current DPOR tradesman / contractor application schedules
CEUs
3 approved hours for electrical tradesman renewal
Permit Fee
Residential $63 through $2,000; above that add $6.07/thousand or fraction; +2% surcharge.
Plan Review Time
Separate trade review; follow the portal record
Common Pitfalls
- A contractor firm’s license and an individual tradesman license serve different roles.
- Building approval does not replace the electrical permit.
Permit-to-closeout workflow
Identify approvals
Confirm the city property, zoning, historic review and applicable Virginia code path.
Submit plans and application
Register for the Online Permit Portal and prepare the City’s required documents.
Coordinate agency review
Answer building and other agency comments; arrange separate trade applications.
Pay and receive the permit
Use My Invoices; issued permits appear in My Permits and are announced by email.
Request inspections
Use My Inspections and follow the requirements for each permit record.
Complete finals and occupancy
Resolve construction and zoning corrections and confirm occupancy requirements.
Permit fees and worked estimates
City-linked schedule effective July 1, 2024, checked October 12, 2026. Valuation is the higher of contractor estimate or RS Means; separate building/trade permits are assessed separately.
| Trade | Permit fee | License fee |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical permits and DPOR credentials | Residential $63 through $2,000; above that add $6.07/thousand or fraction; +2% surcharge. | Current DPOR tradesman / contractor application schedules |
| Plumbing and gas permits | Residential $63 through $2,000; higher work adds $6.07/thousand or fraction; +2%. | Current DPOR fee schedule for each credential |
| Mechanical systems and HVAC licensing | Residential $63/commercial $131 through $2,000; +2% state surcharge per permit. | DPOR current tradesman and firm schedules |
| Fire-protection systems and review | Commercial $131 through $2,000; above that add $8.50/thousand or fraction; +2%. | DPOR specialty / credential schedule as applicable |
| Building alterations and general contracting | Residential $63/commercial $131 through $2,000; scheduled higher-value increments; +2%. | DPOR current firm-license fee schedule |
Permit requirements
Review Richmond’s permitting FAQ for additions, alterations, changes of use and accessory structures. Confirm scope-specific exemptions and zoning or historic-district approvals with the City.
Submission checklist
Application and review
Register for the Online Permit Portal to apply, submit plans and track review. The City lists building, electrical and mechanical applications for residential and commercial projects, while online gas-piping and plumbing applications are listed for residential projects. Ask the office about other application routes.
Contact
Permits and Inspections: (804) 646-4169 or PDRPermitsAndInspections@rva.gov. The official portal page also provides inspection scheduling and portal-support contacts.
Virginia codes and local design information
Virginia’s 2021 code cycle took effect January 18, 2024 and includes the 2020 NEC. Richmond publishes its adopted-code table and local structural design information. DHCD’s amendment pamphlets contain Virginia-specific changes rather than the complete integrated model-code text; use the applicable full code and amendments together.
Homeowner rules
Richmond’s January 2025 Homeowner’s Permit Guide explains the permit and inspection process and identifies who may apply. Use it to prepare the owner’s scope and application, then confirm contractor licensing or an applicable owner exemption with the City. The guide does not replace separate trade permits.
Enforcement and existing buildings
Richmond Property Maintenance / Code Enforcement addresses existing-building conditions under the Virginia Maintenance Code. Its complaint and violation process is distinct from approval of a new building application. Check both open permit corrections and property-maintenance issues when planning work on an occupied building.
Inspections and closeout
Schedule through My Inspections in the portal. Review all required construction and zoning finals, resolve outstanding corrections and confirm occupancy approval requirements before use.