Feb. 24, 2021 - Daily Update

Building Safety & Permits
Good morning, Building Safety & Permits has 72 inspections for today, Feb. 24, 2021.

The Building Safety & Permits Division had some new fees and changes to some existing fees start on Jan. 1. Among these fee changes are the following:

Residential Certificate of Occupancy fee
30-day temporary Certificate of Occupancy fees
Plan review fee due at time of application
Plan review fee for work in a floodplain
Tiered fees for multiple re-inspections-First Rej. $52.50/Second Rej. $105.00/ Third Rej. $210.00
Re-inspection fees must be paid before Certificate of Occupancy is issued

Click here to see a detailed fee change summary table.

Click here for some helpful tips to minimize reinspection and surety fees.

For questions about the new fees and fee changes, please contact the Building Safety & Permits Division at: buildingsafetyandpermits@jamescitycountyva.gov.

As a precaution related to Coronavirus, Bldg E is open to the public by appointment only. For further assistance or to schedule an appointment, please call Building Safety & Permits (757-253-6626), Stormwater & Resource Protection (757-253-6670) or Records Management (757-253-6730).

No one with a fever or symptoms of COVID-19, or known exposure to a COVID-19 case in the prior 14 days is permitted to enter. Face Masks are required.

Reminder that approved plans must be on site for ALL inspections including trade inspections.

Please note that Sheathing inspections cannot be inspected with Air Barrier (House Wrap applied).

Re-inspection Policy

Please note that all re-inspection fees must be paid PRIOR to requesting a re-inspection.

Modified Inspection Protocols as a result of COVID-19
To enhance the safety of Building Safety & Permits (BS&P) inspectors and our customers, we will triage inspections based on the ability to limit person-to-person contact according to the best available data and the following protocols.

When and where there is the greatest opportunity to limit person-to-person contact, inspections will continue with minimal changes. These are inspections that are performed outside in open air environments; such as, footings, foundations, floor framing, decks, temporary power poles, underground utility trench inspections, and similar. Most often these inspections may be performed without anyone else present.

When and where there is a moderate ability to limit person-to-person contact (those inspections that typically occur in environments where the work area is enclosed), BS&P inspectors will evaluate each situation and may take any of the following measures: 1) request that those present temporarily leave the space until the inspection is completed; 2) request to use approved video or photographic means to verify code compliance; 3) request that the inspection be rescheduled for a different time (possibly the same day); or 3) recommend to the permit holder that he or she request a waiver of the inspection, as allowed by USBC Section 113.1: “when the construction cost is less than $2,500 the inspection may, at the discretion of the inspecting authority be waived.” Examples of these inspections may include framing and insulation inspections, trade rough-in / final inspections, and building final inspections.

When and where there is limited to no ability to limit person-to-person contact, the inspectors will review appropriate actions with their supervisor and then coordinate with the permit holder prior to initiating the inspection. These may be inspections in occupied homes, nursing homes and assisted living facilities. In occupied homes, the inspectors and their supervisor may choose to use options 2 or 3, as noted above. For nursing homes and assisted living facilities, the inspector’s supervisor may suggest that the permit holder seek approval of a third-party inspector, in accordance with the building official’s written policy (https://va-jamescitycounty.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/6494/Policy-Regarding-Approval-of-Third-party-Inspectors-and-Agencies-PDF).

Requests to submit video and/or photographs in lieu of work area visits by BS&P inspectors must be pre-approved by the Director of Building Safety & Permits or the Inspections Section Chief. Such exhibits must include a way to verify the date, time and location as well as the identity of the person taking the video or photograph.

Please see this link regarding 3^rd Party Inspections which REQUIRE pre-approval by the Inspection Chief. https://jamescitycountyva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/6494/Policy-Regarding-Approval-of-Third-party-Inspectors-and-Agencies-PDF You may email Allen Turner allen.turner@jamescitycountyva.gov to request pre approvals

Contact: 757-253-6626
https://www.jamescitycountyva.gov/406/Building-Safety-Permits