Building Inspection
The Department of Building Inspections is responsible for enforcing new construction, building maintenance and fire code regulations within Greensville County. The office issues permits, performs inspections and investigates building and fire code related complaints in residential, commercial and industrial occupancies. Complaints involving manufactured and industrialized buildings are referred to the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development’s Manufactured and Industrialized Buildings Office.
The current building code in effect in Greensville County is the 2000 edition of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (V.U.S.B.C.), which took effect October 1, 2003. The current edition of the code references the following model codes:
2000 International Building Code
2000 International Plumbing Code
2000 International Mechanical Code
1999 National Electrical Code (as referenced in the 2000 International Electrical Code
2000 International Fuel Gas Code
2000 International Energy Conservation Code
2000
International Residential Code
The specifically identified changes contained in the 2001 supplement and
the 2002 accumulative supplement to the International Codes.
Greensville County adopted local enforcement of the property maintenance code provisions on November 4, 1996 and local enforcement of the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code on April 19, 1999.
Exemptions to the Building Code (as mandated by V.U.S.B.C.)
1.
Equipment controlled by a publicly regulated utility service and
located on property by established rights.
2. Manufacturing and processing machines including the following service equipment associated with the manufacturing or processing machines;
Electrical equipment connected after the last disconnecting means;
Plumbing piping and equipment connected after the last shut-off valve or backflow device or before the equipment drain trap;
Gas piping and
equipment connected after the outlet shut-off valve.
3.
Parking lots and sidewalks that are not part of an accessible
route.
4.
Recreational equipment such as swing sets, sliding boards,
climbing bars, jungle gyms, skateboard ramps, and similar equipment when
such equipment is not regulated by the Virginia Amusement Device
Regulations.
5. Industrialized buildings; except, the applicable requirements of this code affecting local option maintenance (Part III of this code), site preparation, footings, foundations, proper anchoring and utility connections of the unit remain in full force and effect, including issuing permits and certificates of occupancy.
6. Manufactured homes; except, the applicable requirements of this code affecting local option maintenance (Part III of this code), site foundations, proper anchoring and utility connections of the manufactured home remain in full force and effect, including issuing permits and certificates of occupancy.
7. Farm buildings and structures not used for residential purposes, located on property where farming operations take place, and used primarily for any of the following uses or combination thereof:
a. Storage, handling, production, display, sampling or sale of agricultural, horticultural, floricultural or silvicultural products produced on the farm;
b. Sheltering, raising, handling, processing or sale of agricultural animals or agricultural animal products;
c. Business or office uses relating to the farm operation;
d. Use of farm machinery or equipment, or maintenance or storage of vehicles, machinery or equipment on the farm;
e. Storage or use of supplies and materials used on the farm; or
f. Implementation of best management practices associated with farm operations, in the construction of structures.
However, the following farm buildings and structures are not exempt from this code.
(1) Farm buildings and structures lying within a flood plain or in a mudslide-prone area shall be subject to flood proofing regulations or mudslide regulations, as applicable.
(2) A building or a portion of a building, located on a farm, that is operated as a restaurant as defined in §35.1-1 of the Code of Virginia and licensed as such by the Board of Health under Chapter 2 (§35-1-11 et seq.) of Title 35.1 of the Code of Virginia.
Exceptions to Permit Requirements
Compliance with the USBC is required for permit exceptions and inspections are waived. If requested by an owner or their agent, a building permit shall be issued and the work inspected for compliance. The following are exempt from application for permit.
1. Installation of wiring and equipment (i) which operates at less than 50 volts, (ii) for network powered broadband communications system, or (iii) exempt under Section 101.7(1), except in any case when the installation is located in a plenum, penetrates fire rated or smoke protected construction or is a component of any of the following:
a. Fire alarm system;
b. Fire detection system;
c. Fire suppression system;
d. Smoke control system;
e. Fire protection supervisory system;
f. Elevator fire safety control system;
g. Access or egress control system or delayed egress locking or latching system.
2. Detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses accessory to all groups except Group F or H and detached pre-fabricated buildings housing the equipment of exempted public utilities, provided such accessory structures and pre-fabricated buildings do not exceed 150 square feet (14m2) of building area.
3. Tents and air-supported structures that cover an area of 900 square feet (84m2) or less, including all connecting areas or spaces with a common means of egress or entrance and with an occupant load of 50 or less persons.
4. Fences not part of the barrier for a swimming pool and retaining walls four feet or less in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless, such walls are supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II or III-A liquids.
5. Swimming pools which are 150 square feet (13.95 m2) or less in surface area, 5,000 gallons (18,925 L) or less of water capacity and 24 inches (609.6 mm) or less in depth.
6. Work that the building official has authorized pending receipt of an application.
7. Ordinary repairs that include, but are not limited to, the following:
a. Replacement of mechanical or plumbing equipment and appliances, except those fueled by gas or oil, within the dwelling unit in occupancies of Group R-2 which are four stories or less in height and in occupancies of Groups R-3, R-4 and R-5.
b. Replacement of roof coverings and installation or replacement of siding on Groups R-3, R-4 and R-5 structures, where such structures are located in localities where the basic wind speed is 100 miles per hour (160 km/hr) or less, determined in accordance with Table R301.2(4), in the amended 2000 International Residential Code.
c. Installation of cabinets in all occupancies.
d. Replacement of floor coverings and porch flooring within the dwelling unit in occupancies of Group R-2 which are four stories or less in height and in occupancies of Groups R-3, R-4 and R-5.
e. Painting any portion of a structure, repair of plaster, interior tile and other wall coverings in all occupancies.
f. Replacement of windows and doors and electrical switches, outlets, light fixtures and ceiling fans, within the dwelling unit in occupancies of Group R-2 which are four stories or less in height and in occupancies of Groups R-3, R-4 and R-5.
g. Replacement of interior floor finish and covering materials.
Ordinary repairs shall not include the cutting away of any wall, partition or portion thereof, the removal or cutting of any structural beam or loadbearing support, or the removal or change of any required means of egress, or rearrangement of parts of a structure affecting the egress requirements; nor shall ordinary repairs include addition to, alteration of, replacement or relocation of any standpipe, water supply, sewer, drainage, drain leader, gas or oil, soil, waste, vent or similar piping, electric wiring or mechanical or other work affecting public health or general safety.
Other Exceptions for
Permitting
Porches or decks less than 25 square feet and located on the ground story in residential occupancies.
The established local criteria referenced in the Uniform Statewide Building Code include the following:
Frost Depth – 12 inches
Wind Speed Design Load – 90 mph
Snow Design Load – 20 pounds psf.
HUD Wind Zone I
HUD Thermal Zone 3
Contractors engaging in, or offering to engage in, contracting for compensation are required to be licensed according to the value of the proposed work as follows:
Value $ 1,001 - $ 7,500 Virginia Class C, B, or A License
Value $ 7,501 - $69,999 Virginia Class B or A License
Value $70,000 or more Virginia Class A License
Use the following link to check the current license status of any licensed contractor in Virginia: www.dpor.state.va.us/regulantlookup/
In addition to the above licensing requirements, any individual performing electrical, plumbing, HVAC or gas fitting work in Virginia is required to be certified in the respective field, regardless of the value of the work.
All contractors working in Greensville County are required to have a valid local business license. Information on business licensing requirements can be obtained from the Greensville County Commissioner of the Revenue’s Office.
Contact Us
Building/Fire
Official – Charles M. Veliky, CBO, CPCA
Building
Inspector – Linwood E. Pope Jr.
Planning/Building
Technician – Katherine H. Howerton
Administrative Support Assistant I – Susan D. Conwell
Office
hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
(434)
348-4232
(434)
348-0696 – Fax
No
permits are issued after 4:30 p.m.
Requests
for inspections require 24 hours notice.