Richmond permit search: look up, apply and check a permit

How to search a permit by address in Richmond

Richmond’s Online Permit Portal has a public search separate from its account registration. The city describes the search as a way to find permits, plans and inspections, and says public map and search functions can be used without logging in. Applying for a permit requires registration. Use the search for existing records; use the application route when submitting a new request.

Search for permits, plans and inspections - The customer can perform multiple search functions using the buttons at the top of the online permit portal home page.

Source: Online Permit Portal | Richmond, read 2026-11-01

The rendered Public Information form offers a Permit record type and a search field, with an Advanced control for additional options. Results can be sorted by Address, Permit Number, Issued Date or Finalized Date. These are record-search controls, rather than a promise that a particular property has a permit on file. The city identifies this portal as its way to follow a permit’s status.

Richmond permit numbers and dates

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Richmond permit requirements

The city separates a building’s structural permit from the trade work performed within it. Its building-permit statement covers new construction and alterations, while electrical, mechanical and plumbing work are handled under separate trade permits. That distinction matters when reading an existing permit record: the building record and the trade applications describe different portions of a project.

A building permit must be obtained prior to commencing any new construction or alterations to a building. In the City of Richmond, a building permit only covers the building and structural portion of a project. The permit is only reviewed for compliance with the building code. Any electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work for a project will be done under a separate trade permit. Reviews for code-compliance will be done as those permits are submitted.

Source: Permits and Inspections | Richmond, read 2026-11-01

For residential electrical work, the homeowner guide’s FAQ 7 says a separate application is needed and construction documents are not required for the residential trade application. Plumbing is treated the same way in that FAQ. This document exception belongs to the trade applications; it does not remove the construction-document requirement for the building projects described in the building application section.

Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, and Gas piping work cannot be included on a residential building permit. Each trade requires a separate application. Construction documents are not required for residential trade permit applications.

Source: Homeowners Residential Building Permit Process Guide, 2025-02-10, read 2026-11-01

Can a homeowner pull their own permit in Richmond?

Richmond’s homeowner guide includes the property owner among the people who may apply. It also names a lessee, agents, a Registered Design Professional and the contractor associated with the work. The answer concerns who may submit the application; the same passage requires information about the owner, lessee and applicant within that application.

An application shall be made by the owner or lessee of the relevant property or the agent of either or by the Registered Design Professional, or contractor associated with the work or any of their agents. The full name and address of the owner, lessee and applicant shall be provided in the application.

Source: Homeowners Residential Building Permit Process Guide, 2025-02-10, read 2026-11-01

The guide also discusses who may prepare residential plans. An applicant, owner or contractor can prepare them, with an engineering condition for structural designs outside the residential code’s requirements. Preparing the plans and applying for the permit are described separately, so read both passages when arranging your project documents.

What work does not need a permit in Richmond?

Richmond’s guide gives ordinary repairs, window and door replacements, and cabinetry installation as exemption examples. It points readers to Section 108 of the residential code for the complete list. The guide introduces these examples as exceptions to the residential building-permit requirement, rather than as a description of the separate electrical, plumbing or other trade applications.

A Residential Building permit is required for the construction of new dwellings, as well as for additions, alterations, repairs, and renovations to existing dwellings. However, Section 108 in the 2021 Virginia Residential Building Code outlines exceptions where a building permit is not required. These exceptions include ordinary repairs, window and door replacements, and cabinetry installation among others.

Source: Homeowners Residential Building Permit Process Guide, 2025-02-10, read 2026-11-01

The city’s guide pairs its exemption examples with the code reference. Keep that reference with the examples when discussing the scope of proposed work. The passage does not publish a monetary threshold for these examples, and its list is presented as examples among other exceptions rather than the complete exemption text.

How much is a permit and how long does it take in Richmond?

The city’s homeowner guide gives an initial-review goal and warns that processing for some application types can take longer. Receipt in plan review is the starting point for the stated goal. The document describes applications and plans being reviewed in the order received; it does not present the goal as a permit-issuance deadline.

Processing times for some application types may take as long as 2-3 weeks. Applications and plans are being reviewed in the order in which they are received. The goal is to have the initial review completed within 10 business days of receiving the application in plan review.

Source: Homeowners Residential Building Permit Process Guide, 2025-02-10, read 2026-11-01

Before you apply in Richmond: checklist

Richmond calls for construction documents with applications for a new building, addition, alteration, finishing a space, and interior or partial demolition. Assemble documents for the proposed building work rather than treating the residential trade-document exception as a substitute. The building application and the residential trade applications have different document instructions.

A building permit must be obtained before commencing any construction or alterations to a building. Construction documents are required when submitting a building permit application for a new building, addition, alteration, finishing a space, and/or interior or partial demolition of an existing structure. Depending on the project scope one or more of these file types will be required:  Site Plan indicating the proposed setbacks of the improvements.  Soil Report – Required for New Homes.  Plans: foundation plan, floor plan, roof plan.  Floor plans of each level impacted by the proposed work with differentiating existing walls, new walls, and walls selected for demolition.  Elevations and Sections.  Construction details.  Trusses if applicable to the project.  Structural Reports depending on the scope of work.

Source: Homeowners Residential Building Permit Process Guide, 2025-02-10, read 2026-11-01

Residential plans may be prepared by the applicant, owner or contractor. Where structural elements fall outside the residential code’s requirements, the guide calls for design in accordance with accepted engineering practices. Keep that condition in view when deciding how the project’s plans will be prepared.

Residential plans do not require to be prepared by an RDP. Plans can be prepared by the applicant, owner, or contractor. However, if the proposed design includes structural elements that do not conform to the requirements of the 2021 Virginia Residential Code, those elements must be designed in accordance with accepted engineering practices.

Source: Homeowners Residential Building Permit Process Guide, 2025-02-10, read 2026-11-01

The city’s inspection list covers footing excavation and reinforcement, foundations, preparation before concrete placement, structural members and fasteners, trade systems, energy-conservation materials and the final inspection. The guide says those categories apply when relevant to the construction or permit. Several entries call for inspection before concrete placement or concealment, so the listed stages refer to different points during construction.

How do I contact the Richmond building department?

The City of Richmond Bureau of Permits and Inspections is the office named on the city’s permitting page. Its Permit Portal page includes inspection scheduling assistance and help for using the online system. Use that city page for current department contact details and portal help; the record-search page serves the separate task of finding existing permit information.

City portal guidance: Permit Portal.

Sources

• Permits and Inspections | Richmond (rva.gov), read 2026-11-01
• richmondvaprod (energov.richmondgov.com), read 2026-11-01
• City of Richmond Fee Schedule (rva.gov), 2024-07-01, read 2026-11-01
• Online Permit Portal | Richmond (rva.gov), read 2026-11-01
• Homeowners Residential Building Permit Process Guide (rva.gov), 2025-02-10, read 2026-11-01
• Public Information (energov.richmondgov.com), read 2026-11-01