Newport News, VIRGINIA Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Newport News is an independent city under Virginia law. Building permits are administered by the City of Newport News rather than by a county. The Department of Codes Compliance handles building and trade permits and inspections within city limits, while related local approvals can also be required through Planning and Development Services for zoning, site plan, Chesapeake Bay Preservation, floodplain, right-of-way, land disturbance, and historic district review.

Department

Department of Codes Compliance, City of Newport News

Address

2400 Washington Avenue, 3rd Floor, Newport News, VA 23607

Phone

757-933-2311

Email

codesclerical@nnva.gov

Website

https://www.nnva.gov/codes-compliance

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm whether the work requires a permit under the Virginia Construction Code and whether separate zoning, site plan, floodplain, Chesapeake Bay Preservation, right-of-way, land disturbance, historic district, or other local approvals are needed first.
2. Prepare the permit application package. Newport News publishes PDF building and trade permit applications and also allows submission through its Citizen Self Service portal.
3. Assemble supporting documents for the project scope. Residential checklist items include plans in PDF, survey or plat, soils report when needed, contractor registration if not already registered, contractor exemption affidavit if no licensed contractor is responsible, and energy compliance forms for new residential work. Commercial checklist items include completed permit application, construction plans, approved site plans for additions and new construction, and code data shown on plan sheets.
4. Submit the application package online through the portal or by email to codesclerical@nnva.gov.
5. City staff review the application for completeness, code compliance, and any prerequisite approvals. If the submittal does not comply, Newport News must notify the applicant in writing of the reasons the permit is not issued.
6. Pay plan review and permit fees and satisfy any prerequisite receipts or related permits before issuance. Newport News residential materials note that sewer tap receipts or waivers, right-of-way permits, land disturbance permits, and HRSD service fee receipts or waivers may be required.
7. After plan approval, Newport News issues the permit.
8. Keep approved plans on site, perform the work, and request inspections at required stages through the permitting portal or by calling 757-933-2311. Final inspection approval is required before use or occupancy.

Typical processing time: Newport News does not publish a general building permit SLA. Public guidance for residential solar states plan examination typically takes 10 to 15 business days for complete submittals and permit issuance typically occurs within 3 to 5 business days after approval. Inspection requests are typically scheduled within 2 working days.

Source: Department of Codes Compliance, City of Newport News

General Requirements

Under the Virginia Construction Code, permit applications are required before construction or demolition of a building or structure; structural work; changes to required fire-resistance assemblies or egress systems; plumbing, mechanical, fuel-gas, fire-protection, and electrical work; regulated equipment; certain lot-line changes affecting building safety; change of occupancy when a new certificate of occupancy is required; and asbestos disturbance during construction or demolition.

Required Documents

• Completed local permit application
• Plans and construction documents
• Survey or plat showing property lines, easements, setbacks, and Resource Protection Area boundaries where applicable
• Soils report when required
• Approved site plan or waiver for additions and new construction
• Contractor registration if not already registered with the City
• Contractor exemption affidavit when no licensed contractor is responsible
• Specialty forms such as asbestos certification, accessory structure certification, pool packet materials, or energy compliance documents depending on scope

Permit validity

Virginia rules provide that a permit application is deemed abandoned 6 months after filing unless pursued in good faith or issued. Newport News published guidance states permit applications remain valid for 180 days from submission, issued permits remain valid for 180 days from issuance, and issued permits stay active if at least one minimum required inspection is approved within each 180-day period. Under the Virginia Construction Code, the building official may revoke a permit if work does not commence within six months or is suspended or abandoned for six months; written extensions of up to one year each may be granted.

Building code

Newport News enforces the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. DHCD states Virginia adopted the 2021 I-Codes effective January 18, 2024.

Owner-builder

Newport News requires a Contractor Exemption Affidavit when no licensed contractor is responsible for the work. State law allows permit issuance if the applicant files a written statement that the applicant is not subject to contractor licensure.

Contractor requirements

Before permit issuance, Virginia Code section 54.1-1111 requires proof of state contractor licensure or a written exemption statement, plus proof that required local taxes or license fees have been paid. Newport News also maintains a contractor registration form and the form asks for a current business license number. The City notes that a Newport News business license may be required for out-of-city or out-of-state contractors.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$56.10

Plan check fee

$30 for 0 to 2,499 square feet, $55 for 2,500 to 4,999 square feet, and $110 for 5,000 square feet and above.

Permit fee formula

Building permit fees are hybrid and depend on project type. New buildings and additions are based on floor area and a valuation formula using Table 13-26, a regional factor of 0.88, and then 0.44% of calculated value for residential use groups R-3, R-4, and R-5 or 0.48% for other use groups, plus the 2.0% state surcharge. Alterations and repairs use 0.44% of construction value for R-3, R-4, and R-5 and 0.48% for other occupancies, plus the state surcharge.

Reinspection fee

$50

Penalty (no permit)

Work performed before obtaining the appropriate permit is subject to a double-fee charge, except for limited emergency situations where permit, notice, and inspections are obtained the next working day.

Payment note

Newport News public permit pages confirm that the Citizen Self Service portal allows applicants to pay individual invoices online.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Low-voltage wiring and equipment operating at less than 50 volts, broadband systems, and certain dwelling-unit monitoring or automation systems
• One-story detached tool sheds, storage sheds, playhouses, and similar structures up to 256 square feet, not Group F-1 or H occupancies
• Detached prefabricated utility buildings up to 150 square feet for publicly regulated utility service equipment
• Tents or air-supported structures up to 900 square feet with occupant load 50 or less
• Fences of any height, unless used as a required swimming pool barrier or otherwise required for pedestrian safety
• Concrete or masonry walls not over 6 feet above finished grade
• Retaining walls supporting less than 3 feet of unbalanced fill and not supporting surcharge other than ordinary fill
• Swimming pools not greater than 150 square feet in surface area and less than 24 inches deep
• Replacement of aboveground LP-gas containers of the same capacity in the same location by the serving gas supplier
• Flagpoles 30 feet high or less
• Temporary ramps serving certain dwelling units where the entrance served is no more than 30 inches above grade
• Ordinary repairs such as same-size window and door replacement without framed-opening changes, plumbing fixture replacement without system alterations, qualifying residential reroofing and residing, small roof-deck replacement, floor-finish replacement, cabinetry and trim replacement, and paint or wallpaper

Important: Virginia code allows the building official to require permits for otherwise exempt siding, roofing, and window replacement in locally designated historic districts and for exempt items located in a special flood hazard area.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Newport News Permitting Portal (web)
• 757-933-2311 (phone)
• Building: buildinginsp@nnva.gov (email)
• Electrical: electricalinsp@nnva.gov (email)
• Mechanical: mechanicalinsp@nnva.gov (email)
• Plumbing: plumbinginsp@nnva.gov (email)

Inspection hours

8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Time windows

Inspection requests are typically scheduled within 2 working days.

Typical inspection sequence: Mandatory minimum building inspections: zoning, footing, slab or concrete preparatory work, foundation, exterior framing, framing after rough-ins are approved, insulation, lath or wallboard, and final. Electrical: slab, rough-in, meter set, and final. Mechanical: rough-in and final. Plumbing: slab, top-out or rough-in, sewer, water service, and final.

If Newport News staff cannot schedule an inspection within two working days of the requested date, the City allows use of approved third-party inspection agencies, but electrical and gas service inspections, fire protection inspections, and final inspections for occupancy approval must still be performed by Newport News staff.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Newport News enforces the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. DHCD states Virginia adopted the 2021 I-Codes effective January 18, 2024.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Residential Building Permit Checklist
• Commercial Plan Review Checklist
• Mandatory Minimum Inspections Sheet
• Contractor Registration and Instructions
• Development Services
• Land Disturbance/VPDES Permit
• Right-of-Way Permit
• Chesapeake Bay Preservation
• Floodplain Management
• Architectural Review Boards
• Maps and Data
• Virginia Permit Trigger and Exemption Rule
• License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub