Building Inspections

Building Official: Alan McMahan 540-261-8635, cell: 540-784-8878

The City of Buena Vista, along with all other localities in the State of Virginia, utilizes the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC). This is a document produced by the Virginia Board of Housing and Community Development. It is based upon the model codes published by the International Code Council (ICC) and the National Fire Prevention Association. It is updated on a three-year cycle along with each of the model codes. The current edition of the USBC is 2021, with an effective date of January 6, 2024. The referenced model codes are as follows:

• 2021 Virginia Codes
• Code of Virginia (Title 36-6)
• State Board for Contractors
• Building & Zoning Permit Portal
• Virginia Building & Code Officials Association
• Virginia Plumbing & Mechanical Inspector Association
• Mandatory Energy Construction Requirements
• Related Virginia Department of Housing & Community Development Regulations
• Requirement for Licensed Architects and Engineers (AE) Seal on Construction Documents
• City of Buena Vista Municipal Code
• National Fire Prevention (NFPA) Standards
• Overview of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code

USBC Section 108.1 When applications are required. Application for a permit shall be made to the building official and a permit shall be obtained prior to the commencement of any of the following activities, except that applications for emergency construction, alteration,s or equipment replacement shall be submitted by the end of the first working day that follows the day such work commences. In addition, the building official may authorize work to commence pending the receipt of an application or the issuance of a permit.

1. Construction or demolition of a building or structure. Installations or alterationsinvolving (i) the removal or addition of any wall, partition or portion thereof, (ii) anystructural component, (iii) the repair or replacement of any required component of a fire orsmoke rated assembly, (iv) the alteration of any required means of egress system, includingthe addition of emergency supplemental hardware, (v) water supply and distributionsystem, sanitary drainage system or vent system, (vi) electric wiring, (vii) fire protectionsystem, mechanical systems, or fuel supply systems, or (viii) any equipment regulated bythe USBC.2. For change of occupancy,application for a permit shall be made when a new certificateof occupancy is required by the VEBC.3. Movement of a lot line that increases the hazard to or decreases the level of safety of anexisting building or structure in comparison to the building code under which such buildingor structure was constructed.4. Removal or disturbing of any asbestos containing materials during the construction ordemolition of a building or structure, including additions.* See VUSBC Section 108.2 for a list of exemptions (i.e. construction activities) that do not require a building permit.

Link to Permit Fee Schedule: [PDF]

Residential Rental Inspection Program

Residential rental, including apartments and detached houses, is an important part of the City’s housing. In addition to land use regulations that apply to all buildings, the City has established a Rental Inspection Program to ensure minimum health and safety conditions in residential rental units in some parts of the city.