Virginia, Goochland County Plumbing Permit Regulations and County Ordinances for Unincorporated Areas

Goochland County Plumbing Permit Requirements

Goochland County, Virginia, requires permits for most construction and alteration work to ensure public safety and compliance with local land use regulations. This includes plumbing work. The county's Building Inspections Department handles permit applications and enforces the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC).

County Jurisdiction and Building & Safety Divisions

The Goochland County Department of Building Inspections is responsible for issuing permits and ensuring compliance with building codes. They handle permits for building, plumbing, electrical, gas, fire, and mechanical systems. Permit applications are accepted in person between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Permits submitted after 4:00 p.m. will not be accepted.

Rules for Properties in Unincorporated Areas

The requirements for properties in unincorporated areas of Goochland County are generally the same as for the rest of the county, as they fall under the county's jurisdiction for building permits and code enforcement. All construction, including plumbing work, must adhere to the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) and any specific local ordinances. The submittal of building permit applications, construction drawings, site plans, and other supporting documentation must be in accordance with the USBC.

Specific Plumbing Permit Information

Permits are required for plumbing work associated with new residential dwellings, commercial construction, and alterations, remodels, or additions.
Specific permit types exist for various plumbing scenarios, such as commercial backflow preventer installation or repair, and residential plumbing work not covered by other specific categories. It is recommended to contact the Department of Building Inspection to discuss the scope of work before applying.
As of March 16, 2026, Goochland County Building Inspection Department no longer requires separate residential pool plumbing permits and their associated inspections. However, any previously approved pool plumbing permits will still have inspections performed to close them out.
Farm buildings and structures used for specific purposes directly related to an operating farm are exempt from the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), provided a Farm Use Affidavit is completed.

Resources to Learn More

Virginia Plumbing Legislation, Codes, and Guidelines

State-Level Plumbing Codes in Virginia

Plumbing systems in Virginia are governed by the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC). The technical requirements for plumbing are established through the adoption of the 2021 Virginia Plumbing Code, which is based on the 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC) published by the International Code Council (ICC). This code is integrated into the USBC with specific state-level amendments tailored to Virginia's requirements for design, installation, maintenance, and inspection.

Primary State Agencies and Boards

The administration and development of building codes in Virginia are managed by the following entities:

Virginia Board of Housing and Community Development (BHCD): This Governor-appointed board is responsible for the promulgation and adoption of the USBC. They update the building codes on a three-year cycle, incorporating nationally recognized model codes through a regulatory process.

Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD): This state agency administers the USBC and provides the regulatory framework for the development and adoption of these statewide standards.

State Building Code Technical Review Board (SBCTRB): This board consists of citizens appointed by the Governor to ensure the building code is administered fairly and to resolve disputes between enforcing agencies and aggrieved parties.

While the state sets the standards, the enforcement of the USBC is the responsibility of local government building inspection departments.

Resources to Learn More

Virginia, Goochland County Plumbing Permit Regulations and County Ordinances for Unincorporated Areas

Goochland County Plumbing Permit Requirements

County Jurisdiction and Building & Safety Divisions

Rules for Properties in Unincorporated Areas

Specific Plumbing Permit Information

Resources to Learn More

Virginia Plumbing Legislation, Codes, and Guidelines

State-Level Plumbing Codes in Virginia

Primary State Agencies and Boards

Resources to Learn More

Select a City in Goochland County

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