Compiled 2026-08-08 from each jurisdiction's published websites, policy PDFs, permit packets, and ordinances (5 parallel research agents, primary documents fetched and read; every claim below carries its source). Verification labels: VERIFIED = fetched page/PDF; SNIPPET = search result not fetched; INFERRED = from statewide code, not a local document.
The statewide frame (applies everywhere)
- VUSBC §113.7 / 113.7.1 (13VAC5-63-130) — VERIFIED (law.lis.virginia.gov): the building official may accept third-party inspection reports, and every building official MUST maintain a written policy setting minimum third-party inspector qualifications, report format/timeframe, and any pre-qualification requirements. Where no policy is published online, one exists on paper — request it.
- Ch 17 special inspections (VCC 1704/1705):
administered regionally.
- Hampton Roads Regional Special Inspection Guidelines and Procedures — current edition 2021 USBC, revised 2024-01-18 (VERIFIED, full PDF: hosted by Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Newport News, Surry). 16 of the 19 target jurisdictions participate: Accomack, Chesapeake, Franklin, Hampton, Isle of Wight, James City, Newport News, Norfolk, Northampton, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Southampton, Suffolk, Surry, Virginia Beach, York (plus Cape Charles, Chincoteague, Williamsburg).
- VBCOA Region VII "Special Inspections Procedures" (2006-era template) — Gloucester, Mathews, Middlesex (VERIFIED from Gloucester + Mathews hosted PDFs; Middlesex INFERRED from its Region VII listing).
- What the regional HR program says (VERIFIED, full
read):
- SSI (Statement of Special Inspections) by an RDP is a condition of permit issuance (VCC 1704.2.3); uniform regional SSI/Schedule/Final Report forms (Appendix A).
- Special Inspector (Agent 1) must be a Virginia-licensed PE/architect, retained by the Owner, independent of contractors, approved by the Building Official via resume before permit issuance; agencies per ASTM E329.
- Schedule categories include "DEEP FOUNDATION/HELICAL PILE FOUNDATION ELEMENTS" — "monitor drilling, placement, plumbness, driving of piles, including recording installation torque, pressure, blows per foot, cut off, and tip elevation" (VCC 1705.7/.8/.9) — exactly UP's pier-log data — and "Retaining walls — field review of installation of pre-manufactured structural components, drainage, and compaction" (VCC 113.4, 1705.1.1 Special Cases).
- Interim reports within 7 working days; pre-construction meeting unless waived; Final Report of Special Inspections approved by the BO before final/CO.
- Residential exemption: SI not required for R-3/R-4/R-5 and accessory Group U "unless otherwise required by the Building Official" (VCC 1704.2). BO or RDP may invoke SI for "unusual" work / alternative or manufacturer-instruction-driven systems (VCC 1705.1.1) — arguably covers proprietary pier systems.
- Practical consequence: for UP's residential book, the operative mechanism in nearly every jurisdiction is the §113.7 third-party policy, not Ch 17. One SI qualification package (PE resumes + ASTM E329 documentation) works across all 16 HR localities for commercial/SI-triggered work.
THE MATRIX
Tier 1 — Published product-specific rules
| Jurisdiction | UND | ANC | BRC | SUP | FND | WTR | ENC | RTW | How it works |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James City County | ●¹ | ◆ | ◆ | ◆² | ◆ | ◆ | ◆³ | ●⁴ | Helical/push piers: ICC-ES report at permit; engineer cert letter IS the final inspection (county still does footing insp). 3P otherwise = pre-approval, exception-not-routine, 2-day reports. |
| Norfolk | ●⁵ | ◆ | ◆ | ●⁶ | ◆ | ◆ | ◆ | ◆ | Push piers: Engineer's Letter + SSI w/ schedule required in permit submittal. "Statement of Third Party Inspections" form w/ Building Commissioner acceptance; E&O insurance attestation. |
| Franklin | ●⁷ | ◆ | ◆ | ◆ | ●⁸ | ◆ | ◆ | ◆ | Pile foundations MUST be supervised by owner's PE/architect (inspection handout #3); formed concrete walls same (#6); engineer certs approved before rough-in (#13d). |
| Accomack | ●⁹ | ◇ | ◇ | ◇ | ◇ | ●¹⁰ | ◇ | ◇ | Driven piles: 3rd-party blow count or engineer report required before framing. Waterproofing/damp-proofing = county inspection before backfill. No general 3P policy published. |
Tier 2 — Published general third-party policy (all 8 product types eligible, conditions apply)
| Jurisdiction | All products | Policy conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Newport News | ◆ (strongest) | Standing approved-agency roster (policy dated 6/1/2026): apply once w/ responsible VA PE, inspector CVs, elements covered, sample report; PE-sealed reports. Trigger: city can't inspect in 2 working days / offices closed. |
| Gloucester | ◆ (friendliest trigger) | Policy updated 5/12/2026 (2021 USBC): VA RDP or supervised-by-RDP; from day 3 after a missed inspection, no pre-approval needed. Sealed reports; all 3P inspections through framing filed before insulation. |
| York County | ◆ | Approval at permit issuance; RDP/ICC/DHCD/NICET qualifies; Jotform "Statement of Third Party Inspection" within 24 hrs. Exception-not-routine, 2-working-day trigger. |
| Hampton | ◆ | Memo 3/27/2023: per-inspection written request by permit holder; VA DPOR RDP qualifies alone; reports within 2 working days; 2-working-day/critical-timing/weather triggers; advance approval mandatory. |
| Chesapeake | ◆ (most restrictive) | Policy 8/22/2025: approves individuals only, not firms; DHCD cert required; 1M/2M insurance incl. Professional + E&O; triggers = 48-hr unavailability / beyond-city expertise / special design; reports 24 hrs (form says 3 working days); no 3P finals; expansive-soils jobs need PE-designed foundation plan and RDP-supervised 3P inspections. |
| Mathews | ◆ | Same VBCOA template as JCC: pre-approval, exception-not-routine, 2-working-day trigger, PE/architect certifier, DHCD-certified field inspectors, 2-day reports. |
Tier 3 — No published policy (§113.7 written policy exists by law — request it)
| Jurisdiction | Status | What IS known |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | ◇ | Hosts the current regional SI policy; "foundation repairs" explicitly permit-required. Legacy SI-policy page dead after site migration. Call (757) 385-4211 / perminsp@vbgov.com. |
| Suffolk | ◇* | City site references a "3rd party inspection policy" for engineer/architect inspection letters — "accepted at the discretion of the Building Official" — but the document is unpublished. BO Michael Robinson 757-514-4156. |
| Portsmouth | ◇* | Had a published "Third-Party Inspections Policy" (2021) — now 404 after site redesign. Doug Smith, Director P&I, (757) 393-8531. Hard-copy plan submittals still required (2021 memo). |
| Poquoson | ◇ | Regional SI participant; generic permit application; BO seat may have turned over (job posting seen). Call 757-868-3035. |
| Southampton | ◇* | Historically shared a joint "Franklin–Southampton" department — Franklin's pile-PE-supervision handout may apply; unconfirmed. Entire forms library 404s. BO Lee Gray (757) 742-6754. |
| Isle of Wight | ◇ | Regional SI participant; shrink-swell soils report req'd (soil scientist or licensed engineer); OpenGov portal may hold more forms. (757) 365-6315, to-inspect@isleofwightus.net. |
| Middlesex | ◇ | Thinnest corpus (2-page inspection sheet + combined permit app). Region VII SI presumed. BO G. David Selph, david@CO.Middlesex.VA.US, 804-758-4305. |
| Northampton | ◇ | Already outsources ALL electrical inspections to a private firm (Shore Electrical Inspections) — precedent for privatized inspection. Jan-2025 Wind Policy: sealed structural plans req'd within 1,500 ft of tidal water (120 mph cert). BO John Outten 757-678-0443 x525. |
| Surry | ◇ | Hosts the full regional SI policy locally (only Tier-3 locality that does); fee schedule has explicit "Retaining Walls, Towers, Piers, etc — $50" line. BO Matt Westheimer 757-634-5373. |
Footnotes (Tier 1):
- JCC "Permitting and Inspections Policy for Helical Piles and Driven Piles" (3/10/2015, rev 08-2019): ICC-ES evaluation report required at permit (manufacturer statement NOT sufficient); design per VCC 1810.3; helical + push piers → county footing inspection + engineer certification letter serves as final (no JCC field final); if the evaluation report requires SI, full regional SSI required, SI fees paid by owner.
- JCC foundation jacks: permit + county footing inspection + county final; no engineer letter required.
- JCC crawlspace encapsulation: permit + county final inspection.
- JCC "Retaining Walls" policy (6/14/2021, rev 10/30/2023): ≥3 ft unbalanced fill/surcharge/flood → sealed RDP drawings + geotech + SSI by RDP of record + JCC-approved SI agent + Final Report + soil/drainage certs + RDP construction-oversight cert + recorded maintenance covenants (JCC Code 23-9.1).
- Norfolk Building Permit Application packet, "Foundation Repair" section: Push Piers = "Engineer's Letter; Location of piers; Statement of Special Inspections with Inspection Schedule (All signatures required); Specs sheets."
- Norfolk "Smart Jacks" = pier locations + spec sheets only (no engineer letter demanded).
- Franklin Inspections Information handout, inspection #3: "Pile Foundations — This office requires that foundations be supervised by the owner's professional engineer or architect or by such professional service approved by this office."
- Franklin handout #6: formed concrete walls — same PE/architect supervision requirement.
- Accomack Required Minimum Inspections: "For mechanically driven piles, a 3rd party blow count, or engineer report must be provided to the building official" before framing above pilings.
- Accomack: basement damp proofing/waterproofing/drainage "must be inspected and verified prior to backfilling" (county hold point).
Per-jurisdiction dossiers (sources + contacts)
Virginia Beach City
- Planning — Permits & Inspections, (757) 385-4211, perminsp@vbgov.com. https://planning.virginiabeach.gov/divisions-offices/permits-inspections
- Hosts current regional SI policy: https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/virginia-beach-departments-docs/planning/Divisions-Offices/Permits_Inspections/Documents/USBC-Hampton-Roads-SI-Policy.pdf
- "Foundation repairs" permit-required (VERIFIED): https://planning.virginiabeach.gov/permits/building/residential-building-permits
- Gap: §113.7 policy unpublished (legacy vbgov.com page dead). Call.
Chesapeake City
- Development & Permits, (757) 382-6018, permitsupport@CityOfChesapeake.net
- Third-Party Inspections Policy (8/22/2025): https://www.cityofchesapeake.net/DocumentCenter/View/1169/Third-Party-Inspection-PolicyPDF
- Request form (insurance 1M/2M incl. E&O; Footing/Concrete/Foundation checkboxes; engineered-foundation work must be by/under a VA RDP): https://www.cityofchesapeake.net/DocumentCenter/View/28384/Third-Party-Inspection-Request-Form-PDF
- Regional SI 2021: https://www.cityofchesapeake.net/DocumentCenter/View/16797/
- Gap: individuals-only approval in practice for a PE firm; 24-hr vs 3-day report contradiction. Call.
Norfolk City
- City Planning — Building Safety, 757-664-6565; Phil Winslow, Building Commissioner, 757-403-6923 (city directory; regional doc still lists Phillip Williams — verify)
- Permit packet w/ Foundation Repair checklist (push piers → Engineer's Letter + SSI): https://www.norfolk.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1474/Building-Permit-Form-PDF
- Statement of Third Party Inspections form: https://www.norfolk.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1467
- Regional SI guidelines: https://www.norfolk.gov/DocumentCenter/View/68475/
- Gap: no published qualification-policy prose; "Critical Structures" FAQ text snippet-only.
Portsmouth City
- Permits & Inspections; Douglas K. Smith, Director, (757) 393-8531, doug.smith@portsmouthva.gov
- 2021 third-party policy existed, now 404 (…/DocumentCenter/View/89). Plan submittal memo (2 hard copies!): https://content.civicplus.com/api/assets/2fbc5cee-2978-44ac-9b71-cf5dc72be4b3
- Weakest documentation of the 19 — site redesign orphaned everything. Call.
Suffolk City
- Community Development 757-514-4150; Michael Robinson, Building Official, 757-514-4156, mrobinson@suffolkva.us
- 3P policy referenced (discretionary, unpublished): https://www.suffolkva.us/1401/Plan-Submission-and-Inspection-Details
- Hosts regional SI policy: https://www.suffolkva.us/DocumentCenter/View/16896/ + SSI form /8272
- Residential app: flood zone → engineer's foundation design; shrink/swell → engineer's soil report. Call for the policy doc.
Franklin City
- Community Development 757-562-8501, permits@franklinva.com; Michael Pope, CBO, 757-562-4515; inspections 757-562-8580
- Inspections handout (pile foundations = PE supervision REQUIRED): https://franklinva.gov/Documents/Government/Departments%20A%20to%20G/Community%20Development/Building%20Safety%20Bureau%20Of%20Inspections/Forms%20and%20Documents/inspection-scheduling-handout.pdf
- NB: handout headed "Franklin–Southampton Department of Community Development" (2020) — joint-department status needs confirmation.
Southampton County
- Lee Freddie Gray, Building Official, lgray@southamptoncounty.org, (757) 742-6754
- Forms library entirely 404 (verified). InspectNet portal: https://scinspect.permitlvonline.com/
- Franklin joint procedures may apply (INFERRED). Call.
Isle of Wight County
- Inspections (757) 365-6315 / hotline (757) 365-1666, to-inspect@isleofwightus.net; W. Mark Drumheller, Asst. Director, CBO
- FAQ (permits req'd for repair/alteration): https://www.isleofwight.gov/departments/building_inspections/frequently_asked_questions.php
- SFD packet (shrink-swell engineer report): https://cms9files.revize.com/wightcountyva/Central%20Permitting/BUILDING%20PERMIT%20FORMS/SFD%20Application%20Packet%207-2021.pdf
- OpenGov portal may hold more: https://isleofwightcova.portal.opengov.com/
Hampton City
- Permits Center 757-728-2444; Eldridge F. Reynard, Building Official
- Third-Party Policy memo (3/27/2023): https://www.hampton.gov/4090/Third-Party-Inspection-Policy-PDF
- Regional SI (2018 ed. hosted): https://www.hampton.gov/DocumentCenter/View/106/
- Gap: per-inspection approval is procedurally heavy for recurring pier work — ask about standing arrangement.
Newport News City
- Codes Compliance 757-933-2311; Harold L. Roach Jr., Director; building inspections 757-926-8863, buildinginsp@nnva.gov
- Third Party Inspection Policy (6/1/2026, agency roster): https://www.nnva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/531/Third-Party-Inspection-Policy-PDF
- Regional SI 2021 (hosted): https://www.nnva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/29756/2021-USBC-Hampton-Roads-SI-Policy
- Residential checklist (expansive soils/flood → engineered foundations): https://www.nnva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/539/
- Action: apply for the approved-agency roster. (SNIPPET caveat: electrical/gas/fire/final may stay city-performed.)
Poquoson City
- Permit Office 757-868-3035. No policy, no named BO published (seat possibly vacant/turned over). Regional SI participant. Call.
York County
- Building Safety 757-890-3522, bldgsafety@yorkcounty.gov; Corian (Cory) Carney, CBO, corian.carney@yorkcounty.gov, 757-890-3571
- Third-party policy page: https://www.yorkcounty.gov/220/Third-Party-Inspections + Jotform report: https://form.jotform.com/253436126442150
- Structural repairs (incl. piers, footings, foundations) permit-required (SNIPPET); engineer-letter precedent on fire-damage page (VERIFIED).
- Hosted SSI form is stale 2012 edition — confirm current edition. Ask about standing arrangement (approval is at permit issuance).
James City County
- Building Safety & Permits 757-253-6626, buildingsafetyandpermits@jamescitycountyva.gov; Tom Coghill, CBO, Director + regional Procedure Coordinator, tcoghill@james-city.va.us, 757-253-6821 (confirm still seated)
- Helical/Driven Piles policy (engineer letter = final): https://www.jamescitycountyva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1980/
- Third-party policy (2013 rev 2015): https://www.jamescitycountyva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/6494/
- 3P footing/slab report form (1&2-family): https://www.jamescitycountyva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/6491/
- Retaining walls policy (rev 10/30/2023): https://www.jamescitycountyva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1991/
- SI scheduling policy (10/29/2024, mandatory pre-con meeting): https://www.jamescitycountyva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/35242/
- Residential min. inspections (incl. waterproof/dampproof hold point): https://www.jamescitycountyva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1982/
Gloucester County
- Building Inspection 804-693-2744, BuildingInspectionsStaff@gloucesterva.info; Paul F. Koll, Building Official
- Third Party Inspection Policy (updated 5/12/2026): https://pub.gloco-sitedocs.com/BI/Third_Party_Inspection_Policy.pdf
- "What Requires a Permit" — names "Foundation repair/encapsulation" + retaining walls: https://pub.gloco-sitedocs.com/BI/What_Requires_a_Permit.pdf
- Region VII SI procedures: https://pub.gloco-sitedocs.com/BI/Region_7_Special_Instructions.pdf (2006-era; confirm current)
- NB: pub.gloco-sitedocs.com CDN blocks automated fetches (some docs verified via web.archive.org).
Mathews County
- Building Dept 804-725-7171; David Biederman, Building Official, 804-725-7702; permits → Lgreve@mathewscountyva.gov
- Third Party Inspections policy: https://www.mathewscountyva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1254
- Special Inspections Policy (Region VII): https://www.mathewscountyva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1500
- Coastal county — ALL flood-zone work permit-required; substantial-improvement determinations on existing buildings.
Middlesex County
- G. David Selph, Building Official, david@CO.Middlesex.VA.US, 804-758-4305
- Required Inspections (footings min 16" below grade; 24-hr notice): https://www.co.middlesex.va.us/DocumentCenter/View/99/
- Nothing else published. Call.
Newport News → see above. Accomack County
- Building & Zoning 757-787-5721, building@accomack.gov (BO name unpublished). Chincoteague separate: Mark Bowden 757-336-6519.
- Required Minimum Inspections (driven-pile 3P report; waterproofing hold point): https://www.accomack.gov/337/Required-Minimum-Inspections
- Permit exemptions (retaining walls <3 ft unbalanced fill): https://www.accomack.gov/336/Permit-Requirements
- Tyler EnerGov portal: https://accomackcountyva-energovpub.tylerhost.net/Apps/SelfService#/home
Northampton County
- Planning, Permitting & Enforcement 757-678-0440; John Outten, Building Official, 757-678-0443 x525; Permit Tech Jennifer Sayers x543
- Wind Resistant Construction Policy (Jan 2025, sealed plans w/in 1,500 ft tidal water): https://www.co.northampton.va.us/UserFiles/Servers/Server_14877142/File/Government/Departments_Elected%20Offices/Planning,%20Permiting%20&%20Enforcement/2021%20USBC%20Wind%20Resistant%20Construction%20Policy.pdf
- Electrical inspections outsourced to Shore Electrical Inspections (757-709-1025) — privatization precedent.
- Retaining walls <3 ft unbalanced fill exempt: …/building/usbc_108_1
Surry County
- Building Dept 757-294-5211, inspections@surrycountyva.gov; Matt Westheimer, Building Official, 757-634-5373
- Hosts full regional SI policy + forms: https://www.surrycountyva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1170/USBC-Hampton-Roads-Special-Inspections-Policy
- Fee schedule ("Retaining Walls…Piers, etc — $50"): https://www.surrycountyva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1175/
- Required inspections ("DO NOT COVER FOUNDATION OR PIERS UNTIL…INSPECTED"): https://www.surrycountyva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/78/
- Joint Surry–Sussex application forms (shrink-swell disclosure → PE-designed footings): /1114, /1116
York County → see above.
Strategy read (opinion, labeled as such)
- Anchor jurisdictions: Newport News (roster — apply once), James City (engineer letter = final on piers, citable model), Norfolk (push-pier SSI baked into permitting), Gloucester (auto 3P after 2 missed days), Franklin (PE supervision required — they need a firm like UP).
- The JCC helical/push-pier policy is the citable precedent to bring to every other BO conversation: a Hampton Roads locality that formally accepts the EOR certification letter as the final inspection on pier work.
- One SI qualification package (Valerio VA PE resume + firm E329 documentation + sample reports) should be prepared once and submitted to BOs across all 16 HR localities.
- Phone-call worklist (all Tier 3 + open questions):
- Virginia Beach (757) 385-4211 — obtain §113.7 policy
- Suffolk — Michael Robinson 757-514-4156 — obtain the referenced 3P policy
- Portsmouth — Doug Smith (757) 393-8531 — current policy post-redesign
- Poquoson 757-868-3035 — policy + current BO
- Southampton — Lee Gray (757) 742-6754 — Franklin joint-procedure status
- Isle of Wight (757) 365-6315 — 3P practice on pier permits
- Middlesex — David Selph 804-758-4305 — 3P policy + Region VII practice
- Northampton — John Outten 757-678-0443 x525 — 3P practice (electrical precedent)
- Surry — Matt Westheimer 757-634-5373 — residential pier practice
- Accomack 757-787-5721 — general 3P policy beyond driven-pile rule
- Chesapeake (757) 382-6018 — firm-vs-individual approval for recurring pier work
- Hampton 757-728-2444 — standing arrangement vs per-inspection requests
- Newport News 757-933-2311 — submit roster application; confirm final-inspection carve-outs
- York — Cory Carney 757-890-3571 — standing arrangement; current SSI edition
- James City 757-253-6626 — confirm Coghill still seated; 2021-USBC reissue of 3P policy