Compiled August 2026 from each jurisdiction's published websites, policy PDFs, permit packets, statutes, and ordinances (9 parallel research agents across three statewide regimes, primary documents fetched and read; every claim below carries its source). Covers the branch's full tri-state footprint: 20 Virginia jurisdictions (incl. the City of Williamsburg, added 8/2026, and the Town of Cape Charles), 11 North Carolina counties plus their verified municipal offices (the six Dare towns, Elizabeth City, Roanoke Rapids, Weldon), and Worcester County, Maryland (five permit offices). Verification labels: VERIFIED = fetched page/PDF; SNIPPET = search result not fetched; INFERRED = from statewide code, not a local document.
The statewide frames (VA · NC · MD)
Three states, three regimes: Virginia gives the building official discretion but obliges a written policy; North Carolina supplies a mandatory statute lane for foundation components; Maryland leaves everything to the local official.
Virginia — §113.7 discretion, regionally administered SI
- 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), which 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.
North Carolina — a mandatory statute lane (G.S. 160D-1106)
- G.S. 160D-1106 "Alternate inspection method for component or element", VERIFIED (ncleg.gov): a local government "shall accept and approve, without further responsibility to inspect" a design or other proposal for a building component or element from an NC-licensed architect or professional engineer, provided (1) the submission is under valid seal where the Code requires, (2) "field inspection of the installation or completion" of the component/element is performed by the licensee or a person under their direct supervisory control, and (3) the licensee certifies compliance on the state form. Counties "shall not require information other than that specified" (subsection a1), and acceptance discharges the county from liability for the certified component (subsection b).
- NCDOI/OSFM guidance paper (rev 2024-04-26, VERIFIED, full read): the footing, under-slab, and foundation inspections are the three a licensed engineer may perform in lieu of the county inspector, on the Appendix G form; "foundation and crawl space inspections shall be made after all foundation supports are installed" (i.e., the code inspection itself is post-installation); "components" expressly exclude systems; the final inspection is never delegable under this statute.
- G.S. 160D-1104(c), VERIFIED: inspectors are prohibited from requiring affidavits in lieu of conducting Residential Code inspections. Counties can't demand engineer letters instead of inspecting; §1106 obliges them to accept one that is properly offered.
- G.S. 160D-1111, VERIFIED: permits expire 6 months without commencement; 12 months of discontinued work voids the permit by operation of law, and expired-permit work requires a new permit. No NC statute prescribes closeout of an expired permit — that procedure is each county's administrative discretion.
- Practical consequence: pier, anchor, bracing, support, and foundation scopes ride the statute lane when a licensee (or directly supervised person) performs a field inspection — a paper-only review cannot invoke §1106. Water-management and encapsulation scopes are multi-trade systems, outside the lane; their acceptance is code-official discretion under NC Admin Code §107.4. None of the 11 counties below publishes a local third-party policy in either direction — the statute IS the policy landscape.
Maryland — pure local discretion (Worcester County)
- Maryland Building Performance Standards, VERIFIED (COMAR 09.12.51, eff. 2023-05-29): the 2021 IBC/IRC/IECC adopted statewide, but enforcement is entirely local — Md. Public Safety §12-505: each jurisdiction "shall determine the manner in which the minimum implementation and enforcement activities... are carried out." Municipalities that had building codes by 1992-10-01 may self-enforce, which is why Ocean City, Berlin, Snow Hill, and Pocomoke City are separate permit offices from the county.
- There is NO Maryland statewide third-party inspection statute (VERIFIED absence — Public Safety Title 12 Subtitle 5 and COMAR 09.12.51 searched directly). The only hook is the adopted code itself: IRC R104.4 / IBC 104.4, the building official "may accept reports of approved agencies" — discretion, never obligation.
- Permit expiration: no statewide rule; the adopted 2021 IRC R105.5 default (180-day commencement/abandonment) applies as locally amended. Worcester County amends R105.5 to defer to county code §ZS 1-115(g) (VERIFIED, Resolution 24-01); Pocomoke City voids permits one year after issuance if construction has not begun.
- Practical consequence: every Worcester-area closeout is a building-official conversation with no statutory floor — but two of the five offices already run on third-party reports as daily routine (the county's electrical enforcement is fully third-party; Ocean City defers electrical, mechanical, and IBC 1705 special inspections — including deep driven foundations — to outside agencies).
THE MATRIX
Tier 1: Published product-specific rules
| UP | 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)
| UP | 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. |
| ✓ | Williamsburg | ◆ (● on pilings) | Added 8/2026 (ruled-in city, full dossier below). Published §113.7 policy (read in full): advance approval, 2-working-day availability test, credentials pre-filed, 2-day sealed reports, special-soils/licensed-design-professional exception. The city's own inspection-types page: "Pilings shall be inspected by a certified professional that is approved by the building Code Official" — pile inspection is structurally outsourced. Fee schedule routes after-hours footing/foundation work to approved 3P agencies; 25%-credit 3P plan-review track; hosts + participates in the HR regional SI program. |
Tier 3: No published policy (§113.7 written policy exists by law; request it)
| UP | 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), a 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).
North Carolina counties — the statute lane
Nothing is published locally in any of these 11 counties, in either direction. What replaces local policy is the statewide mandate: ◈ marks scopes where G.S. 160D-1106 obliges the county to accept an NC-licensed engineer's component/element certification on the state Appendix G form — with a field inspection by the licensee (or directly supervised person) as the statutory precondition. ◇ keeps its usual meaning: multi-trade system scopes outside the lane, accepted only at code-official discretion (§107.4).
| UP | Jurisdiction | UND | ANC | BRC | SUP | FND | WTR | ENC | RTW | How it works |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✓ | Bertie | ◈ | ◈ | ◈ | ◈ | ◈ | ◇ | ◇ | ◈* | In-house Planning & Inspections (Windsor); iWorQ portal includes a public permit search; staff listings conflict — ask for the Chief Building Inspector by title. |
| ✓ | Camden | ◈ | ◈ | ◈ | ◈ | ◈ | ◇ | ◇ | ◈* | Runs its own inspections (don't confuse with Pasquotank's near-identical phone number). Dedicated "Foundation & Crawlspace Repairs / Moisture Control" permit lane — this county processes exactly UP's scope routinely. Published cure for missed inspections is exposing concealed work (Memo B); treats closed-crawlspace moisture control as touching 2+ trade systems. |
| ✓ | Chowan | ◈ | ◈ | ◈ | ◈ | ◈ | ◇ | ◇ | ◈* | Joint Edenton-Chowan office covers the whole county. Posts G.S. 160D-1111 verbatim on its permit page (statute-literate) and publishes its full permit ledger 2005-present, updated weekly. |
| ✓ | Currituck | ◈ | ◈ | ◈ | ◈ | ◈ | ◇ | ◇ | ◈* | Only county with a published expired-permit rule: once expired, "new permits must be obtained." Re-inspection $75/trip; working-without-permit fee = greater of $50 or 25% of cost. Surveyor/engineer certifications already institutionalized for building-pad elevation. |
| ✓ | Dare | ◈ | ◈ | ◈ | ◈ | ◈ | ◇ | ◇ | ◈* | County covers unincorporated areas only — Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, and Manteo run their own inspection offices (all six town-side verified 8/2026, named inspectors in the dossier; Manteo's trigger names "repair or replacement of load-bearing structures" outright). County's own page: "Piling inspections are considered foundation inspections." Four inspectors by territory. |
| ✓ | Gates | ◈ | ◈ | ◈ | ◈ | ◈ | ◇ | ◇ | ◈* | Unincorporated county + Gatesville; Citizenserve portal; inspection requests by phone only ("do not leave inspection requests on voice mail"). |
| ✓ | Halifax | ◈ | ◈ | ◈ | ◈ | ◈ | ◇ | ◇ | ◈* | County office covers unincorporated areas; Roanoke Rapids runs its own building inspections (ViewPoint Cloud portal) and Weldon issues its own permits with a contracted inspector (Alliance Code Enforcement; resolved 8/2026) — sort addresses first. Two-person county department; Cloudpermit. |
| ✓ | Hertford | ◈ | ◈ | ◈ | ◈ | ◈ | ◇ | ◇ | ◈* | Single chief code inspector plus a posted junior opening — thin capacity. iWorQ portal; the county's two published street addresses conflict, use PO Box 424 Winton. |
| ✓ | Northampton NC | ◈ | ◈ | ◈ | ◈ | ◈ | ◇ | ◇ | ◈* | Plain statewide-code shop; FAQ recognizes up to a 3-year permit life; Citizenserve portal; staff pages conflict — establish who holds the chair on the first call. Also appears on the Richmond page (its territory splits). |
| ✓ | Pasquotank | ◈ | ◈ | ◈ | ◈ | ◈ | ◇ | ◇ | ◈* | County office serves areas outside Elizabeth City — the city runs its own Building Inspections department (ViewPoint Cloud). County has an iWorQ public permit search. "No work shall be covered or concealed until inspected." |
| ✓ | Perquimans | ◈ | ◈ | ◈ | ◈ | ◈ | ◇ | ◇ | ◈* | One-inspector office; iWorQ applications online, but sign-and-pay happens in person. |
* RTW: a retaining wall's footing/foundation elements ride the statute lane; acceptance of the wall as a whole is discretionary.
Worcester County, Maryland — five permit offices
No statewide lane exists in Maryland (see the statewide frames above), so every cell is building-official discretion. The asterisks mark offices with published third-party practice adjacent to UP's scope.
| UP | Jurisdiction | All products | Posture |
|---|---|---|---|
| ✓ | Worcester County DRP | ◇* | Covers unincorporated county including Ocean Pines (a Berlin mailing address is usually Ocean Pines, i.e., county jurisdiction). Electrical code enforcement is already fully third-party — the county does not perform electrical inspections. 2021 I-codes via Resolution 24-01; no public permit portal. |
| ✓ | Ocean City | ◇* | The most third-party-acclimated office in the county: electrical and mechanical inspections are performed by approved outside agencies, and IBC 1705 special inspections — including Deep Driven Foundations — are performed by third parties and accepted on the Building Official's review. Closeout formally requires Town inspections. Public permit-status portal (Click2Gov). |
| ✓ | Berlin | ◇ | Town self-enforces with a skeleton staff; published code-edition information is stale (page still cites the 2012 IBC against a 2021 state mandate). |
| ✓ | Snow Hill | ◇ | Town issues its own building permits under Town Code Ch. 57, which dynamically adopts Worcester County's building codes (§57-6, 2000 ordinance; the earlier "no building-construction chapter" note was wrong) — so its enforced editions are the county's 2021 I-codes with a documented chain. County's third-party electrical inspectors act in-town by §80-2. Who performs technical building inspections is still the call question. |
| ✓ | Pocomoke City | ◇ | Ordinance 2026-O-2 (9/2025, read in full) grafts MBPS conformity + IBC-style 180-day expiration/extension machinery + a "Building Official" role onto the 1968 code; the old "void after one year" rule is superseded for new permits. MDIA is codified for electrical inspections (§126) — a named-private-firm precedent in the city's own code. Who performs staged building inspections is the call question. |
Per-jurisdiction dossiers (sources + contacts)
Berlin, MD
- Planning / Permits / Code Enforcement; Ryan Hardesty, Acting Planning Director, rhardesty@berlinmd.gov, 410-641-4143; Kaitlin Ahlers, Permit Coordinator, 410-629-1483
- Town self-enforces (own permits and inspections); published code-edition info stale (page cites 2012 IBC against the 2021 state mandate) — confirm current practice
- NB: a "Berlin, MD 21811" mailing address is usually Ocean Pines = county jurisdiction, not the town's.
Bertie County, NC
- Planning & Inspections, 106 Dundee St / PO Box 530, Windsor; dept 252-794-5336; Traci White, Planning Director, traci.white@bertie.nc.gov, 252-794-5314 (staff listings conflict with a scraper site — ask for the Chief Building Inspector by title)
- iWorQ portal with public permit search: https://bertiecounty.portal.iworq.net/portalhome/bertiecounty
- Inspection sequence (footing → foundation/floor → rough-ins → final; 911 address displayed before final): http://www.co.bertie.nc.us/departments/pi/newcon.html (county site is HTTP-only)
- Nothing published on 3P or expired permits. Call.
Camden County, NC
- Planning & Building, 252-338-1919 (permits x235, permits@camdencountync.gov); Amber Curling, Director; Jason Corbell, Chief Building Inspector, x234
- Foundation & Crawlspace Repairs permit lane (moisture control + foundation stabilization): https://www.camdencountync.gov/231/Building-Permits-Inspections and /255/Foundation-Crawlspace-Repairs
- Memo B, Required Inspections (missed inspection → stop work and/or "concealed work be exposed"): https://camdencountync.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1023 ; trade affidavits /378
- No public portal; inspection-request extension discrepancy (x350 vs x235) — confirm when calling.
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.
Chowan County, NC
- Edenton-Chowan Inspections & Planning (joint town-county office, covers the whole county), 305 W. Freemason St, Edenton, 252-482-5618; Kent Pierce, Building Inspector, kent.pierce@chowan.nc.gov; Rachel Wolfe (permit records)
- Posts G.S. 160D-1111 verbatim on its permit page; publishes the county permit ledger 2005-present, updated weekly
- No portal. Email or call.
City of Williamsburg (added August 2026)
- Planning Dept, Codes Compliance Division, 401 Lafayette St, Williamsburg 23185; (757) 220-6136 / fax 220-6134; codecomp@williamsburgva.gov; 8:00-4:30 M-F. Building Official: Lauri Springsteen, 757-220-6175, lsprings@williamsburgva.gov (VERIFIED, live staff directory + 2024 VBCOA directory); Permit Tech Dori Patterson 220-6134; Combination Inspectors James Schilke/Scott Shuler; PM/Rental Inspector Greg Stanley.
- §113.7 policy published and read in full (DocumentCenter/View/146, undated, signed by former CBO Matt Westheimer, now at Surry; still the operative posted policy): advance approval, generally not accepted if the city can inspect within 2 working days, "An exception would be for special soil conditions requiring the observation and inspection by a licensed design professional"; credentials submitted and approved in advance (DHCD cert, "state professional registrations," experience); field reports within 2 working days; rejection right with appeal; no fee discounts. Confirm continuity under Springsteen.
- Pilings hold point (VERIFIED, /224 Inspection-Request-Types): "Pilings shall be inspected by a certified professional that is approved by the building Code Official": the city does not self-perform pile inspections. Also: waterproofing-or-backfill hold point ("drain tile, proper damp or waterproofing… before backfill"); steel connections "inspected by an approved third party"; soils report presented at footing if needed.
- Codes (VERIFIED, Adopted Codes sheet, authored by Springsteen 5/2025): 2021 VUSBC suite eff. 1/18/2024 (all permits after 1/18/2025 on 2021); 2020 NEC; frost 12"; wind 110 mph. Fee schedule (eff. 7/1/2020, read): min $75 + $55 admin; residential alterations $0.08/sf; Foundation Permit $50; RTW fee line at "two feet or greater unbalanced fill" (vs the statewide 3-ft exemption — permit-vs-price ambiguity, call question); reinspection 100; work − without − permit+250; overtime section routes after-hours footings/foundations to BO-approved 3P agencies; 3rd Party Plan Review = 25% fee credit.
- Inspections: 757-220-6136 opt 1 (24-hr line) or dpatterson@; before 7:30 AM = same day; concrete may request a 2-hr window. ePermits = CivicPlus FormCenter (application forms, not a status portal). Third-Party Inspection Reports web form (/1007) exists but its dropdown is fire-systems oriented: structural reports via "Other" or email, confirm.
- Hampton Roads regional SI: the city HOSTS the full 2021-edition Guidelines (View/145) and is on the participating-localities cover list in its own right. R-3/R-5 exempt from mandatory Ch. 17 SI per the standard waivers, so the §113.7 policy is the operative residential mechanism.
- Gaps: policy undated + signed by the departed CBO; RTW 2-ft-vs-3-ft threshold; structural report channel. Call Springsteen (757-220-6175): pre-file Valerio's credentials; does a VA PE satisfy the pilings certified-professional rule with standing approval; which RTW threshold governs.
Currituck County, NC
- Planning & Community Development, Currituck courthouse; Central Permitting 252-232-3378; Jennie Turner, Director; Ronald Schaecher, Chief Building Inspector, 252-232-6024; Corolla office 252-453-8555
- Inspection Procedure Handout (expired permits → "new permits must be obtained"; pad-elevation engineer certs institutionalized): https://currituckcountync.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/inspection-procedure-handout.pdf
- Fee schedule (re-inspection $75; working without permit = greater of $50 / 25% of cost): https://currituckcountync.gov/permits-inspections/permit-inspections-fee-schedule/
- Munis Citizen Self Service: https://currituck.munisselfservice.com/citizens/default.aspx
Dare County, NC (+ the six towns, all town-side verified 8/2026)
- Planning — Building Permits & Inspections, Manteo; permits desk 252-475-5870 (darenc.gov blocks non-browser clients; verified via archive snapshots)
- Crew Hayes, Chief Building Inspector, crew.hayes@darenc.gov, 252-475-5876 (Buxton/Frisco/Hatteras); Twiford, Beacham, Kiricoples cover the other territories
- County page: "Piling inspections are considered foundation inspections" — the best pier-scope hook in the region
- Public permit search: https://tax.darecountync.gov/permits/ + Munis CSS. County = unincorporated areas only. Sort addresses to town vs county first.
- The six towns: county statement CONFIRMED town-side, all six run real permit-and-inspection operations (8/2026 sweep; unlike the Washington Co MD towns, this one held):
- Duck: Building Inspector Steven McMurray (252-255-1234, info@ducknc.gov); published in-house sequence incl. foundation walls & pilings (VERIFIED PDF); fee schedule has an explicit Bulkheads & Retaining Walls line ($2/lin ft first 50 ft); "guard rail posts are considered structural components, therefore requiring a building permit" (VERIFIED): structural repair squarely permit-triggering. V-Zone certs must be by an NC engineer/architect (VERIFIED-via-archive).
- Southern Shores: Dept. of Planning & Code Enforcement, Citizenserve portal; Kevin Clark, Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer; Marcey Baum, Permit Officer (252-261-2394 x3) (VERIFIED live). Town files its own state-required code-enforcement program fee reports (VERIFIED): its own program, not the county's. Fee schedule + development packets 403'd: ask Baum.
- Kitty Hawk: Planning & Inspections; Christian Antonis, Chief Building Inspector (promoted 5/2025) under Director Rob Testerman (252-261-3552, permitting@kittyhawknc.gov) (VERIFIED-via-archive 6/2026 + live forms page). Valuation-based fees (2026-27 schedule read), no product line items; accepts professional certs at final (energy/V-Zone/elevation).
- Kill Devil Hills: Planning & Inspections "issues all building and zoning permits"; Building Codes Inspectors Marty Shaw (252-449-5313) + Charles Thuman (252-449-5312), permits@kdhnc.com (VERIFIED live); residential application requires the original engineer/architect seal on plans and has a "Repair/Replace" project-type checkbox.
- Nags Head: Steve Szymanski, Chief Building Inspector + Chase Hundley (252-441-7016, planning@nagsheadnc.gov); Tyler Portico portal; reviews for "Zoning, Stormwater, Flood and NC Building Code compliance" (VERIFIED live). Check-first trigger posture; no enumerated list published.
- Manteo: own inspectors Fred Featherstone (252-473-4103) + Carl Woody (252-473-4108), 407 Budleigh St (VERIFIED-via-archive 3/2026; live site IP-blocks fetches). Best trigger language in the cluster: "Any addition, repair, or replacement of load-bearing structures require a building permit", no dollar threshold, plus a $40k general-work trigger and a double-fee penalty. Thin capacity (daily inspection load caps; one inspector dual-hats as IT Director): a practical opening for engineer-certification relief.
- None of the six publishes 3P/engineer-acceptance language or names G.S. 160D-1106; the statute lane is the INFERRED mechanism, same as the 11 counties. Only Nags Head names a chief; establish the KDH/Manteo title-holders by phone.
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.
Gates County, NC
- Inspections & Permitting, Gatesville, 252-357-0122; Edgar Mitchell, Chief Building Inspector, emitchell@gatescountync.gov; Scott Powell, Development Services Coordinator, spowell@gatescountync.gov (permit records)
- Citizenserve portal: https://www2.citizenserve.com/Portal/PortalController?Action=showHomePage&ctzPagePrefix=Portal_&installationID=257
- Inspection requests by phone only, no voicemail. Mostly 2013-vintage forms.
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).
Halifax County, NC + Town of Weldon
- Building Inspection (Central Permitting & Inspections), 15 W. Pittsylvania St, Halifax; William Flynn, Director, flynnw@halifaxnc.com, 252-583-4891; Phillip Wells, Inspector, 252-583-1082 x1223
- County jurisdiction = unincorporated areas ("structures in the county's unincorporated areas," the county's own scope statement, VERIFIED live 8/2026). Roanoke Rapids self-inspects: Brian Duhadaway, Code Administrator, 252-533-2844, portal https://roanokerapidsnc.viewpointcloud.com/
- Cloudpermit for applications; no public permit search found. Municode Ch 22 unfetchable — request policies directly.
- Town of Weldon: RESOLVED 8/2026, own permits + contracted inspector (was "arrangement unconfirmed"; now documented from the town's own site). Planning & Development issues the town's own building permits on its own fee schedule: town-letterhead Building Permit Application (NC State Building Code compliance certification + "Building Inspector" signature line, VERIFIED PDF) and FY 2024-25 Development Fee Schedule (new construction/additions/alterations $60 or $6 per $1,000, VERIFIED PDF). Montre' B. Freeman, Town Administrator/Zoning Administrator/Permitting Coordinator, 252-536-4836; code enforcement contracted to Alliance Code Enforcement (Nicole Mabe) (VERIFIED, town dept page; the G.S. 160D-1102/-1105 private-contract mechanism). Halifax County appears in Weldon's documents only for the state-mandated Fire Marshal safety-inspection carve-out: useful negative evidence against county coverage. Not retrieved: a signed inspection report proving Alliance's execution in practice; Mabe's NC certifications. Call Freeman: confirm Alliance signs as inspector of record on structural permits.
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 a standing arrangement.
Hertford County, NC
- Code Enforcement / Building Inspections, Winton; Robert Mizelle, Chief Code Building Inspector, robert.mizelle@hertfordcountync.gov, 252-358-7813 / -7814
- iWorQ: https://hertford_permit.portal.iworq.net/portalhome/hertford_permit ; parcel maps https://maps.roktech.net/ROKMAPS_Hertford/
- County publishes two conflicting street addresses; use PO Box 424, Winton NC 27986. Plan review "minimum of two (2) weeks."
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/
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/
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 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.)
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
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.
Northampton County, NC
- Codes & Building Safety, 9495 NC Hwy 305, Jackson, 252-534-5171; staff pages conflict (Jason McAllister / Thomas Otten vs Tim Lassiter) — establish who holds the chair on the first call
- FAQ (permit life up to 3 years; wind zone 115 mph; 12" min footing depth): https://www.northamptonnc.com/DocumentCenter/View/95/
- Citizenserve: https://www7.citizenserve.com/northampton
- Cross-listed on the Richmond page (county territory splits between branches).
Northampton County, VA + Town of Cape Charles
- Planning, Permitting & Enforcement 757-678-0440; John Outten, Building Official, 757-678-0443 x525; Permit Tech Jennifer Sayers x543
- Town of Cape Charles: its OWN AHJ, confirmed 8/2026 (previously excluded on thin evidence; hard re-check flipped it). Own Building Department, 412 Tazewell Ave; Jeb Brady, Code Official, 757-331-3259 x40; Connie Drummond, Permit Clerk, 757-331-2176; Casey Quilter, Inspector & Compliance Officer, x42 (VERIFIED, live town page + archive capture). Own Building Code Board of Appeals (VERIFIED): a structural marker of self-administration. The DHCD directory gives Cape Charles its own named-official row while every other Northampton town says "See Northampton County" (VERIFIED, dated 12/2017; Brady still the official in 2026). Listed separately from Northampton on the Hampton Roads SI participant list (VERIFIED, 2021-edition copy). 2021 USBC stated on the town's own page; fee schedule eff. 7/1/2026 read (repair/alteration tiers by cost; $300 work-without-permit penalty; a $35 single-inspection-no-permit line). No published §113.7 policy PDF found: request from Brady. Call: confirm the town is BO of record end to end + get the written 3P policy.
- 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), a privatization precedent.
- Retaining walls <3 ft unbalanced fill exempt: …/building/usbc_108_1
Ocean City, MD
- Planning & Community Development — Building Division, 301 N. Baltimore Ave, 410-289-8855, permits@oceancitymd.gov; Shawn Nave, Chief Building Official, 410-520-5429; Tom Hughes, Senior Building Inspector
- Approved third-party agencies (town performs NO electrical or mechanical inspections): https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/wp-content/uploads/THIRD-PARTY-AGENCIES-3.pdf
- Special inspections (incl. Deep Driven Foundations) performed by outside agencies, accepted on the Building Official's review: https://oceancitymd.gov/pdf/InspectionTypesPZ.pdf
- Closeout formally requires Town inspections. Public permit status (Click2Gov): https://ocea-egov.aspgov.com/Click2GovBP/index.html
Pasquotank County, NC
- Planning & Inspections, Pasquotank courthouse, Elizabeth City; inspections 252-338-1144; Shelley Cox, Director, coxs@co.pasquotank.nc.us; Stanley Ward, Chief Building Inspector, wards@co.pasquotank.nc.us; Charmaine Waterfield (permits)
- County serves areas outside Elizabeth City; the city's own Building Inspections dept: AJ Lawrence, Chief Building Inspector, 252-337-6672, ViewPoint Cloud portal
- iWorQ public permit search: https://pasquotank.portal.iworq.net/PASQUOTANK/permits/600
- Residential application: "No work shall be covered or concealed until inspected and approved."
Perquimans County, NC
- Erle Solesbee, Building Inspector, 252-426-8283, 104 Dobbs St, Hertford NC (no email published; one-inspector office)
- iWorQ: https://perquimans.portal.iworq.net/portalhome/perquimans — apply online, then sign and pay in person
- Nothing else published. Call.
Pocomoke City, MD
- City Hall, 101 Clarke Ave, 410-957-1333; Brandy Matthews, City Manager (the §101-1 permit-issuing officer, x106); Kristen Tremblay, Planning Director, 410-957-1633; Keenan King, Code Enforcement, 667-853-3120 (all VERIFIED, city pages 8/2026).
- Ch. 101 (VERIFIED, full read): permit required to erect/construct/enlarge/alter/repair/move/improve/remove/convert/demolish any structure; exceptions are cosmetic-only items under $1,000, nothing structural. Old rule: permits void one year after issuance: https://ecode360.com/33627635
- NEW: Ordinance 2026-O-2 (adopted 9/15/2025, full 8-page PDF read, not yet folded into the displayed code): ties the permit regime expressly to the Maryland Performance Standards "as may be amended from time to time," adds IBC-style 180-day application-abandonment / 180-day commencement / 180-days-between-inspections rules with written extensions, and repeatedly vests authority in "the Building Official," a role the 1968 code never named. The one-year-void line is superseded for new permits (exact surviving text uncertain until eCode integrates the strikethrough).
- MDIA codified for electrical (§126-2.C/§126-6, VERIFIED): MDIA performs electrical inspections and issues cut-in cards: the strongest named-private-firm precedent in-town. Single-family rides the MBPS by §101-11.C (old COMAR cite, VERIFIED).
- Not retrieved: who the Building Official is; any permit form or fee schedule (fees "on file in the City Clerk's office"). Call Tremblay: who holds the BO role + performs staged inspections; PE-report acceptance; what counts as a qualifying inspection under the 180-day rule.
Poquoson City
- Permit Office 757-868-3035. No policy, no named BO published (seat possibly vacant/turned over). Regional SI participant. Call.
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; the site redesign orphaned everything. Call.
Snow Hill, MD
- Planning, Zoning & Code Enforcement, 410-632-2080 (Planning Director x104), codeofficial@snowhillmd.com (SNIPPET; town site Cloudflare-walled with no modern archive); P.O. Box 348 (VERIFIED, MD Labor directory). Town Manager Rick Pollitt (SNIPPET); the Code Enforcement Officer reports to him, and §200-20.A allows enforcement "by contract" (VERIFIED).
- Permit trigger §200-21.A (VERIFIED, full read 8/2026): unlawful to begin "construction, reconstruction, extension, renovation, demolition or alteration, including the excavation thereof" without a permit from the Code Enforcement Officer. Permits valid 1 year, two 6-month extensions (§200-21.E).
- Correction (8/2026): Ch. 57 Building Construction EXISTS: §57-6 (Ord. 2000-5) adopts "the building codes of Worcester County… as they may be adopted or changed from time to time" — a dynamic county-code adoption, so enforced editions = the county's 2021 I-codes with a documented chain (VERIFIED, ecode reads). §80-2 imports the county's third-party electrical inspectors into town limits (VERIFIED). §200-27.B lets permit fees include "the consulting services of an independent engineer" (VERIFIED): a codified pay-for-outside-expertise hook.
- Not retrieved: CEO's name, fee schedule, any permit form (site unreachable). Call 410-632-2080: who inspects against the 2021 codes (own officer / county DRP / contract firm); PE-report acceptance; RTW trigger.
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.
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.
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
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.
Worcester County, MD (DRP)
- Development Review & Permitting, 1 W. Market St Rm 1201, Snow Hill, 410-632-1200; Jennifer Keener, Director, jkkeener@worcestermd.gov, x1123; Building Code Plan Review: Bill Mister x1152, Joe Shenal x1154, Rod Stroud x1175; inspections scheduling Cathy Zirkle x1136
- 2021 I-codes via Resolution 24-01 (eff. 5/29/2024): https://www.worcestermd.gov/sites/default/files/Resolution-24-01.pdf ; R105.5 expiration amended to county code §ZS 1-115(g)
- Electrical code enforcement is already fully third-party — the county does not perform electrical inspections
- Covers unincorporated county including Ocean Pines. No public permit portal; status via Customer Service.
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).