Northumberland County, VA Building Construction

The Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code is hereby adopted by reference in Northumberland County effective September 1, 1973, and shall control all matters concerning the construction, alteration, addition, repair, removal, demolition, use, location, occupancy and maintenance of all buildings and all other functions which pertain to the installation of systems vital to all buildings and structures and their service equipment as defined by the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, and shall apply to existing and proposed buildings or structures in Northumberland County.

§ 45-2 Building Inspection Department.

[Amended 8-13-1998]

The Northumberland County Building Inspection Department is hereby established with responsibility to enforce the provisions of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, as stated in Article 1 therein. The cost of enforcement shall be defrayed in part through the levying of fees as authorized by § 36-105 of the Code of Virginia. The Department shall have a Building Official who shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors and who shall be responsible for the organization and daily operation of the Department.

§ 45-3 Fees.

[Amended 2-13-1986]

No permit to begin work for new construction or other building operation shall be issued until a permit fee shall be paid by the applicant to the County Treasurer at the time application for permit is made.

[Added 8-13-1998]

The Fee Schedule for the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code within Northumberland County, Virginia, shall be as set forth in the County's Fee Schedule.[1]

[Amended 7-12-2001]

[1]

Editor's Note: See Ch. 68, Fee Schedule.

The Board of Supervisors has approved a policy charging an administrative fee as set forth in the Fee Schedule[2] for building permit renewal, instead of charging the full amount, provided that no more than one year has elapsed from the expiration date.

[Added 8-13-1998; amended 7-12-2001]

[2]

Editor's Note: See Ch. 68, Fee Schedule.

§ 45-4 Board of Appeals. [1]

The owner of a building or structure or any other person may appeal to the Board of Appeals from a decision of the Building Official refusing to grant a modification of the provisions of the Uniform Statewide Building Code covering the manner of construction or materials to be used in the erection, alteration or repair of a building or structure. Application for appeal may be made when it is claimed that:

(1)

The true intent of the Uniform Statewide Building Code or the rules legally adopted thereunder have been incorrectly interpreted;

(2)

The provisions of the Uniform Statewide Building Code do not fully apply; or

(3)

An equally good or better form of construction can be used.

Compensation of appointed members of the Board shall be determined by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.

[1]

Editor's Note: Original Section 4, Board of Survey, which immediately preceded this section, was repealed 8-13-1998.

§ 45-5 Requirements for permit.

[Amended 8-13-1998]

Written application shall be made to the Building Official when a construction permit is required. A permit shall be issued by the Building Official before any of the following actions subject to the Uniform Statewide Building Code may be commenced:

Constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing or demolishing a building or structure.

Changing the use of a building either within the same use group or to a different use group when the new use requires greater degrees of structural strength, fire protection, exit facilities, ventilation or sanitary provisions.

Installing or altering any equipment which is regulated by this code.

Removing or disturbing any asbestos-containing materials during demolition, alteration, renovation of or additions to buildings or structures.

§ 45-6 Violations and penalties.

[Added 8-13-1998]

Violations of the provisions of this chapter or the Statewide Uniform Building Code shall be punishable as provided in § 36-106 of the Code of Virginia.