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Energov FAQ's

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1. What documentation is required for permit submittal?

New Single-Family Dwellings - Process Flow Chart

Additions to Single-Family Dwellings - Process Flow Chart

2. How do I apply for a building / trade permit?

https://land.goochlandva.us/EnerGov_Prod/SelfService#/home

3. How do I create an Energov account?

How-to-Set-up-a-Citizen-Self-Service-Account (goochlandva.us)

4. Which permit do I apply for?

List-of-Permit-Plan-Types (goochlandva.us)

5. What are the turnaround times for permits?

Commercial Permits – 6-8 weeks

Residential New Single Family Dwelling – 4 weeks

All other residential permits – 2-3 weeks

6. What documentation is required prior to scheduling a final inspection for a new single family dwelling?

1. Duct Test Report (if all ductwork is not in conditioned space)
2. Health Operation Permit (if private well/septic)
3. Backflow Test Report (if backflow for irrigation has been installed)
4. If a generator is present at time of final – make sure both the electrician and the gas contractor have referenced install of the generator in their scope of work
5. For Single Family Dwellings built under the 2018 Code - Approved Blower Door Test Report is required

7. How can I monitor permit activity for a permit on my property?

If you are the property owner – you can provide your e-mail address to your Contractor or Customer Service Center staff and they will add you as a contact to the permit.  You will then receive inspection notifications and updates. 

8. What department approvals are required prior to a Certificate of Occupancy being issued for a single family dwelling?

1. Building Inspection – all inspections must be approved prior to CO
2. Environmental (if single family stormwater is required)
3. Proffer payment must be received prior to CO

9. What department approvals are required prior to a Certificate of Occupancy being issued for a commercial building?

1. Health Department Operation Permit (if private well/septic)
2. Building Inspection – all inspections must be approved prior to CO
3. Environmental (if single family stormwater is required)
4. Planning & Zoning
5. Fire Marshall
6. Public Utilities (if county water/sewer)

10. How long does it take from the time my final inspection passes until I receive my Certificate of Occupancy?

Certificate of Occupancy will be issued within two business days of the approved final inspection.  See link: Schedule of Inspections. 

11. Is a plumbing permit required for an inground pool?

Yes. When we started the design of the new Energov software system we added some new required inspections.  One of these inspections was the pressure test on swimming pool lines from the equipment to the pool.  The International Swimming Pool and Spa Code(ISPSC) has required this since its inception in 2012.  Under section 311.9 “Circulation system piping, other than that integrally included in the manufacture of the pool or spa, shall be subjected to a hydrostatic pressure test of 25 pounds per square inch (psi) (172.4 kPa). This pressure shall be held for not less than 15 minutes.”  A DPOR licensed plumbing contractor is required to plumb an in-ground swimming pool.  Any other trades associated with the installation of an in-ground swimming pool shall be licensed in that trade (i.e., electrical and fuel gas).

12. How do I properly apply for and link a trade permit to a building permit?

There are two ways to apply:

1) Standalone permits; not being linked to a building permit:

From your dashboard you will click on Apply

Application Assistant page will open; you can scroll down and see the “trending” or most applied for application types, if you do not see what you need use the search bar under application assistant to search for a specific trade type, ie: gas, mechanical, plumbing, or electrical; select the trade that applies to you and then click on the blue apply button.

2) To fire a trade from the building permit:

From the dashboard you will click on the search button; put the , if not search the address and a list of results will come up, you can filter that by clicking on “permit” which will narrow the results, scroll down until you find the building permit you are looking for, once you find it click on the blue hyperlink with the building permit number. You will then be taken to the building permit page, under the blue box with the permit information you will see a list of options that you can click on, select sub records,  scroll down to the bottom, and you will see the remaining sub records that are tied to the building permit. Select “apply” beside the trade type that you need.

13. Should I create a new contact each time I create a new permit?

No. Prior to adding a contact (contractor, lien agent, RLD, owner, representative, etc.), please use the Search bar feature to see if the contact already exists, rather than creating a new one each time.

14. How can I pay for my permit application fees?

You can pay in person at the county administration with cash, check, or credit card, or you can simply pay all associated permit fees on-line. Master card and Visa are accepted.

15. Is there an additional fee associated with paying by credit card?

Yes, a 2.95% (minimum fee of $2.95) is applied to all credit card payments

16. Why do I have multiple permit numbers for the same project?

The new permitting software is parcel driven, you will have different permit numbers for every permit issued. The older permitting system was based on the permit number of the primary permit and each permit afterwards was simply assigned a new prefix with the same number as the building permit (BP-2021-00048, EL-2021-00048, PL-2023-00048).

17. Can I submit paper copies of my plans for county review and approval?

Yes, until June 30^th, 2023. Beginning July 1^st, 2023, the county will only accept electronic submittals for review.

18. What is a “legacy” permit?

A legacy permit is a permit that was issued prior to the effective date of the county’s new permitting software which took place on November 14^th, 2022. A legacy permit will typically have approved paper plans, and a different looking permit number than those issued under the new permitting software.

19. What email address should I use when setting up my account?

First you will need access to Google Chrome. This program works best with the county’s permitting software. Remember, it is very important to provide an email address, preferably not a personal email account but rather a generic account, when setting up your account. There are two types of accounts: a name account and a company account. A company account is recommended for any firm that has more than one person applying for permits or requesting inspections. 

20. Is a tutorial offered providing step-by-step instructions on how to set up an account?

Yes. See Link: https://youtu.be/GhH4GZlwtmc