City of Hampton - Doing Businesss - Permits

How Do I... and FAQ's

How do I check on the status of my permit?: Simply call (757) 727-8312 from a touch tone telephone and follow the prompts to enter your permit number. This service, call Status Line, is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for you to check on the status of your permit in Hampton. If for some reason the phone number is not working, call Central Permits at (757) 728-2444 between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday.
How do I schedule an inspection now that I have my permit?: Contact the 311 Call Center between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. When calling from within the Hampton city limits, dial 3-1-1. When calling from outside of Hampton, you must dial (757) 727-8311.
How do I get a Conditional Privilege Permit?: Conditional Privilege applications are issued by the Planning Department. The Planning Department is located on the 6th floor of the Ruppert Sargent Building (1 Franklin Street in downtown Hampton) at a cost of $325. You will need to call first to speak to the Neighborhood Planner for your area. The telephone number is (757) 727-6140.
How do I change the date on my Yard Sale permit?: The date of a yard sale may be changed if it is a valid reason (ie. rained out, death in family, etc.), if the yard sale was NOT held on any of the dates applied for and if the permit was purchased in the current year. Contact the 311 Customer Call Center. Operating hours are 7am until 11pm.

When calling from within the Hampton city limits, dial 3-1-1. When calling from outside of Hampton or from a cell phone, you must dial (757) 727-8311.
How do I get a refund on a permit (i.e.: Yard Sale, Building Permit, etc.)?: To receive a refund on a permit, the customer must return the permit and receipt in person or by fax. They must write on the permit that they wish to cancel with the date. Refunds are at most 75% of the cost.

The other option if the person decides to postpone the project and not totally cancel is to come back when they decide to do the project (if within a year's time) and get a 75% credit toward the cost of a new permit.
How do I obtain a Burning Permit?: The Fire Marshal's Office (Fire Prevention Bureau) will schedule a site visit by an inspector who can issue the permit. The number is (757) 727-1210.
How do I obtain a Concealed Weapons Permit?: You may pick up a form from the Clerk of Courts at 101 Kings Way. The fee to process the application is $50.00 and the permit is good for 5 years. To check to status of an application, call the Clerk of Courts at (757) 727-6105.
How do I obtain a Food Permit?: The Health Department (757) 727-1140 – ext. 3, issues several different types of Food Permits.

Temporary food permits are issued for food sales at special events. To obtain one, you need to fill out a Temporary Food Permit Application and pay an annual, one-time $40 fee (churches are exempt if the sale will be held on their property and if it is a one-time event).

If you are opening a restaurant, you need to fill out a Permit Application, pay a fee(s), and may have to submit plans for review and approval. You also need to have the City´s Codes Compliance Department inspect the building. In Hampton, restaurant employees do not each need to have their own Food Handlers Permit or Card. Other localities may require this type of card for each employee. However, in Hampton, there must be one Certified Food Manager in each restaurant. This person must have successfully completed a 16 -hour course which is taught at Thomas Nelson Community College, through the Hampton School System's Adult Education system or other approved organization. Once the manager has successfully passed the course, he or she is responsible for teaching the establishment employees food safety, etc.
How do I obtain a Raffle Permit?: The Charitable Gaming Commission of the State of Virginia issues raffle permits. Their telephone number is (804) 786-1681 or 0238.
FAQ When is an inspection required?: If work being done requires a permit, an inspection is usually required. The Codes Compliance Department is responsible for those inspections. They can be reached at (757) 727-8310.
FAQ What are the fencing requirements for a swimming pool?: There are many requirements for pools, which apply to both private and public pools. The Central Permits Office can give you all the specifics but basically, fences around pools, spas and hot tubs are to be at least 4 ft in height and shall be self-closing and have a gate with a self-latching device. If the wall of the pool is 4 ft high (above ground pools) then only the ladder area shall be enclosed with 4 ft ht fence with a gate with a self-latching device. These rules apply if the pool has just 24 inches (2 ft) of water in the pool.

If the gate is left unlocked, even if there is no one around the pool, it is a Codes Violation and the owner could be cited.
FAQ I am organizing an event, what do I need to do?: Any individual, organization, or group planning an event or festival in Hampton must first receive approval of a "Special Events Application". To make the process as easy as possible for you, all of the various permits and city requirements for events are included in one document.

You may pick up an application in person at the Special Events Office, 22 Lincoln Street, 5th Floor, Parks and Recreation, or call (757) 727-6477 to have an application mailed to you. You will have to provide your name, address and telephone number.

The application is also available online at hampton.gov/special-events/. Simply click on the Special Event Permit Application link.
FAQ What if I don't get a permit before starting work on a project?: There is a fee of $50 for not obtaining a permit before starting work. Without a permit, you cannot have the work inspected.
FAQ Do I still need a permit if I am installing a pre-built shed?: Yes. If you are placing a pre-built shed on your property, depending on the size, you will still have to get a full building permit. You must also bring into the Central Permits Office a copy of your plat and let them know where you will be placing the shed.

The Central Permits Office is located in City Hall on the 3rd Floor. They are open M-F, from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
FAQ Do I still need a permit to have an Estate Sale?: Yes. Estate sales are similar to yard sales. They require a Yard Sale Permit which is issued in the Treasurer's Office. The permit is $5 and is good for up to 3 days. Residents can have up to three sales per year. The Treasurer's Office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday thru Friday. They are located at 1 Franklin Street in the Ruppert Sargent Building on the 1st Floor.
FAQ Do I need a permit to install a Handicap Ramp?: Yes. To apply for a permit, contact the Central Permits Office, 3rd floor of City Hall, between 7:30 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Their phone number is (757) 728-2444. You will be instructed on what information is necessary to purchase the permit.