Accomack County, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Accomack County enforces the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code throughout Accomack County and in all incorporated towns except the Town of Chincoteague. County zoning does not apply inside incorporated towns, so town-side zoning approvals may still be required before the County issues a building permit.

Department

Accomack County Building and Zoning Office, within Building, Planning and Economic Development

Address

23296 Courthouse Avenue, Suite 203, Accomac, VA 23301

Phone

757-787-5721

Email

building@co.accomack.va.us

Website

https://www.co.accomack.va.us/how-do-i-/obtain-a-building-permit

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm whether the project is in unincorporated Accomack County or in an incorporated town. If in a county-served town, confirm whether that town requires a local zoning or town permit before County intake.
2. Determine the permit type and gather required County forms: building application, required-forms sheet, site plan, owner consent or non-licensed contractor affidavit if applicable, Health Department form if bedrooms or septic are implicated, and flood documents where required.
3. Register for an ACCESS account if filing online. The portal is used to apply for permits, pay fees, view comments, download issued permits and certificates, and schedule inspections.
4. Submit the permit package through ACCESS or coordinate directly with the Building Office if the project needs staff assistance or a town-side prerequisite first.
5. Respond to County review comments and upload revisions if requested. Review may also require floodplain, environmental, wetlands, Chesapeake/Atlantic Preservation Area, health, or zoning-related approvals depending on site conditions.
6. Pay fees through the ACCESS portal or at the Building Office.
7. After approval and issuance, post the permit card on site and call for inspections as work reaches each required stage.

Typical processing time: No public countywide permit-review SLA published. For inspections, requests with at least 24 hours notice will be performed within two working days.

Source: Accomack County Building and Zoning Office, within Building, Planning and Economic Development

General Requirements

Permits are administered under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. County floodplain guidance adds that even small accessory structures that would otherwise be exempt still require permits in the Special Flood Hazard Area. Captains Cove and Trails End roofing applications require prior approvals before the County can issue a permit.

Required Documents

• Building application
• Required-forms sheet
• Non-licensed contractor affidavit (if applicable)
• Owner consent form (if applicable)
• Site plan
• Health Department form (if bedrooms or septic are implicated)
• New or modular home specifications form (if applicable)
• Residential site plan checklist
• Flood-zone accessory structure form (if applicable)
• V-zone design certificate (if applicable)

Permit validity

Building permits are valid for six months after issue; construction must have started within six months to remain active. A six-month extension is available (maximum two extensions).

Building code

Permits issued after January 18, 2024 are subject to the 2021 Virginia code package: 2021 Virginia Construction Code, Residential Code, Plumbing Code, Mechanical Code, Fuel Gas Code, Energy Conservation Code, Statewide Fire Prevention Code, Existing Building Code, and the 2020 National Electrical Code.

Owner-builder

The County posts a non-licensed contractor affidavit and owner consent form, indicating the County distinguishes between licensed-contractor work and owner or other non-licensed applicant situations.

Contractor requirements

Virginia state contractor licensing is governed by DPOR. The County checks whether the applicant is a licensed contractor or is proceeding under a non-licensed declaration. County business-license requirements may also apply.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$173.40 residential new construction (including 2% state levy); $128.52 residential alterations (including 2% state levy)

Plan check fee

No separate public plan-check fee line. Review appears folded into the permit and related administrative fee structure.

Permit fee formula

Mixed. Residential new construction at $0.37 per square foot; residential remodeling and alterations at $0.28 per square foot; administrative flat fees for many permit events; zoning clearance $65 in county-zoned areas.

Reinspection fee

$75.00

Penalty (no permit)

$105.00 administrative fee for first offense (work started before obtaining permit); $420.00 for each subsequent offense.

Payment note

The ACCESS portal supports online fee payment. No separate payment-processing surcharge policy located.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Installation of qualifying low-voltage wiring and equipment under the USBC exemption language
• One-story detached accessory structures not exceeding 200 square feet, unless another rule applies
• Limited roof shingle replacement on an area of 10 feet by 10 feet
• Window replacement
• Other USBC Section 108.2 exempt work listed on the County permit-requirements page

Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. County floodplain guidance states even small backyard storage buildings under 256 square feet require a permit if located in the Special Flood Hazard Area. Confirm with the Accomack County Building and Zoning Office before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 757-787-5721 (phone)
• 757-824-5223 (alternate) (phone)
• building@co.accomack.va.us (email)
• ACCESS portal (online)

Scheduling deadline

Requests require at least 24 hours notice. Inspections will be performed within two working days of a timely request.

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding holidays

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: footing, foundation, slab or under-slab work, framing and structural members before concealment, rough trade inspections before concealment, energy-conservation inspection, flood-elevation certificate checkpoints where applicable, and final inspection. Permit holders must notify the department when each required stage is reached.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Permits issued after January 18, 2024 are subject to the 2021 Virginia code package: 2021 Virginia Construction Code, Residential Code, Plumbing Code, Mechanical Code, Fuel Gas Code, Energy Conservation Code, Statewide Fire Prevention Code, Existing Building Code, and the 2020 National Electrical Code.
• Verify contractor license: Virginia DPOR License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Permit Requirements
• Model Codes Adopted
• Required Minimum Inspections
• Flood Protection — Build Responsibly
• Business Licenses
• License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Accomack County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Accomack County, VA?

Permits are administered under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. County floodplain guidance adds that even small accessory structures that would otherwise be exempt still require permits in the Special Flood Hazard Area. Captains Cove and Trails End roofing applications require prior approvals before the County can issue a permit.

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Accomack County, VA?

The minimum permit fee is $173.40 residential new construction (including 2% state levy); $128.52 residential alterations (including 2% state levy). Fees are calculated as: Mixed. Residential new construction at $0.37 per square foot; residential remodeling and alterations at $0.28 per square foot; administrative flat fees for many permit events; zoning clearance $65 in county-zoned areas.. Plan check fee: No separate public plan-check fee line. Review appears folded into the permit and related administrative fee structure..

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Accomack County, VA?

1. Confirm whether the project is in unincorporated Accomack County or in an incorporated town. If in a county-served town, confirm whether that town requires a local zoning or town permit before County intake. 2. Determine the permit type and gather required County forms: building application, required-forms sheet, site plan, owner consent or non-licensed contractor affidavit if applicable, Health Department form if bedrooms or septic are implicated, and flood documents where required. 3. Register for an ACCESS account if filing online. The portal is used to apply for permits, pay fees, view comments, download issued permits and certificates, and schedule inspections. 4. Submit the permit package through ACCESS or coordinate directly with the Building Office if the project needs staff assistance or a town-side prerequisite first. 5. Respond to County review comments and upload revisions if requested. Review may also require floodplain, environmental, wetlands, Chesapeake/Atlantic Preservation Area, health, or zoning-related approvals depending on site conditions. 6. Pay fees through the ACCESS portal or at the Building Office. 7. After approval and issuance, post the permit card on site and call for inspections as work reaches each required stage.

How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Accomack County, VA?

Typical processing time is No public countywide permit-review SLA published. For inspections, requests with at least 24 hours notice will be performed within two working days..

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Accomack County, VA?

The following work is generally exempt: Installation of qualifying low-voltage wiring and equipment under the USBC exemption language; One-story detached accessory structures not exceeding 200 square feet, unless another rule applies; Limited roof shingle replacement on an area of 10 feet by 10 feet; Window replacement; Other USBC Section 108.2 exempt work listed on the County permit-requirements page. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. County floodplain guidance states even small backyard storage buildings under 256 square feet require a permit if located in the Special Flood Hazard Area. Confirm with the Accomack County Building and Zoning Office before proceeding.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Accomack County, VA?

Inspections can be scheduled via: 757-787-5721, 757-824-5223 (alternate), building@co.accomack.va.us, ACCESS portal. Requests require at least 24 hours notice. Inspections will be performed within two working days of a timely request..