How much does a building permit cost in Town of Onley, VA?

The minimum permit fee is See Accomack County fee schedule. Residential new construction minimum $173.40 (including 2% state levy); residential alterations minimum $128.52.. Fees are calculated as: County mixed schedule: residential new construction $0.37/sq ft; residential remodeling $0.28/sq ft; administrative flat fees for many permit events..

How do I apply for a building permit in Town of Onley, VA?

1. Contact the Town of Onley to confirm whether the town requires a zoning approval, local permit, floodplain review, or business-registration step before County filing. 2. If no separate town-side intake applies, proceed with Accomack County's ordinary building-permit process through the ACCESS portal or at the County Building Office. 3. If the town requires a prerequisite approval, secure that approval before County filing. 4. Complete County plan review, payment, and permit issuance, then post the permit card and schedule inspections as work progresses.

What work is exempt from building permits in Town of Onley, 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 or town requirements. In the Special Flood Hazard Area, even small accessory structures require a permit. Confirm with Accomack County and the Town of Onley before proceeding.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Town of Onley, 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 performed within two working days..

City Building Permits

Town of Onley, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Town of Onley, Virginia. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Virginia Accomack County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Accomack County enforces the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code within the Town of Onley. County zoning does not apply inside incorporated towns; applicants should confirm any town-side zoning, floodplain, or other local requirements directly with the Town before filing with the County.

Department: Accomack County Building and Zoning Office (building permits and inspections for Onley)
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

Open ACCESS Online Permit Portal

Platform: ACCESS — Accomack County Construction and Environmental Self-Service • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online or in-person

Additional resources:

Permit Applications

Application Process

Contact the Town of Onley to confirm whether the town requires a zoning approval, local permit, floodplain review, or business-registration step before County filing.
If no separate town-side intake applies, proceed with Accomack County's ordinary building-permit process through the ACCESS portal or at the County Building Office.
If the town requires a prerequisite approval, secure that approval before County filing.
Complete County plan review, payment, and permit issuance, then post the permit card and schedule inspections as work progresses.

Typical processing time: No town-specific estimate found. County inspection requests with at least 24 hours notice will be performed within two working days.

Source: Accomack County Building and Zoning Office (building permits and inspections for Onley)

General Requirements

Accomack County USBC rules govern the actual building permit. Town-side land-use controls may also apply; confirm with the Town before starting work.

Required Documents

Accomack County building permit application
Required County forms (site plan, non-licensed contractor affidavit or owner consent if applicable, Health Department form if needed, flood documents if required)
Any town-side prerequisite documents as required by the Town of Onley

Permit validity: Accomack County permits are valid for six months after issue; construction must have started within six months. A six-month extension is available (maximum two extensions).
Building code: 2021 Virginia code package administered by Accomack County (effective January 18, 2024).
Owner-builder: County non-licensed contractor affidavit and owner consent form available for non-licensed applicants.
Contractor requirements: Virginia DPOR contractor licensing and County permit declaration requirements apply.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: See Accomack County fee schedule. Residential new construction minimum $173.40 (including 2% state levy); residential alterations minimum $128.52.
Permit fee formula: County mixed schedule: residential new construction $0.37/sq ft; residential remodeling $0.28/sq ft; administrative flat fees for many permit events.
Reinspection fee: $75.00
Penalty (no permit): $105.00 first offense (work started before permit); $420.00 each subsequent offense.
Payment note: County ACCESS portal supports online payment.

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 or town requirements. In the Special Flood Hazard Area, even small accessory structures require a permit. Confirm with Accomack County and the Town of Onley 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 performed within two working days.
Inspection hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding holidays.

Typical inspection sequence: County standard 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.

Additional Resources

Building code: 2021 Virginia code package administered by Accomack County (effective January 18, 2024).
Verify contractor license: Virginia DPOR License Lookup
Zoning information: View zoning info
Accomack County Permit Requirements
Flood Protection — Build Responsibly
License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Accomack County Building and Zoning Office (building permits and inspections for Onley) before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Town of Onley Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Town of Onley, VA?: Accomack County USBC rules govern the actual building permit. Town-side land-use controls may also apply; confirm with the Town before starting work.
How much does a building permit cost in Town of Onley, VA?: The minimum permit fee is See Accomack County fee schedule. Residential new construction minimum $173.40 (including 2% state levy); residential alterations minimum $128.52.. Fees are calculated as: County mixed schedule: residential new construction $0.37/sq ft; residential remodeling $0.28/sq ft; administrative flat fees for many permit events..
How do I apply for a building permit in Town of Onley, VA?: 1. Contact the Town of Onley to confirm whether the town requires a zoning approval, local permit, floodplain review, or business-registration step before County filing. 2. If no separate town-side intake applies, proceed with Accomack County's ordinary building-permit process through the ACCESS portal or at the County Building Office. 3. If the town requires a prerequisite approval, secure that approval before County filing. 4. Complete County plan review, payment, and permit issuance, then post the permit card and schedule inspections as work progresses.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Town of Onley, VA?: Typical processing time is No town-specific estimate found. County inspection requests with at least 24 hours notice will be performed within two working days..
What work is exempt from building permits in Town of Onley, 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 or town requirements. In the Special Flood Hazard Area, even small accessory structures require a permit. Confirm with Accomack County and the Town of Onley before proceeding.
How do I schedule a building inspection in Town of Onley, 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 performed within two working days..

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

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