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

The minimum permit fee is $15.00 for county-issued building permits. Town zoning application flat fees are generally $250.00 for most actions, with certain categories also requiring $5.00 per certified letter to adjacent property owners.. Fees are calculated as: Split system. Building permit fees follow the county's valuation-based schedule. Clifton Forge zoning actions use flat fees per the posted zoning application..

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

1. Determine whether the project requires Clifton Forge zoning approval. New construction, additions, porches or decks, and accessory structures are examples that require zoning approval first. 2. Apply at Clifton Forge Town Hall for zoning approval when required. Planning and Community Development enforces the zoning ordinance. 3. After town zoning approval, take that approval to Alleghany County Building Department and apply for the building permit. All building permits are issued by Alleghany County. 4. Prepare the county building permit application and all county-required attachments, which may include structural drawings, water and sewer approvals, erosion and sediment control, and other items depending on scope. 5. Submit to Alleghany County for building review and fee assessment. Allow approximately two working days for county review and approval. 6. Pay county permit fees and receive the county-issued permit before starting work. 7. Schedule and pass required county inspections. Town zoning and code-enforcement issues remain with Clifton Forge.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Town of Clifton Forge, VA?

Inspections can be scheduled via: (540) 863-6650 (Alleghany County Building Inspections), (540) 863-2509 (Clifton Forge Code Enforcement). County inspection requests should be made at least 24 hours in advance. Same-day inspections are typically not performed..

City Building Permits

Town of Clifton Forge, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Virginia Alleghany County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Clifton Forge is an incorporated town, not an independent city. As of October 2, 2017, all building permits are issued by Alleghany County. Zoning approval must still be obtained from Clifton Forge Town Hall before applying to the county when the project needs zoning approval.

Department: Town of Clifton Forge Planning and Community Development (zoning); Alleghany County Building Inspections Department (building permits and inspections)
Address: Town Hall, 547 Main Street, Clifton Forge, VA 24422
Phone: (540) 863-2500
Email: msaxton@cliftonforgeva.gov
Website: https://cliftonforgeva.gov/town-departments/community-development/

Application Process

Determine whether the project requires Clifton Forge zoning approval. New construction, additions, porches or decks, and accessory structures are examples that require zoning approval first.
Apply at Clifton Forge Town Hall for zoning approval when required. Planning and Community Development enforces the zoning ordinance.
After town zoning approval, take that approval to Alleghany County Building Department and apply for the building permit. All building permits are issued by Alleghany County.
Prepare the county building permit application and all county-required attachments, which may include structural drawings, water and sewer approvals, erosion and sediment control, and other items depending on scope.
Submit to Alleghany County for building review and fee assessment. Allow approximately two working days for county review and approval.
Pay county permit fees and receive the county-issued permit before starting work.
Schedule and pass required county inspections. Town zoning and code-enforcement issues remain with Clifton Forge.

Typical processing time: Approximately two working days for county building permit review and approval after submission to Alleghany County.

Source: Town of Clifton Forge Planning and Community Development (zoning); Alleghany County Building Inspections Department (building permits and inspections)

General Requirements

Zoning approval from Clifton Forge is required first for new construction, additions, porches or decks, and accessory structures. The town's Community Development page states permitting and inspections for all new construction and upgrades to existing structures are provided by Alleghany County.

Required Documents

Town of Clifton Forge zoning application for local zoning actions
Sign application for signs
Alleghany County building permit application and county-required attachments
Plot plans or site plans where applicable

Permit validity: Building permits are county-issued; Virginia Construction Code default six-month abandonment and inactivity rules apply to the building permit. Town sign application separately states that upon vacation of premises the applicant must remove signs, supports, and hardware within six months unless reused by a new owner or tenant.
Building code: Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code administered through Alleghany County (2021 USBC, effective January 18, 2024, subject to Virginia transition rules). Clifton Forge separately administers its zoning ordinance and code-enforcement functions.
Owner-builder: Owner-builder rules for building permits follow the county process. For town zoning applications, the town requires owner or agent information and a property-owner signature.
Contractor requirements: Building permit contractor licensing follows Alleghany County and Virginia state rules. The town's sign and zoning forms do not create a separate town contractor licensing framework.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: $15.00 for county-issued building permits. Town zoning application flat fees are generally $250.00 for most actions, with certain categories also requiring $5.00 per certified letter to adjacent property owners.
Permit fee formula: Split system. Building permit fees follow the county's valuation-based schedule. Clifton Forge zoning actions use flat fees per the posted zoning application.
Reinspection fee: $25.00 per trip when three trips or more are required (county reinspection fee for county-issued building permits).
Payment note: Town zoning application fees are handled at Town Hall. County building permit fees follow county payment rules (checks payable to Alleghany County Treasurer).

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Town of Clifton Forge Planning and Community Development (zoning); Alleghany County Building Inspections Department (building permits and inspections) to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

(540) 863-6650 (Alleghany County Building Inspections) (phone)
(540) 863-2509 (Clifton Forge Code Enforcement) (phone)

Scheduling deadline: County inspection requests should be made at least 24 hours in advance. Same-day inspections are typically not performed.
Inspection hours: County inspections: Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Town Hall: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

Typical inspection sequence: County building inspections follow the standard county sequence: footing excavation and reinforcement; foundation systems; slab or preparatory concrete; structural framing and concealment; trade rough-ins (electrical, mechanical, plumbing); insulation or energy conservation; and final inspection.

Additional Resources

Building code: Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code administered through Alleghany County (2021 USBC, effective January 18, 2024, subject to Virginia transition rules). Clifton Forge separately administers its zoning ordinance and code-enforcement functions.
Verify contractor license: Virginia DPOR License Lookup
Zoning information: View zoning info
Sign Application (PDF)
Alleghany County Building Inspections
Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code
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 Town of Clifton Forge Planning and Community Development (zoning); Alleghany County Building Inspections Department (building permits and inspections) before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Town of Clifton Forge Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Town of Clifton Forge, VA?: Zoning approval from Clifton Forge is required first for new construction, additions, porches or decks, and accessory structures. The town's Community Development page states permitting and inspections for all new construction and upgrades to existing structures are provided by Alleghany County.
How much does a building permit cost in Town of Clifton Forge, VA?: The minimum permit fee is $15.00 for county-issued building permits. Town zoning application flat fees are generally $250.00 for most actions, with certain categories also requiring $5.00 per certified letter to adjacent property owners.. Fees are calculated as: Split system. Building permit fees follow the county's valuation-based schedule. Clifton Forge zoning actions use flat fees per the posted zoning application..
How do I apply for a building permit in Town of Clifton Forge, VA?: 1. Determine whether the project requires Clifton Forge zoning approval. New construction, additions, porches or decks, and accessory structures are examples that require zoning approval first. 2. Apply at Clifton Forge Town Hall for zoning approval when required. Planning and Community Development enforces the zoning ordinance. 3. After town zoning approval, take that approval to Alleghany County Building Department and apply for the building permit. All building permits are issued by Alleghany County. 4. Prepare the county building permit application and all county-required attachments, which may include structural drawings, water and sewer approvals, erosion and sediment control, and other items depending on scope. 5. Submit to Alleghany County for building review and fee assessment. Allow approximately two working days for county review and approval. 6. Pay county permit fees and receive the county-issued permit before starting work. 7. Schedule and pass required county inspections. Town zoning and code-enforcement issues remain with Clifton Forge.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Town of Clifton Forge, VA?: Typical processing time is Approximately two working days for county building permit review and approval after submission to Alleghany County..
How do I schedule a building inspection in Town of Clifton Forge, VA?: Inspections can be scheduled via: (540) 863-6650 (Alleghany County Building Inspections), (540) 863-2509 (Clifton Forge Code Enforcement). County inspection requests should be made at least 24 hours in advance. Same-day inspections are typically not performed..

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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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