Clifton Forge, VA — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

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

Street address

Town Hall, 547 Main Street, Clifton Forge, VA 24422

Phone

(540) 863-2500

msaxton@cliftonforgeva.gov

Coverage

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.

Website

Department website

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Clifton Forge

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.

Note: Clifton Forge does not publish a separate consolidated building permit exemption list. Building permit exemptions follow the Virginia Construction Code and Alleghany County exemption page for county-issued permits. Even if a building permit is exempt, local zoning approval may still be required in Clifton Forge for certain work.

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

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.
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.
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.

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

§ 03

Application process

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

01

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.
02

Apply at Clifton Forge Town Hall for zoning approval when required. Planning and Community Development enforces the zoning ordinance.
03

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.
04

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.
05

Submit to Alleghany County for building review and fee assessment. Allow approximately two working days for county review and approval.
06

Pay county permit fees and receive the county-issued permit before starting work.
07

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) ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Clifton Forge building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

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).

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 periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

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 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.

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

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Clifton Forge permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Clifton Forge, VA? ▸

02 How much does a building permit cost in Clifton Forge, VA? ▸

Building permit fees in Clifton Forge, VA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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..

03 How do I apply for a building permit in Clifton Forge, VA? ▸

To apply for a building permit in Clifton Forge, VA, follow these steps: 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.

04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Clifton Forge, VA? ▸

Building permit processing times in Clifton Forge, VA typically run Approximately two working days for county building permit review and approval after submission to Alleghany County.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Clifton Forge, VA? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Clifton Forge, VA 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..

last verified April 2026 source Town of Clifton Forge Planning and Community Development (zoning); Alleghany County Building Inspections Department (building permits and inspections) ↗ entry id permits/virginia/alleghany/clifton-forge

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Town of Clifton Forge Planning and Community Development (zoning); Alleghany County Building Inspections Department (building permits and inspections) before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

Town of Clifton Forge

Other jurisdictions in Alleghany County.