City of Covington

A building permit is required for new work, repairs, alterations, additions, and demolitions. The city also has separate permit pathways for land disturbance, stormwater, sign, floodplain development, and open burning.

Note: No city-specific public exempt-work list was located. Virginia Construction Code permit exemptions apply, including qualifying low-voltage work, qualifying small detached accessory structures, qualifying tents, and ordinary repairs listed in Section 108.2 of the Virginia Construction Code. Even where a building permit exemption may apply, separate city zoning, floodplain, land disturbance, or sign review may still be required.

Building code

Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (2021 USBC, effective January 18, 2024, subject to Virginia transition rules)

Permit validity

No Covington-specific expiration rule was located on public pages reviewed. Virginia Construction Code default six-month abandonment and inactivity rules apply.

Owner-builder

The city form includes an owner affidavit for applicants who are not licensed contractors. The owner must affirm familiarity with Virginia contractor licensing law and that hiring an unlicensed contractor is unlawful.

Contractor requirements

The building permit form requests both the Virginia state license number and a city license number. Virginia Code section 54.1-1111 requires proof of contractor licensure or a written exemption statement before permit issuance.

Source: Development Services, City of Covington ↗

1. 01
   Confirm scope with Development Services. The city handles building permits, rezoning, floodplain development permits, sign permits, stormwater permits, land disturbance permits, and open burning permits.
2. 02
   Download the building permit application from the city's forms page or request the needed form by email to devservices@covington.va.us.
3. 03
   Complete the application with project description, owner and contractor information, plot plan, and mechanics lien and owner affidavit information as applicable.
4. 04
   If the site is in a Special Flood Hazard Area, the building permit must go through the city's floodplain review before issuance.
5. 05
   Submit the completed application by email, fax, mail, or drop off at 340 E. Walnut Street.
6. 06
   Respond to any city review comments and pay assessed fees. The application form includes permit cost plus a 2% state levy based on estimated total physical value of construction.
7. 07
   After permit issuance, proceed with work and schedule the required inspections. Seven inspections are required on all new structures.

Source: Development Services, City of Covington ↗

Checks should be payable to the City of Covington. Applications may be submitted by email, fax, mail, or drop off.

• (540) 965-6356 (phone)
• devservices@covington.va.us (email)

Inspection hours

Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM

Typical sequence: Seven inspections are required on all new structures: footing excavation and reinforcement; foundation systems; preparatory work before slab placement; structural members and fasteners before concealment; electrical, mechanical, and plumbing before concealment; energy conservation material before concealment; and final inspection.

Source: Development Services, City of Covington ↗