Amherst County, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Amherst County Building Safety and Inspections is the building-permit and inspection issuer for unincorporated Amherst County and for projects inside the incorporated Town of Amherst (after required Town zoning approval is obtained). In-town applicants must obtain a Town zoning permit first, then submit the building permit application to the county.

Department

Amherst County Building Safety and Inspections

Address

153 Washington St, Amherst, VA 24521

Phone

434-946-9302

Website

https://www.countyofamherst.com/department/index.php?structureid=14

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm whether the project site is in unincorporated Amherst County or inside the Town of Amherst. If the site is in the Town, obtain the Town zoning permit first before proceeding with the county building permit application.
2. If the project needs county zoning review, contact Amherst County Planning and Zoning at 434-946-9303. If the project is in the Town of Amherst, contact the Town Zoning Department at 434-946-7885.
3. If the site will use a septic system and/or well, contact the local Health Department at 434-946-9408 to obtain the required permit.
4. For new buildings on VDOT roads, obtain a driveway entrance permit from VDOT before submitting the building permit application.
5. Submit the building permit application through the county iWorQ online portal. All building permits and applications are processed through iWorQ.
6. Upload project documents and required supporting materials, which may include plats, zoning setbacks, construction drawings, owner-builder statement, asbestos form, HVAC form, energy-efficiency certificate, and third-party inspection policy documents as applicable.
7. County staff reviews the application and, if approved, issues the building permit.
8. Schedule all required inspections with Building Inspections by calling 434-946-9302 by 5:00 p.m. the day before the requested inspection. Sprinkler-system inspections require 48 hours notice.

Source: Amherst County Building Safety and Inspections

General Requirements

Amherst County administers the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code locally. Permits are required for regulated building, trade, demolition, manufactured housing, pool, solar, tower, tent, and similar work unless exempt under the Virginia code or local guidance.

Required Documents

• Approved zoning permit from the Town of Amherst (for in-town projects) or county zoning approval
• Septic and/or well permit if applicable
• VDOT entrance permit for new buildings on VDOT roads
• Completed online building permit application via iWorQ
• Construction drawings and project documents
• Owner-builder disclosure statement (if applicable)
• Asbestos form (if applicable)
• HVAC form (if applicable)
• Energy-efficiency certificate (if applicable)

Permit validity

No county-specific validity rule was posted on the main Amherst permit pages reviewed. Under the Virginia Construction Code, a permit may be revoked if work does not commence within 6 months after issuance or if work is suspended or abandoned for 6 months, subject to code exceptions and extensions.

Building code

2021 Virginia Construction Code (VCC), 2021 Virginia Residential Code (VRC), 2021 Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (VSFP), and 2020 NEC. Effective January 18, 2024.

Owner-builder

Amherst County posts an Owner Builder Permit Disclosure Statement. To claim the exemption from state contractor licensure, the property owner must personally appear before the Building Official, read and sign the disclosure statement, and personally sign the building permit.

Contractor requirements

Virginia contractor licensing is regulated by the Virginia DPOR Board for Contractors. Licensed contractors are normally required unless a lawful owner-builder exemption applies.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$30.00

Permit fee formula

Mixed. New residential construction and additions are charged by square foot; commercial renovations, alterations, repairs, and residential solar installations are charged as a percentage of job cost; many other items are flat fees.

Reinspection fee

$50.00

Penalty (no permit)

$100.00 for working without a permit

Payment note

A 2% state levy tax is added to all permits. Land-disturbance and amusement-device fees are available upon request. Refund processing fee is $30.00.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Drywall repair and painting
• Residential reroofing
• Residential exterior siding
• Tents that cover 900 square feet or less with an occupant load of less than 50 persons
• Fences
• Floor coverings and porch or deck flooring
• One-story detached residential accessory structures under 256 square feet, including detached prefabricated structures under 256 square feet (zoning approval still required)
• Swimming pools with less than 150 square feet of surface water, less than 5,000 gallons capacity, and less than 24 inches of water depth (zoning approval still required)

Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. Zoning approval may still be required. Consult the Virginia Construction Code for the complete statewide exempt-work list and confirm with Amherst County Building Safety and Inspections before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 434-946-9302 (by 5:00 p.m. the day before) (phone)
• iWorQ Citizen and Contractor Portal (online)

Scheduling deadline

Call by 5:00 p.m. the day before the requested inspection. Sprinkler-system inspections require 48 hours notice.

Inspection hours

Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: No countywide public inspection checklist was found on the Amherst building pages reviewed. For building projects, expect inspection points set by the permit and code scope. County materials reference scheduled inspections and deck projects require at least footing and field-code-compliance inspection checkpoints. Confirm the required inspection list with the Building Official for each permit.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2021 Virginia Construction Code (VCC), 2021 Virginia Residential Code (VRC), 2021 Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (VSFP), and 2020 NEC. Effective January 18, 2024.
• Verify contractor license: Virginia DPOR Contractor License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• Design Criteria
• Owner-Builder Permit Disclosure Statement
• Third-Party Inspection Policy
• Virginia DPOR Board for Contractors
• Virginia DHCD Building Codes
• License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Amherst County Building Permit FAQ

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

Amherst County administers the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code locally. Permits are required for regulated building, trade, demolition, manufactured housing, pool, solar, tower, tent, and similar work unless exempt under the Virginia code or local guidance.

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

The minimum permit fee is $30.00. Fees are calculated as: Mixed. New residential construction and additions are charged by square foot; commercial renovations, alterations, repairs, and residential solar installations are charged as a percentage of job cost; many other items are flat fees..

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

1. Confirm whether the project site is in unincorporated Amherst County or inside the Town of Amherst. If the site is in the Town, obtain the Town zoning permit first before proceeding with the county building permit application. 2. If the project needs county zoning review, contact Amherst County Planning and Zoning at 434-946-9303. If the project is in the Town of Amherst, contact the Town Zoning Department at 434-946-7885. 3. If the site will use a septic system and/or well, contact the local Health Department at 434-946-9408 to obtain the required permit. 4. For new buildings on VDOT roads, obtain a driveway entrance permit from VDOT before submitting the building permit application. 5. Submit the building permit application through the county iWorQ online portal. All building permits and applications are processed through iWorQ. 6. Upload project documents and required supporting materials, which may include plats, zoning setbacks, construction drawings, owner-builder statement, asbestos form, HVAC form, energy-efficiency certificate, and third-party inspection policy documents as applicable. 7. County staff reviews the application and, if approved, issues the building permit. 8. Schedule all required inspections with Building Inspections by calling 434-946-9302 by 5:00 p.m. the day before the requested inspection. Sprinkler-system inspections require 48 hours notice.

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

The following work is generally exempt: Drywall repair and painting; Residential reroofing; Residential exterior siding; Tents that cover 900 square feet or less with an occupant load of less than 50 persons; Fences; Floor coverings and porch or deck flooring; One-story detached residential accessory structures under 256 square feet, including detached prefabricated structures under 256 square feet (zoning approval still required); Swimming pools with less than 150 square feet of surface water, less than 5,000 gallons capacity, and less than 24 inches of water depth (zoning approval still required). Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. Zoning approval may still be required. Consult the Virginia Construction Code for the complete statewide exempt-work list and confirm with Amherst County Building Safety and Inspections before proceeding.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: 434-946-9302 (by 5:00 p.m. the day before), iWorQ Citizen and Contractor Portal. Call by 5:00 p.m. the day before the requested inspection. Sprinkler-system inspections require 48 hours notice..