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

The minimum permit fee is $0 for most administrative zoning permits. Fees are calculated as: Mostly flat fees where a public hearing or board action is required. Verified figures: no fee for most administrative zoning permits; $150 for a variance; $300 for other Board of Zoning Appeals applications..

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

1. Confirm the project is inside the corporate limits of the Town of Amherst. If yes, begin with Town zoning review before applying to Amherst County for the building permit. 2. For most major construction or changes in land use (building additions, new houses, signs, sheds, operating a business from a residence), obtain a Town zoning certificate. 3. For routine administrative zoning approvals, submit the zoning certificate application to the Town Manager, who serves as Zoning Administrator. Most such requests are handled administratively and no fee is charged. 4. If the proposal requires Planning Commission, Town Council, or Board of Zoning Appeals action, submit a cover letter, signed application, site plan or other appropriate drawings, and the required fee to the Town Manager. 5. For rezonings and special use permits, the Town Manager reports the application to the Planning Commission at its next regular meeting, followed by a public hearing. The Planning Commission forwards a recommendation to Town Council, which then schedules its own public hearing. 6. For variances and appeals, the application goes to the Board of Zoning Appeals chair for scheduling of the required public hearing. 7. Once all Town zoning issues are resolved and the zoning permit or approval is issued, proceed to Amherst County Building Safety and Inspections at 153 Washington St, Amherst, VA 24521 (phone: 434-946-9302) to apply for the building permit, land-disturbance permit, and any other required county permits.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: Amherst County Building Safety and Inspections: 434-946-9302. Call Amherst County Building Inspections by 5:00 p.m. the day before the requested inspection. Sprinkler-system inspections require 48 hours notice..

City Building Permits

Town of Amherst, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Virginia Amherst County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

The Town of Amherst is an incorporated town inside Amherst County, not an independent city. The Town handles zoning certificates, zoning administration, site plans, rezonings, special use permits, variances, sign permits, and related land-use approvals. Amherst County Building Safety and Inspections (not the Town) issues building permits and performs building inspections for projects inside the Town. Applicants must obtain Town zoning approval before submitting a building permit application to Amherst County.

Department: Town of Amherst Planning and Zoning (administered by Town Manager as Zoning Administrator)
Address: 174 S. Main Street, Amherst, VA 24521
Phone: 434-946-7885
Email: townhall@amherstva.gov
Website: https://amherstva.gov/administration/planning-and-zoning/

Application Process

Confirm the project is inside the corporate limits of the Town of Amherst. If yes, begin with Town zoning review before applying to Amherst County for the building permit.
For most major construction or changes in land use (building additions, new houses, signs, sheds, operating a business from a residence), obtain a Town zoning certificate.
For routine administrative zoning approvals, submit the zoning certificate application to the Town Manager, who serves as Zoning Administrator. Most such requests are handled administratively and no fee is charged.
If the proposal requires Planning Commission, Town Council, or Board of Zoning Appeals action, submit a cover letter, signed application, site plan or other appropriate drawings, and the required fee to the Town Manager.
For rezonings and special use permits, the Town Manager reports the application to the Planning Commission at its next regular meeting, followed by a public hearing. The Planning Commission forwards a recommendation to Town Council, which then schedules its own public hearing.
For variances and appeals, the application goes to the Board of Zoning Appeals chair for scheduling of the required public hearing.
Once all Town zoning issues are resolved and the zoning permit or approval is issued, proceed to Amherst County Building Safety and Inspections at 153 Washington St, Amherst, VA 24521 (phone: 434-946-9302) to apply for the building permit, land-disturbance permit, and any other required county permits.

Typical processing time: Administrative zoning certificates: no standard review time posted. Applications requiring public hearings: several weeks due to notice requirements and hearing schedule. Board of Zoning Appeals matters: Virginia Code requires action within 90 days of receipt of the application.

Source: Town of Amherst Planning and Zoning (administered by Town Manager as Zoning Administrator)

General Requirements

A Town zoning certificate is required for most major construction projects or changes in the use of land, including building additions, new houses, signs, sheds, and operating a business from a residence. After Town zoning approval, a building permit from Amherst County is also required for regulated construction work.

Required Documents

Zoning certificate application (for administrative approvals)
Cover letter (for applications requiring board or council action)
Signed application
Site plan or other appropriate drawings (for applications requiring board or council action)
Required application fee (for applications requiring board or council action)
Amherst County erosion and sediment control permit (if applicable)
VDOT entrance permit (if applicable)

Permit validity: The Town zoning certificate expires 365 days after approval.
Building code: Construction must conform with the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. Amherst County administers the 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: No separate Town owner-builder rule applies. Building-permit owner-builder issues are handled through Amherst County Building Safety and Inspections and Virginia contractor-licensing law.
Contractor requirements: The Town does not license contractors separately for building-code purposes. Building permits are issued by Amherst County. State contractor licensing is regulated by the Virginia DPOR Board for Contractors. A separate Town business license may be required for business activity in Town.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: $0 for most administrative zoning permits
Permit fee formula: Mostly flat fees where a public hearing or board action is required. Verified figures: no fee for most administrative zoning permits; $150 for a variance; $300 for other Board of Zoning Appeals applications.
Payment note: Public materials do not describe online fee payment for zoning applications. Fees for hearing-driven applications are tied to the zoning and subdivision ordinance.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective FY 2025-2026).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Town of Amherst Planning and Zoning (administered by Town Manager as Zoning Administrator) to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Amherst County Building Safety and Inspections: 434-946-9302 (phone)

Scheduling deadline: Call Amherst County Building Inspections by 5:00 p.m. the day before the requested inspection. Sprinkler-system inspections require 48 hours notice.
Inspection hours: Town Hall hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Building inspections are conducted by Amherst County (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Typical inspection sequence: Building inspections are performed by Amherst County Building Safety and Inspections, not the Town. Town zoning review precedes the county building permit step; there is no separate Town building inspection sequence.

Additional Resources

Building code: Construction must conform with the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. Amherst County administers the 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
Town Building Inspection and Permits Page
Town Code and Zoning Ordinance (Municode)
Zoning Certificate Application Form
Zoning Permit Process Sheet
Sign Permit Application
Business License Application
Amherst County Building Safety and Inspections
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 Amherst Planning and Zoning (administered by Town Manager as Zoning Administrator) before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Town of Amherst Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Town of Amherst, VA?: A Town zoning certificate is required for most major construction projects or changes in the use of land, including building additions, new houses, signs, sheds, and operating a business from a residence. After Town zoning approval, a building permit from Amherst County is also required for regulated construction work.
How much does a building permit cost in Town of Amherst, VA?: The minimum permit fee is $0 for most administrative zoning permits. Fees are calculated as: Mostly flat fees where a public hearing or board action is required. Verified figures: no fee for most administrative zoning permits; $150 for a variance; $300 for other Board of Zoning Appeals applications..
How do I apply for a building permit in Town of Amherst, VA?: 1. Confirm the project is inside the corporate limits of the Town of Amherst. If yes, begin with Town zoning review before applying to Amherst County for the building permit. 2. For most major construction or changes in land use (building additions, new houses, signs, sheds, operating a business from a residence), obtain a Town zoning certificate. 3. For routine administrative zoning approvals, submit the zoning certificate application to the Town Manager, who serves as Zoning Administrator. Most such requests are handled administratively and no fee is charged. 4. If the proposal requires Planning Commission, Town Council, or Board of Zoning Appeals action, submit a cover letter, signed application, site plan or other appropriate drawings, and the required fee to the Town Manager. 5. For rezonings and special use permits, the Town Manager reports the application to the Planning Commission at its next regular meeting, followed by a public hearing. The Planning Commission forwards a recommendation to Town Council, which then schedules its own public hearing. 6. For variances and appeals, the application goes to the Board of Zoning Appeals chair for scheduling of the required public hearing. 7. Once all Town zoning issues are resolved and the zoning permit or approval is issued, proceed to Amherst County Building Safety and Inspections at 153 Washington St, Amherst, VA 24521 (phone: 434-946-9302) to apply for the building permit, land-disturbance permit, and any other required county permits.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Town of Amherst, VA?: Typical processing time is Administrative zoning certificates: no standard review time posted. Applications requiring public hearings: several weeks due to notice requirements and hearing schedule. Board of Zoning Appeals matters: Virginia Code requires action within 90 days of receipt of the application..
How do I schedule a building inspection in Town of Amherst, VA?: Inspections can be scheduled via: Amherst County Building Safety and Inspections: 434-946-9302. Call Amherst County Building Inspections by 5:00 p.m. the day before the requested inspection. Sprinkler-system inspections require 48 hours notice..

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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.