Appomattox County, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Appomattox County is a Virginia county locality and the actual building-permit and inspection issuer for unincorporated county territory. The county also issues building permits and inspections for projects inside the incorporated Town of Appomattox and for Pamplin projects located on the Appomattox County side of that split town.

Department

Appomattox County Department of Community Development, Building Inspections

Address

153A Morton Lane, Appomattox, VA 24522

Phone

434-352-8183

Email

inspections@appomattoxcountyva.gov

Website

https://www.appomattoxcountyva.gov/169/Building-Inspections

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm that the parcel is recorded in Appomattox County and obtain the plat if it is a new dwelling site.
2. If the project needs onsite sewage disposal, secure Health Department approval before the building permit is issued.
3. If the project is inside the Town of Appomattox, contact the Town Office first about town water and zoning requirements before filing with the county.
4. Submit a zoning permit application for any new structure, including a sketch of the proposed building, existing buildings, and setbacks to property lines.
5. Determine whether erosion and sediment control approval is required. An Agreement in Lieu is required for land disturbance under 5,000 square feet; a land-disturbing permit may be required above that threshold.
6. If the structure is 256 square feet or larger, submit the building permit application with detailed plans and specifications using the county's specific Jotform application for the project type.
7. Obtain any other outside approvals that apply, including VDOT access approval for state-road entrances and utility coordination with Miss Utility.
8. County staff reviews the application and, if approved, issues the permit.
9. Request inspections by phone or email. Requests made before 10:00 a.m. are intended for same-day service if possible; later requests roll to the next day.

Typical processing time: No standard permit review turnaround was posted. Inspection requests made before 10:00 a.m. are intended to be performed the same day if possible.

Source: Appomattox County Department of Community Development, Building Inspections

General Requirements

Permits are required for construction, moving, altering, or demolishing a structure over 256 square feet; changing the use of a building; adding or replacing a deck; replacing roof plywood or trusses; any commercial roof work; finishing an unfinished basement; replacing water or sewer lines; installing a swimming pool more than 24 inches deep; new electric service or electric upgrades; installing gas, electric, or oil-fired heating systems; and modifying interior or exterior wall framing.

Required Documents

• Zoning application for new structures
• Site sketch showing proposed and existing buildings and setbacks to property lines
• Detailed plans and specifications for structures 256 square feet or larger
• Health Department approval where septic is involved
• Project-specific county Jotform application
• VDOT and utility-clearance coordination where applicable

Permit validity

A permit becomes null and void if work does not start within 6 months after issuance or if work is abandoned for any 6-month period. The permit may be reopened within 3 years for $50 plus levy fee; after 3 years, a new permit is required.

Building code

Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. The county's website references the 2015 VUSBC effective September 4, 2019; Virginia's current statewide code base is the 2021 Virginia codes effective January 18, 2024 under DHCD and the Virginia Administrative Code. Confirm with the county which edition applies to your permit.

Owner-builder

Virginia law allows a person to perform or supervise work on no more than one primary residence owned by that person for that person's own use during any 24-month period, and also allows certain immediate-family gift-house construction situations.

Contractor requirements

Contractor licensure is regulated by the Virginia DPOR Board for Contractors. All building contractors should be licensed by DPOR. Applicants should rely on current DPOR guidance for active projects.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$50 for many permit categories; $75 for accessory structures; $100 for single-wide manufactured homes; $150 for commercial construction; $150 for stick-built residential construction

Plan check fee

No separate published plan-check fee was found on the county inspections fee page.

Permit fee formula

Mostly square-foot based at $0.18 per square foot, subject to category-specific minimums; otherwise flat fees apply.

Reinspection fee

$25 reinspection fee; $50 to reopen a closed permit; $25 to modify an existing permit; $30 refund processing fee.

Payment note

A 2% state levy fee is added to the total of all permits.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Painting
• Residential reroofing
• Replacement windows and doors, except in fire-rated assemblies
• Repairs or replacement to interior walls and wall coverings
• Floor coverings and porch flooring
• Cabinet installation
• Repair or replacement of existing plumbing and electrical fixtures
• Replacement of common appliances
• Installation of residential exterior siding
• Replacement doors and windows with no framing changes
• Low-voltage lighting systems under 50 volts

Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. Confirm with Appomattox County Department of Community Development, Building Inspections before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 434-352-8183 (phone)
• inspections@appomattoxcountyva.gov (email)

Scheduling deadline

Requests received before 10:00 a.m. are intended for same-day inspection if possible; later requests are scheduled for the following day.

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: New construction: footing, anchor bolts or drain tile, slab, framing rough-in, electric rough-in, plumbing rough-in, mechanical rough-in, insulation, meter base, final. Modular: footing, foundation or sill plate before setting, plumbing, electric or meter base, final. Manufactured or on-frame modular: footing, block or anchor or strap setup, plumbing, meter base, final.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. The county's website references the 2015 VUSBC effective September 4, 2019; Virginia's current statewide code base is the 2021 Virginia codes effective January 18, 2024 under DHCD and the Virginia Administrative Code. Confirm with the county which edition applies to your permit.
• Verify contractor license: Virginia DPOR Board for Contractors
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• Before-You-Build Checklist
• Building FAQs
• Planning Fee Schedule
• Stormwater Management Program
• Virginia USBC Administrative Code
• License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Appomattox County Building Permit FAQ

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

Permits are required for construction, moving, altering, or demolishing a structure over 256 square feet; changing the use of a building; adding or replacing a deck; replacing roof plywood or trusses; any commercial roof work; finishing an unfinished basement; replacing water or sewer lines; installing a swimming pool more than 24 inches deep; new electric service or electric upgrades; installing gas, electric, or oil-fired heating systems; and modifying interior or exterior wall framing.

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

The minimum permit fee is $50 for many permit categories; $75 for accessory structures; $100 for single-wide manufactured homes; $150 for commercial construction; $150 for stick-built residential construction. Fees are calculated as: Mostly square-foot based at $0.18 per square foot, subject to category-specific minimums; otherwise flat fees apply.. Plan check fee: No separate published plan-check fee was found on the county inspections fee page..

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

1. Confirm that the parcel is recorded in Appomattox County and obtain the plat if it is a new dwelling site. 2. If the project needs onsite sewage disposal, secure Health Department approval before the building permit is issued. 3. If the project is inside the Town of Appomattox, contact the Town Office first about town water and zoning requirements before filing with the county. 4. Submit a zoning permit application for any new structure, including a sketch of the proposed building, existing buildings, and setbacks to property lines. 5. Determine whether erosion and sediment control approval is required. An Agreement in Lieu is required for land disturbance under 5,000 square feet; a land-disturbing permit may be required above that threshold. 6. If the structure is 256 square feet or larger, submit the building permit application with detailed plans and specifications using the county's specific Jotform application for the project type. 7. Obtain any other outside approvals that apply, including VDOT access approval for state-road entrances and utility coordination with Miss Utility. 8. County staff reviews the application and, if approved, issues the permit. 9. Request inspections by phone or email. Requests made before 10:00 a.m. are intended for same-day service if possible; later requests roll to the next day.

How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Appomattox County, VA?

Typical processing time is No standard permit review turnaround was posted. Inspection requests made before 10:00 a.m. are intended to be performed the same day if possible..

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

The following work is generally exempt: Painting; Residential reroofing; Replacement windows and doors, except in fire-rated assemblies; Repairs or replacement to interior walls and wall coverings; Floor coverings and porch flooring; Cabinet installation; Repair or replacement of existing plumbing and electrical fixtures; Replacement of common appliances; Installation of residential exterior siding; Replacement doors and windows with no framing changes; Low-voltage lighting systems under 50 volts. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. Confirm with Appomattox County Department of Community Development, Building Inspections before proceeding.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: 434-352-8183, inspections@appomattoxcountyva.gov. Requests received before 10:00 a.m. are intended for same-day inspection if possible; later requests are scheduled for the following day..