Augusta County, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Covers unincorporated Augusta County. The incorporated Town of Craigsville is administered through Augusta County Building Inspection. Cities of Staunton and Waynesboro are independent jurisdictions with their own permit authorities.

Department

Augusta County Building Inspection Department

Address

18 Government Center Lane, Suite 1106, Verona, VA 24482

Phone

540-245-5717

Email

bi@co.augusta.va.us

Website

https://www.co.augusta.va.us/government/departments-and-offices/building-inspection

Application Process

1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Augusta County and check zoning first for use, setbacks, floodplain issues, and related land-use constraints.
2. Obtain outside approvals as applicable, including septic or well approval or confirmation of public utilities, and a VDOT entrance permit or other written driveway approval for new dwelling units.
3. Prepare the building package. For a new single-family home, the county requires a sketch plan, two sets of structural plans, the building permit application, mechanic's lien agent form if needed, and erosion-related forms. Trade permits are separate and must be obtained by the person or company doing the work.
4. Submit the completed application and supporting materials in person to the Building Inspection Office, with zoning and engineering review completed as needed.
5. Pay permit fees at application. A 2 percent state levy is added to each fee; a 2.7 percent convenience fee applies to credit-card payments.
6. County staff review the package. For single-family dwellings, Engineering reviews the Agreement-in-Lieu-of-a-Plan and land-disturbance compliance where applicable.
7. After approvals are complete, the county mails the building permit and one approved plan set to the applicant; work may then begin.
8. Post the permit card and plans on site, request inspections by 4:00 p.m. the working day before, complete finals, and obtain the certificate of occupancy before occupancy.

Typical processing time: No universal turnaround is published. Certificate of occupancy issuance requires two working days after all final approvals are received.

Source: Augusta County Building Inspection Department

General Requirements

Permits must be obtained to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, convert, or demolish any building, and for installation or changes to electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems.

Required Documents

• Signed building permit application
• Sketch plan
• Two sets of structural plans
• Zoning review confirmation
• Septic, well, or public utility confirmation
• VDOT entrance permit or written driveway approval (new dwelling units)
• Mechanic's lien agent form (if applicable)
• Agreement in Lieu of a Plan (erosion form, where triggered)
• SWPPP form (where triggered)

Permit validity

Work must start within six months of permit issuance and must continue over each six-month period until complete to keep the permit valid.

Building code

Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (2021 code family, effective January 18, 2025)

Owner-builder

If the owner is not performing the building, plumbing, electrical, or mechanical work, the licensed person doing the work must assume responsibility in writing by contract or signed application. For new dwelling units, the owner acting as general contractor is also subject to the responsible land disturber requirement.

Contractor requirements

Trade permits are obtained separately by the person or company doing the work and require contractor signature if a contractor is listed. Contractors may also require an Augusta County business license through the Commissioner of Revenue. Virginia DPOR contractor and trade licensing applies.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$75 (residential and most trade permits); $100 (many commercial building categories)

Plan check fee

No separate routine plan-check fee. Extra plan sets: $50; plan amendments requiring complete review: $50.

Permit fee formula

Mixed area-based and flat rates by permit type. Residential new construction and additions: $0.18 per square foot of heated finished living space ($75 minimum). Residential accessory structures: $0.18 per square foot ($75 minimum). Commercial building work: square-foot rates with $100 minimums. Trade permits: separate flat or fixture-based fees.

Reinspection fee

$75 per visit

Payment note

Fees are due at application. County accepts Visa, Mastercard, and Discover. Credit-card payments carry a 2.7 percent convenience fee. A 2 percent state levy is added to each permit fee.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Installation of certain low-voltage wiring and monitoring or automation equipment as listed in Section 108.2 of the Virginia code
• One-story detached tool or storage sheds, playhouses, and similar structures up to 256 square feet (not Group F-1 or H occupancy)
• Detached utility-service equipment buildings up to 150 square feet
• Tents or air-supported structures up to 900 square feet with occupant load of 50 or less
• Fences, unless needed for pedestrian safety or used as a swimming-pool barrier
• Concrete or masonry walls up to 6 feet above finished grade
• Retaining walls supporting less than 3 feet of unbalanced fill and not carrying listed surcharge or impounded liquids
• Pools with surface area not greater than 150 square feet and less than 24 inches deep
• Replacement LP-gas containers of the same capacity in the same location when installed by the serving gas supplier
• Flagpoles 30 feet or less
• Temporary ramps serving certain dwelling units where the entrance height is no more than 30 inches above grade
• Ordinary repairs including: same-size replacement windows and doors in listed residential occupancies; replacement of plumbing fixtures and well pumps without system alteration; replacement of listed receptacles, switches, lights, and ceiling fans; replacement of certain mechanical appliances; residential roof-covering and siding replacement under listed wind conditions; limited roof-deck replacement; and floor-finish replacement

Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm with Augusta County Building Inspection before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Augusta County Building Inspection: 540-245-5717 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Inspection requests must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. the working day before the requested inspection date.

Inspection hours

Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Time windows

The county does not set time blocks for inspections.

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence — Building: footing, foundation, slab, framing, insulation, final. Plumbing: groundwork, rough-in, water and sewer lines on public utilities, final. Electrical: temporary service, groundwork, rough-in, service, final. Mechanical: duct, gas line, final.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (2021 code family, effective January 18, 2025)
• Verify contractor license: Virginia DPOR License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• Non-Residential Building Permit Process
• Engineering and Land Disturbance
• Virginia DPOR Contractor Board
• License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Augusta County Building Permit FAQ

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

Permits must be obtained to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, convert, or demolish any building, and for installation or changes to electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems.

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

The minimum permit fee is $75 (residential and most trade permits); $100 (many commercial building categories). Fees are calculated as: Mixed area-based and flat rates by permit type. Residential new construction and additions: $0.18 per square foot of heated finished living space ($75 minimum). Residential accessory structures: $0.18 per square foot ($75 minimum). Commercial building work: square-foot rates with $100 minimums. Trade permits: separate flat or fixture-based fees.. Plan check fee: No separate routine plan-check fee. Extra plan sets: $50; plan amendments requiring complete review: $50..

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

1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Augusta County and check zoning first for use, setbacks, floodplain issues, and related land-use constraints. 2. Obtain outside approvals as applicable, including septic or well approval or confirmation of public utilities, and a VDOT entrance permit or other written driveway approval for new dwelling units. 3. Prepare the building package. For a new single-family home, the county requires a sketch plan, two sets of structural plans, the building permit application, mechanic's lien agent form if needed, and erosion-related forms. Trade permits are separate and must be obtained by the person or company doing the work. 4. Submit the completed application and supporting materials in person to the Building Inspection Office, with zoning and engineering review completed as needed. 5. Pay permit fees at application. A 2 percent state levy is added to each fee; a 2.7 percent convenience fee applies to credit-card payments. 6. County staff review the package. For single-family dwellings, Engineering reviews the Agreement-in-Lieu-of-a-Plan and land-disturbance compliance where applicable. 7. After approvals are complete, the county mails the building permit and one approved plan set to the applicant; work may then begin. 8. Post the permit card and plans on site, request inspections by 4:00 p.m. the working day before, complete finals, and obtain the certificate of occupancy before occupancy.

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

Typical processing time is No universal turnaround is published. Certificate of occupancy issuance requires two working days after all final approvals are received..

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

The following work is generally exempt: Installation of certain low-voltage wiring and monitoring or automation equipment as listed in Section 108.2 of the Virginia code; One-story detached tool or storage sheds, playhouses, and similar structures up to 256 square feet (not Group F-1 or H occupancy); Detached utility-service equipment buildings up to 150 square feet; Tents or air-supported structures up to 900 square feet with occupant load of 50 or less; Fences, unless needed for pedestrian safety or used as a swimming-pool barrier; Concrete or masonry walls up to 6 feet above finished grade; Retaining walls supporting less than 3 feet of unbalanced fill and not carrying listed surcharge or impounded liquids; Pools with surface area not greater than 150 square feet and less than 24 inches deep; Replacement LP-gas containers of the same capacity in the same location when installed by the serving gas supplier; Flagpoles 30 feet or less; Temporary ramps serving certain dwelling units where the entrance height is no more than 30 inches above grade; Ordinary repairs including: same-size replacement windows and doors in listed residential occupancies; replacement of plumbing fixtures and well pumps without system alteration; replacement of listed receptacles, switches, lights, and ceiling fans; replacement of certain mechanical appliances; residential roof-covering and siding replacement under listed wind conditions; limited roof-deck replacement; and floor-finish replacement. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm with Augusta County Building Inspection before proceeding.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: Augusta County Building Inspection: 540-245-5717. Inspection requests must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. the working day before the requested inspection date..