Bedford County, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Unincorporated Bedford County only. The Town of Bedford is an incorporated town with its own building inspections office; properties inside the Town limits are covered by the Town of Bedford, not the County.

Department

Division of Building Inspections, Bedford County Community Development

Address

122 East Main Street, Suite G-03, Bedford, VA 24523

Phone

540-586-7616

Email

wgoodwin@bedfordcountyva.gov

Website

https://www.bedfordcountyva.gov/government/departments-offices-a-d/community-development/building-inspections

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm whether the project is located in unincorporated Bedford County or inside the Town of Bedford. County FAQ and Town pages direct in-town projects to the Town's building inspections office.
2. Confirm permit triggers. The County FAQ requires a permit before starting work that is not exempt from the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code — examples include new structures, additions, decks and ramps, retaining walls over 3 feet, pools over code thresholds, new gas systems, most new electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems, larger storage buildings, accessibility-affecting alterations, and concrete or masonry walls over 6 feet.
3. Prepare the application package. Complete the applicable permit application in the CSS portal and upload supporting forms as required, which may include the application disclaimer, owner-builder affidavit, farm building affidavit, energy compliance documents, designer information, plot or plan materials, and project-specific review sheets.
4. Submit through the EnerGov CSS portal, or download forms and mail or bring them to Community Development at 122 East Main Street, Suite G-03, Bedford.
5. County staff review the application for building, zoning, and related Community Development compliance. Note that zoning compliance, erosion and sediment control requirements, and separate AEP dock approvals on Smith Mountain Lake and Leesville Lake remain the applicant's responsibility.
6. Pay all assessed permit fees before work begins. All applications must be approved and fees paid before work can start.
7. Receive the issued permit, post it visibly on site, and proceed with work. The permit must be displayed before any inspection can be performed, and a certificate of occupancy must be obtained before occupancy.

Typical processing time: No universal County turnaround was publicly posted. For inspections, requests received before 4:00 p.m. are generally scheduled for the next business day; requests after 4:00 p.m. are scheduled for the second business day.

Source: Division of Building Inspections, Bedford County Community Development

General Requirements

Permits are required before starting work that is not exempt from the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. Examples include changing a structure's designed use, construction or demolition of structures, structural work, replacement of electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems not exempted by the USBC, new buildings, additions, decks and ramps, retaining walls over 3 feet, interior structural or egress-related alterations, new gas systems, larger pools, new trade systems, larger utility buildings, accessibility-affecting alterations, and concrete or masonry walls over 6 feet.

Required Documents

• Completed permit application submitted through the CSS portal
• Application disclaimer
• Owner-builder affidavit (if applicable)
• Farm building affidavit (if applicable)
• Residential energy compliance materials
• Information for designers (2021 code editions)
• Residential plan review information
• Project-specific technical sheets
• Separate land disturbance, septic, or AEP dock approvals as applicable

Permit validity

No special local expiration rule was publicly posted. Virginia Construction Code defaults apply: permit applications are abandoned after six months if not pursued in good faith, and issued permits may be revoked when work does not start within six months or is suspended or abandoned for six months, subject to extensions.

Building code

Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, 2021 editions (effective January 18, 2024)

Owner-builder

Bedford County lists an Owner Builder Affidavit in its Community Development building document folder. Owner-applicants must submit this affidavit when relying on the owner-builder exemption path.

Contractor requirements

Virginia Code section 54.1-1111 requires proof of Virginia contractor licensure or a written exemption statement before permit issuance. County application materials require the applicant to certify compliance with Virginia contractor licensing requirements. Verify contractor licenses through the Virginia DPOR.

Fees

Plan check fee

Bedford County posts residential plan review information, but a standalone plan check fee amount was not publicly extractable from available sources. See the fee schedule for current rates.

Permit fee formula

Bedford County posts a current building fee schedule in its Community Development document folder, but the exact formula and rate table were not publicly available in machine-readable form. See the fee schedule URL for current rates.

Reinspection fee

$25 if the permit is not posted on site. Incomplete or unready work is also subject to reinspection fees.

Payment note

The CSS portal handles payment processing through Tyler Payments or Tyler Technologies following the March 2024 security and payments upgrade.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective Updated May 2023).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Detached accessory structures under 256 square feet used for storage or utility purposes, if not classified as Group F1 or H occupancy
• Electrical equipment operating at less than 50 volts
• Fences and privacy walls that are not part of a building, structure, or swimming pool barrier
• Replacement in kind of existing above-ground LP gas containers
• Tents under 900 square feet with occupant loads under 50 people
• Playground equipment
• Temporary ramps for single-family dwellings
• Ordinary repairs including: installation or replacement of floor, cabinetry, paint, or wall finishes; replacement in kind of switches, receptacles, and lighting outlets in single-family dwellings; replacement of non-gas and non-oil mechanical appliances; replacement of plumbing fixtures without alteration or relocation; replacement of roof coverings, siding, windows, and doors of the same size in single-family dwellings

Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. Confirm with the Division of Building Inspections before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Inspection request voicemail: 540-586-7611 (phone)
• EnerGov CSS Portal (online)

Scheduling deadline

Requests received before 4:00 p.m. are generally scheduled for the next business day. Requests received after 4:00 p.m. are generally scheduled for the second business day.

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Permits are not issued and new applications are not accepted after 4:00 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: Inspections are not made by appointment. Electrical service changes without power, public water changeovers, emergency repairs, footings, and groundwork are prioritized depending on workload. Typical sequence varies by project scope and commonly includes footing or groundwork, foundation, framing, rough trade, and final inspections. On-site consultations may be scheduled separately.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, 2021 editions (effective January 18, 2024)
• Verify contractor license: Virginia DPOR Contractor License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Community Development Forms and Applications
• Building Permit FAQ
• Community Development Document Folder (Fee Schedule, Forms)
• Field Inspection Policy
• Land Disturbance Permitting
• Virginia Contractor Permit Prerequisite Statute (54.1-1111)
• Virginia Construction Code Permit and Exemption Provisions
• License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Bedford County Building Permit FAQ

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

Permits are required before starting work that is not exempt from the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. Examples include changing a structure's designed use, construction or demolition of structures, structural work, replacement of electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems not exempted by the USBC, new buildings, additions, decks and ramps, retaining walls over 3 feet, interior structural or egress-related alterations, new gas systems, larger pools, new trade systems, larger utility buildings, accessibility-affecting alterations, and concrete or masonry walls over 6 feet.

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

Fees are calculated as: Bedford County posts a current building fee schedule in its Community Development document folder, but the exact formula and rate table were not publicly available in machine-readable form. See the fee schedule URL for current rates.. Plan check fee: Bedford County posts residential plan review information, but a standalone plan check fee amount was not publicly extractable from available sources. See the fee schedule for current rates..

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

1. Confirm whether the project is located in unincorporated Bedford County or inside the Town of Bedford. County FAQ and Town pages direct in-town projects to the Town's building inspections office. 2. Confirm permit triggers. The County FAQ requires a permit before starting work that is not exempt from the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code — examples include new structures, additions, decks and ramps, retaining walls over 3 feet, pools over code thresholds, new gas systems, most new electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems, larger storage buildings, accessibility-affecting alterations, and concrete or masonry walls over 6 feet. 3. Prepare the application package. Complete the applicable permit application in the CSS portal and upload supporting forms as required, which may include the application disclaimer, owner-builder affidavit, farm building affidavit, energy compliance documents, designer information, plot or plan materials, and project-specific review sheets. 4. Submit through the EnerGov CSS portal, or download forms and mail or bring them to Community Development at 122 East Main Street, Suite G-03, Bedford. 5. County staff review the application for building, zoning, and related Community Development compliance. Note that zoning compliance, erosion and sediment control requirements, and separate AEP dock approvals on Smith Mountain Lake and Leesville Lake remain the applicant's responsibility. 6. Pay all assessed permit fees before work begins. All applications must be approved and fees paid before work can start. 7. Receive the issued permit, post it visibly on site, and proceed with work. The permit must be displayed before any inspection can be performed, and a certificate of occupancy must be obtained before occupancy.

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

Typical processing time is No universal County turnaround was publicly posted. For inspections, requests received before 4:00 p.m. are generally scheduled for the next business day; requests after 4:00 p.m. are scheduled for the second business day..

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

The following work is generally exempt: Detached accessory structures under 256 square feet used for storage or utility purposes, if not classified as Group F1 or H occupancy; Electrical equipment operating at less than 50 volts; Fences and privacy walls that are not part of a building, structure, or swimming pool barrier; Replacement in kind of existing above-ground LP gas containers; Tents under 900 square feet with occupant loads under 50 people; Playground equipment; Temporary ramps for single-family dwellings; Ordinary repairs including: installation or replacement of floor, cabinetry, paint, or wall finishes; replacement in kind of switches, receptacles, and lighting outlets in single-family dwellings; replacement of non-gas and non-oil mechanical appliances; replacement of plumbing fixtures without alteration or relocation; replacement of roof coverings, siding, windows, and doors of the same size in single-family dwellings. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. Confirm with the Division of Building Inspections before proceeding.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: Inspection request voicemail: 540-586-7611, EnerGov CSS Portal. Requests received before 4:00 p.m. are generally scheduled for the next business day. Requests received after 4:00 p.m. are generally scheduled for the second business day..