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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Bedford
The Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code requires an application and permit before construction, alteration, renovation, repair, change of use, demolition, or relocation of any structure, including structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and safety features.
Low-voltage wiring, unless part of an alarm system
One-story detached sheds, playhouses, and similar structures that do not exceed 256 square feet (note: these still require a Town zoning permit)
Fences of any height unless constructed of concrete or masonry over 6 feet high or serving as a swimming pool barrier
Retaining walls supporting less than 3 feet of unbalanced fill
Swimming pools that are less than 150 square feet, 24 inches deep, and 5,000 gallons (note: may still require a Town zoning permit)
Flagpoles 30 feet or less in height
Replacement of residential mechanical appliances unless fuel-fired
Residential roofing, siding, or window and door replacement
Minor repairs, flooring, cabinets, and trim
- Exempt Low-voltage wiring, unless part of an alarm system
- Exempt One-story detached sheds, playhouses, and similar structures that do not exceed 256 square feet (note: these still require a Town zoning permit)
- Exempt Fences of any height unless constructed of concrete or masonry over 6 feet high or serving as a swimming pool barrier
- Exempt Retaining walls supporting less than 3 feet of unbalanced fill
- Exempt Swimming pools that are less than 150 square feet, 24 inches deep, and 5,000 gallons (note: may still require a Town zoning permit)
- Exempt Flagpoles 30 feet or less in height
- Exempt Replacement of residential mechanical appliances unless fuel-fired
- Exempt Residential roofing, siding, or window and door replacement
- Exempt Minor repairs, flooring, cabinets, and trim
Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. Several exempt structures still require a Town zoning permit. Confirm with the Office of Building Inspections and the Planning and Community Development office before proceeding.
Required documents
- Completed permit application
- Permit fee schedule (reference)
- Required inspections sheet
- Asbestos regulations acknowledgment
- Code modification request (if applicable)
- Third-party inspection policy (if applicable)
- Statement of special inspections (if applicable)
- Blower door form
- HVAC certification form
- Residential energy certificate
- One-story and slab cutsheets (as applicable)
- Zoning permit application (for projects also requiring zoning review)
- Building code
- Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, 2021 editions
- Permit validity
- The Town permit application states it expires 6 months after the date of submittal. Virginia Construction Code inactivity rules continue to apply after issuance.
- Owner-builder
- The Town permit application allows the signer to certify as owner, designer, contractor, or authorized agent and requires certification of compliance with Virginia contractor licensing requirements and applicable exemptions. No separate Town owner-builder handout was identified on the public pages reviewed.
- Contractor requirements
- The Town permit application requires certification of compliance with Virginia contractor license requirements and exemptions under Code of Virginia section 54.1-1100. State licensure verification requirements under section 54.1-1111 apply before permit issuance. Verify contractor licenses through the Virginia DPOR.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: No general Town permit turnaround time was publicly posted on the building pages reviewed.
- 01 Verify that the property is inside the Town of Bedford limits. The Town building page prominently directs properties outside the Town to Bedford County Building Inspections.
- 02 Determine whether separate Town zoning review is required. One-story detached sheds and similar structures up to 256 square feet and certain small pools may still require a zoning permit even when a building permit is not required.
- 03 Prepare the building permit package. The Town building page provides the permit application, permit fee schedule, required inspections sheet, asbestos regulations, code modification request, third-party inspection policy, special inspections statement, blower door form, HVAC certification, residential energy certificate, and framing or slab cutsheets.
- 04 Submit the completed forms by email to building@bedfordva.gov or deliver them in person to the office at 215 East Main Street, Bedford.
- 05 Town staff review the application for code compliance and collect applicable fees under the Town's adopted fee ordinance. The fee schedule includes separate residential, commercial, trade, and administrative charges plus a 2 percent Virginia levy.
- 06 After approval, receive the issued permit and post it on site. Inspections must be requested before concealing work or proceeding further with construction.
- 07 Schedule required inspections by calling 540-587-6024 before 5:00 p.m. the day prior to the desired inspection date.
Typical processing time: No general Town permit turnaround time was publicly posted on the building pages reviewed.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Bedford building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Residential: $35. Commercial: $75.
02
Plan check fee
Residential plan review: $25 (may be waived by the building official). Commercial plan review: $50 initial and for each subsequent review (building official may waive or require third-party review at applicant's expense).
03
Permit fee formula
Mixed square-footage and flat-fee schedule. Residential new construction: $0.18 per sq ft (finished) and $0.14 per sq ft (unfinished). Residential additions use the same rates. Residential alterations, renovations, relocation, repairs, and industrialized units use the unfinished-area rate. Commercial new construction: $0.20 per sq ft. Commercial alterations, renovations, relocation, repairs, and industrialized construction: $0.15 per sq ft. Flat fees apply to manufactured homes, demolition, pools, signs, towers, tents, tanks, appeals, administration, and trade work.
04
Trade permit fee
Flat fees per the Town fee schedule; see fee schedule URL for current amounts.
05
Reinspection fee
$25 for wrong address or directions, incomplete work, or locked premises.
The Town building page directs users to its online payments page at bedfordva.gov/1293/Make-a-Payment. No separate published note on transaction or card processing fees was found on the building pages reviewed.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Call 540-587-6024 by 5:00 p.m. the day prior (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Call by 5:00 p.m. the day prior to schedule the inspection.
Typical sequence: The Town's required inspections sheet lists the following sequence: road entrance, temporary electrical service, footings and piers, foundation reinforcement, drain tile and waterproofing, swimming pool bonding, underslab plumbing, slab, fireplace hearth and throat, exterior moisture barrier, rough-in structural/mechanical/electrical/plumbing/gas, insulation, permanent power, above-ceiling trade inspections (commercial), suppression hood duct and final test (commercial), sprinkler system flush/flow/hydro (commercial), alarm system (commercial), final inspection. For manufactured or modular homes: footings, under-home, permanent power, marriage wall, porch footings, final, and skirting.
The Town posts a third-party inspection policy on its building page, indicating that outside inspection involvement is separately regulated.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Bedford permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Bedford, VA? ▸
The Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code requires an application and permit before construction, alteration, renovation, repair, change of use, demolition, or relocation of any structure, including structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and safety features.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Bedford, VA? ▸
Building permit fees in Bedford, VA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Residential: $35. Commercial: $75.. Fees are calculated as: Mixed square-footage and flat-fee schedule. Residential new construction: $0.18 per sq ft (finished) and $0.14 per sq ft (unfinished). Residential additions use the same rates. Residential alterations, renovations, relocation, repairs, and industrialized units use the unfinished-area rate. Commercial new construction: $0.20 per sq ft. Commercial alterations, renovations, relocation, repairs, and industrialized construction: $0.15 per sq ft. Flat fees apply to manufactured homes, demolition, pools, signs, towers, tents, tanks, appeals, administration, and trade work.. Plan check fee: Residential plan review: $25 (may be waived by the building official). Commercial plan review: $50 initial and for each subsequent review (building official may waive or require third-party review at applicant's expense)..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Bedford, VA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Bedford, VA, follow these steps: 1. Verify that the property is inside the Town of Bedford limits. The Town building page prominently directs properties outside the Town to Bedford County Building Inspections. 2. Determine whether separate Town zoning review is required. One-story detached sheds and similar structures up to 256 square feet and certain small pools may still require a zoning permit even when a building permit is not required. 3. Prepare the building permit package. The Town building page provides the permit application, permit fee schedule, required inspections sheet, asbestos regulations, code modification request, third-party inspection policy, special inspections statement, blower door form, HVAC certification, residential energy certificate, and framing or slab cutsheets. 4. Submit the completed forms by email to building@bedfordva.gov or deliver them in person to the office at 215 East Main Street, Bedford. 5. Town staff review the application for code compliance and collect applicable fees under the Town's adopted fee ordinance. The fee schedule includes separate residential, commercial, trade, and administrative charges plus a 2 percent Virginia levy. 6. After approval, receive the issued permit and post it on site. Inspections must be requested before concealing work or proceeding further with construction. 7. Schedule required inspections by calling 540-587-6024 before 5:00 p.m. the day prior to the desired inspection date.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Bedford, VA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Bedford, VA typically run No general Town permit turnaround time was publicly posted on the building pages reviewed.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Bedford, VA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Bedford, VA. The following work is generally exempt: Low-voltage wiring, unless part of an alarm system; One-story detached sheds, playhouses, and similar structures that do not exceed 256 square feet (note: these still require a Town zoning permit); Fences of any height unless constructed of concrete or masonry over 6 feet high or serving as a swimming pool barrier; Retaining walls supporting less than 3 feet of unbalanced fill; Swimming pools that are less than 150 square feet, 24 inches deep, and 5,000 gallons (note: may still require a Town zoning permit); Flagpoles 30 feet or less in height; Replacement of residential mechanical appliances unless fuel-fired; Residential roofing, siding, or window and door replacement; Minor repairs, flooring, cabinets, and trim. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. Several exempt structures still require a Town zoning permit. Confirm with the Office of Building Inspections and the Planning and Community Development office before proceeding. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Bedford, VA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Bedford, VA via: Call 540-587-6024 by 5:00 p.m. the day prior. Call by 5:00 p.m. the day prior to schedule the inspection..
last verified April 2026
source Office of Building Inspections, Town of Bedford ↗
entry id permits/virginia/bedford/bedford-town
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Office of Building Inspections, Town of Bedford before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.