Bland County, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Bland County is a Virginia county locality and the sole building permit issuer for all properties within its boundaries. There are no incorporated towns within the county, so the county Building Official has jurisdiction countywide.

Department

Bland County Building, Planning, and Zoning

Address

612 Main St, Suite 204, Bland, VA 24315

Phone

276-688-4622

Email

jcagle@bland.org

Website

https://www.blandcountyva.gov/departments/building_planning_and_zoning/building_permit.php

Application Process

1. Confirm the site is located within Bland County. Because the county has no incorporated towns, the county Building Official is the permit issuer for all properties in the county.
2. Determine whether the project requires a building permit. Bland County requires a written permit application before constructing, enlarging, altering, or changing the use of a structure, consistent with Virginia USBC section 109.1.
3. Assemble the application package: completed county building permit application, contractor license information or owner affidavit, project description, construction cost, building dimensions, building plans or sketch, and a site plan showing property outline, structures, and setbacks for houses, additions, porches, decks, garages, storage buildings, manufactured homes, and pools.
4. Obtain prerequisite outside approvals when applicable. The county requires VDH approval for private well or septic projects, a VDOT entrance permit or review letter for a state-road entrance, and Public Service Authority application and connection-fee payment when public water or sewer service will be used. The application is also routed through zoning, erosion and sediment, and flood-zone review.
5. Submit the completed application and attachments to the Bland County Building Official at 612 Main St, Suite 204, Bland, VA 24315, or by mail to P.O. Box 510, Bland, VA 24315.
6. County staff reviews the application. The permit form requires signoff by the zoning official, E&S official, and building official, and includes a flood-zone check.
7. Pay the permit fee calculated from the county fee schedule, including the mandatory 2% state surcharge. Make checks payable to Bland County Treasurer.
8. After issuance, contact the county Building Official to schedule required inspections as work progresses. Complete the final inspection before occupancy.

Typical processing time: Some permits can be issued the same day. Most others take longer depending on project detail and whether all documents are complete and correct at the time of submission.

Source: Bland County Building, Planning, and Zoning

General Requirements

A permit application is required before constructing, enlarging, altering, or changing the use of a structure. Permit types covered include houses, manufactured homes, additions, porches, decks, garages, storage buildings, pools, signs, demolitions, utilities, tanks, environmental work, and moved buildings.

Required Documents

• Completed county building permit application
• Contractor license information or owner affidavit
• Project description and construction cost
• Building dimensions and height information
• Building plans or sketch
• Site plan (required for houses, additions, porches, decks, garages, storage buildings, manufactured homes, and pools)
• VDH permit for private water and sewer if applicable
• Public Service Authority service application and connection-fee payment for public water or sewer if applicable
• VDOT entrance permit or review letter if a state-road entrance is involved
• Flood map attachment if the site is in the 100-year floodplain
• Mechanics lien agent information or written statement that none is designated
• Erosion and sediment materials as required by county E&S review

Permit validity

Bland County does not publish a county-specific expiration rule. Under Virginia USBC section 108.8, an application is deemed abandoned six months after filing unless pursued in good faith or extended. Under section 110.1.1, the building official may revoke a permit if work does not commence within six months of issuance or is suspended or abandoned for six months. Section 110.7 also allows a three-year completion limit for new detached single-family dwellings, additions, and residential accessory structures if imposed by the building official.

Building code

Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC). Virginia's 2021 code cycle, including the 2021 Virginia Construction Code and the 2020 National Electrical Code, became effective January 18, 2024.

Owner-builder

The county permit materials include an Owner's Affidavit option for owner-contractors. The owner signing that affidavit is the responsible party for the work and affirms familiarity with Virginia contractor-licensing prerequisites.

Contractor requirements

Bland County requires a copy of the Virginia contractor's license with all required specialty classifications before permit issuance. Virginia USBC section 108.4 requires either proof of licensure or a written statement that the applicant is not subject to contractor licensure. Statewide contractor regulation is administered by DPOR.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$30.00

Permit fee formula

Mixed. Residential and commercial structures: $0.16 per square foot. Flat fees for many types: chimney $30.00, HVAC/mechanical $30.00, plumbing $30.00, signs $35.00, electrical $50.00, demolition $50.00, moving buildings $50.00, tank installation or removal $50.00, environmental $50.00, communication tower $1,000.00, cell tower equipment building $0.12 per square foot. All fees subject to an additional 2% state surcharge.

Trade permit fee

Mechanical/HVAC: $30.00; Plumbing: $30.00; Electrical: $50.00 (flat fees per trade, subject to 2% state surcharge)

Payment note

Make checks payable to Bland County Treasurer. Card payments carry a 3% convenience fee in office or by phone and a 3.5% convenience fee online. A $25.00 returned-check service charge applies.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached tool and storage sheds, playhouses, or similar uses not exceeding 256 square feet
• Fences of any height (unless required for pedestrian safety or as a pool barrier)
• Concrete or masonry walls not exceeding six feet above finished grade
• Retaining walls supporting less than three feet of unbalanced fill
• Small pools not greater than 150 square feet and less than 24 inches deep (qualifying installations only)
• Flagpoles 30 feet or less in height
• Ordinary repairs such as qualifying window and door replacements, fixture replacements, certain non-gas and non-oil appliance replacements, limited roofing and roof-deck replacements, cabinetry and trim work, and paint or wallpaper

Important: Bland County does not publish a county-specific exempt-work list; the items above reflect Virginia USBC section 108.2 statewide exemptions. The building official may require a permit in historic-district or special-flood-hazard-area conditions even for otherwise exempt work. Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning, floodplain, utility, entrance, or health-department requirements. Confirm with Bland County Building, Planning, and Zoning before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 276-688-4622 (Building Official's office) (phone)
• jcagle@bland.org (email)

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM

Typical inspection sequence: Bland County does not publish a county-specific inspection checklist. Under Virginia USBC section 113.3, minimum applicable inspections include: footing excavation and reinforcement, foundation systems, preparatory work before concrete placement, structural members and fasteners before concealment, electrical/mechanical/plumbing before concealment, energy-conservation materials before concealment, and final inspection. Flood-hazard-area projects may also require lowest-floor elevation documentation before further vertical construction and before final inspection.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC). Virginia's 2021 code cycle, including the 2021 Virginia Construction Code and the 2020 National Electrical Code, became effective January 18, 2024.
• Verify contractor license: DPOR License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Virginia USBC Overview (DHCD)
• Virginia Permit Exemptions — USBC Section 108.2
• Virginia Contractor Board (DPOR)
• VDOT Land Use Permits
• Bland County Zoning Ordinance (Municode)
• License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Bland County Building Permit FAQ

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

A permit application is required before constructing, enlarging, altering, or changing the use of a structure. Permit types covered include houses, manufactured homes, additions, porches, decks, garages, storage buildings, pools, signs, demolitions, utilities, tanks, environmental work, and moved buildings.

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

The minimum permit fee is $30.00. Fees are calculated as: Mixed. Residential and commercial structures: $0.16 per square foot. Flat fees for many types: chimney $30.00, HVAC/mechanical $30.00, plumbing $30.00, signs $35.00, electrical $50.00, demolition $50.00, moving buildings $50.00, tank installation or removal $50.00, environmental $50.00, communication tower $1,000.00, cell tower equipment building $0.12 per square foot. All fees subject to an additional 2% state surcharge..

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

1. Confirm the site is located within Bland County. Because the county has no incorporated towns, the county Building Official is the permit issuer for all properties in the county. 2. Determine whether the project requires a building permit. Bland County requires a written permit application before constructing, enlarging, altering, or changing the use of a structure, consistent with Virginia USBC section 109.1. 3. Assemble the application package: completed county building permit application, contractor license information or owner affidavit, project description, construction cost, building dimensions, building plans or sketch, and a site plan showing property outline, structures, and setbacks for houses, additions, porches, decks, garages, storage buildings, manufactured homes, and pools. 4. Obtain prerequisite outside approvals when applicable. The county requires VDH approval for private well or septic projects, a VDOT entrance permit or review letter for a state-road entrance, and Public Service Authority application and connection-fee payment when public water or sewer service will be used. The application is also routed through zoning, erosion and sediment, and flood-zone review. 5. Submit the completed application and attachments to the Bland County Building Official at 612 Main St, Suite 204, Bland, VA 24315, or by mail to P.O. Box 510, Bland, VA 24315. 6. County staff reviews the application. The permit form requires signoff by the zoning official, E&S official, and building official, and includes a flood-zone check. 7. Pay the permit fee calculated from the county fee schedule, including the mandatory 2% state surcharge. Make checks payable to Bland County Treasurer. 8. After issuance, contact the county Building Official to schedule required inspections as work progresses. Complete the final inspection before occupancy.

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

Typical processing time is Some permits can be issued the same day. Most others take longer depending on project detail and whether all documents are complete and correct at the time of submission..

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

The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached tool and storage sheds, playhouses, or similar uses not exceeding 256 square feet; Fences of any height (unless required for pedestrian safety or as a pool barrier); Concrete or masonry walls not exceeding six feet above finished grade; Retaining walls supporting less than three feet of unbalanced fill; Small pools not greater than 150 square feet and less than 24 inches deep (qualifying installations only); Flagpoles 30 feet or less in height; Ordinary repairs such as qualifying window and door replacements, fixture replacements, certain non-gas and non-oil appliance replacements, limited roofing and roof-deck replacements, cabinetry and trim work, and paint or wallpaper. Note: Bland County does not publish a county-specific exempt-work list; the items above reflect Virginia USBC section 108.2 statewide exemptions. The building official may require a permit in historic-district or special-flood-hazard-area conditions even for otherwise exempt work. Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning, floodplain, utility, entrance, or health-department requirements. Confirm with Bland County Building, Planning, and Zoning before proceeding.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: 276-688-4622 (Building Official's office), jcagle@bland.org.