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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Bland County
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.
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
- Exempt One-story detached tool and storage sheds, playhouses, or similar uses not exceeding 256 square feet
- Exempt Fences of any height (unless required for pedestrian safety or as a pool barrier)
- Exempt Concrete or masonry walls not exceeding six feet above finished grade
- Exempt Retaining walls supporting less than three feet of unbalanced fill
- Exempt Small pools not greater than 150 square feet and less than 24 inches deep (qualifying installations only)
- Exempt Flagpoles 30 feet or less in height
- Exempt 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.
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: 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.
- 01 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.
- 02 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.
- 03 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.
- 04 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.
- 05 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.
- 06 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.
- 07 Pay the permit fee calculated from the county fee schedule, including the mandatory 2% state surcharge. Make checks payable to Bland County Treasurer.
- 08 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.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Bland County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$30.00
02
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.
03
Trade permit fee
Mechanical/HVAC: $30.00; Plumbing: $30.00; Electrical: $50.00 (flat fees per trade, subject to 2% state surcharge)
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 periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
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 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.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Bland County permits
01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Bland County, VA? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Bland County, VA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Bland County, VA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Bland County, VA, follow these steps: 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.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Bland County, VA? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Bland County, VA typically run 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.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Bland County, VA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Bland County, VA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Bland County, VA via: 276-688-4622 (Building Official's office), jcagle@bland.org.
last verified April 2026
source Bland County Building, Planning, and Zoning ↗
entry id permits/virginia/bland/bland-county
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Bland County Building, Planning, and Zoning before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.