Brunswick County, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Brunswick County is a county, not an independent city. The Building Inspection Department issues building permits for unincorporated Brunswick County. Planning and Zoning handles zoning permits and related land-use approvals. Incorporated towns (Alberta, Brodnax, Lawrenceville) may have separate zoning roles; see individual town pages.

Department

Brunswick County Building Inspection; Brunswick County Planning and Zoning

Address

228 N. Main Street, Basement, Lawrenceville, VA 23868

Phone

434-848-2962

Email

hjamison@brunswickco.com

Website

https://www.brunswickco.com/government/departments/building_inspection

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm that the project is in unincorporated Brunswick County and determine whether a zoning permit, building permit, or both are required.
2. For zoning matters, download the applicable county zoning form, gather required supporting documents (deed, plat of property, Health Department permits where required), and submit the completed package in person to the Building/Planning Department.
3. For code permits, download the applicable building, electrical, manufactured home, mechanical, or plumbing/gas application from the county Building Applications page and complete it before visiting the office.
4. Submit the building permit application in person at 228 N. Main Street, Basement, Lawrenceville, VA 23868. Payment is due at the time of submittal.
5. Provide plans and any other code documents required for the project type. Projects of sufficient complexity may require sealed design documents from a registered design professional.
6. If the project requires well or septic approval, include Health Department permits where required.
7. After review and approval, the county issues the permit.
8. Request inspections by phone before work proceeds beyond each required inspection point.

Typical processing time: Residential plan review goal is five to ten working days.

Source: Brunswick County Building Inspection; Brunswick County Planning and Zoning

General Requirements

A building permit is required whenever you construct, reconstruct, enlarge, alter, or demolish a structure before starting work. County examples include new houses, additions, converting porches to conditioned space, garages and carports, decks, sheds over 256 square feet, finishing unfinished space, moving load-bearing walls, structural repairs, enlarging door or window openings, change of use, and pools, hot tubs, or spas greater than 150 square feet, more than 5,000 gallons, or deeper than 24 inches.

Required Documents

• Completed permit application for the applicable permit type (building, electrical, manufactured home, mechanical, or plumbing/gas)
• Plans and supporting code documents required for the project type
• Sealed design documents from a registered architect or engineer (required for more complex projects)
• Deed and plat of property (required for zoning applications)
• Health Department permits for well or septic where applicable

Permit validity

All building permits are valid for six months from issuance. Each inspection passed extends the permit for another six months. An administrative fee is assessed to reinstate an expired permit.

Building code

Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) — 2021 Virginia codes effective January 18, 2024, including the Virginia Construction Code and Virginia Residential Code

Owner-builder

No county-specific owner-builder summary was found on the county's public pages. Virginia owner-builder and contractor exemption rules should be confirmed with the county and DPOR for the specific project.

Contractor requirements

Virginia contractor and trade licensing is regulated at the state level through DPOR (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation). Verify current license requirements at https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/Boards/Contractors.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$35 for some deck, storage building, shed, and temporary construction service permits; $50 for many electrical, plumbing, HVAC, pool, and other trade permits

Permit fee formula

Mixed: flat fees for many trade and accessory categories; structural permit fees vary by work type and project scope. Issued fee examples include site-built dwellings at $161.28–$280.00, modular dwellings at $294.00–$375.34, detached garages at $60.00–$90.00, detached carports at $36.00, and commercial alteration/renovation at $2,542.00.

Trade permit fee

$50 flat fee for many electrical, plumbing, and HVAC permits

Payment note

Payment is due in person at the time of application submittal at the Building Inspections Department.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Ordinary repairs and improvements such as interior or exterior painting
• Repairing drywall, plaster, and exterior siding
• Installing new floor coverings such as vinyl, carpet, or hardwood
• Installing or refurbishing cabinetry
• Installing or replacing doors and windows, including storm windows, where no structural change is performed
• Installing or replacing exterior siding
• Reroofing for Groups R-3, R-4, and R-5
• Installing or replacing gutters and downspouts
• Installing driveways or sidewalks
• Constructing or installing a tool shed, storage shed, playhouse, or similar structure 256 square feet or less in area
• Fences of any height unless required for pedestrian safety or used as a swimming-pool barrier
• Recreational equipment such as swings, skateboard ramps, and jungle gyms
• Adding roof insulation
• Wiring or equipment operating at less than 50 volts
• Security alarm systems
• Replacing an existing electric water heater with a new electric water heater
• Replacing electrical fixtures such as switches and receptacles
• Installing or replacing a ceiling fan on a pre-wired switch
• Replacing plumbing fixtures such as sinks
• Replacing or repairing existing mechanical appliances including gas dryers, gas stoves, or gas ranges

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

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 434-848-2962 (Building Inspection) (phone)
• 434-848-0882 (Planning and Zoning) (phone)

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: Inspections must be requested periodically throughout construction before work can proceed beyond each required inspection point. Contact Building Inspection for the required sequence for your project type.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) — 2021 Virginia codes effective January 18, 2024, including the Virginia Construction Code and Virginia Residential Code
• Verify contractor license: Virginia DPOR Contractor Board
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• County Directory (staff emails)
• Building Applications
• Zoning Permit Landing Page
• Virginia DHCD Building Officials Directory
• License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Brunswick County Building Permit FAQ

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

A building permit is required whenever you construct, reconstruct, enlarge, alter, or demolish a structure before starting work. County examples include new houses, additions, converting porches to conditioned space, garages and carports, decks, sheds over 256 square feet, finishing unfinished space, moving load-bearing walls, structural repairs, enlarging door or window openings, change of use, and pools, hot tubs, or spas greater than 150 square feet, more than 5,000 gallons, or deeper than 24 inches.

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

The minimum permit fee is $35 for some deck, storage building, shed, and temporary construction service permits; $50 for many electrical, plumbing, HVAC, pool, and other trade permits. Fees are calculated as: Mixed: flat fees for many trade and accessory categories; structural permit fees vary by work type and project scope. Issued fee examples include site-built dwellings at $161.28–$280.00, modular dwellings at $294.00–$375.34, detached garages at $60.00–$90.00, detached carports at $36.00, and commercial alteration/renovation at $2,542.00..

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

1. Confirm that the project is in unincorporated Brunswick County and determine whether a zoning permit, building permit, or both are required. 2. For zoning matters, download the applicable county zoning form, gather required supporting documents (deed, plat of property, Health Department permits where required), and submit the completed package in person to the Building/Planning Department. 3. For code permits, download the applicable building, electrical, manufactured home, mechanical, or plumbing/gas application from the county Building Applications page and complete it before visiting the office. 4. Submit the building permit application in person at 228 N. Main Street, Basement, Lawrenceville, VA 23868. Payment is due at the time of submittal. 5. Provide plans and any other code documents required for the project type. Projects of sufficient complexity may require sealed design documents from a registered design professional. 6. If the project requires well or septic approval, include Health Department permits where required. 7. After review and approval, the county issues the permit. 8. Request inspections by phone before work proceeds beyond each required inspection point.

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

Typical processing time is Residential plan review goal is five to ten working days..

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

The following work is generally exempt: Ordinary repairs and improvements such as interior or exterior painting; Repairing drywall, plaster, and exterior siding; Installing new floor coverings such as vinyl, carpet, or hardwood; Installing or refurbishing cabinetry; Installing or replacing doors and windows, including storm windows, where no structural change is performed; Installing or replacing exterior siding; Reroofing for Groups R-3, R-4, and R-5; Installing or replacing gutters and downspouts; Installing driveways or sidewalks; Constructing or installing a tool shed, storage shed, playhouse, or similar structure 256 square feet or less in area; Fences of any height unless required for pedestrian safety or used as a swimming-pool barrier; Recreational equipment such as swings, skateboard ramps, and jungle gyms; Adding roof insulation; Wiring or equipment operating at less than 50 volts; Security alarm systems; Replacing an existing electric water heater with a new electric water heater; Replacing electrical fixtures such as switches and receptacles; Installing or replacing a ceiling fan on a pre-wired switch; Replacing plumbing fixtures such as sinks; Replacing or repairing existing mechanical appliances including gas dryers, gas stoves, or gas ranges. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. Confirm with Brunswick County Building Inspection before proceeding.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: 434-848-2962 (Building Inspection), 434-848-0882 (Planning and Zoning).