Unincorporated Brunswick County

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.

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

Building code

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

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.

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.

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

1. 01
   Confirm that the project is in unincorporated Brunswick County and determine whether a zoning permit, building permit, or both are required.
2. 02
   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. 03
   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. 04
   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. 05
   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. 06
   If the project requires well or septic approval, include Health Department permits where required.
7. 07
   After review and approval, the county issues the permit.
8. 08
   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 ↗

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

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

• 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 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.

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