Buchanan County, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Buchanan County Building Code office administers the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code for unincorporated Buchanan County and processes building permits for the Town of Grundy, which directs all zoning and building permit applications to the county office.

Department

Buchanan County Building Code

Address

1240 Almarine Drive, PO Box 950, Grundy, VA 24614

Phone

276-935-5872

Email

bart.chambers@buchanancounty-va.gov

Website

https://buchanancountyvirginia.gov/government-directories/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm that the work requires a permit under the Virginia Construction Code. Permits are required before construction or demolition of a building or structure, most structural work, most trade work, qualifying occupancy changes, lot-line changes affecting safety, and asbestos-disturbing construction or demolition activity.
2. Contact the Buchanan County Building Code Office at 276-935-5872 or bart.chambers@buchanancounty-va.gov to obtain the local application form and submission instructions. No public self-service portal or downloadable permit form was located.
3. Assemble required supporting documents, including Health Department septic layout and approved water documentation (or a statement from the Buchanan County Public Service Authority if on public water and sewer), proof of Virginia contractor licensure or a written exemption statement, and proof that required local taxes or license fees have been paid.
4. Submit the completed permit application with a general description of work, site location, owner and applicant information, plans or construction documents as required by the building official, and any asbestos certification required for covered pre-1985 renovation or demolition work.
5. Pay the permit fee before permit issuance. Fees must be paid before any permit is issued. A 2% state levy applies on all permit fees. Special-design projects may incur a third-party plan review fee.
6. Respond to any review comments from the building official. The Virginia Construction Code requires the building official to review the application within a reasonable time and issue the permit as soon as practicable if the application complies.
7. After issuance, post the permit card on site and keep approved plans on the job through final inspection.

Source: Buchanan County Building Code

General Requirements

A permit is required before construction or demolition of a building or structure; removal or addition of walls or structural components; most plumbing, electrical, mechanical, fuel-gas, and fire protection installations or alterations; qualifying occupancy changes; qualifying lot-line moves; and disturbance or removal of asbestos-containing materials during construction or demolition.

Required Documents

• Local application form (obtained from the Building Code office)
• General project description and site location
• Owner, lessee, and applicant information
• Plans and construction documents as required by the building official
• Health Department septic layout and approved water documentation, or Buchanan County Public Service Authority statement for public water and sewer
• Proof of Virginia contractor licensure or written exemption statement
• Proof that required local taxes or license fees have been paid
• Asbestos certification for covered pre-1985 renovation or demolition work (where required)
• Mechanics lien agent designation if requested for one-family or two-family dwellings

Permit validity

An application is abandoned after 6 months if not pursued in good faith or a permit is not issued, unless extended by the building official. An issued permit may be revoked if work does not start within 6 months after issuance or if work is suspended or abandoned for 6 months. Extensions may be granted by the building official. For new detached single-family dwellings, the building official may impose a 3-year completion limit.

Building code

Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (2021 USBC), as adopted in Buchanan County Code Chapter 25 and administered under 13VAC5-63.

Owner-builder

Property owners may perform work themselves. Only work not performed by the property owner must be done by Virginia-licensed contractors with appropriate endorsements. Permit applicants who are not subject to contractor licensure may file a written exemption statement in lieu of proof of licensure.

Contractor requirements

All work not performed by the property owner must be performed by Virginia state-licensed contractors with the appropriate endorsements. Permit applicants must furnish proof of licensure or a written exemption statement before permit issuance. Contractor and trade licensing is regulated by the Virginia DPOR Board for Contractors.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$20

Plan check fee

Special-design plan review is charged at the amount billed by the third-party certified plan reviewer, in addition to other permit fees.

Permit fee formula

Residential new houses and modular homes: $0.05 per square foot. Singlewide mobile homes: $40 flat. Doublewide mobile homes: $75 flat. Commercial and industrial permits: $7.50 per $1,000 of estimated cost. Remodeling and additions: $5 per $1,000. Specialty permits (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, reroofing, demolition, miscellaneous): $5 per $1,000. Storage tanks: $20 per tank. Storage and utility buildings: $5 per $1,000. A 2% state levy applies on all permit fees.

Penalty (no permit)

Work started before obtaining required permits is charged a review fee equal to the normal permit fee.

Payment note

Permit fees must be paid before permit issuance. No public online payment path for building permits was located.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Qualifying low-voltage wiring and equipment
• Detached one-story tool or storage sheds and similar structures not over 256 square feet
• Qualifying utility buildings not over 150 square feet
• Qualifying tents of 900 square feet or less with an occupant load of 50 or less
• Fences (unless required for pedestrian safety or used as pool barriers)
• Qualifying masonry walls not over 6 feet
• Qualifying retaining walls supporting less than 3 feet of unbalanced fill
• Qualifying small shallow pools
• Flagpoles 30 feet or less
• Certain temporary ramps for dwelling units
• Minor ordinary repairs, including qualifying like-for-like window and door replacements, plumbing fixture replacements without system alteration, qualifying switch and receptacle replacements, some appliance replacements, qualifying roof-cover replacement in stated residential occupancies, floor finishes, cabinetry or trim, and paint or wallpaper

Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning, floodplain, or other land-use requirements. The building official may require a permit in historic districts or special flood hazard areas. Confirm with the Buchanan County Building Code Office before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 276-935-5872 (phone)

Inspection hours

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

Typical inspection sequence: First inspection when excavation is complete and before concrete is poured; second inspection for heating, electrical, and plumbing rough-in; and a final inspection upon completion. Additional inspections may be required depending on project scope and state code.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (2021 USBC), as adopted in Buchanan County Code Chapter 25 and administered under 13VAC5-63.
• Verify contractor license: Virginia DPOR License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Buchanan County Building Code Chapter 25
• Virginia Construction Code — Permit Applications and Exemptions
• Virginia Construction Code — Permits
• Virginia Contractor Permit Prerequisite Statute (54.1-1111)
• Virginia DPOR Board for Contractors
• Buchanan County Flood Damage Prevention
• License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Buchanan County Building Permit FAQ

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

A permit is required before construction or demolition of a building or structure; removal or addition of walls or structural components; most plumbing, electrical, mechanical, fuel-gas, and fire protection installations or alterations; qualifying occupancy changes; qualifying lot-line moves; and disturbance or removal of asbestos-containing materials during construction or demolition.

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

The minimum permit fee is $20. Fees are calculated as: Residential new houses and modular homes: $0.05 per square foot. Singlewide mobile homes: $40 flat. Doublewide mobile homes: $75 flat. Commercial and industrial permits: $7.50 per $1,000 of estimated cost. Remodeling and additions: $5 per $1,000. Specialty permits (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, reroofing, demolition, miscellaneous): $5 per $1,000. Storage tanks: $20 per tank. Storage and utility buildings: $5 per $1,000. A 2% state levy applies on all permit fees.. Plan check fee: Special-design plan review is charged at the amount billed by the third-party certified plan reviewer, in addition to other permit fees..

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

1. Confirm that the work requires a permit under the Virginia Construction Code. Permits are required before construction or demolition of a building or structure, most structural work, most trade work, qualifying occupancy changes, lot-line changes affecting safety, and asbestos-disturbing construction or demolition activity. 2. Contact the Buchanan County Building Code Office at 276-935-5872 or bart.chambers@buchanancounty-va.gov to obtain the local application form and submission instructions. No public self-service portal or downloadable permit form was located. 3. Assemble required supporting documents, including Health Department septic layout and approved water documentation (or a statement from the Buchanan County Public Service Authority if on public water and sewer), proof of Virginia contractor licensure or a written exemption statement, and proof that required local taxes or license fees have been paid. 4. Submit the completed permit application with a general description of work, site location, owner and applicant information, plans or construction documents as required by the building official, and any asbestos certification required for covered pre-1985 renovation or demolition work. 5. Pay the permit fee before permit issuance. Fees must be paid before any permit is issued. A 2% state levy applies on all permit fees. Special-design projects may incur a third-party plan review fee. 6. Respond to any review comments from the building official. The Virginia Construction Code requires the building official to review the application within a reasonable time and issue the permit as soon as practicable if the application complies. 7. After issuance, post the permit card on site and keep approved plans on the job through final inspection.

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

The following work is generally exempt: Qualifying low-voltage wiring and equipment; Detached one-story tool or storage sheds and similar structures not over 256 square feet; Qualifying utility buildings not over 150 square feet; Qualifying tents of 900 square feet or less with an occupant load of 50 or less; Fences (unless required for pedestrian safety or used as pool barriers); Qualifying masonry walls not over 6 feet; Qualifying retaining walls supporting less than 3 feet of unbalanced fill; Qualifying small shallow pools; Flagpoles 30 feet or less; Certain temporary ramps for dwelling units; Minor ordinary repairs, including qualifying like-for-like window and door replacements, plumbing fixture replacements without system alteration, qualifying switch and receptacle replacements, some appliance replacements, qualifying roof-cover replacement in stated residential occupancies, floor finishes, cabinetry or trim, and paint or wallpaper. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning, floodplain, or other land-use requirements. The building official may require a permit in historic districts or special flood hazard areas. Confirm with the Buchanan County Building Code Office before proceeding.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: 276-935-5872.