Unincorporated Buchanan County

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.

• Exempt Qualifying low-voltage wiring and equipment
• Exempt Detached one-story tool or storage sheds and similar structures not over 256 square feet
• Exempt Qualifying utility buildings not over 150 square feet
• Exempt Qualifying tents of 900 square feet or less with an occupant load of 50 or less
• Exempt Fences (unless required for pedestrian safety or used as pool barriers)
• Exempt Qualifying masonry walls not over 6 feet
• Exempt Qualifying retaining walls supporting less than 3 feet of unbalanced fill
• Exempt Qualifying small shallow pools
• Exempt Flagpoles 30 feet or less
• Exempt Certain temporary ramps for dwelling units
• Exempt 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.

Building code

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

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.

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.

Source: Buchanan County Building Code ↗

1. 01
   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. 02
   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. 03
   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. 04
   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. 05
   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. 06
   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. 07
   After issuance, post the permit card on site and keep approved plans on the job through final inspection.

Source: Buchanan County Building Code ↗

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

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

• 276-935-5872 (phone)

Inspection hours

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

Typical 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.

Source: Buchanan County Building Code ↗