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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Grundy
For building-permit purposes inside the Town of Grundy, the same Buchanan County and Virginia Construction Code triggers apply. Permits are required before construction or demolition of a building or structure, most structural and trade work, qualifying occupancy changes, and disturbance or removal of asbestos-containing materials during covered construction or demolition.
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
Listed 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
- 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 Listed 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 town business-license, floodplain, land-use, or right-of-way requirements. Even where a building permit exemption may apply, separate town or county reviews may still be needed. Confirm with the Buchanan County Building Code Office before proceeding.
Required documents
- County application form (obtained from Buchanan County 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 (including any Town of Grundy business or contractor license fees) have been paid
- Asbestos certification for covered pre-1985 renovation or demolition work (where required)
- Town of Grundy BPOL business license and contractor license forms if applicable for business operations in town
- Building code
- Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (2021 USBC), administered through Buchanan County under 13VAC5-63. No separate town building code adoption was found.
- Permit validity
- County-issued permits are governed by Virginia Construction Code rules: application abandoned after 6 months if not pursued in good faith or a permit not issued (unless extended); 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.
- Owner-builder
- No separate Town of Grundy owner-builder policy was found. The county and state rules govern: property owners may perform work themselves; only work not performed by the property owner must be done by Virginia-licensed contractors. Permit applicants not subject to contractor licensure may file a written exemption statement.
- Contractor requirements
- Building permit applicants must satisfy Virginia state contractor licensing requirements and Buchanan County permit prerequisites. Contractors doing business inside town limits may also need to obtain a Town of Grundy contractor license and BPOL business license. Virginia contractor licensing is regulated by the DPOR Board for Contractors.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Determine whether the property is inside the Town of Grundy corporate limits and whether the work also triggers town business-license or contractor-license requirements in addition to the building permit.
- 02 For zoning and building permits, follow the town's official instruction and contact the Buchanan County Building Code Office at 276-935-5872. No separate town building permit form or town building department intake was found.
- 03 Prepare the same county and state permit package required for Buchanan County issuance: county application form, project description, plans as required, water and septic or Public Service Authority documentation, contractor licensing proof or written exemption statement, and any asbestos certification for covered pre-1985 renovation or demolition work.
- 04 If work will be performed as a business inside town limits, review the Town of Grundy forms page for BPOL business license and contractor license forms. State permit law requires proof that required local taxes or license fees have been paid before permit issuance.
- 05 Submit the building permit package to Buchanan County Building Code, pay assessed fees, and wait for county review and issuance. A 2% state levy applies on all permit fees.
- 06 After permit issuance, post the permit card on site and keep approved plans on the job through final inspection.
- 07 Schedule all inspections through the Buchanan County Building Code Office at 276-935-5872.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Grundy building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$20
02
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.
03
Permit fee formula
County building permit fee schedule applies: residential new houses and modular homes $0.05 per square foot; singlewide mobile homes $40 flat; doublewide mobile homes $75 flat; commercial and industrial $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. Separate town business license or contractor license fees may also apply for businesses operating in town.
04
Penalty (no permit)
Work started before obtaining required permits is charged a review fee equal to the normal permit fee.
No public online payment path for Grundy building permits was located. County permit fees must be paid before issuance.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- 276-935-5872 (Buchanan County Building Code) (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Typical sequence: Same county inspection sequence applies: 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 scope and state code.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Grundy permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Grundy, VA? ▸
For building-permit purposes inside the Town of Grundy, the same Buchanan County and Virginia Construction Code triggers apply. Permits are required before construction or demolition of a building or structure, most structural and trade work, qualifying occupancy changes, and disturbance or removal of asbestos-containing materials during covered construction or demolition.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Grundy, VA? ▸
Building permit fees in Grundy, VA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $20. Fees are calculated as: County building permit fee schedule applies: residential new houses and modular homes $0.05 per square foot; singlewide mobile homes $40 flat; doublewide mobile homes $75 flat; commercial and industrial $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. Separate town business license or contractor license fees may also apply for businesses operating in town.. 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..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Grundy, VA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Grundy, VA, follow these steps: 1. Determine whether the property is inside the Town of Grundy corporate limits and whether the work also triggers town business-license or contractor-license requirements in addition to the building permit. 2. For zoning and building permits, follow the town's official instruction and contact the Buchanan County Building Code Office at 276-935-5872. No separate town building permit form or town building department intake was found. 3. Prepare the same county and state permit package required for Buchanan County issuance: county application form, project description, plans as required, water and septic or Public Service Authority documentation, contractor licensing proof or written exemption statement, and any asbestos certification for covered pre-1985 renovation or demolition work. 4. If work will be performed as a business inside town limits, review the Town of Grundy forms page for BPOL business license and contractor license forms. State permit law requires proof that required local taxes or license fees have been paid before permit issuance. 5. Submit the building permit package to Buchanan County Building Code, pay assessed fees, and wait for county review and issuance. A 2% state levy applies on all permit fees. 6. After permit issuance, post the permit card on site and keep approved plans on the job through final inspection. 7. Schedule all inspections through the Buchanan County Building Code Office at 276-935-5872.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in Grundy, VA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Grundy, 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; Listed 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 town business-license, floodplain, land-use, or right-of-way requirements. Even where a building permit exemption may apply, separate town or county reviews may still be needed. Confirm with the Buchanan County Building Code Office before proceeding. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Grundy, VA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Grundy, VA via: 276-935-5872 (Buchanan County Building Code).
last verified April 2026
source Buchanan County Building Code (building and zoning permits); Town of Grundy (business license and contractor license) ↗
entry id permits/virginia/buchanan/grundy
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Buchanan County Building Code (building and zoning permits); Town of Grundy (business license and contractor license) before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.