Buckingham County, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Buckingham County is the building permit authority for all building-code permits and inspections throughout the county, including projects inside the incorporated Town of Dillwyn. For properties inside Dillwyn, town zoning approval is obtained from the Town of Dillwyn Zoning Administrator first; county building permits and inspections still apply.

Department

Buckingham County Building Inspections

Address

13380 W. James Anderson Highway, Buckingham, VA 23921

Phone

(434) 969-4242

Website

https://www.buckinghamcountyva.org/departments/building_inspections/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm whether the parcel is in unincorporated Buckingham County or inside the Town of Dillwyn. If in Dillwyn, obtain town zoning approval first.
2. Obtain a Buckingham County zoning permit for county-zoned property. The zoning permit application requires a plat and site plan (unless applying only for a perk test) and a $10.00 fee.
3. Prepare the building permit package. Include the completed county building permit application with the approved zoning permit attached. Incomplete applications may be rejected.
4. Provide all required project details: owner and applicant information, tax map number, zoning district, flood-zone and dam-break inundation answers, utilities, work classification, square footage, setbacks, estimated construction cost, and contractor/license information if applicable.
5. Submit the application to Buckingham County Building Inspections and pay permit fees in the Treasurer's Office. No permit is issued until fees are paid.
6. County staff review the application. Under the Virginia USBC, compliant applications must be issued as soon as practicable.
7. Schedule required inspections by calling (434) 969-4243 option 2. The Permit Tech will set up an appointment with the Inspector.
8. Complete all required inspections and obtain final approval and any required certificate of occupancy.

Typical processing time: Not publicly stated by the county. Under the Virginia USBC, review must occur within a reasonable time and issuance must follow as soon as practicable for compliant applications.

Source: Buckingham County Building Inspections

General Requirements

Buckingham County enforces the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC). Permits are required before construction or demolition of a building or structure; for structural work; for changes to egress, plumbing, electrical, fire protection, mechanical, fuel-supply, and other regulated equipment; for certain occupancy changes; for lot-line moves that reduce safety; and for asbestos-related disturbance during construction or demolition.

Required Documents

• Completed county building permit application
• Approved zoning permit
• Project description
• Owner, applicant, and contact information
• Tax map number and zoning district
• Flood-zone and dam-break inundation information
• Utility information
• Dimensions, square footage, setbacks, and estimated construction cost
• Contractor name and Virginia license information, or written exemption statement if not subject to licensure
• For zoning permits: plat and site plan (unless application is only for a perk test)
• Additional documents may be required for special project types such as farm structures

Permit validity

An application is deemed abandoned after six months if not pursued in good faith or if no permit is issued. A building permit may be revoked if work does not commence within six months after issuance or is suspended or abandoned for six months. For new detached single-family dwellings, additions, and residential accessory structures, the building official may require a three-year completion limit from permit issuance.

Building code

2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Codes (effective January 18, 2024)

Owner-builder

Virginia contractor law exempts a person who performs or supervises construction, removal, repair, or improvement of no more than one primary residence owned by that person and for that person's own use during any 24-month period. Even when exempt from contractor licensure, the person must comply with the USBC. Certain exempt owners must obtain a certificate of occupancy before conveying the property to a third-party purchaser unless the purchaser acknowledges otherwise in writing.

Contractor requirements

Before permit issuance, applicants must provide satisfactory proof of Virginia contractor licensure or certification, or file a written statement that the applicant is not subject to licensure. Proof that any required county taxes or license fees have been paid is also required. DPOR's Board for Contractors regulates state contractor licensing.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$125.00 for new one- and two-family dwellings or additions; $50.00 for new commercial structures, alterations, repairs, pools, mobile homes, and mobile offices; $25.00 for accessory residential structures and electrical, plumbing, or mechanical-only permits; $25.00 for demolition permits

Plan check fee

Not separately stated; review cost is included in the permit fee.

Permit fee formula

New residential structures and additions: $0.23/sq ft gross area. Attached/detached garages, sheds, decks, porches (50 sq ft or larger): $0.11/sq ft gross area. Pools, hot tubs, spas: $0.23/sq ft. Mobile homes and prefabricated homes: $0.23/sq ft. New commercial structures and additions: $0.11/sq ft gross area. Mobile offices and pre-manufactured units: $0.23/sq ft. Alterations and repairs with no increase in gross area: $0.23/sq ft of floor area affected. Electrical-only, plumbing-only, mechanical-only permits: $0.02/sq ft. A mandatory 2% state levy is added to all building permit fees. County zoning permit: $10.00 flat fee.

Trade permit fee

$25.00 minimum for electrical, plumbing, or mechanical-only permits; $0.02/sq ft formula applies.

Reinspection fee

$50.00 per inspection after the second inspection of the same work. One reinspection is included within the permit fee.

Payment note

Fees must be paid before permit issuance. Payment is made in cash or check payable to the County of Buckingham in the Treasurer's Office. Refunds are available on written request within six months if an application is withdrawn or voided after review but before work starts; the county retains $20.00 for processing plus any direct costs.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses not exceeding 256 square feet (if not Group F-1 or H occupancy)
• Utility prefabricated buildings up to 150 square feet
• Tents or air-supported structures of 900 square feet or less with occupant load of 50 or less
• Fences of any height, unless used as a swimming-pool barrier or required for pedestrian safety
• Concrete or masonry walls up to six feet high
• Retaining walls supporting less than three feet of unbalanced fill (with applicable limitations)
• Swimming pools not greater than 150 square feet and less than 24 inches deep
• Replacement of aboveground LP-gas containers of the same capacity in the same location when installed by the serving gas supplier
• Flagpoles 30 feet or less in height
• Temporary ramps serving certain dwelling occupancies where the entrance is no more than 30 inches above grade
• Minor ordinary work deemed by the building official not to adversely affect public health or safety
• Ordinary repairs such as like-for-like window and door replacement without framing changes, replacement plumbing fixtures without system alteration, certain receptacles and switches, some non-gas/non-oil mechanical appliance replacement, qualifying roof covering, limited roof decking replacement, flooring, cabinetry and trim, paint and wallpaper

Important: These exemptions are drawn from Virginia USBC Section 108.2 and apply unless the building official requires a permit due to historic-district or flood-hazard conditions. Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. Confirm with Buckingham County Building Inspections before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• (434) 969-4243 option 2 (phone)
• Schedule an Inspection page (online)

Inspection hours

Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Typical inspection sequence: The county specifically references foundation, electrical, and final inspections. A full project-specific inspection sequence is not published online. Contact the Permit Tech when scheduling for project-specific guidance.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Codes (effective January 18, 2024)
• Verify contractor license: DPOR Board for Contractors
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• Zoning Permits and Forms
• Building Permit Ordinance and Fee Schedule (PDF)
• County Ordinances including Zoning, Floodplain, and Erosion/Sediment (PDF)
• County GIS
• Statewide Building Codes and Regulations
• Virginia USBC Permit Rules
• Virginia USBC Permit Duration Rules
• License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Buckingham County Building Permit FAQ

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

Buckingham County enforces the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC). Permits are required before construction or demolition of a building or structure; for structural work; for changes to egress, plumbing, electrical, fire protection, mechanical, fuel-supply, and other regulated equipment; for certain occupancy changes; for lot-line moves that reduce safety; and for asbestos-related disturbance during construction or demolition.

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

The minimum permit fee is $125.00 for new one- and two-family dwellings or additions; $50.00 for new commercial structures, alterations, repairs, pools, mobile homes, and mobile offices; $25.00 for accessory residential structures and electrical, plumbing, or mechanical-only permits; $25.00 for demolition permits. Fees are calculated as: New residential structures and additions: $0.23/sq ft gross area. Attached/detached garages, sheds, decks, porches (50 sq ft or larger): $0.11/sq ft gross area. Pools, hot tubs, spas: $0.23/sq ft. Mobile homes and prefabricated homes: $0.23/sq ft. New commercial structures and additions: $0.11/sq ft gross area. Mobile offices and pre-manufactured units: $0.23/sq ft. Alterations and repairs with no increase in gross area: $0.23/sq ft of floor area affected. Electrical-only, plumbing-only, mechanical-only permits: $0.02/sq ft. A mandatory 2% state levy is added to all building permit fees. County zoning permit: $10.00 flat fee.. Plan check fee: Not separately stated; review cost is included in the permit fee..

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

1. Confirm whether the parcel is in unincorporated Buckingham County or inside the Town of Dillwyn. If in Dillwyn, obtain town zoning approval first. 2. Obtain a Buckingham County zoning permit for county-zoned property. The zoning permit application requires a plat and site plan (unless applying only for a perk test) and a $10.00 fee. 3. Prepare the building permit package. Include the completed county building permit application with the approved zoning permit attached. Incomplete applications may be rejected. 4. Provide all required project details: owner and applicant information, tax map number, zoning district, flood-zone and dam-break inundation answers, utilities, work classification, square footage, setbacks, estimated construction cost, and contractor/license information if applicable. 5. Submit the application to Buckingham County Building Inspections and pay permit fees in the Treasurer's Office. No permit is issued until fees are paid. 6. County staff review the application. Under the Virginia USBC, compliant applications must be issued as soon as practicable. 7. Schedule required inspections by calling (434) 969-4243 option 2. The Permit Tech will set up an appointment with the Inspector. 8. Complete all required inspections and obtain final approval and any required certificate of occupancy.

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

Typical processing time is Not publicly stated by the county. Under the Virginia USBC, review must occur within a reasonable time and issuance must follow as soon as practicable for compliant applications..

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

The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses not exceeding 256 square feet (if not Group F-1 or H occupancy); Utility prefabricated buildings up to 150 square feet; Tents or air-supported structures of 900 square feet or less with occupant load of 50 or less; Fences of any height, unless used as a swimming-pool barrier or required for pedestrian safety; Concrete or masonry walls up to six feet high; Retaining walls supporting less than three feet of unbalanced fill (with applicable limitations); Swimming pools not greater than 150 square feet and less than 24 inches deep; Replacement of aboveground LP-gas containers of the same capacity in the same location when installed by the serving gas supplier; Flagpoles 30 feet or less in height; Temporary ramps serving certain dwelling occupancies where the entrance is no more than 30 inches above grade; Minor ordinary work deemed by the building official not to adversely affect public health or safety; Ordinary repairs such as like-for-like window and door replacement without framing changes, replacement plumbing fixtures without system alteration, certain receptacles and switches, some non-gas/non-oil mechanical appliance replacement, qualifying roof covering, limited roof decking replacement, flooring, cabinetry and trim, paint and wallpaper. Note: These exemptions are drawn from Virginia USBC Section 108.2 and apply unless the building official requires a permit due to historic-district or flood-hazard conditions. Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. Confirm with Buckingham County Building Inspections before proceeding.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: (434) 969-4243 option 2, Schedule an Inspection page.