Campbell County, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Covers unincorporated Campbell County. Campbell County building permit administration does not apply within the corporate limits of any town that issues its own building permits. Independent cities such as Lynchburg are separate localities and are not part of Campbell County permit administration.

Department

Campbell County Community Development, Building Inspections Office

Address

85 Carden Lane, Suite A, Rustburg, VA 24588

Phone

(434) 332-9596

Email

buildinginspections@campbellcountyva.gov

Website

https://www.campbellcountyva.gov/154/Permits-Inspections

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm whether the project requires a county building permit, zoning approval, and/or land disturbance coverage before starting.
2. For single-family and commercial site work, determine whether land disturbance coverage is also required. Most land disturbance projects need permit coverage before any construction activity, with thresholds tied to disturbed area and common-plan-of-development status.
3. Prepare required application materials. For ordinary building permits, submit all required information and fees through the portal. For commercial land disturbance work, prepare complete engineered plans, erosion and sediment controls, stormwater management documents, supporting calculations, and in some cases a VSMP registration statement and SWPPP. For single-family land disturbance scenarios, confirm the specific forms required for your situation.
4. Submit the application through the SmartGov online portal.
5. Pay the permit fee. A 2 percent state levy is added to all permit fees.
6. If plan review is required, wait for staff review. Most permits can be issued while you wait if all required information and fees are included; permits involving plan review may take several days.
7. Pick up or receive the permit once approved. Permits are not written after 4:30 p.m.
8. Request inspections through the SmartGov portal or by phone at (434) 332-9596 as work progresses. Provide the permit number when calling.

Typical processing time: Most permits can be issued while you wait if complete; permits involving plan review may take several days.

Source: Campbell County Community Development, Building Inspections Office

General Requirements

A permit is required before constructing, moving, altering, or demolishing a building or structure; changing a building use when the new use requires different structural strength, fire protection, exits, or sanitary provisions; and installing or altering equipment regulated by the building code. County examples include decks, roofing substructure repair, commercial roof work, finished basements, water or sewer line replacement, pools over 24 inches deep, new electrical circuits, gas-fired heaters or logs, detached accessory structures over 256 square feet, duct or piping changes, and wall framing modifications.

Required Documents

• Completed permit application submitted through the SmartGov portal with all required information and fees
• For commercial land disturbance: complete engineered plans, erosion and sediment controls, stormwater management documents, supporting calculations
• For commercial land disturbance where required: VSMP registration statement and SWPPP
• For single-family land disturbance (depending on thresholds): Agreement in Lieu of Erosion and Sediment Control Form, Single Family Land Disturbance Permit Application, Single Family Agreement in Lieu of Stormwater Management, Single Family SWPPP, and coverage letter

Permit validity

Six months from issuance. Each inspection extends the permit another six months. If no inspection is requested within six months, the permit may be suspended and may require reapplication and additional fees to reactivate.

Building code

Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (2021 VUSBC, effective January 18, 2024; permits issued after January 18, 2025 are subject to the 2021 VUSBC)

Owner-builder

Permits may be applied for by the owner or lessee of the building, or by the licensed engineer, architect, contractor, or subcontractor employed in connection with the work.

Contractor requirements

Engineers, architects, contractors, and subcontractors must be licensed to practice in Virginia through DPOR. Class A license is required for projects of $120,000 or more; Class B for more than $10,000 and less than $120,000; Class C for $1,000 to $10,000.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$25 for residential alterations; $50 for commercial alterations

Plan check fee

Included in the permit fee unless the Building Official requires referral to a qualified plan review service, in which case all review service fees and costs are the applicant's responsibility.

Permit fee formula

Mixed schedule. Comprehensive construction fee of $0.18 per square foot of gross floor area for all use groups; $0.12 per square foot for unfinished basements, garages, carports, sheds, decks, and porches plus trades for detached accessory structures; residential alterations at $0.12 per square foot plus trades; commercial alterations at $0.12 per square foot plus trades. Separate flat fees apply for demolition, pools, signs, towers, tanks, docks, manufactured housing, and other categories. A 2 percent state levy is added to each permit.

Trade permit fee

Mechanical permits: $30 residential or $40 commercial per system or appliance. Plumbing permits: $30 residential or $40 commercial. Electrical base fee: $30 residential or $40 commercial, plus added charge for large services.

Reinspection fee

$50 reinspection fee when caused by wrong or missing 911 address, inaccessible premises, requested corrections not completed, or work not ready.

Penalty (no permit)

$50 penalty for commencement of work without the required permit, added to the original fee.

Payment note

Fees must be paid before permit issuance. When the applicant is the property owner, liens and certain county financial obligations on the property must be paid before the building permit is issued.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Painting
• Residential re-roof
• Replacement windows and doors, except those in fire-rated assemblies
• Repairs or replacement of interior walls and wall coverings
• Floor coverings and porch flooring
• Cabinet installation
• Repair or replacement of existing plumbing and electrical fixtures
• Replacement of common appliances
• Installation of residential exterior siding
• Low-voltage lighting systems less than 50 volts
• Fences

Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. Confirm with the Campbell County Community Development, Building Inspections Office before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• SmartGov portal (online)
• (434) 332-9596 (phone)

Typical inspection sequence: Varies by permit type. The county states there are a variety of inspections — identify the inspection type needed when scheduling. No standard sequence table was found in public-facing county guidance.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (2021 VUSBC, effective January 18, 2024; permits issued after January 18, 2025 are subject to the 2021 VUSBC)
• Verify contractor license: Virginia DPOR License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Building Permits
• Residential Single-Family Construction
• Commercial Development
• Design Criteria
• Community Development Updates 2024
• License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Campbell County Building Permit FAQ

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

A permit is required before constructing, moving, altering, or demolishing a building or structure; changing a building use when the new use requires different structural strength, fire protection, exits, or sanitary provisions; and installing or altering equipment regulated by the building code. County examples include decks, roofing substructure repair, commercial roof work, finished basements, water or sewer line replacement, pools over 24 inches deep, new electrical circuits, gas-fired heaters or logs, detached accessory structures over 256 square feet, duct or piping changes, and wall framing modifications.

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

The minimum permit fee is $25 for residential alterations; $50 for commercial alterations. Fees are calculated as: Mixed schedule. Comprehensive construction fee of $0.18 per square foot of gross floor area for all use groups; $0.12 per square foot for unfinished basements, garages, carports, sheds, decks, and porches plus trades for detached accessory structures; residential alterations at $0.12 per square foot plus trades; commercial alterations at $0.12 per square foot plus trades. Separate flat fees apply for demolition, pools, signs, towers, tanks, docks, manufactured housing, and other categories. A 2 percent state levy is added to each permit.. Plan check fee: Included in the permit fee unless the Building Official requires referral to a qualified plan review service, in which case all review service fees and costs are the applicant's responsibility..

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

1. Confirm whether the project requires a county building permit, zoning approval, and/or land disturbance coverage before starting. 2. For single-family and commercial site work, determine whether land disturbance coverage is also required. Most land disturbance projects need permit coverage before any construction activity, with thresholds tied to disturbed area and common-plan-of-development status. 3. Prepare required application materials. For ordinary building permits, submit all required information and fees through the portal. For commercial land disturbance work, prepare complete engineered plans, erosion and sediment controls, stormwater management documents, supporting calculations, and in some cases a VSMP registration statement and SWPPP. For single-family land disturbance scenarios, confirm the specific forms required for your situation. 4. Submit the application through the SmartGov online portal. 5. Pay the permit fee. A 2 percent state levy is added to all permit fees. 6. If plan review is required, wait for staff review. Most permits can be issued while you wait if all required information and fees are included; permits involving plan review may take several days. 7. Pick up or receive the permit once approved. Permits are not written after 4:30 p.m. 8. Request inspections through the SmartGov portal or by phone at (434) 332-9596 as work progresses. Provide the permit number when calling.

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

Typical processing time is Most permits can be issued while you wait if complete; permits involving plan review may take several days..

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

The following work is generally exempt: Painting; Residential re-roof; Replacement windows and doors, except those in fire-rated assemblies; Repairs or replacement of interior walls and wall coverings; Floor coverings and porch flooring; Cabinet installation; Repair or replacement of existing plumbing and electrical fixtures; Replacement of common appliances; Installation of residential exterior siding; Low-voltage lighting systems less than 50 volts; Fences. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. Confirm with the Campbell County Community Development, Building Inspections Office before proceeding.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: SmartGov portal, (434) 332-9596.