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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Campbell County
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.
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
- Exempt Painting
- Exempt Residential re-roof
- Exempt Replacement windows and doors, except those in fire-rated assemblies
- Exempt Repairs or replacement of interior walls and wall coverings
- Exempt Floor coverings and porch flooring
- Exempt Cabinet installation
- Exempt Repair or replacement of existing plumbing and electrical fixtures
- Exempt Replacement of common appliances
- Exempt Installation of residential exterior siding
- Exempt Low-voltage lighting systems less than 50 volts
- Exempt 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.
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
- 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)
- 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.
- 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.
Source: Campbell County Community Development, Building Inspections Office ↗
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Most permits can be issued while you wait if complete; permits involving plan review may take several days.
- 01 Confirm whether the project requires a county building permit, zoning approval, and/or land disturbance coverage before starting.
- 02 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.
- 03 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.
- 04 Submit the application through the SmartGov online portal.
- 05 Pay the permit fee. A 2 percent state levy is added to all permit fees.
- 06 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.
- 07 Pick up or receive the permit once approved. Permits are not written after 4:30 p.m.
- 08 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 ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Campbell County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$25 for residential alterations; $50 for commercial alterations
02
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.
03
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.
04
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.
05
Reinspection fee
$50 reinspection fee when caused by wrong or missing 911 address, inaccessible premises, requested corrections not completed, or work not ready.
06
Penalty (no permit)
$50 penalty for commencement of work without the required permit, added to the original fee.
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 periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- SmartGov portal (online)
- (434) 332-9596 (phone)
Typical 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.
Source: Campbell County Community Development, Building Inspections Office ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Campbell County permits
01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Campbell County, VA? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Campbell County, VA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Campbell County, VA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Campbell County, VA, follow these steps: 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.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Campbell County, VA? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Campbell County, VA typically run Most permits can be issued while you wait if complete; permits involving plan review may take several days.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Campbell County, VA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Campbell County, VA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Campbell County, VA via: SmartGov portal, (434) 332-9596.
last verified April 2026
source Campbell County Community Development, Building Inspections Office ↗
entry id permits/virginia/campbell/campbell-county
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Campbell County Community Development, Building Inspections Office before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.