How much does a building permit cost in Town of Bowling Green, VA?

The minimum permit fee is $75.00 for zoning permits for all construction except as noted; $50.00 for accessory structures less than 100 sq ft; $100.00 for zoning certification letters.. Fees are calculated as: Mostly flat-fee zoning schedule. Sign permits: $50.00 for 30 sq ft or less, $75.00 over 30 sq ft. Variance: $600.00. Administrative appeal: $600.00. Special use permit or special exception: $750.00. Commercial or industrial major site plan: $1,250.00 plus $35.00 per acre or part thereof.. Plan check fee: Site plan revision review is one-half of the required underlying fee..

How do I apply for a building permit in Town of Bowling Green, VA?

1. Download the town zoning permit application from the Zoning Applications page. 2. Complete the zoning permit application and submit two copies of a plot plan, or sign plan if applicable. 3. Submit the zoning permit application to Town Hall in person during office hours (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). 4. If the project involves construction, separately apply to Caroline County Planning and Community Development for the building permit — the town zoning permit does not authorize construction to begin. 5. Obtain water and sewer connection approvals and any outside-agency permits such as VDOT, as applicable. 6. Pay the town zoning fee and inspection deposit. 7. After completing the work, notify the Zoning Administrator within 10 days for inspection and issuance of the certificate of zoning compliance. 8. Do not occupy or use the land or building under the changed use until the certificate of zoning compliance is issued.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Town of Bowling Green, VA?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Notify the Zoning Administrator within 10 days of completion, Caroline County building inspections: 804-633-4303. Notify the Zoning Administrator within 10 days of project completion to schedule the certificate of zoning compliance inspection..

City Building Permits

Town of Bowling Green, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Town of Bowling Green, Virginia. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Virginia Caroline County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Bowling Green is an incorporated town inside Caroline County. The town issues zoning permits and certificates of zoning compliance. Building permits for all construction within the town are issued by the Caroline County Building Official — a town zoning permit does not authorize construction to begin.

Department: Town of Bowling Green Administration; Community Development and Zoning
Address: 117 Butler Street, PO Box 468, Bowling Green, VA 22427
Phone: 804-633-6212
Website: https://www.townofbowlinggreenva.gov/administration

Online Permit Portal

Open Zoning Applications

Platform: CivicPlus website forms • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Additional resources:

Application Process

Download the town zoning permit application from the Zoning Applications page.
Complete the zoning permit application and submit two copies of a plot plan, or sign plan if applicable.
Submit the zoning permit application to Town Hall in person during office hours (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).
If the project involves construction, separately apply to Caroline County Planning and Community Development for the building permit — the town zoning permit does not authorize construction to begin.
Obtain water and sewer connection approvals and any outside-agency permits such as VDOT, as applicable.
Pay the town zoning fee and inspection deposit.
After completing the work, notify the Zoning Administrator within 10 days for inspection and issuance of the certificate of zoning compliance.
Do not occupy or use the land or building under the changed use until the certificate of zoning compliance is issued.

Source: Town of Bowling Green Administration; Community Development and Zoning

General Requirements

A town zoning permit is required before the use or change of use of land, buildings, or structures, and before construction for work requiring zoning review. A zoning permit is also required before a business license is issued. All construction also requires a separate building permit from the Caroline County Building Official.

Required Documents

Completed town zoning permit application
Two copies of a plot plan or sign plan
Town water and sewer connection application (where applicable)
Caroline County building permit (required for any construction)

Building code: Building permits and code enforcement are handled by Caroline County under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. The town routes all building-code administration to the Caroline County Building Official.
Owner-builder: No separate town owner-builder rule applies to zoning permits. Caroline County owner-builder rules apply to the county building permit required for any construction.
Contractor requirements: All contractors must register with the Town prior to commencing work. Caroline County state-license and local business-license requirements also apply to any building permit work.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: $75.00 for zoning permits for all construction except as noted; $50.00 for accessory structures less than 100 sq ft; $100.00 for zoning certification letters.
Plan check fee: Site plan revision review is one-half of the required underlying fee.
Permit fee formula: Mostly flat-fee zoning schedule. Sign permits: $50.00 for 30 sq ft or less, $75.00 over 30 sq ft. Variance: $600.00. Administrative appeal: $600.00. Special use permit or special exception: $750.00. Commercial or industrial major site plan: $1,250.00 plus $35.00 per acre or part thereof.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Town of Bowling Green Administration; Community Development and Zoning to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Notify the Zoning Administrator within 10 days of completion (in-person)
Caroline County building inspections: 804-633-4303 (phone)

Scheduling deadline: Notify the Zoning Administrator within 10 days of project completion to schedule the certificate of zoning compliance inspection.
Inspection hours: Town Hall office hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: Town zoning permit first, then Caroline County building permit if construction is involved, then town post-completion inspection for certificate of zoning compliance.

Additional Resources

Building code: Building permits and code enforcement are handled by Caroline County under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. The town routes all building-code administration to the Caroline County Building Official.
Verify contractor license: Virginia DPOR License Lookup
Zoning information: View zoning info
Town of Bowling Green Administration
Bowling Green Municipal Code
Caroline County Building Permits
License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Town of Bowling Green Administration; Community Development and Zoning before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Town of Bowling Green Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Town of Bowling Green, VA?: A town zoning permit is required before the use or change of use of land, buildings, or structures, and before construction for work requiring zoning review. A zoning permit is also required before a business license is issued. All construction also requires a separate building permit from the Caroline County Building Official.
How much does a building permit cost in Town of Bowling Green, VA?: The minimum permit fee is $75.00 for zoning permits for all construction except as noted; $50.00 for accessory structures less than 100 sq ft; $100.00 for zoning certification letters.. Fees are calculated as: Mostly flat-fee zoning schedule. Sign permits: $50.00 for 30 sq ft or less, $75.00 over 30 sq ft. Variance: $600.00. Administrative appeal: $600.00. Special use permit or special exception: $750.00. Commercial or industrial major site plan: $1,250.00 plus $35.00 per acre or part thereof.. Plan check fee: Site plan revision review is one-half of the required underlying fee..
How do I apply for a building permit in Town of Bowling Green, VA?: 1. Download the town zoning permit application from the Zoning Applications page. 2. Complete the zoning permit application and submit two copies of a plot plan, or sign plan if applicable. 3. Submit the zoning permit application to Town Hall in person during office hours (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). 4. If the project involves construction, separately apply to Caroline County Planning and Community Development for the building permit — the town zoning permit does not authorize construction to begin. 5. Obtain water and sewer connection approvals and any outside-agency permits such as VDOT, as applicable. 6. Pay the town zoning fee and inspection deposit. 7. After completing the work, notify the Zoning Administrator within 10 days for inspection and issuance of the certificate of zoning compliance. 8. Do not occupy or use the land or building under the changed use until the certificate of zoning compliance is issued.
How do I schedule a building inspection in Town of Bowling Green, VA?: Inspections can be scheduled via: Notify the Zoning Administrator within 10 days of completion, Caroline County building inspections: 804-633-4303. Notify the Zoning Administrator within 10 days of project completion to schedule the certificate of zoning compliance inspection..

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

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