Carroll County, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Covers unincorporated Carroll County. The incorporated Town of Hillsville has its own zoning and building-permit process and is not served by the county permit path for in-town projects.

Department

Carroll County Building Department (Building Official)

Address

605-1 Pine Street, Suite C115, Hillsville, VA 24343

Phone

(276) 730-3016

Email

building.official@carrollcountyva.gov

Website

https://carrollcountyva.gov/government/building_official/index.php

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the project site is in unincorporated Carroll County. If the site is inside the Town of Hillsville, use the town permit pathway instead.
2. Determine whether the project requires additional approvals before the building permit can be issued: DEQ stormwater submission, VDOT entrance approval, VDH septic or well approval or SAP letter, a Twin County E-911 address assignment, floodplain approval, or erosion and sediment review.
3. Assemble the permit package. For new dwellings and other structural work, use the county residential plan checklist and fillable PDF application packets. For miscellaneous building, plumbing, electrical, and fuel-gas work, Formsite webforms are available online.
4. Submit the application package. Fillable PDF applications may be emailed to the building department with required plan documents. Trade-permit webforms are submitted online. In-person office contact is also available.
5. County staff reviews the submittal for Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code compliance and any required floodplain, erosion and sediment, subdivision, or outside-agency prerequisite approvals. For land disturbance of 10,000 square feet or more, contact the inspection department before disturbance begins.
6. Pay required fees under the current county fee schedule. Payment by cash, check, or credit card is accepted.
7. Once approved and fees are paid, the county issues the permit. Schedule required inspections with the county building office and keep the permit current through project completion.

Source: Carroll County Building Department (Building Official)

General Requirements

Building permits are required under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code for construction or demolition of a building or structure and for most regulated structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, fuel-gas, fire-protection, or similar work. Carroll County also publishes permit forms for manufactured homes, signs, floodplain development, and erosion and sediment control.

Required Documents

• Completed county application or Formsite webform for the applicable permit type
• Structural plans and supporting documents per the county residential plan checklist or specific permit packet
• Evidence of required VDOT, VDH, DEQ, floodplain, or E-911 approvals where applicable
• Parcel and site information, estimated project cost, and contractor or owner contact information
• Contractor license number and class, or written owner-builder exemption statement as required by state law

Permit validity

Under 13VAC5-63-100, a permit may be revoked if work does not begin within 6 months after issuance or if work is suspended or abandoned for 6 months. The building official may grant written extensions not exceeding 1 year each. Under 13VAC5-63-80, an application is deemed abandoned 6 months after filing unless pursued in good faith.

Building code

2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), effective January 18, 2024. Carroll County has also published a countywide blanket code modification for ceiling insulation values under the 2021 Virginia Residential Code.

Owner-builder

Virginia law requires either proof of contractor licensure or a written statement that the applicant is not subject to licensure before permit issuance. County permit forms include owner or authorized-agent certifications and consent for county inspections.

Contractor requirements

DPOR contractor licensure rules apply statewide. County permit forms require contractor name, license number, and class where a contractor is used. Applicants must also furnish proof that any county taxes or license fees required for the work have been paid.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$60.00 for residential building permits; $80.00 for commercial building permits

Permit fee formula

Residential building: $0.20 per square foot, $60.00 minimum. Commercial building: $0.25 per square foot, $80.00 minimum. Plumbing, mechanical, electrical, fuel-gas, floodplain, signs, pools, demolition, retaining walls, and similar items are charged on published flat-fee schedules.

Trade permit fee

Flat-fee schedules published for plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and fuel-gas permits; most categories start at $60.00

Penalty (no permit)

Civil penalties for disturbing land without required erosion and sediment approval can reach $10,000 under the county ordinance.

Payment note

Cash, check, and credit card accepted. No separate online permit-payment portal is published.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached sheds or similar structures up to 256 square feet
• Fences of any height unless used for pedestrian safety or pool barriers
• Certain masonry walls up to 6 feet high
• Retaining walls supporting less than 3 feet of unbalanced fill
• Small pools not over 150 square feet and less than 24 inches deep
• Like-kind window or door replacement without structural changes
• Fixture replacement without piping changes
• Certain wiring-device replacements and appliance replacements
• Roofing or siding replacement in situations listed by the Virginia USBC
• Cabinetry, floor finishes, paint, and similar minor ordinary repairs

Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from floodplain, erosion and sediment, septic, entrance, or other separate approval requirements. Confirm with the Carroll County Building Department before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• (276) 730-3016 (phone)
• building.official@carrollcountyva.gov (email)

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Typical inspection sequence: Typical USBC inspections based on permit scope: footing or foundation, framing, rough trades, insulation or air-sealing, and final. Manufactured-home inspections additionally cover data plate, site drainage, moisture barrier, pier holes, piers, anchors, marriage wall, clearance, HVAC, skirting, access, water supply, drain pipes, electrical-service release, decks and porches, and final.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), effective January 18, 2024. Carroll County has also published a countywide blanket code modification for ceiling insulation values under the 2021 Virginia Residential Code.
• Verify contractor license: DPOR Contractor License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• Erosion and Sediment Control
• Land Use and Planning
• Planning Commission
• Issued Permits
• Blanket Code Modification (Ceiling Insulation)
• USBC Section 80 — Permit Exemptions
• USBC Section 100 — Permit Validity
• License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Carroll County Building Permit FAQ

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

Building permits are required under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code for construction or demolition of a building or structure and for most regulated structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, fuel-gas, fire-protection, or similar work. Carroll County also publishes permit forms for manufactured homes, signs, floodplain development, and erosion and sediment control.

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

The minimum permit fee is $60.00 for residential building permits; $80.00 for commercial building permits. Fees are calculated as: Residential building: $0.20 per square foot, $60.00 minimum. Commercial building: $0.25 per square foot, $80.00 minimum. Plumbing, mechanical, electrical, fuel-gas, floodplain, signs, pools, demolition, retaining walls, and similar items are charged on published flat-fee schedules..

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

1. Confirm the project site is in unincorporated Carroll County. If the site is inside the Town of Hillsville, use the town permit pathway instead. 2. Determine whether the project requires additional approvals before the building permit can be issued: DEQ stormwater submission, VDOT entrance approval, VDH septic or well approval or SAP letter, a Twin County E-911 address assignment, floodplain approval, or erosion and sediment review. 3. Assemble the permit package. For new dwellings and other structural work, use the county residential plan checklist and fillable PDF application packets. For miscellaneous building, plumbing, electrical, and fuel-gas work, Formsite webforms are available online. 4. Submit the application package. Fillable PDF applications may be emailed to the building department with required plan documents. Trade-permit webforms are submitted online. In-person office contact is also available. 5. County staff reviews the submittal for Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code compliance and any required floodplain, erosion and sediment, subdivision, or outside-agency prerequisite approvals. For land disturbance of 10,000 square feet or more, contact the inspection department before disturbance begins. 6. Pay required fees under the current county fee schedule. Payment by cash, check, or credit card is accepted. 7. Once approved and fees are paid, the county issues the permit. Schedule required inspections with the county building office and keep the permit current through project completion.

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

The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached sheds or similar structures up to 256 square feet; Fences of any height unless used for pedestrian safety or pool barriers; Certain masonry walls up to 6 feet high; Retaining walls supporting less than 3 feet of unbalanced fill; Small pools not over 150 square feet and less than 24 inches deep; Like-kind window or door replacement without structural changes; Fixture replacement without piping changes; Certain wiring-device replacements and appliance replacements; Roofing or siding replacement in situations listed by the Virginia USBC; Cabinetry, floor finishes, paint, and similar minor ordinary repairs. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from floodplain, erosion and sediment, septic, entrance, or other separate approval requirements. Confirm with the Carroll County Building Department before proceeding.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: (276) 730-3016, building.official@carrollcountyva.gov.