Town of Hillsville, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Covers all properties inside the incorporated Town of Hillsville. For projects outside town limits in Carroll County, use the Carroll County Building Department instead.

Department

Town of Hillsville Building Code Official/Engineer and Zoning Administrator

Address

410 N. Main Street, Hillsville, VA 24343

Phone

(276) 728-2128

Email

engineer@townofhillsville.com

Website

https://townofhillsville.com/government/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the property is inside the Town of Hillsville. If the site is outside town limits, use the Carroll County permit pathway instead.
2. Begin with the town zoning permit path. Town code requires a zoning permit before construction, enlargement, structural alteration, movement, conversion, new or changed use, expanded use area, permanent signs, or town-regulated land-disturbing activity.
3. Submit the zoning-permit application to the Zoning Administrator on town forms. Provide a scale plan showing property boundaries, existing and proposed buildings, setbacks, access, parking, use, drainage, signs, and any other information needed for compliance review.
4. If the project requires a conditional use permit, variance, or zoning amendment, complete that approval track before permit issuance. A Planning Commission hearing must be held within 60 days of a complete conditional-use filing.
5. Obtain the required town certificates: Town Council or its agent approval of the building project; a certificate stating whether town water and sewer service will or will not be furnished; if town utility service will not be furnished, a Carroll County Health Department suitability statement; and a Town Treasurer certificate that delinquent taxes have been satisfied.
6. Apply to the Building Code Official/Engineer for the building permit after the zoning permit and required town certificates are in hand. Contact the Building Code Official/Engineer at (276) 728-2128 ext. 307 or engineer@townofhillsville.com.
7. After construction is complete, notify the Zoning Administrator for a certificate of zoning compliance. The Zoning Administrator must issue that certificate within 5 working days if the work complies with the approved zoning plans.
8. Where required, the Building Official issues the certificate of use and occupancy only after the zoning-compliance certificate has been issued.

Typical processing time: No routine permit-turnaround estimate is published. A certificate of zoning compliance is issued within 5 working days after completion notice if the project is compliant. A Planning Commission hearing on a conditional-use application is held within 60 days of a complete filing.

Source: Town of Hillsville Building Code Official/Engineer and Zoning Administrator

General Requirements

Town zoning permits are required before construction, enlargement, structural alteration, movement, conversion, new or changed use, expanded use area, permanent signs, and town-regulated land-disturbing activity. No building permit or sign permit may be issued until the required zoning permit has first been issued by the Zoning Administrator. The town also enforces the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code for buildings and structures in town.

Required Documents

• Zoning permit application on town forms
• Three copies of a scale plan (unless waived by the Zoning Administrator for limited-scope projects) showing boundaries, setbacks, existing and proposed structures, access, parking, use, drainage, landscaping or buffers, and signs
• Town Council approval certificate for the building project
• Town water and sewer service certificate, or Carroll County Health Department suitability statement if town utility service will not be furnished
• Town Treasurer certificate showing delinquent taxes have been satisfied
• Building permit application and any supporting construction documents required by the Building Official under the Virginia USBC

Permit validity

A town zoning permit is valid for 1 year from issuance and becomes null and void if no building permit or certificate of use and occupancy is issued within that year. If no building permit or certificate of use and occupancy is required, the zoning permit becomes void if the authorized use or feature is not established within 1 year. Building permits are also subject to the statewide USBC 6-month commencement and abandonment rules under 13VAC5-63-100.

Building code

Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, 2021 edition (effective January 18, 2024). Note: the town's online code codification still cites 2015 USBC editions; however, the currently operative enforcement standard follows the current statewide edition.

Owner-builder

No town-specific owner-builder instruction sheet is published. State owner-builder and contractor-licensure rules apply before building-permit issuance.

Contractor requirements

State DPOR contractor licensure requirements apply. Applicants must provide proof of licensure or a written statement of exemption, plus proof that required local taxes or license fees have been paid. Contractors should confirm any local business license obligations directly with Town Hall.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$50.00 per building permit

Permit fee formula

$50.00 building permit fee per permit, except for new construction where connection costs are included in the overall building permit cost. A complete fee schedule is on file at the Town Manager's office.

Trade permit fee

Water and sewer connection fees apply; $8.00 inspection fee per utility connection. See utility connection fee sheet.

Payment note

Town utility payments can be made online or by phone with a convenience fee, but no permit-payment portal is identified. Confirm accepted payment methods with Town Hall.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective July 1, 2024).

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 the town zoning permit requirement or other approval requirements. A zoning permit is separately required for most construction and land-disturbing activity. Confirm with the Zoning Administrator and Building Code Official before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• (276) 728-2128 (phone)
• engineer@townofhillsville.com (email)

Typical inspection sequence: Standard Virginia USBC inspections apply based on permit scope. After completion of any construction or alteration for which a zoning permit was required, a certificate of zoning compliance inspection is also required before occupancy or use. The Zoning Administrator issues the zoning-compliance certificate within 5 working days after applicant notification if the project is compliant.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, 2021 edition (effective January 18, 2024). Note: the town's online code codification still cites 2015 USBC editions; however, the currently operative enforcement standard follows the current statewide edition.
• Verify contractor license: DPOR Contractor License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• Town of Hillsville Building Code Chapter (eCode)
• Certificate of Use and Occupancy Requirements (eCode)
• Utilities Connection Fees
• License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Town of Hillsville Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Town of Hillsville, VA?

Town zoning permits are required before construction, enlargement, structural alteration, movement, conversion, new or changed use, expanded use area, permanent signs, and town-regulated land-disturbing activity. No building permit or sign permit may be issued until the required zoning permit has first been issued by the Zoning Administrator. The town also enforces the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code for buildings and structures in town.

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

The minimum permit fee is $50.00 per building permit. Fees are calculated as: $50.00 building permit fee per permit, except for new construction where connection costs are included in the overall building permit cost. A complete fee schedule is on file at the Town Manager's office..

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

1. Confirm the property is inside the Town of Hillsville. If the site is outside town limits, use the Carroll County permit pathway instead. 2. Begin with the town zoning permit path. Town code requires a zoning permit before construction, enlargement, structural alteration, movement, conversion, new or changed use, expanded use area, permanent signs, or town-regulated land-disturbing activity. 3. Submit the zoning-permit application to the Zoning Administrator on town forms. Provide a scale plan showing property boundaries, existing and proposed buildings, setbacks, access, parking, use, drainage, signs, and any other information needed for compliance review. 4. If the project requires a conditional use permit, variance, or zoning amendment, complete that approval track before permit issuance. A Planning Commission hearing must be held within 60 days of a complete conditional-use filing. 5. Obtain the required town certificates: Town Council or its agent approval of the building project; a certificate stating whether town water and sewer service will or will not be furnished; if town utility service will not be furnished, a Carroll County Health Department suitability statement; and a Town Treasurer certificate that delinquent taxes have been satisfied. 6. Apply to the Building Code Official/Engineer for the building permit after the zoning permit and required town certificates are in hand. Contact the Building Code Official/Engineer at (276) 728-2128 ext. 307 or engineer@townofhillsville.com. 7. After construction is complete, notify the Zoning Administrator for a certificate of zoning compliance. The Zoning Administrator must issue that certificate within 5 working days if the work complies with the approved zoning plans. 8. Where required, the Building Official issues the certificate of use and occupancy only after the zoning-compliance certificate has been issued.

How long does it take to get a building permit in Town of Hillsville, VA?

Typical processing time is No routine permit-turnaround estimate is published. A certificate of zoning compliance is issued within 5 working days after completion notice if the project is compliant. A Planning Commission hearing on a conditional-use application is held within 60 days of a complete filing..

What work is exempt from building permits in Town of Hillsville, 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 the town zoning permit requirement or other approval requirements. A zoning permit is separately required for most construction and land-disturbing activity. Confirm with the Zoning Administrator and Building Code Official before proceeding.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: (276) 728-2128, engineer@townofhillsville.com.

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