Unincorporated Charles City County

Permits are required under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code for construction or demolition of buildings or structures, structural work, many MEP changes, and changes of occupancy requiring a new certificate. County-specific examples include carports over 256 sq ft, sheds over 256 sq ft, pools deeper than 24 inches that exceed 5,000 gallons and 150 sq ft, tents larger than 900 sq ft with occupant load over 50, and demolition or removal of a building or structure.

• Exempt One-story detached tool/storage sheds, playhouses, and similar detached structures not over 256 sq ft
• Exempt Tents or air-supported structures 900 sq ft or less with occupant load of 50 or less
• Exempt Fences of any height (unless required for pedestrian safety under Section 3306 or used as a swimming-pool barrier)
• Exempt Concrete or masonry walls not over 6 feet high
• Exempt Retaining walls supporting less than 3 feet of unbalanced fill and not supporting surcharge or impounding certain liquids
• Exempt Swimming pools not over 150 sq ft and less than 24 inches deep
• Exempt Flagpoles 30 feet or less in height
• Exempt Ordinary repairs per Virginia Construction Code Section 108.2, including certain same-size window/door replacements, replacement plumbing fixtures without system alterations, replacement receptacles/switches/luminaires/ceiling fans in covered residential occupancies, certain electric/mechanical appliance replacements, installation or replacement of floor finishes, cabinetry or trim, paint or wallpaper, and certain roofing or siding replacements subject to code conditions

Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and other land-use requirements. Virginia Construction Code Section 108.2 also allows the building official to require permits for otherwise exempt siding, roofing, and windows in a locally designated historic district, and for exempt items located in a special flood hazard area. Confirm with the Building Official or Community Development before proceeding.

Building code

Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (13VAC5-63), incorporating the 2021 Virginia Construction Code

Permit validity

Under Virginia USBC Section 110.6, a permit may be revoked if work does not commence within 6 months of issuance or is suspended/abandoned for 6 months. Section 110.7 allows the building official to require a 3-year completion limit for new detached single-family dwellings, additions to detached single-family dwellings, and residential accessory structures. The county fee schedule includes renewal fees for permits older than 6 months, 1–2 years, and more than 2 years.

Owner-builder

Applicants who are not Virginia licensed contractors must qualify under a statutory exemption and file the county's owner/agent exemption affidavit. Exemptions include work on the owner's primary residence, a gift residence for immediate family, certain work on an existing commercial/industrial facility for the owner's own use, rental residential units owned by the applicant subject to the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, and any other exemption under Code of Virginia Section 54.1-1101.

Contractor requirements

County forms require contractor license number and class. Virginia USBC Section 108.4 requires proof of licensure or certification under Title 54.1 Chapter 11, or a written statement that the person is not subject to licensure. Virginia DPOR regulates contractor and tradesman licensing statewide. Businesses operating locally may also need a county business permit from the Commissioner of the Revenue.

Source: Building Official / Building Inspections; Charles City County Department of Community Development ↗

1. 01
   Confirm project scope with county staff and select the correct permit packet. The county publishes separate forms for combined Building and Zoning permits, accessory/agricultural structures, single-family dwelling site plan and land disturbance, and Electrical-Mechanical-Plumbing permits. Staff is available for pre-application assistance by appointment.
2. 02
   Prepare the application package. Download the applicable form from the county's Applications & Forms page. Combined and accessory packets require a completed application, owner/applicant and contractor information, and supporting plans. The accessory/agricultural packet additionally requires a scaled sketch plan showing property lines, setbacks, existing improvements, wells/septic, utilities, Chesapeake Bay Protection Area notes, floodplain limits if present, a signed Agreement in Lieu of E&S, and an RLD certificate.
3. 03
   Assemble the required number of plan sets. The combined Building and Zoning application requires 3 sets of building construction plans and 6 sets of site plans/plats.
4. 04
   Include additional agency and environmental materials where applicable. Projects for single-family dwellings or ADUs require Health Department SAP or septic review where applicable, an RLD, and erosion/sediment materials. ADU site plans are circulated among county agencies and VDOT for review.
5. 05
   Submit the complete package to the Building Inspections office at 10900 Courthouse Road, Charles City, VA 23030.
6. 06
   Post any required surety before permit issuance. An erosion and sediment surety must be posted before permit issuance for ADU and SFD projects; it is released after stabilization.
7. 07
   Receive staff review comments if revisions are needed. Staff contacts the design professional within 21 days for ADU/site-plan pathway reviews. Respond to comments and resubmit revised documents.
8. 08
   Pay permit fees and receive permit issuance. Obtain the issued permit before starting work. Schedule inspections as required during construction.

Typical processing time: 21 days published for the ADU/site-plan review pathway. No general published processing time for all building permit types. Zoning verification letters have a separate 7–10 business day turnaround.

Source: Building Official / Building Inspections; Charles City County Department of Community Development ↗

The county publishes a general online payment link to Official Payments. Fees do not include separate planning/zoning fees (zoning permit with building permit $120; zoning permit for accessory structures $50; land disturbance residential single lot $100; agreement in lieu $50; required weekly E&S inspections $50). Stormwater and Chesapeake Bay fees are separate.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

• 804-652-4727 (phone)
• sbowman@charlescityva.us (email)
• 804-829-5819 (fax)

Scheduling deadline

Submit inspection requests before close of business for the next day's inspection. Provide the permit number, inspection type, and a contact number.

Inspection hours

Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Typical sequence: No single universal sequence is published for all permit types. For ADU and single-family site-plan projects: erosion and sediment controls must be installed before construction begins; weekly county E&S inspections occur during construction; building inspections are conducted as work requires; final inspection leads to Certificate of Occupancy. The CO will not be issued until disturbed areas are stabilized and E&S requirements are met. Building inspections may be placed on hold if E&S controls are not in compliance.

Source: Building Official / Building Inspections; Charles City County Department of Community Development ↗