On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Chesterfield County
Chesterfield states that whenever you construct, reconstruct, enlarge, alter, or demolish a structure, a permit is required before work starts. Residential examples include new houses, additions, structural repairs, garage conversions, decks, sheds 257 square feet or larger, finish-offs, larger pools, structural retaining walls, and demolition. Commercial pages also require permits for new construction, additions, tenant upfits, alterations, change of use or occupancy, and regulated trade work.
Painting interior or exterior surfaces
Many ordinary repairs such as drywall, plaster, siding, reroofing, floor coverings, cabinetry, trim, and wallpaper
Replacement of doors and windows without structural change, unless a historic-district exception applies
Gutters and downspouts
Driveways and sidewalks
Residential sheds, playhouses, and similar detached structures 256 square feet or less
Fences that are not pool barriers and are not required for pedestrian safety
Residential recreational equipment such as swings and jungle gyms
Insulation
Low-voltage wiring and equipment under 50 volts in qualifying conditions
Security alarm systems
Replacement electric water heaters, switches, receptacles, and certain like-for-like residential electrical fixtures
Replacement plumbing fixtures without system alteration
Retaining walls under 3 feet of retained earth for landscaping only and qualifying concrete or masonry walls not over 6 feet above grade
Small pools not over 150 square feet, 5,000 gallons, and less than 24 inches deep
Replacement of above-ground LP-gas containers of the same capacity in the same location by the serving gas supplier
Flagpoles 30 feet or less
Temporary ramps serving qualifying dwelling units
Other work the building official deems minor and ordinary
- Exempt Painting interior or exterior surfaces
- Exempt Many ordinary repairs such as drywall, plaster, siding, reroofing, floor coverings, cabinetry, trim, and wallpaper
- Exempt Replacement of doors and windows without structural change, unless a historic-district exception applies
- Exempt Gutters and downspouts
- Exempt Driveways and sidewalks
- Exempt Residential sheds, playhouses, and similar detached structures 256 square feet or less
- Exempt Fences that are not pool barriers and are not required for pedestrian safety
- Exempt Residential recreational equipment such as swings and jungle gyms
- Exempt Insulation
- Exempt Low-voltage wiring and equipment under 50 volts in qualifying conditions
- Exempt Security alarm systems
- Exempt Replacement electric water heaters, switches, receptacles, and certain like-for-like residential electrical fixtures
- Exempt Replacement plumbing fixtures without system alteration
- Exempt Retaining walls under 3 feet of retained earth for landscaping only and qualifying concrete or masonry walls not over 6 feet above grade
- Exempt Small pools not over 150 square feet, 5,000 gallons, and less than 24 inches deep
- Exempt Replacement of above-ground LP-gas containers of the same capacity in the same location by the serving gas supplier
- Exempt Flagpoles 30 feet or less
- Exempt Temporary ramps serving qualifying dwelling units
- Exempt Other work the building official deems minor and ordinary
Required documents
- Correct permit application
- Construction plans
- Plot plan or plat showing setbacks and easements
- Permit delivery form for residential work
- Supporting structural details
- Project-specific items such as engineering seals, pool barrier details, stormwater or erosion materials, or owner authorization
- Building code
- Chesterfield states that the Virginia Construction Code 2021 edition became mandatory for all projects with a permit application date on or after January 18, 2025.
- Permit validity
- Permits are valid for six months from the date of last activity, including completed inspections, amendments, and issuance of associated permits. Chesterfield advises applicants to request an extension before expiration or pay a reinstatement fee if the permit lapses.
- Owner-builder
- Chesterfield's residential guide says the homeowner or contractor doing the work may apply. The commercial permit application also includes the Virginia contractor exemption statement under Code of Virginia 54.1-1101 for exempt owner or lessee work.
- Contractor requirements
- Chesterfield's commercial permit application requires contractors either to provide licensure or certify that they are exempt under Virginia law. The same form also requires confirmation that required local taxes or license fees have been paid and states that if business done in Chesterfield County exceeds $25,000 year to date, a Chesterfield County business license is required.
Source: Chesterfield County Department of Building Inspection ↗
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: No standard countywide building permit turnaround time was published on the public pages reviewed.
- 01 Confirm whether the project needs a building permit, trade permits, zoning review, environmental review, Chesapeake Bay review, floodplain review, utilities review, or a certificate of appropriateness for designated historic resources.
- 02 Prepare the correct application package. Chesterfield publishes separate residential, commercial, multi-family, and trade permit applications plus plan-review guidance and checklists.
- 03 Submit through the ELM portal, or deliver or mail the application package to Building Inspection at 9800 Government Center Parkway or P.O. Box 40, Chesterfield, VA 23832.
- 04 Upload or provide required plans and supporting documents. Residential and commercial pages state that plans are routed to Building Inspection and, as needed, Planning, Environmental Engineering, Utilities, Fire Life Safety, and other reviewers.
- 05 Pay permit fees at application. Chesterfield accepts checks payable to Treasurer, Chesterfield County, plus major credit cards; ELM also supports online fee payment.
- 06 Respond to plan review comments, amendments, or revision requests until all reviews are approved.
- 07 Receive permit issuance, print the permit and approved plans, and keep them on site. Chesterfield says the permit must be posted on the construction site for public inspection.
- 08 Request required inspections through ELM or the IVR line and complete all required finals before occupancy or closeout.
Typical processing time: No standard countywide building permit turnaround time was published on the public pages reviewed.
Source: Chesterfield County Department of Building Inspection ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Chesterfield County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Residential schedule contains many flat fees with common minimum administrative charges of $57. Commercial schedule states minimums such as $297 for new construction and $178 for additions.
02
Plan check fee
Not shown as a separate universal plan-check line item on the public building fee schedules reviewed. Plan review is built into the county permit-review process and some related Planning or Environmental Engineering fees may apply separately.
03
Permit fee formula
Mixed. Residential permits are mostly flat-fee by project type plus a 2 percent state levy. Commercial building permits are largely valuation-based by estimated construction cost, with separate auxiliary permit and fixed-fee items, plus a 2 percent state levy.
04
Reinspection fee
$57 for each like or same-type inspection in excess of two; $57 not-ready fee
05
Penalty (no permit)
Past-due penalties of the greater of 10 percent or $10; code investigation fees for work started without a permit
Fees are due at application. Chesterfield accepts checks payable to Treasurer, Chesterfield County, cash, and major credit cards. ELM supports online payments.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- ELM portal (online)
- IVR phone scheduling (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Requests can be made up to five business days in advance; if requested by 11:59 p.m., inspection is performed the next open business day.
- Inspection hours
- Office hours Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Inspection hours Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Typical sequence: Typical residential sequence is footing, foundation or slab, framing and rough trades, insulation, and final building plus final trade inspections. Commercial inspections typically include footing, foundation, slabs, structural members before concealment, rough MEP and fire protection, fire-rated assemblies, energy conservation materials, and finals. CO issuance requires all required finals and departmental approvals.
Source: Chesterfield County Department of Building Inspection ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Chesterfield County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Chesterfield County, VA? ▸
Chesterfield states that whenever you construct, reconstruct, enlarge, alter, or demolish a structure, a permit is required before work starts. Residential examples include new houses, additions, structural repairs, garage conversions, decks, sheds 257 square feet or larger, finish-offs, larger pools, structural retaining walls, and demolition. Commercial pages also require permits for new construction, additions, tenant upfits, alterations, change of use or occupancy, and regulated trade work.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Chesterfield County, VA? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Chesterfield County, VA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Residential schedule contains many flat fees with common minimum administrative charges of $57. Commercial schedule states minimums such as $297 for new construction and $178 for additions.. Fees are calculated as: Mixed. Residential permits are mostly flat-fee by project type plus a 2 percent state levy. Commercial building permits are largely valuation-based by estimated construction cost, with separate auxiliary permit and fixed-fee items, plus a 2 percent state levy.. Plan check fee: Not shown as a separate universal plan-check line item on the public building fee schedules reviewed. Plan review is built into the county permit-review process and some related Planning or Environmental Engineering fees may apply separately..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Chesterfield County, VA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Chesterfield County, VA, follow these steps: 1. Confirm whether the project needs a building permit, trade permits, zoning review, environmental review, Chesapeake Bay review, floodplain review, utilities review, or a certificate of appropriateness for designated historic resources. 2. Prepare the correct application package. Chesterfield publishes separate residential, commercial, multi-family, and trade permit applications plus plan-review guidance and checklists. 3. Submit through the ELM portal, or deliver or mail the application package to Building Inspection at 9800 Government Center Parkway or P.O. Box 40, Chesterfield, VA 23832. 4. Upload or provide required plans and supporting documents. Residential and commercial pages state that plans are routed to Building Inspection and, as needed, Planning, Environmental Engineering, Utilities, Fire Life Safety, and other reviewers. 5. Pay permit fees at application. Chesterfield accepts checks payable to Treasurer, Chesterfield County, plus major credit cards; ELM also supports online fee payment. 6. Respond to plan review comments, amendments, or revision requests until all reviews are approved. 7. Receive permit issuance, print the permit and approved plans, and keep them on site. Chesterfield says the permit must be posted on the construction site for public inspection. 8. Request required inspections through ELM or the IVR line and complete all required finals before occupancy or closeout.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Chesterfield County, VA? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Chesterfield County, VA typically run No standard countywide building permit turnaround time was published on the public pages reviewed.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Chesterfield County, VA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Chesterfield County, VA. The following work is generally exempt: Painting interior or exterior surfaces; Many ordinary repairs such as drywall, plaster, siding, reroofing, floor coverings, cabinetry, trim, and wallpaper; Replacement of doors and windows without structural change, unless a historic-district exception applies; Gutters and downspouts; Driveways and sidewalks; Residential sheds, playhouses, and similar detached structures 256 square feet or less; Fences that are not pool barriers and are not required for pedestrian safety; Residential recreational equipment such as swings and jungle gyms; Insulation; Low-voltage wiring and equipment under 50 volts in qualifying conditions; Security alarm systems; Replacement electric water heaters, switches, receptacles, and certain like-for-like residential electrical fixtures; Replacement plumbing fixtures without system alteration; Retaining walls under 3 feet of retained earth for landscaping only and qualifying concrete or masonry walls not over 6 feet above grade; Small pools not over 150 square feet, 5,000 gallons, and less than 24 inches deep; Replacement of above-ground LP-gas containers of the same capacity in the same location by the serving gas supplier; Flagpoles 30 feet or less; Temporary ramps serving qualifying dwelling units; Other work the building official deems minor and ordinary. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Chesterfield County, VA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Chesterfield County, VA via: ELM portal, IVR phone scheduling. Requests can be made up to five business days in advance; if requested by 11:59 p.m., inspection is performed the next open business day..
last verified April 2026
source Chesterfield County Department of Building Inspection ↗
entry id permits/virginia/chesterfield/chesterfield-county
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Chesterfield County Department of Building Inspection before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.