On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Berryville
The Town Community Development Department handles land use and zoning matters, sign permits, and variances. Zoning permits are required for structures, fences, signs, site plans, and additions. A sign permit is required before a sign is erected, altered, or relocated except for enumerated exceptions. Structural building permits are issued by Clarke County Building Department under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.
Signs covered by Town zoning ordinance Section 307.2
Repainting or minor structural repairs that do not exceed the dimensions of an existing sign
Changing advertising copy or messages on an approved painted or printed sign, theater marquee, or similar sign designed for replaceable copy
- Exempt Signs covered by Town zoning ordinance Section 307.2
- Exempt Repainting or minor structural repairs that do not exceed the dimensions of an existing sign
- Exempt Changing advertising copy or messages on an approved painted or printed sign, theater marquee, or similar sign designed for replaceable copy
Note: The above exemptions apply to Town sign permits only. For structural building-permit exemptions, Clarke County and the Virginia USBC exemption list apply. Exempt from permit does not mean exempt from zoning or planning requirements. Confirm with the Town Community Development Department or Clarke County Building Department before proceeding.
Required documents
- Relevant Town application form
- Site sketch or site plan
- Photographs, drawings, plans, or other documentation for ARB review (if applicable)
- Sign details including area, dimensions, materials, location, mounting, and illumination details (for sign permits)
- Any additional information required by the Zoning Administrator under the Town ordinance
- Building code
- Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code — 2021 Virginia code set, effective January 18, 2024 (enforced by Clarke County Building Department)
- Permit validity
- A sign permit becomes null and void if the work is not completed within 6 months of issuance; the Zoning Administrator may grant one extension of up to 6 additional months on written request. For building permits, Clarke County and 2021 VCC expiration rules apply.
- Owner-builder
- No Berryville-specific owner-builder requirement found for Town zoning permits. For structural building permits, Clarke County's owner-contractor affidavit requirement applies.
- Contractor requirements
- For building permits, Clarke County requires proof of Virginia contractor licensure (regulated by DPOR) for general contractors. Berryville posts contractor certification and workers' compensation forms in its Business Forms library for Town-side business operations.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: No public Berryville zoning-review or ARB turnaround estimate published. Clarke County building plan review is 20 to 30 business days.
- 01 Determine whether the project needs a Town zoning permit, sign permit, land development application, subdivision action, variance, ARB Certificate of Appropriateness, utility approval, or right-of-way permit before any County building permit is issued.
- 02 Download the applicable Town form from the Berryville Community Development pages. Publicly posted forms include zoning permit, sign permit, land development application, variance application, and ARB submission materials.
- 03 Submit the application to the Town Community Development Department with required plans, sketches, drawings, and supporting information.
- 04 If the property is in a local or national historic district or otherwise subject to ARB review, obtain ARB approval and the Town's Certificate of Appropriateness. Town staff issue the zoning permit and Certificate of Appropriateness after ARB approval.
- 05 Pay the Town zoning or development fees to the Town Treasurer at time of application submission.
- 06 If the work also requires a building permit, submit the building permit package to Clarke County Building Department after or alongside the Town review. Building permits are issued by Clarke County, not the Town.
- 07 Schedule any required building inspections through Clarke County Building Department at 540-955-5112 or permits@clarkecounty.gov.
Typical processing time: No public Berryville zoning-review or ARB turnaround estimate published. Clarke County building plan review is 20 to 30 business days.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Berryville building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Sign permits $35; residential accessory-building zoning permits $50; fence permits $50; residential additions $75; residential zoning permit $300; commercial or industrial zoning permit $350
02
Plan check fee
Site-development-plan review fees function as the Town's principal development-plan review charges. Consulting services billed at cost where required.
03
Permit fee formula
Mostly flat fees, with some per-acre, per-dwelling-unit, per-parking-space, disturbed-acre, and consultant-cost components. Rezoning base fee $5,500 plus $2,000 per acre after the first acre; residential site-development plans $2,500 plus $150 per dwelling unit; erosion-control permits $650 base plus $75 per disturbed acre.
Payment of all applicable zoning and subdivision fees must be made to the Town Treasurer at the time of application submission. Convenience fees apply for online bill payments, but permit materials do not confirm that Community Development fees are payable through that system.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Clarke County Building Department: 540-955-5112 (phone)
- permits@clarkecounty.gov (email)
- Scheduling deadline
- Provide 3 to 5 business days notice to Clarke County Building Department.
- Inspection hours
- Town Community Development: Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Clarke County Building Department: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed noon to 1:00 p.m.).
Typical sequence: Structural and building-code inspections are handled by Clarke County Building Department. Town-side materials do not publish a separate building-inspection sequence.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Berryville permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Berryville, VA? ▸
The Town Community Development Department handles land use and zoning matters, sign permits, and variances. Zoning permits are required for structures, fences, signs, site plans, and additions. A sign permit is required before a sign is erected, altered, or relocated except for enumerated exceptions. Structural building permits are issued by Clarke County Building Department under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Berryville, VA? ▸
Building permit fees in Berryville, VA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Sign permits $35; residential accessory-building zoning permits $50; fence permits $50; residential additions $75; residential zoning permit $300; commercial or industrial zoning permit $350. Fees are calculated as: Mostly flat fees, with some per-acre, per-dwelling-unit, per-parking-space, disturbed-acre, and consultant-cost components. Rezoning base fee $5,500 plus $2,000 per acre after the first acre; residential site-development plans $2,500 plus $150 per dwelling unit; erosion-control permits $650 base plus $75 per disturbed acre.. Plan check fee: Site-development-plan review fees function as the Town's principal development-plan review charges. Consulting services billed at cost where required..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Berryville, VA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Berryville, VA, follow these steps: 1. Determine whether the project needs a Town zoning permit, sign permit, land development application, subdivision action, variance, ARB Certificate of Appropriateness, utility approval, or right-of-way permit before any County building permit is issued. 2. Download the applicable Town form from the Berryville Community Development pages. Publicly posted forms include zoning permit, sign permit, land development application, variance application, and ARB submission materials. 3. Submit the application to the Town Community Development Department with required plans, sketches, drawings, and supporting information. 4. If the property is in a local or national historic district or otherwise subject to ARB review, obtain ARB approval and the Town's Certificate of Appropriateness. Town staff issue the zoning permit and Certificate of Appropriateness after ARB approval. 5. Pay the Town zoning or development fees to the Town Treasurer at time of application submission. 6. If the work also requires a building permit, submit the building permit package to Clarke County Building Department after or alongside the Town review. Building permits are issued by Clarke County, not the Town. 7. Schedule any required building inspections through Clarke County Building Department at 540-955-5112 or permits@clarkecounty.gov.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Berryville, VA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Berryville, VA typically run No public Berryville zoning-review or ARB turnaround estimate published. Clarke County building plan review is 20 to 30 business days.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Berryville, VA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Berryville, VA. The following work is generally exempt: Signs covered by Town zoning ordinance Section 307.2; Repainting or minor structural repairs that do not exceed the dimensions of an existing sign; Changing advertising copy or messages on an approved painted or printed sign, theater marquee, or similar sign designed for replaceable copy. Note: The above exemptions apply to Town sign permits only. For structural building-permit exemptions, Clarke County and the Virginia USBC exemption list apply. Exempt from permit does not mean exempt from zoning or planning requirements. Confirm with the Town Community Development Department or Clarke County Building Department before proceeding. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Berryville, VA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Berryville, VA via: Clarke County Building Department: 540-955-5112, permits@clarkecounty.gov. Provide 3 to 5 business days notice to Clarke County Building Department..
last verified April 2026
source Town of Berryville Community Development Department (zoning and land use); Clarke County Building Department (building permits) ↗
entry id permits/virginia/clarke/berryville
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Town of Berryville Community Development Department (zoning and land use); Clarke County Building Department (building permits) before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.