Cumberland County, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Covers unincorporated Cumberland County. Properties inside the Town of Farmville corporate limits use the Town of Farmville permitting process instead.

Department

Cumberland County Building Inspection

Address

1 Courthouse Circle, Cumberland, VA 23040

Phone

804-492-9114

Email

permits@cumberlandcounty.virginia.gov

Website

https://cumberlandcounty.virginia.gov/161/Building-Inspection

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the property is in unincorporated Cumberland County. If it is inside the Town of Farmville corporate limits, use the Town of Farmville process instead.
2. Obtain Planning and Zoning approval first. The county new-construction checklist requires an approved Planning/Zoning permit before the building permit application can be processed.
3. If the project disturbs land, obtain erosion and sediment control approval from Planning and Zoning before submitting the building permit application.
4. Obtain all applicable outside approvals, including Health Department approval for onsite sewage or well work and a VDOT entrance permit for a state-road driveway.
5. Submit the Building Permit Application or applicable trades application with all required supporting documents. Incomplete applications will not be processed.
6. County staff reviews the package for completeness and performs plan review if required.
7. After review, county staff calculates permit fees and contacts the applicant for payment.
8. After fees are paid, the permit is issued and the applicant is notified.
9. Keep approved plans on site, post the permit, complete all required inspections in sequence, and request a certificate of occupancy after final inspection approval.

Typical processing time: No standard turnaround time is posted. The county states applications are reviewed for completeness, then plan review occurs if needed, then fees are collected before issuance. Certificates of occupancy are issued within 5 business days after final inspection approval.

Source: Cumberland County Building Inspection

General Requirements

Under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, a permit is required before construction or demolition of a building or structure, structural alterations, changes involving plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, electrical, fire protection, or other regulated equipment, changes of occupancy requiring a new certificate of occupancy, lot-line changes that reduce safety, and removal or disturbance of asbestos during construction or demolition.

Required Documents

• Approved Planning/Zoning permit
• Shrink-swell soil analysis (if required)
• Approved erosion and sediment control plan or in-lieu agreement (if applicable)
• Health Department approval or executed water/sewer user agreement
• Completed building permit application
• VDOT entrance permit approval (for state-road driveway)
• Title copy (for used single-wide manufactured homes)
• 2 plan sets for new homes or modular homes, including trusses and engineered members
• Deck or porch details (if applicable)
• Copies of contractor licenses through DPOR

Permit validity

Default Virginia Construction Code rules apply: an application is abandoned if not pursued within 6 months, and a permit may be revoked if work does not start within 6 months after issuance or if work is suspended or abandoned for 6 months. Written extensions are generally allowed up to one year per extension. Local officials may impose a 3-year completion limit for detached single-family dwellings, additions, and residential accessory structures.

Building code

Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (2021 Virginia Codes, effective January 18, 2024)

Owner-builder

The county building permit application includes an owner affidavit. The owner must affirm familiarity with Virginia Code 54.1-1111 and confirm that the owner is not acting as a licensed contractor or subcontractor.

Contractor requirements

Contractors must hold a valid Virginia DPOR license. The county checklist requires copies of contractor licenses through DPOR. Contractors meeting county thresholds must provide their State Board for Contractors registration number before a county business license is issued.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$25 for demolition of noncommercial structures; $50 for above-ground pools and existing-building certificate of occupancy without permit-required work; $75 for many residential categories including trade permits, standalone decks/porches, detached accessory structures over 256 sq ft, in-ground pools, and reinstatements; $100 for commercial permits and residential remodels/additions; $175 for one- and two-family dwellings, townhomes under 4 stories, and manufactured or modular homes

Plan check fee

No separate plan-check fee listed. Plan revision fees are $25 for residential and $50 for commercial.

Permit fee formula

Mixed schedule. Residential: area-based with category minimums. One- and two-family dwellings and manufactured/modular homes: $175 minimum or $0.30 per sq ft. Residential trades: $75 minimum or $0.05 per sq ft. Standalone decks/porches: $75 minimum or $0.25 per sq ft. Remodels and additions: $100 minimum or $0.30 per sq ft. Detached accessory structures over 256 sq ft: $75 minimum or $0.15 per sq ft. Commercial: valuation-based at $100 plus $5 per $1,000 of contract value; towers at $100 minimum or $7 per $1,000 of contract value.

Trade permit fee

$75 minimum or $0.05 per sq ft

Reinspection fee

$50 reinspection fee after the second failed inspection for the same violation; must be paid before further inspections are scheduled

Penalty (no permit)

Code-investigation fees for work without a permit; demolition penalty is the greater of a flat fee or 25% of the applicable permit fee

Payment note

Online payment available through PayGov. The Commonwealth of Virginia imposes a 2.00% levy on all building permit fees.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached sheds, playhouses, and similar structures up to 256 square feet (if not Group F-1 or H occupancy)
• Utility prefabricated buildings up to 150 square feet
• Tents or air-supported structures up to 900 square feet with occupant load of 50 or fewer
• Fences of any height unless required for pedestrian safety or as a swimming pool barrier
• Concrete or masonry walls not over 6 feet high
• Retaining walls supporting less than 3 feet of unbalanced fill and not carrying surcharge beyond ordinary fill
• Small swimming pools not over 150 square feet and under 24 inches deep
• Flagpoles 30 feet or less
• Temporary ramps serving certain dwelling units where the entrance served is no more than 30 inches above grade
• Low-voltage wiring and equipment under conditions listed in 13VAC5-63-80
• Ordinary repairs including qualifying same-size window and door replacements, fixture and well-pump replacements without system alteration, certain switch and receptacle replacements, certain non-gas and non-oil mechanical appliance replacements, qualifying reroofing and siding replacement, limited roof decking replacement, floor finishes, wall and ceiling finishes, cabinetry and trim, and paint or wallpaper

Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. The Virginia code allows the building official to require permits for otherwise exempt replacement siding, roofing, and windows in a designated historic district, and for exempt items in a special flood hazard area. Confirm with Cumberland County Building Inspection before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• permits@cumberlandcounty.virginia.gov (email)

Scheduling deadline

Work must be ready for inspection by 8:30 a.m. on the day scheduled. Specific times may not be honored. Give as much notice as possible.

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: Residential sequence: footings, foundation or projection, damp proofing or drain tile, plumbing groundworks, masonry fireplace throat, floor joist before subfloor, veneer, electrical service release, framing and rough-ins (all trades scheduled together), insulation, exterior inspections before final (well or water line, septic or sewer line, gas tank and line set), final inspection. Additional inspections such as pre-slab, anchors, tie-downs, or marriage wall scheduled as needed.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (2021 Virginia Codes, effective January 18, 2024)
• Verify contractor license: Virginia DPOR License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Permit Requirements Checklist
• Erosion and Sediment Control Permits
• Inspections
• Zoning Map and Flood Information
• County Business Licensing
• Virginia USBC Overview
• Virginia Construction Code Permit Section (13VAC5-63-80)
• License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Cumberland County Building Permit FAQ

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

Under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, a permit is required before construction or demolition of a building or structure, structural alterations, changes involving plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, electrical, fire protection, or other regulated equipment, changes of occupancy requiring a new certificate of occupancy, lot-line changes that reduce safety, and removal or disturbance of asbestos during construction or demolition.

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

The minimum permit fee is $25 for demolition of noncommercial structures; $50 for above-ground pools and existing-building certificate of occupancy without permit-required work; $75 for many residential categories including trade permits, standalone decks/porches, detached accessory structures over 256 sq ft, in-ground pools, and reinstatements; $100 for commercial permits and residential remodels/additions; $175 for one- and two-family dwellings, townhomes under 4 stories, and manufactured or modular homes. Fees are calculated as: Mixed schedule. Residential: area-based with category minimums. One- and two-family dwellings and manufactured/modular homes: $175 minimum or $0.30 per sq ft. Residential trades: $75 minimum or $0.05 per sq ft. Standalone decks/porches: $75 minimum or $0.25 per sq ft. Remodels and additions: $100 minimum or $0.30 per sq ft. Detached accessory structures over 256 sq ft: $75 minimum or $0.15 per sq ft. Commercial: valuation-based at $100 plus $5 per $1,000 of contract value; towers at $100 minimum or $7 per $1,000 of contract value.. Plan check fee: No separate plan-check fee listed. Plan revision fees are $25 for residential and $50 for commercial..

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

1. Confirm the property is in unincorporated Cumberland County. If it is inside the Town of Farmville corporate limits, use the Town of Farmville process instead. 2. Obtain Planning and Zoning approval first. The county new-construction checklist requires an approved Planning/Zoning permit before the building permit application can be processed. 3. If the project disturbs land, obtain erosion and sediment control approval from Planning and Zoning before submitting the building permit application. 4. Obtain all applicable outside approvals, including Health Department approval for onsite sewage or well work and a VDOT entrance permit for a state-road driveway. 5. Submit the Building Permit Application or applicable trades application with all required supporting documents. Incomplete applications will not be processed. 6. County staff reviews the package for completeness and performs plan review if required. 7. After review, county staff calculates permit fees and contacts the applicant for payment. 8. After fees are paid, the permit is issued and the applicant is notified. 9. Keep approved plans on site, post the permit, complete all required inspections in sequence, and request a certificate of occupancy after final inspection approval.

How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Cumberland County, VA?

Typical processing time is No standard turnaround time is posted. The county states applications are reviewed for completeness, then plan review occurs if needed, then fees are collected before issuance. Certificates of occupancy are issued within 5 business days after final inspection approval..

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

The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached sheds, playhouses, and similar structures up to 256 square feet (if not Group F-1 or H occupancy); Utility prefabricated buildings up to 150 square feet; Tents or air-supported structures up to 900 square feet with occupant load of 50 or fewer; Fences of any height unless required for pedestrian safety or as a swimming pool barrier; Concrete or masonry walls not over 6 feet high; Retaining walls supporting less than 3 feet of unbalanced fill and not carrying surcharge beyond ordinary fill; Small swimming pools not over 150 square feet and under 24 inches deep; Flagpoles 30 feet or less; Temporary ramps serving certain dwelling units where the entrance served is no more than 30 inches above grade; Low-voltage wiring and equipment under conditions listed in 13VAC5-63-80; Ordinary repairs including qualifying same-size window and door replacements, fixture and well-pump replacements without system alteration, certain switch and receptacle replacements, certain non-gas and non-oil mechanical appliance replacements, qualifying reroofing and siding replacement, limited roof decking replacement, floor finishes, wall and ceiling finishes, cabinetry and trim, and paint or wallpaper. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. The Virginia code allows the building official to require permits for otherwise exempt replacement siding, roofing, and windows in a designated historic district, and for exempt items in a special flood hazard area. Confirm with Cumberland County Building Inspection before proceeding.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: permits@cumberlandcounty.virginia.gov. Work must be ready for inspection by 8:30 a.m. on the day scheduled. Specific times may not be honored. Give as much notice as possible..