Town of Clintwood, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Building permits for properties inside Clintwood town limits are issued by the Dickenson County Building Department. The Town of Clintwood retains a local zoning role and maintains its own zoning ordinance and business-license requirements, but does not issue separate building permits.

Department

Dickenson County Building Department (building permits); Town of Clintwood (zoning and town business licenses)

Address

818 Happy Valley Dr., P.O. Box 733, Clintwood, VA 24228

Phone

(276) 926-1673

Email

crakes@dickensonva.org

Website

https://www.dickensonva.org/101/Building-Department

Application Process

1. Confirm the property is within Clintwood town limits. Building permits are issued by the Dickenson County Building Department, whose official jurisdiction expressly includes the Town of Clintwood.
2. Review the Town of Clintwood zoning ordinance to determine whether the proposed project requires a town zoning approval, special use permit, variance, or other local land-use approval before or alongside the county building permit.
3. Obtain the county permit application. The Residential New Home or Addition Permit Application includes a Town of Clintwood checkbox and sections for all required trade contractor licenses.
4. Assemble required submittals: applicant and owner information, site address and tax map number, project cost, Virginia Department of Health wastewater approval, floor plan, description of materials, stairway detail if installed, contractor license information for applicable trades, or Affidavit for Building without a Licensed Contractor for owner-performed work.
5. Obtain Treasurer approval by completing the Building Permit Approval Form through the Dickenson County Treasurer's Office. Also obtain any required Health Department or DEQ prerequisite approvals.
6. If a business will operate in town limits, obtain the Town of Clintwood Business License. Virginia permit law requires proof that applicable town taxes or license fees have been paid before permit issuance.
7. Submit the complete county building permit package and pay the assessed fees. The county states completing the application takes about 15 to 30 minutes and the permit typically issues in about 15 minutes once the application is complete.
8. After issuance, post the permit on site. Schedule and pass required county inspections at each stage of construction.

Typical processing time: Completing the application takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes; the permit typically issues in about 15 minutes once the application is complete and prerequisite approvals from the Health Department or DEQ are in hand.

Source: Dickenson County Building Department (building permits); Town of Clintwood (zoning and town business licenses)

General Requirements

Permits are required for building, mobile homes, modular homes, remodeling, electrical and mechanical work, signs, swimming pools, elevators, and fuel tank removal, and for structures over 150 square feet or structural changes. Virginia USBC rules also apply. Town zoning approval may be required separately from the county building permit.

Required Documents

• Completed Dickenson County permit application (with Town of Clintwood checkbox marked)
• Site address and tax map number
• Project cost estimate
• Virginia Department of Health wastewater approval for the site
• Floor plan
• Description of materials
• Stairway detail (if stairs are installed)
• Contractor license information for applicable trades, or Affidavit for Building without a Licensed Contractor
• Building Permit Approval Form signed by the Dickenson County Treasurer or Deputy Treasurer
• Town of Clintwood zoning approval or clearance (if required by the town zoning ordinance)
• Town of Clintwood Business License (if a business will operate on the premises)

Permit validity

Under the Virginia USBC, an issued permit may be revoked if work does not commence within 6 months of issuance or if work is suspended or abandoned for 6 months. Upon written request, the building official may grant extensions of up to 1 year each.

Building code

2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code, and county erosion and sediment control program, with future amendments incorporated by reference.

Owner-builder

Owners who personally perform trade work may write 'Self' in the applicable contractor sections of the county permit application and must complete an Affidavit for Building without a Licensed Contractor.

Contractor requirements

Virginia Code section 54.1-1111 requires proof of contractor licensure or a written exemption statement before permit issuance, and proof that applicable town taxes or license fees have been paid. The permit application requires the correct Virginia contractor specialty license for residential building, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work. Verify contractor licenses through the Virginia DPOR License Lookup.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

No general minimum fee published for all permit types.

Permit fee formula

Residential new construction and modular homes: $0.07 per square foot; unfinished basements: $0.03 per square foot; finished basements: $0.05 per square foot; commercial new construction: $0.15 per square foot; alterations or repairs without enlargement: $0.05 per square foot; additions and enlargements at the same rate as new construction. Singlewide manufactured homes: $51.00; doublewide manufactured homes: $91.80. A 2% Virginia Building Code Academy levy applies to all permit fees.

Payment note

Fees must be paid to the Dickenson County Building Department before permit issuance. A 2% Virginia Building Code Academy levy applies. Treasurer approval is also required before issuance. Separate town business-license fees may apply.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Detached one-story accessory structures not greater than 256 square feet (Virginia USBC exemption; county uses a 150-square-foot rule of thumb for requiring permits)
• Fences, unless otherwise required by code
• Certain retaining walls and masonry walls below stated size thresholds
• Certain small, shallow pools
• Certain tents
• Flagpoles not over 30 feet
• Certain low-voltage equipment and wiring
• Ordinary repairs as described in the Virginia USBC

Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from Town of Clintwood zoning requirements. Town zoning approval may be required even when a county building permit is not. Confirm with the Dickenson County Building Department and the Town of Clintwood before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• (276) 926-1673 (phone)

Inspection hours

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

Typical inspection sequence: No full inspection sequence is publicly posted. Based on county scope, inspections may include building, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, erosion and sediment, blower door and duct blaster, and asbestos-related review as applicable. Permanent electric service requires evidence of a certificate of occupancy under the county ordinance.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code, and county erosion and sediment control program, with future amendments incorporated by reference.
• Verify contractor license: Virginia DPOR License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Town of Clintwood Doing Business
• County FAQ — Building Permits
• Virginia USBC Permits Section
• Virginia Contractor Permit Prerequisite Statute
• DPOR Board for Contractors
• 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 Clintwood Building Permit FAQ

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

Permits are required for building, mobile homes, modular homes, remodeling, electrical and mechanical work, signs, swimming pools, elevators, and fuel tank removal, and for structures over 150 square feet or structural changes. Virginia USBC rules also apply. Town zoning approval may be required separately from the county building permit.

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

The minimum permit fee is No general minimum fee published for all permit types.. Fees are calculated as: Residential new construction and modular homes: $0.07 per square foot; unfinished basements: $0.03 per square foot; finished basements: $0.05 per square foot; commercial new construction: $0.15 per square foot; alterations or repairs without enlargement: $0.05 per square foot; additions and enlargements at the same rate as new construction. Singlewide manufactured homes: $51.00; doublewide manufactured homes: $91.80. A 2% Virginia Building Code Academy levy applies to all permit fees..

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

1. Confirm the property is within Clintwood town limits. Building permits are issued by the Dickenson County Building Department, whose official jurisdiction expressly includes the Town of Clintwood. 2. Review the Town of Clintwood zoning ordinance to determine whether the proposed project requires a town zoning approval, special use permit, variance, or other local land-use approval before or alongside the county building permit. 3. Obtain the county permit application. The Residential New Home or Addition Permit Application includes a Town of Clintwood checkbox and sections for all required trade contractor licenses. 4. Assemble required submittals: applicant and owner information, site address and tax map number, project cost, Virginia Department of Health wastewater approval, floor plan, description of materials, stairway detail if installed, contractor license information for applicable trades, or Affidavit for Building without a Licensed Contractor for owner-performed work. 5. Obtain Treasurer approval by completing the Building Permit Approval Form through the Dickenson County Treasurer's Office. Also obtain any required Health Department or DEQ prerequisite approvals. 6. If a business will operate in town limits, obtain the Town of Clintwood Business License. Virginia permit law requires proof that applicable town taxes or license fees have been paid before permit issuance. 7. Submit the complete county building permit package and pay the assessed fees. The county states completing the application takes about 15 to 30 minutes and the permit typically issues in about 15 minutes once the application is complete. 8. After issuance, post the permit on site. Schedule and pass required county inspections at each stage of construction.

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

Typical processing time is Completing the application takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes; the permit typically issues in about 15 minutes once the application is complete and prerequisite approvals from the Health Department or DEQ are in hand..

What work is exempt from building permits in Town of Clintwood, VA?

The following work is generally exempt: Detached one-story accessory structures not greater than 256 square feet (Virginia USBC exemption; county uses a 150-square-foot rule of thumb for requiring permits); Fences, unless otherwise required by code; Certain retaining walls and masonry walls below stated size thresholds; Certain small, shallow pools; Certain tents; Flagpoles not over 30 feet; Certain low-voltage equipment and wiring; Ordinary repairs as described in the Virginia USBC. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from Town of Clintwood zoning requirements. Town zoning approval may be required even when a county building permit is not. Confirm with the Dickenson County Building Department and the Town of Clintwood before proceeding.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: (276) 926-1673.