Dickenson County, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

The Dickenson County Building Department has jurisdiction over the entire County of Dickenson, including the incorporated Towns of Clintwood, Clinchco, and Haysi.

Department

Dickenson County Building Department

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 county has jurisdiction over the site and whether the job also triggers floodplain or erosion and sediment review. The Building Department handles building permits countywide, including all incorporated towns, and also issues erosion and sediment permits.
2. Determine whether the work requires a permit. 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.
3. Obtain the correct county form from the Building Department or the Document Center. At minimum, download the Residential New Home or Addition Permit Application or the Floodplain Activity Permit Application as applicable.
4. Assemble required submittals: applicant and owner information, site address and tax map number, project cost, district or town location, electrical service information, Virginia Department of Health wastewater approval, floor plan, description of materials, and stairway detail if installed. Indicate whether more than 10,000 square feet of soil will be disturbed and whether the site is in the 100-year floodplain or floodway.
5. Provide contractor licensing information for applicable trades (residential building, electrical, plumbing, HVAC), or complete the Affidavit for Building without a Licensed Contractor if the owner is personally performing the work.
6. 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 before submission.
7. Submit the complete application package to the Building Department by phone, fax, mail, or in person and pay the assessed fees. The county states that 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 inspections at each stage of construction. Work must commence within 6 months of permit issuance.

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

General Requirements

Permits are required for building, mobile homes, modular homes, remodeling, electrical and mechanical work, signs, swimming pools, elevators, and fuel tank removal. A permit is required for any structure over 150 square feet or for structural changes. Virginia USBC rules also require permits for construction or demolition of buildings and structures and for many plumbing, electrical, mechanical, fire protection, occupancy, and related activities unless exempt.

Required Documents

• Completed county permit application
• 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
• Floodplain and erosion and sediment information (if site conditions require)
• Asbestos certification (if required by state law for pre-1985 renovation or demolition)

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. The building official may also require a 3-year completion limit for new detached single-family dwellings, additions, and residential accessory structures.

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 permit application and must complete an Affidavit for Building without a Licensed Contractor. The affidavit path is referenced on the official permit application form.

Contractor requirements

Virginia Code section 54.1-1111 requires proof of contractor licensure or a written exemption statement before permit issuance, and also requires proof that applicable county 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. A $20 minimum fee applies to inspections and reports requested by an owner, occupant, or prospective purchaser.

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 before permit issuance. A 2% Virginia Building Code Academy levy applies to permit fees. The county also requires Treasurer approval before issuance.

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 zoning requirements. The county uses a local rule of thumb that structures over 150 square feet require a permit. Projects in the 100-year floodplain may require a floodplain permit regardless of size. Confirm with the Dickenson County Building Department 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 county inspection sequence is publicly posted. Based on county scope, inspections may include building, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, erosion and sediment, amusement device, blower door and duct blaster, and asbestos-related review as applicable to the project. 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
• Building Department Directory
• County FAQ — Building Permits
• Dickenson County Subdivision Ordinance
• Virginia USBC Permits Section
• Virginia Contractor Permit Prerequisite Statute
• DHCD Building Code Information
• 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

Dickenson County Building Permit FAQ

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

Permits are required for building, mobile homes, modular homes, remodeling, electrical and mechanical work, signs, swimming pools, elevators, and fuel tank removal. A permit is required for any structure over 150 square feet or for structural changes. Virginia USBC rules also require permits for construction or demolition of buildings and structures and for many plumbing, electrical, mechanical, fire protection, occupancy, and related activities unless exempt.

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

The minimum permit fee is No general minimum fee published for all permit types. A $20 minimum fee applies to inspections and reports requested by an owner, occupant, or prospective purchaser.. 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 unincorporated Dickenson County, VA?

1. Confirm the county has jurisdiction over the site and whether the job also triggers floodplain or erosion and sediment review. The Building Department handles building permits countywide, including all incorporated towns, and also issues erosion and sediment permits. 2. Determine whether the work requires a permit. 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. 3. Obtain the correct county form from the Building Department or the Document Center. At minimum, download the Residential New Home or Addition Permit Application or the Floodplain Activity Permit Application as applicable. 4. Assemble required submittals: applicant and owner information, site address and tax map number, project cost, district or town location, electrical service information, Virginia Department of Health wastewater approval, floor plan, description of materials, and stairway detail if installed. Indicate whether more than 10,000 square feet of soil will be disturbed and whether the site is in the 100-year floodplain or floodway. 5. Provide contractor licensing information for applicable trades (residential building, electrical, plumbing, HVAC), or complete the Affidavit for Building without a Licensed Contractor if the owner is personally performing the work. 6. 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 before submission. 7. Submit the complete application package to the Building Department by phone, fax, mail, or in person and pay the assessed fees. The county states that 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 inspections at each stage of construction. Work must commence within 6 months of permit issuance.

How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Dickenson County, 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 unincorporated Dickenson County, 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 zoning requirements. The county uses a local rule of thumb that structures over 150 square feet require a permit. Projects in the 100-year floodplain may require a floodplain permit regardless of size. Confirm with the Dickenson County Building Department before proceeding.

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

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