Dinwiddie County, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Countywide building code enforcement and building permit issuance. Dinwiddie County also administers the Town of McKenney's building code, so county building permits remain the actual building permit path for property inside town limits. The Planning and Zoning Department separately handles zoning, site-plan review, flood protection ordinance administration, and related land-development review.

Department

Office of Building Inspections, Department of Planning and Community Development

Address

14010 Boydton Plank Road, Dinwiddie, VA 23841

Phone

(804) 469-4500

Email

jperkinson@dinwiddieva.us

Website

https://www.dinwiddieva.us/218/Building-Inspections

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm whether the project also needs zoning review, site-plan review, subdivision review, environmental review, floodplain review, VDOT approval, Virginia Department of Health approval, Dinwiddie County Water Authority approval, or other agency signoff. Dinwiddie Planning and Zoning requires site plan review before building permits, land disturbance permits, stormwater permits, occupancy permits, or zoning certificate approval for listed nonresidential, multifamily, business, industrial, and conditional-use development.
2. Create an EnerGov account if filing online, or prepare a paper submission if filing directly with county staff.
3. Submit the permit application and required plans and documents to Dinwiddie County Building Inspections. County forms and procedures page also publishes Special Inspections Instructions, Statement of Special Inspections, farm-use paperwork, and third-party inspection forms.
4. Provide any required supporting approvals. For development subject to county land-development review, agency approvals, water and sewer agreement items, VDOT items, land-disturbance items, and other review materials may be required before permit issuance or certificate of occupancy.
5. Provide contractor license information or a written non-licensure statement as required by the Virginia Construction Code, and furnish proof that applicable local taxes or license fees have been paid.
6. Respond to review comments, submit revisions if requested, and pay the required fees.
7. After issuance, post and use the permit as required and request inspections through the county portal or county staff as work reaches required stages.

Source: Office of Building Inspections, Department of Planning and Community Development

General Requirements

A permit is required for construction or demolition of a building or structure, remodels or repairs involving structural components, accessory structures over 200 square feet, additions including decks and porches, and swimming pools 150 square feet or larger or over 24 inches deep. The Virginia Construction Code is the broader governing standard for all USBC-regulated work.

Required Documents

• Permit application
• Construction documents
• Site plan if applicable
• Engineering details if applicable
• Special inspection paperwork if applicable
• Project-specific supporting forms or approvals
• Farm-use forms, statement of special inspections, third-party inspection paperwork, or site and subdivision review materials where applicable

Permit validity

A permit application is deemed abandoned six months after filing unless pursued in good faith or issued. Work under an issued permit is abandoned if not meaningfully progressed for six months; the building official may grant extensions of up to one year each. Virginia code also allows the building official to impose a three-year completion limit on permits for new detached one-family dwellings, additions to detached one-family dwellings, and residential accessory structures.

Building code

Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (Virginia Construction Code), with amendments effective January 18, 2024

Owner-builder

Virginia code allows the owner, lessee, agent, registered design professional, contractor, subcontractor, or their agent to apply. Before issuance, the applicant must provide proof of contractor licensure or a written statement that the applicant is not subject to licensure.

Contractor requirements

Proof of Virginia DPOR contractor licensure or certification is required before issuance unless the applicant files a written statement that licensure is not required. Proof that applicable local taxes or license fees have been paid is also required.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$50.00

Plan check fee

If building design complexity requires outside plan examination, the applicant pays the county for the outside review per county code Section 6-21. No standard separate countywide plan-check fee amount was found on public county pages.

Permit fee formula

Mixed. Building permit fees are square-foot-based for residential projects; commercial trade permit fees are contract-cost-based; some items have flat fees. A state levy also applies.

Reinspection fee

$50.00 when the building is not open or the job is not ready for inspection (county code Section 6-22); $50.00 charge for use or occupancy without the required certificate (county code Section 6-23)

Penalty (no permit)

Double fee when work begins without a permit (county code Section 6-20)

Payment note

EnerGov supports online permit payment. Paper permits continue to be accepted. Checks for plan review items are payable to Dinwiddie County Treasurer.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached tool or storage sheds, playhouses, or similar accessory structures not more than 256 square feet (Virginia code exemption)
• Fences that do not serve as a barrier for a swimming pool and are not required for pedestrian safety
• Retaining walls supporting less than 3 feet of unbalanced fill, subject to Virginia code conditions
• Small pools not over 150 square feet in area and not over 24 inches deep
• Same-size door and window replacements without structural change
• Fixture swaps without system alteration
• Limited residential electrical fixture and receptacle replacements
• Similar ordinary finish work listed in Virginia code Section 108.2
• Certain low-voltage and communications wiring

Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning, floodplain, stormwater, subdivision, or other separately applicable local requirements. Confirm with Dinwiddie County Building Inspections before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• EnerGov Self Service portal (online)

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM

Typical inspection sequence: Virginia code minimum inspections include footing excavation and reinforcement; foundation systems; preparatory work before concrete placement; structural members and fasteners before concealment; electrical, mechanical, and plumbing before concealment; energy conservation materials before concealment; and final inspection. Flood-hazard-area projects also require lowest-floor elevation and final flood documentation.

Third-party inspections may be accepted in limited cases, including when a county inspector is not available within 48 hours of a request, subject to prior county approval and policy conditions.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (Virginia Construction Code), with amendments effective January 18, 2024
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Forms and Procedures
• Overall Checklist Package
• EnerGov Portal Guide
• Virginia Construction Code (Administrative Code)
• License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Dinwiddie County Building Permit FAQ

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

A permit is required for construction or demolition of a building or structure, remodels or repairs involving structural components, accessory structures over 200 square feet, additions including decks and porches, and swimming pools 150 square feet or larger or over 24 inches deep. The Virginia Construction Code is the broader governing standard for all USBC-regulated work.

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

The minimum permit fee is $50.00. Fees are calculated as: Mixed. Building permit fees are square-foot-based for residential projects; commercial trade permit fees are contract-cost-based; some items have flat fees. A state levy also applies.. Plan check fee: If building design complexity requires outside plan examination, the applicant pays the county for the outside review per county code Section 6-21. No standard separate countywide plan-check fee amount was found on public county pages..

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

1. Confirm whether the project also needs zoning review, site-plan review, subdivision review, environmental review, floodplain review, VDOT approval, Virginia Department of Health approval, Dinwiddie County Water Authority approval, or other agency signoff. Dinwiddie Planning and Zoning requires site plan review before building permits, land disturbance permits, stormwater permits, occupancy permits, or zoning certificate approval for listed nonresidential, multifamily, business, industrial, and conditional-use development. 2. Create an EnerGov account if filing online, or prepare a paper submission if filing directly with county staff. 3. Submit the permit application and required plans and documents to Dinwiddie County Building Inspections. County forms and procedures page also publishes Special Inspections Instructions, Statement of Special Inspections, farm-use paperwork, and third-party inspection forms. 4. Provide any required supporting approvals. For development subject to county land-development review, agency approvals, water and sewer agreement items, VDOT items, land-disturbance items, and other review materials may be required before permit issuance or certificate of occupancy. 5. Provide contractor license information or a written non-licensure statement as required by the Virginia Construction Code, and furnish proof that applicable local taxes or license fees have been paid. 6. Respond to review comments, submit revisions if requested, and pay the required fees. 7. After issuance, post and use the permit as required and request inspections through the county portal or county staff as work reaches required stages.

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

The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached tool or storage sheds, playhouses, or similar accessory structures not more than 256 square feet (Virginia code exemption); Fences that do not serve as a barrier for a swimming pool and are not required for pedestrian safety; Retaining walls supporting less than 3 feet of unbalanced fill, subject to Virginia code conditions; Small pools not over 150 square feet in area and not over 24 inches deep; Same-size door and window replacements without structural change; Fixture swaps without system alteration; Limited residential electrical fixture and receptacle replacements; Similar ordinary finish work listed in Virginia code Section 108.2; Certain low-voltage and communications wiring. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning, floodplain, stormwater, subdivision, or other separately applicable local requirements. Confirm with Dinwiddie County Building Inspections before proceeding.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: EnerGov Self Service portal.