Unincorporated Dinwiddie County

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.

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

Building code

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

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.

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.

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

1. 01
   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. 02
   Create an EnerGov account if filing online, or prepare a paper submission if filing directly with county staff.
3. 03
   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. 04
   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. 05
   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. 06
   Respond to review comments, submit revisions if requested, and pay the required fees.
7. 07
   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 ↗

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

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

• EnerGov Self Service portal (online)

Inspection hours

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

Typical 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.

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