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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Floyd County
Floyd County enforces the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. Permits are published for building, deck, demolition, electrical, plumbing and mechanical, farm, garage and carport, generator, inflatable, and sign work. Erosion and sediment approval is required before grading when 10,000 square feet or more of land will be disturbed.
Non-livable detached structures under 256 square feet
Pools 150 square feet or smaller, 5,000 gallons or less, or 24 inches deep or less
Construction or alteration valued at less than $500
Repair, plastering, and painting of interior or exterior walls
Replacing siding or shingles (unless the building is commercial or the roof pitch is changing)
Covered porches and decks smaller than 5 feet by 5 feet
- Exempt Non-livable detached structures under 256 square feet
- Exempt Pools 150 square feet or smaller, 5,000 gallons or less, or 24 inches deep or less
- Exempt Construction or alteration valued at less than $500
- Exempt Repair, plastering, and painting of interior or exterior walls
- Exempt Replacing siding or shingles (unless the building is commercial or the roof pitch is changing)
- Exempt Covered porches and decks smaller than 5 feet by 5 feet
Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning or other local requirements. Confirm with Floyd County Building Inspections before proceeding.
Required documents
- Proposed building plans
- Approved Floyd County Health Department well and septic documentation where applicable
- Signed land-disturbance form or erosion and sediment agreement
- Site and parcel information, including tax map number and address
- Contractor information and license number for trade work, or owner information if owner-builder
- Manufactured-home title or completed manufactured-home information section if applicable
- Building code
- 2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, incorporating the 2021 International Residential Code, 2021 International Mechanical Code, 2021 National Electrical Code, 2021 International Plumbing Code, 2021 International Fuel Gas Code, and 2021 International Energy Conservation Code.
- Permit validity
- Work must begin within 6 months after permit issuance or the permit becomes invalid. If proposed work is suspended or abandoned for 6 months, the permit becomes null and void. No refunds are given on invalid permits and a new permit must be reissued.
- Owner-builder
- No county-specific owner-builder handout was found. County forms require applicant and owner information. Virginia owner-builder rules under state law still apply.
- Contractor requirements
- County permit forms require contractor business name, contractor name, license number, and expiration date for trade permits. The county links to DPOR for contractor licensing verification.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: 24 to 48 hours after application and plans are approved.
- 01 Confirm whether the site is in unincorporated Floyd County or inside the incorporated Town of Floyd. In-town projects require a separate Town of Floyd zoning permit in addition to county building review.
- 02 Assemble the county permit package: proposed building plans, approved Floyd County Health Department well and septic documentation where applicable, a signed land-disturbance form, and compliance with local setback requirements. Manufactured-home permits also require a copy of title or the manufactured-home information section of the permit form.
- 03 Submit plans and the completed permit application to Floyd County Building Inspections. The building official must approve plans and the permit application before a permit can be issued.
- 04 Obtain any required outside approvals, including Health Department, VDOT, floodplain documentation, erosion and sediment approval, Public Service Authority review where applicable, and Army Corps review for ponds, creek crossings, or wetlands impacts.
- 05 Pay permit fees under the county rates sheet, including the 2 percent Virginia state surcharge on permits.
- 06 Receive permit issuance after approval. The building office states normal processing time is 24 to 48 hours. Permits are not issued after 4:00 p.m.
Typical processing time: 24 to 48 hours after application and plans are approved.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Floyd County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$150 residential; $200 commercial retail/business
02
Plan check fee
Commercial plan review: $100. Erosion and sediment control plan review: $500.
03
Permit fee formula
Residential new construction and additions: $0.30 per sq. ft. Alterations, renovations, remodels: $0.20 per sq. ft., $100 minimum. Porches and decks: $0.20 per sq. ft., $100 minimum. Retaining walls, certain sheds, and residential picnic shelters: $0.10 per sq. ft., $50 minimum. Pools: $0.30 per sq. ft., $100 minimum. Electrical, plumbing, mechanical, sign, demolition, and similar permits are charged by flat schedule items. All permits subject to 2 percent Virginia state surcharge.
04
Trade permit fee
Flat fees by permit type; plumbing permits start at $50 plus fixture charges; mechanical residential permits start at $30 per heat pump.
05
Reinspection fee
$25 when work is not completed for inspection or accessible upon inspector arrival.
No online payment portal was identified. Permit issuance is handled through the building office.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- (540) 745-9359 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- 24 hours advance notice required for all inspections. No same-day inspections are made.
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Typical sequence: County references footing inspection before E911 address issuance, framing inspection for residential truss specifications, rough inspection for gas-appliance installation, and final inspection. Intermediate inspections depend on permit type and scope.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Floyd County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Floyd County, VA? ▸
Floyd County enforces the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. Permits are published for building, deck, demolition, electrical, plumbing and mechanical, farm, garage and carport, generator, inflatable, and sign work. Erosion and sediment approval is required before grading when 10,000 square feet or more of land will be disturbed.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Floyd County, VA? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Floyd County, VA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $150 residential; $200 commercial retail/business. Fees are calculated as: Residential new construction and additions: $0.30 per sq. ft. Alterations, renovations, remodels: $0.20 per sq. ft., $100 minimum. Porches and decks: $0.20 per sq. ft., $100 minimum. Retaining walls, certain sheds, and residential picnic shelters: $0.10 per sq. ft., $50 minimum. Pools: $0.30 per sq. ft., $100 minimum. Electrical, plumbing, mechanical, sign, demolition, and similar permits are charged by flat schedule items. All permits subject to 2 percent Virginia state surcharge.. Plan check fee: Commercial plan review: $100. Erosion and sediment control plan review: $500..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Floyd County, VA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Floyd County, VA, follow these steps: 1. Confirm whether the site is in unincorporated Floyd County or inside the incorporated Town of Floyd. In-town projects require a separate Town of Floyd zoning permit in addition to county building review. 2. Assemble the county permit package: proposed building plans, approved Floyd County Health Department well and septic documentation where applicable, a signed land-disturbance form, and compliance with local setback requirements. Manufactured-home permits also require a copy of title or the manufactured-home information section of the permit form. 3. Submit plans and the completed permit application to Floyd County Building Inspections. The building official must approve plans and the permit application before a permit can be issued. 4. Obtain any required outside approvals, including Health Department, VDOT, floodplain documentation, erosion and sediment approval, Public Service Authority review where applicable, and Army Corps review for ponds, creek crossings, or wetlands impacts. 5. Pay permit fees under the county rates sheet, including the 2 percent Virginia state surcharge on permits. 6. Receive permit issuance after approval. The building office states normal processing time is 24 to 48 hours. Permits are not issued after 4:00 p.m.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Floyd County, VA? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Floyd County, VA typically run 24 to 48 hours after application and plans are approved.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Floyd County, VA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Floyd County, VA. The following work is generally exempt: Non-livable detached structures under 256 square feet; Pools 150 square feet or smaller, 5,000 gallons or less, or 24 inches deep or less; Construction or alteration valued at less than $500; Repair, plastering, and painting of interior or exterior walls; Replacing siding or shingles (unless the building is commercial or the roof pitch is changing); Covered porches and decks smaller than 5 feet by 5 feet. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning or other local requirements. Confirm with Floyd County Building Inspections before proceeding. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Floyd County, VA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Floyd County, VA via: (540) 745-9359. 24 hours advance notice required for all inspections. No same-day inspections are made..
last verified April 2026
source Floyd County Building Inspections ↗
entry id permits/virginia/floyd/floyd-county
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Floyd County Building Inspections before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.