Franklin County, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Franklin County Building Inspections is the building-permit issuer for unincorporated Franklin County and, per the county Building Inspections page, also for the Town of Rocky Mount and the Town of Boones Mill. Local zoning approval may still be required from Franklin County Planning and Community Development for sites outside town limits, or from the applicable town for sites inside their limits.

Department

Franklin County Building Inspections

Address

1255 Franklin Street, Rocky Mount, VA 24151

Phone

540-483-3047

Email

kathy.angle@franklincountyva.gov

Website

https://www.franklincountyva.gov/204/Building-Inspections

Application Process

1. Confirm whether the parcel is in unincorporated Franklin County or inside the Town of Rocky Mount or the Town of Boones Mill, because additions and new buildings need zoning approval from Franklin County Planning and Community Development or the applicable town before the building permit can be issued.
2. Download the correct permit application from the county Forms for Building page and gather any related approvals. Requirements vary by scope and may include Health Department approvals, zoning approvals, and quarter-inch-scale plans.
3. Submit the completed application to Franklin County Building Inspections in person with proof of land ownership or a landowner authorization letter or affidavit, plans, and any required supporting approvals.
4. Wait for plan review. Residential reviews typically take 5 business days; non-residential reviews may take up to 4 weeks and may require sealed plans by a Virginia-licensed design professional.
5. Pay permit fees after approval and before permit issuance or construction start. Fees must be paid before beginning work.
6. Post the permit, call for inspections using the county IVR system, and obtain the certificate of occupancy before occupancy. Inspections must occur before concrete placement, concealment, or occupancy.

Typical processing time: Residential review typically 5 business days; non-residential review may take up to 4 weeks.

Source: Franklin County Building Inspections

General Requirements

A building permit is required to construct, alter, repair, add to, remove, or demolish buildings or structures in Franklin County, Rocky Mount, and Boones Mill, and for installation of fuel and gasoline tanks. Common triggers include new buildings, additions, deck replacement, basement finishing, retaining walls supporting 36 inches or more of unbalanced fill, new pools above 150 square feet or 5,000 gallons or 24 inches deep, new electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and gas systems, gas or oil equipment replacement, and storage or utility buildings over 256 square feet.

Required Documents

• Completed permit application
• Proof of land ownership or landowner authorization letter or affidavit
• Zoning approval
• Health Department approval where applicable
• Quarter-inch-scale plans including foundation plan, wall bracing plan, through-section plan, elevation plans, and braced wall and floor plans for each level

Permit validity

Permit may be issued for 12 months per the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. Permit renewal is $65. Construction must commence within 6 months of zoning permit issuance; the land use permit expires 1 year from approval.

Building code

2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, effective January 18, 2024, administered under DHCD

Owner-builder

Landowners, contractors, or agents may apply. If someone other than the landowner applies for a demolition or new structure permit (other than accessory or secondary buildings), a notarized affidavit from the landowner is required.

Contractor requirements

Virginia contractor licensing is state-regulated through DPOR. Franklin County does not publish a separate local contractor license requirement; state contractor licensing applies by trade and contract value.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$60 for most building, trade, deck, dock, accessory-structure, and alteration permits; some new dwelling categories have higher minimums ($120, $180, or $210 depending on type)

Plan check fee

10% of building permit fee

Permit fee formula

Mixed. New construction and additions are generally $0.18 per square foot; alterations and most trade permits are $5 per $1,000 of value; some items are flat fees. A 2% state surcharge applies.

Reinspection fee

$45

Penalty (no permit)

2x normal permit fee (up to $2,500) for work without a permit

Payment note

Franklin County Building Inspections accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, cash, and checks payable to Franklin County Treasurer. Permit cancellation refunds retain a $60 administrative fee.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Detached accessory structures under 256 square feet used for storage or utility purposes, unless electrical wiring is installed
• Electrical equipment operating at less than 50 volts, except smoke and fire systems
• Fences and privacy walls under 6 feet that are not part of a building, structure, or swimming pool barrier
• Replacement of existing above-ground LP gas containers of the same capacity in the same location by the servicing gas supplier
• Retaining walls supporting less than 3 feet of unbalanced fill
• Pools under 150 square feet, 5,000 gallons, and 24 inches deep
• Tents under 900 square feet with occupant loads under 50 people
• Ordinary repairs including paint, wallpaper, cabinetry, floor finishes, many same-location plumbing fixture replacements, same-size window and door replacements in single-family dwellings, non-gas and non-oil appliance replacement, and roofing or siding replacement in single-family dwellings

Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. Confirm with Franklin County Building Inspections before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• County IVR system (permit number required) (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Requests received by 3:30 PM are normally scheduled for the next working day.

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM; applications and permit issuance 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Time windows

Inspectors do not provide specific appointment times.

Typical inspection sequence: Inspections must occur prior to concrete placement, concealment, or occupancy. Typical sequence depends on permit type and is listed on the customer copy of the permit.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, effective January 18, 2024, administered under DHCD
• Verify contractor license: Virginia DPOR License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Forms for Building
• Submittal Guides
• Fee Schedule
• Franklin County Code of Ordinances
• Virginia DHCD — Board of Housing and Community Development
• License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Franklin County Building Permit FAQ

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

A building permit is required to construct, alter, repair, add to, remove, or demolish buildings or structures in Franklin County, Rocky Mount, and Boones Mill, and for installation of fuel and gasoline tanks. Common triggers include new buildings, additions, deck replacement, basement finishing, retaining walls supporting 36 inches or more of unbalanced fill, new pools above 150 square feet or 5,000 gallons or 24 inches deep, new electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and gas systems, gas or oil equipment replacement, and storage or utility buildings over 256 square feet.

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

The minimum permit fee is $60 for most building, trade, deck, dock, accessory-structure, and alteration permits; some new dwelling categories have higher minimums ($120, $180, or $210 depending on type). Fees are calculated as: Mixed. New construction and additions are generally $0.18 per square foot; alterations and most trade permits are $5 per $1,000 of value; some items are flat fees. A 2% state surcharge applies.. Plan check fee: 10% of building permit fee.

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

1. Confirm whether the parcel is in unincorporated Franklin County or inside the Town of Rocky Mount or the Town of Boones Mill, because additions and new buildings need zoning approval from Franklin County Planning and Community Development or the applicable town before the building permit can be issued. 2. Download the correct permit application from the county Forms for Building page and gather any related approvals. Requirements vary by scope and may include Health Department approvals, zoning approvals, and quarter-inch-scale plans. 3. Submit the completed application to Franklin County Building Inspections in person with proof of land ownership or a landowner authorization letter or affidavit, plans, and any required supporting approvals. 4. Wait for plan review. Residential reviews typically take 5 business days; non-residential reviews may take up to 4 weeks and may require sealed plans by a Virginia-licensed design professional. 5. Pay permit fees after approval and before permit issuance or construction start. Fees must be paid before beginning work. 6. Post the permit, call for inspections using the county IVR system, and obtain the certificate of occupancy before occupancy. Inspections must occur before concrete placement, concealment, or occupancy.

How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Franklin County, VA?

Typical processing time is Residential review typically 5 business days; non-residential review may take up to 4 weeks..

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

The following work is generally exempt: Detached accessory structures under 256 square feet used for storage or utility purposes, unless electrical wiring is installed; Electrical equipment operating at less than 50 volts, except smoke and fire systems; Fences and privacy walls under 6 feet that are not part of a building, structure, or swimming pool barrier; Replacement of existing above-ground LP gas containers of the same capacity in the same location by the servicing gas supplier; Retaining walls supporting less than 3 feet of unbalanced fill; Pools under 150 square feet, 5,000 gallons, and 24 inches deep; Tents under 900 square feet with occupant loads under 50 people; Ordinary repairs including paint, wallpaper, cabinetry, floor finishes, many same-location plumbing fixture replacements, same-size window and door replacements in single-family dwellings, non-gas and non-oil appliance replacement, and roofing or siding replacement in single-family dwellings. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. Confirm with Franklin County Building Inspections before proceeding.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: County IVR system (permit number required). Requests received by 3:30 PM are normally scheduled for the next working day..