How much does a building permit cost in Town of Rocky Mount, VA?

The minimum permit fee is $25 for zoning compliance permits, mobile food unit permits, and itinerant merchant permits. Fees are calculated as: Mostly flat town fees. Examples: single-family zoning permit $40, non-residential or multi-family zoning permit $100, sign permit $50, minor site plan review $250, site plan review $600 plus engineer or consultant costs. Franklin County building permit fees apply separately.. Plan check fee: No separate town plan-check percentage published; site plan review fees function as the town review charge..

How do I apply for a building permit in Town of Rocky Mount, VA?

1. Confirm the proposed use, zoning district, setbacks, floodplain status, curb-cut, parking, and site-plan triggers with the Town Planning and Zoning office. 2. Apply for the relevant town zoning permit, zoning compliance permit, sign permit, site-plan review, or plat review through the iWorQ portal or the PDF application forms. 3. Submit a proposed project diagram or site plan with the application. 4. Complete any required town land-use review. The Community Development Department reviews site plans and issues sign permits and zoning permits. Rezoning, special exception, and variance requests follow separate public-hearing pathways. 5. If the town determines a building permit is required, file separately with Franklin County Building Inspections (540-483-3047, 1255 Franklin Street, Suite 103, Rocky Mount, VA 24151). 6. Before occupancy or business operation, complete any required town occupancy permit or site inspection permit, and obtain a town business license if required.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Town of Rocky Mount, VA?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Franklin County IVR system (for county building inspections). Franklin County: requests received by 3:30 PM are normally scheduled for the next working day..

City Building Permits

Town of Rocky Mount, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Town of Rocky Mount, Virginia. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Virginia Franklin County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Rocky Mount is an incorporated town within Franklin County. The town issues zoning permits, zoning compliance permits, sign permits, and site-plan and plat approvals. When a building permit is required, applicants must obtain it separately from Franklin County Building Inspections at 1255 Franklin Street, Suite 103.

Department: Town of Rocky Mount Planning and Zoning (local zoning/land-use); Franklin County Building Inspections (building permits)
Address: 345 Donald Avenue, Rocky Mount, VA 24151
Phone: 540-483-0907
Email: jangle@rockymountva.org
Website: https://www.rockymountva.org/162/Planning-Zoning

Online Permit Portal

Open iWorQ Permit Portal (town zoning permits)

Platform: iWorQ • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only

Additional resources:

Application Process

Confirm the proposed use, zoning district, setbacks, floodplain status, curb-cut, parking, and site-plan triggers with the Town Planning and Zoning office.
Apply for the relevant town zoning permit, zoning compliance permit, sign permit, site-plan review, or plat review through the iWorQ portal or the PDF application forms.
Submit a proposed project diagram or site plan with the application.
Complete any required town land-use review. The Community Development Department reviews site plans and issues sign permits and zoning permits. Rezoning, special exception, and variance requests follow separate public-hearing pathways.
If the town determines a building permit is required, file separately with Franklin County Building Inspections (540-483-3047, 1255 Franklin Street, Suite 103, Rocky Mount, VA 24151).
Before occupancy or business operation, complete any required town occupancy permit or site inspection permit, and obtain a town business license if required.

Source: Town of Rocky Mount Planning and Zoning (local zoning/land-use); Franklin County Building Inspections (building permits)

General Requirements

Rocky Mount requires zoning permits for new buildings and additions, and zoning compliance permits for upgrades, remodels, and business-license related occupancy review. All accessory structures require a zoning permit regardless of size to confirm setbacks and size compliance. Depending on size and scope, a separate Franklin County building permit may also be required.

Required Documents

Zoning application with land-use details, dimensions, setbacks, floodplain status, expected completion date, estimated cost, applicant and owner details, and contractor information
Proposed project diagram or site plan
Franklin County building permit application and supporting plans (when county permit is triggered)

Building code: 2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, effective January 18, 2024, enforced by Franklin County Building Inspections
Owner-builder: No separate town owner-builder rule was found. Franklin County owner and agent application rules apply for the county building permit.
Contractor requirements: The town zoning application form asks for contractor name and state license number. Out-of-town contractors exceeding $25,000 in a given year must obtain a town business license before starting the project.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: $25 for zoning compliance permits, mobile food unit permits, and itinerant merchant permits
Plan check fee: No separate town plan-check percentage published; site plan review fees function as the town review charge.
Permit fee formula: Mostly flat town fees. Examples: single-family zoning permit $40, non-residential or multi-family zoning permit $100, sign permit $50, minor site plan review $250, site plan review $600 plus engineer or consultant costs. Franklin County building permit fees apply separately.
Reinspection fee: Setback inspection $25; final site inspection $150

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Town of Rocky Mount Planning and Zoning (local zoning/land-use); Franklin County Building Inspections (building permits) to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Franklin County IVR system (for county building inspections) (phone)

Scheduling deadline: Franklin County: requests received by 3:30 PM are normally scheduled for the next working day.
Inspection hours: Town Planning and Zoning: contact Town Hall for hours. Franklin County Building Inspections: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Time windows: Franklin County inspectors do not provide specific appointment times.

Typical inspection sequence: Town zoning review first, then Franklin County building permit if required, then any town occupancy or site inspection indicated on the zoning application. Franklin County trade and building inspections must occur before concealment or occupancy.

Additional Resources

Building code: 2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, effective January 18, 2024, enforced by Franklin County Building Inspections
Verify contractor license: Virginia DPOR License Lookup
Zoning information: View zoning info
iWorQ Permit Portal
Zoning Application (PDF)
Town Fee Schedule
Franklin County Building Inspections
License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Town of Rocky Mount Planning and Zoning (local zoning/land-use); Franklin County Building Inspections (building permits) before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Town of Rocky Mount Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Town of Rocky Mount, VA?: Rocky Mount requires zoning permits for new buildings and additions, and zoning compliance permits for upgrades, remodels, and business-license related occupancy review. All accessory structures require a zoning permit regardless of size to confirm setbacks and size compliance. Depending on size and scope, a separate Franklin County building permit may also be required.
How much does a building permit cost in Town of Rocky Mount, VA?: The minimum permit fee is $25 for zoning compliance permits, mobile food unit permits, and itinerant merchant permits. Fees are calculated as: Mostly flat town fees. Examples: single-family zoning permit $40, non-residential or multi-family zoning permit $100, sign permit $50, minor site plan review $250, site plan review $600 plus engineer or consultant costs. Franklin County building permit fees apply separately.. Plan check fee: No separate town plan-check percentage published; site plan review fees function as the town review charge..
How do I apply for a building permit in Town of Rocky Mount, VA?: 1. Confirm the proposed use, zoning district, setbacks, floodplain status, curb-cut, parking, and site-plan triggers with the Town Planning and Zoning office. 2. Apply for the relevant town zoning permit, zoning compliance permit, sign permit, site-plan review, or plat review through the iWorQ portal or the PDF application forms. 3. Submit a proposed project diagram or site plan with the application. 4. Complete any required town land-use review. The Community Development Department reviews site plans and issues sign permits and zoning permits. Rezoning, special exception, and variance requests follow separate public-hearing pathways. 5. If the town determines a building permit is required, file separately with Franklin County Building Inspections (540-483-3047, 1255 Franklin Street, Suite 103, Rocky Mount, VA 24151). 6. Before occupancy or business operation, complete any required town occupancy permit or site inspection permit, and obtain a town business license if required.
How do I schedule a building inspection in Town of Rocky Mount, VA?: Inspections can be scheduled via: Franklin County IVR system (for county building inspections). Franklin County: requests received by 3:30 PM are normally scheduled for the next working day..

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

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