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

The minimum permit fee is Town zoning permit: $0. County building permit minimums apply: $60 for most categories; $275 for new residential and new commercial construction; $125 for additions and renovations.. Fees are calculated as: Town zoning permit is free. County building fees apply: new residential $0.20/sq ft for first 2,000 sq ft, $0.30/sq ft above; new commercial $4.00 per $1,000 up to $50,000, $2.00 per $1,000 above; renovation $0.20/sq ft.. Plan check fee: $60 if reviewed in-house by the county; cost of third-party review if outsourced.

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

1. Contact Independence Town Administration to confirm zoning requirements for the parcel and proposed work. 2. Obtain the town's certified zoning permit before seeking county building permits. There is no cost for the town zoning permit. 3. If the work also requires building inspection services, submit the Grayson County building permit application to the Grayson County Building Department with the town zoning approval and all county-required supporting documents. 4. County staff reviews the submission, collects county permit fees, and issues the building permit. 5. Schedule required inspections through Grayson County and obtain final approval or certificate of occupancy when applicable.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: 276-773-2322 (Grayson County Building Department).

City Building Permits

Town of Independence, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Virginia Grayson County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Independence is an incorporated town within Grayson County. The town handles zoning approval. Grayson County Building Department issues the building permit and conducts all building inspections. Applicants must obtain a certified zoning permit from Independence Town Administration before the county will issue a building permit.

Department: Town of Independence Town Administration (zoning); Grayson County Building Department (building permits and inspections)
Address: 317 East Main Street, Independence, VA 24348
Phone: 276-773-3703
Email: townmanager@independenceva.com
Website: https://www.independenceva.com/living-in/construction-and-zoning/

Online Permit Portal

Open Town of Independence Construction and Zoning

Platform: No public self-service permit portal identified • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Additional resources:

Application Process

Contact Independence Town Administration to confirm zoning requirements for the parcel and proposed work.
Obtain the town's certified zoning permit before seeking county building permits. There is no cost for the town zoning permit.
If the work also requires building inspection services, submit the Grayson County building permit application to the Grayson County Building Department with the town zoning approval and all county-required supporting documents.
County staff reviews the submission, collects county permit fees, and issues the building permit.
Schedule required inspections through Grayson County and obtain final approval or certificate of occupancy when applicable.

Source: Town of Independence Town Administration (zoning); Grayson County Building Department (building permits and inspections)

General Requirements

For work requiring Grayson County building inspection services, the town requires a certified zoning permit first. Building permit triggers follow Grayson County and the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.

Required Documents

Town certified zoning permit from Independence Town Administration
Grayson County building permit application
Plans where required by the county
All county prerequisite approvals applicable to the project (VDH, VDOT, erosion/sediment, stormwater, tax ticket, etc.)

Permit validity: No separate town zoning expiration rule identified. County-issued building permits follow the 2021 Virginia Construction Code: application abandoned after 6 months if not issued; permit may be revoked if work does not start within 6 months or is abandoned for 6 months.
Building code: 2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code suite, administered by Grayson County
Owner-builder: No separate town owner-builder rule. County Form AFF-1100 and Virginia owner-builder rules apply for the building permit.
Contractor requirements: County and Virginia DPOR licensing requirements apply to the building permit. No separate Independence contractor licensing requirement was identified.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: Town zoning permit: $0. County building permit minimums apply: $60 for most categories; $275 for new residential and new commercial construction; $125 for additions and renovations.
Plan check fee: $60 if reviewed in-house by the county; cost of third-party review if outsourced
Permit fee formula: Town zoning permit is free. County building fees apply: new residential $0.20/sq ft for first 2,000 sq ft, $0.30/sq ft above; new commercial $4.00 per $1,000 up to $50,000, $2.00 per $1,000 above; renovation $0.20/sq ft.
Trade permit fee: County flat-plus-unit formulas with $60 minimums per trade
Reinspection fee: $60 per reinspection (county fee)
Penalty (no permit): $60 or 20% of project permit fee for work started without a permit, in addition to permit fees (county fee)
Payment note: County permit fees must be paid in full before issuance.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Town of Independence Town Administration (zoning); Grayson County Building Department (building permits and inspections) to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

276-773-2322 (Grayson County Building Department) (phone)

Inspection hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Grayson County Building Department)

Typical inspection sequence: Town zoning approval first, then county permit issuance, then county inspections through final approval or certificate of occupancy.

Additional Resources

Building code: 2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code suite, administered by Grayson County
Verify contractor license: Virginia DPOR License Lookup
Zoning information: View zoning info
Independence Zoning Ordinance (2025)
Grayson County Building Department
Grayson County Permit Application and Checklist
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 Independence Town Administration (zoning); Grayson County Building Department (building permits and inspections) before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Town of Independence Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Town of Independence, VA?: For work requiring Grayson County building inspection services, the town requires a certified zoning permit first. Building permit triggers follow Grayson County and the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.
How much does a building permit cost in Town of Independence, VA?: The minimum permit fee is Town zoning permit: $0. County building permit minimums apply: $60 for most categories; $275 for new residential and new commercial construction; $125 for additions and renovations.. Fees are calculated as: Town zoning permit is free. County building fees apply: new residential $0.20/sq ft for first 2,000 sq ft, $0.30/sq ft above; new commercial $4.00 per $1,000 up to $50,000, $2.00 per $1,000 above; renovation $0.20/sq ft.. Plan check fee: $60 if reviewed in-house by the county; cost of third-party review if outsourced.
How do I apply for a building permit in Town of Independence, VA?: 1. Contact Independence Town Administration to confirm zoning requirements for the parcel and proposed work. 2. Obtain the town's certified zoning permit before seeking county building permits. There is no cost for the town zoning permit. 3. If the work also requires building inspection services, submit the Grayson County building permit application to the Grayson County Building Department with the town zoning approval and all county-required supporting documents. 4. County staff reviews the submission, collects county permit fees, and issues the building permit. 5. Schedule required inspections through Grayson County and obtain final approval or certificate of occupancy when applicable.
How do I schedule a building inspection in Town of Independence, VA?: Inspections can be scheduled via: 276-773-2322 (Grayson County Building Department).

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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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