Greensville County, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Greensville County Building Inspections issues building permits and enforces the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code throughout Greensville County, including building code administration for Greensville County-side parcels in the Town of Jarratt. The City of Emporia is an independent city and is not part of Greensville County permit administration. The county planning department separately handles zoning, rezoning, special use permits, variances, subdivisions, and stormwater management.

Department

Building Inspections Department of Greensville County, Virginia

Address

1781 Greensville County Circle, Emporia, VA 23847

Phone

(434) 348-4205 ext. 1300

Email

jcanfield@greensvillecountyva.gov

Website

https://www.greensvillecountyva.gov/departments/adminstrative_building/building_inspections.php

Application Process

1. Confirm whether the project requires county planning approvals before or alongside the building permit. Greensville Planning handles zoning, rezoning, special use permits, variances, subdivision review, and county stormwater management. The county advises applicants to check with the Inspections Office for specific county requirements before contracting or starting work.
2. Obtain the building permit application from the building inspections counter or download it from the county building page. Permits are issued Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and may also be processed through the mail.
3. Assemble all required supporting materials: contractor authorization form if an agent is applying, local business license verification form, plot plan, soil and erosion plan or agreement in lieu, construction plans and specifications, and water and sewer availability documentation. If the site is not on public water or sewer and the project increases sewage-disposal needs, include an approved sewage disposal system construction permit from the Health Department.
4. Submit the permit package to Greensville County Building Inspections in person at 1781 Greensville County Circle or by mail.
5. County review follows the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code and county ordinances. Typical residential projects may require up to five working days for plan review and approval or denial. Nonresidential review time varies by project.
6. Pay permit fees and any applicable 2% state surcharge or outside-review charges.
7. After issuance, post the permit on site, call for inspections as work reaches each required stage, and obtain a certificate of occupancy before occupying a new structure or a structure with a change of use.

Typical processing time: Up to five working days for typical residential plan review. Nonresidential review time varies by project complexity.

Source: Building Inspections Department of Greensville County, Virginia

General Requirements

A building permit is required for constructing, reconstructing, altering, or demolishing a structure; changing the use of a structure; removing or disturbing asbestos-containing materials; or moving a lot line that affects a structure's continued compliance. The Virginia Construction Code also requires a permit before most structural, occupancy-change, plumbing, electrical, fire-protection, mechanical, fuel-supply, and asbestos-disturbance work.

Required Documents

• Building permit application
• Contractor authorization form (if an agent is applying on behalf of the owner or contractor)
• Local business license verification form
• Plot plan
• Soil and erosion plan or agreement in lieu
• Construction plans and specifications
• Water and sewer availability form (for new structures on public service)
• Health Department sewage disposal system construction permit (where private systems are involved)
• Mechanics' lien agent information (for one-family and two-family dwellings if designated)

Permit validity

Under the 2021 Virginia Construction Code, an application is deemed abandoned after six months if not pursued in good faith or issued. A permit may be revoked if work does not start within six months of issuance or is suspended or abandoned for six months. The building official may impose a three-year completion limit on new detached single-family dwellings, additions to detached single-family dwellings, and residential accessory structures.

Building code

Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, including the 2021 Virginia Construction Code, 2021 Virginia Existing Building Code, 2021 Virginia Maintenance Code, and 2021 Statewide Fire Prevention Code, effective January 18, 2024.

Owner-builder

The permit applicant may be the owner, contractor, registered design professional, or the agent of any of them. Agents must provide satisfactory proof of authority through the county contractor authorization form. No separate county owner-builder handout has been published.

Contractor requirements

Before permit issuance, the applicant must furnish proof of Virginia DPOR licensure or certification, or file a written statement that licensure is not required, and must furnish proof that required county, city, or town taxes or license fees have been paid. The county local business license verification form implements this prerequisite.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$20.00

Plan check fee

No standard separate plan-check fee. When the building official determines outside review is necessary due to design complexity, the applicant pays the actual county cost of that outside review.

Permit fee formula

New dwelling units: $0.12 per finished sq ft, $0.09 per unfinished interior sq ft, $0.08 per exterior sq ft; electrical, plumbing, and mechanical each $0.05 per finished sq ft (each with $20.00 minimum). Buildings and structures other than dwelling units (including additions, alterations, and remodeling): $20.00 minimum plus $4.00 per $1,000 from $1,000 to $1,000,000; $3.00 per $1,000 from $1,000,001 to $3,000,000; $2.00 per $1,000 over $3,000,000. All permits are subject to a 2% state surcharge.

Trade permit fee

Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits for non-dwelling construction follow a mixed flat and valuation schedule with $20.00 minimums.

Reinspection fee

$20.00

Penalty (no permit)

$20.00 administrative fee when work begins before permit issuance or when a building is occupied before a certificate of occupancy is issued.

Payment note

Permits may be paid at the building inspections counter during weekday business hours or processed through the mail. No online payment portal has been identified.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached sheds, playhouses, and similar uses up to 256 square feet (2021 Virginia Construction Code)
• Fences of any height unless used for pedestrian safety or as pool barriers
• Concrete or masonry walls up to 6 feet
• Retaining walls supporting less than 3 feet of unbalanced fill
• Small shallow pools meeting state code dimensions
• Certain temporary ramps
• Certain LP-gas container replacements
• Detached storage sheds under 200 square feet (per older county list; confirm current threshold with the county)
• Nonresidential farm buildings
• Reroofing and residential siding replacement
• Floor-covering replacement
• Painting and similar wall-covering work
• Same-kind residential window and door replacement
• Bolt-together metal carports not on permanent foundations
• Parking lots and sidewalks not part of an accessible route
• Listed ordinary repairs

Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Because the county webpage still references older 2018 code materials, applicants should confirm any exemption threshold mismatch with Greensville County Building Inspections before relying on the county webpage alone.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• (434) 348-4205 ext. 1300 (phone)
• jcanfield@greensvillecountyva.gov (email)

Scheduling deadline

24 hours notice is required for all inspections.

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Permits are issued Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: footing; E-911 address; block and anchor (for manufactured and on-frame modular units); foundation; framing; rough-in electrical, plumbing, and HVAC; insulation; marriage wall (for manufactured and on-frame modular units); landings and steps (for manufactured and on-frame modular units); skirting and skirting footing where applicable; final electrical, plumbing, and HVAC; final building. The building official may require additional inspections and tests depending on project complexity.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, including the 2021 Virginia Construction Code, 2021 Virginia Existing Building Code, 2021 Virginia Maintenance Code, and 2021 Statewide Fire Prevention Code, effective January 18, 2024.
• Verify contractor license: Virginia DPOR License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• County Planning Department
• County Zoning Ordinances
• Current County Zoning Ordinance (PDF)
• County Stormwater Ordinance (PDF)
• County Stormwater Permit Application (PDF)
• Greensville County Health Department (Virginia Department of Health)
• Virginia 2021 Building Codes — Effective Date
• Virginia Building Codes Overview
• License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Greensville County Building Permit FAQ

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

A building permit is required for constructing, reconstructing, altering, or demolishing a structure; changing the use of a structure; removing or disturbing asbestos-containing materials; or moving a lot line that affects a structure's continued compliance. The Virginia Construction Code also requires a permit before most structural, occupancy-change, plumbing, electrical, fire-protection, mechanical, fuel-supply, and asbestos-disturbance work.

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

The minimum permit fee is $20.00. Fees are calculated as: New dwelling units: $0.12 per finished sq ft, $0.09 per unfinished interior sq ft, $0.08 per exterior sq ft; electrical, plumbing, and mechanical each $0.05 per finished sq ft (each with $20.00 minimum). Buildings and structures other than dwelling units (including additions, alterations, and remodeling): $20.00 minimum plus $4.00 per $1,000 from $1,000 to $1,000,000; $3.00 per $1,000 from $1,000,001 to $3,000,000; $2.00 per $1,000 over $3,000,000. All permits are subject to a 2% state surcharge.. Plan check fee: No standard separate plan-check fee. When the building official determines outside review is necessary due to design complexity, the applicant pays the actual county cost of that outside review..

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

1. Confirm whether the project requires county planning approvals before or alongside the building permit. Greensville Planning handles zoning, rezoning, special use permits, variances, subdivision review, and county stormwater management. The county advises applicants to check with the Inspections Office for specific county requirements before contracting or starting work. 2. Obtain the building permit application from the building inspections counter or download it from the county building page. Permits are issued Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and may also be processed through the mail. 3. Assemble all required supporting materials: contractor authorization form if an agent is applying, local business license verification form, plot plan, soil and erosion plan or agreement in lieu, construction plans and specifications, and water and sewer availability documentation. If the site is not on public water or sewer and the project increases sewage-disposal needs, include an approved sewage disposal system construction permit from the Health Department. 4. Submit the permit package to Greensville County Building Inspections in person at 1781 Greensville County Circle or by mail. 5. County review follows the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code and county ordinances. Typical residential projects may require up to five working days for plan review and approval or denial. Nonresidential review time varies by project. 6. Pay permit fees and any applicable 2% state surcharge or outside-review charges. 7. After issuance, post the permit on site, call for inspections as work reaches each required stage, and obtain a certificate of occupancy before occupying a new structure or a structure with a change of use.

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

Typical processing time is Up to five working days for typical residential plan review. Nonresidential review time varies by project complexity..

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

The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached sheds, playhouses, and similar uses up to 256 square feet (2021 Virginia Construction Code); Fences of any height unless used for pedestrian safety or as pool barriers; Concrete or masonry walls up to 6 feet; Retaining walls supporting less than 3 feet of unbalanced fill; Small shallow pools meeting state code dimensions; Certain temporary ramps; Certain LP-gas container replacements; Detached storage sheds under 200 square feet (per older county list; confirm current threshold with the county); Nonresidential farm buildings; Reroofing and residential siding replacement; Floor-covering replacement; Painting and similar wall-covering work; Same-kind residential window and door replacement; Bolt-together metal carports not on permanent foundations; Parking lots and sidewalks not part of an accessible route; Listed ordinary repairs. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Because the county webpage still references older 2018 code materials, applicants should confirm any exemption threshold mismatch with Greensville County Building Inspections before relying on the county webpage alone.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: (434) 348-4205 ext. 1300, jcanfield@greensvillecountyva.gov. 24 hours notice is required for all inspections..