Town of Ashland, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Ashland is an incorporated town inside Hanover County. The town administers zoning permits, floodplain permits, VESMP and stormwater, land disturbance, ROW permits, and sign permits. Building permits regulated by the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code are issued by the Hanover County Building Inspector's Office — a town zoning permit does not authorize construction to begin.

Department

Town of Ashland Department of Planning and Community Development; Hanover County Building Inspector's Office (USBC construction permits)

Address

121 Thompson Street, Ashland, VA 23005

Phone

(804) 798-1073

Email

planning@ashlandva.gov

Website

https://www.ashlandva.gov/118/Starting-a-Business-in-Ashland

Application Process

1. Determine the actual approval path. Ashland's zoning permit form states additional permits may be required beyond zoning and expressly says building permits must be obtained from Hanover County.
2. Check whether a town zoning permit is required. The town zoning permit form covers new residential construction, commercial or industrial structures and additions, residential additions, accessory structures, fences, temporary uses, and change-of-use scenarios. Signs and home occupations use separate town permit applications.
3. Check floodplain and stormwater triggers. All uses, activities, or development in the floodplain require a permit path: a site plan for development causing more than 2,500 square feet of land disturbance, a Hanover County building permit for new or improved structures over 256 square feet or otherwise required by Hanover, or a town floodplain permit for development not covered by those paths.
4. Prepare the required town documents. The zoning permit form requires owner and applicant information, address, GPIN, zoning, project description, setbacks, and a sketch or site plan. New residences require a scaled professional survey; commercial construction or additions may require a licensed site plan.
5. Submit the complete town application with fees to the appropriate town office. Only fully complete applications will be accepted by the Zoning Administrator.
6. Obtain town approvals first, then secure any remaining permits from Public Works, the Hanover County Building Inspectors, Public Utilities, and/or the Fire Marshal.
7. If a Hanover County building permit is required, submit to Hanover County through the eTRAKiT portal or in person and follow the county's plan-review, issuance, and inspection process.
8. For land disturbance of one acre or more, or smaller disturbance part of a larger common plan totaling one acre or more, obtain Construction General Permit coverage through Ashland's VESMP program and keep a site-specific SWPPP at the site.

Source: Town of Ashland Department of Planning and Community Development; Hanover County Building Inspector's Office (USBC construction permits)

General Requirements

A town zoning permit is required before the use or change of use of land, buildings, or structures, and before construction for work requiring zoning review. All construction also requires a separate building permit from the Hanover County Building Inspector's Office. In special flood hazard areas, even small work not needing a Hanover building permit may still require a town floodplain permit.

Required Documents

• Completed town zoning permit application
• Owner and applicant information, address, GPIN, zoning, project description, setbacks, and sketch or site plan
• Scaled professional survey for new residences
• Licensed site plan for commercial construction or additions (may be required)
• Proffers or conditions if applicable
• Floodplain permit application with sealed scaled drawing for work in the SFHA
• VESMP registration form and site-specific SWPPP for qualifying land disturbance
• Hanover County building permit application for any construction regulated by the USBC

Permit validity

Ashland's town zoning permit expires one year from the date of issuance. Land-disturbing permits are 12-month permits. For the Hanover County building permit, the permit application is deemed abandoned six months after filing unless pursued in good faith or issued.

Building code

Ashland Town Code Section 4-1 adopts the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code; Section 4-2 states the USBC is enforced by the Chief Building Official for Hanover County; Section 4-3 states construction permits regulated by the USBC shall be obtained from the Hanover County Building Inspections Department.

Owner-builder

No separate Ashland owner-builder affidavit applies to town-side zoning permits. For the Hanover County building permit, Hanover's owner-applicant and Contractor License Exemption Statement rules control.

Contractor requirements

For the Hanover-issued building permit, the applicant must provide a valid Virginia contractor license or a Hanover Contractor License Exemption Statement. A business license is required to operate in the Town of Ashland. All businesses operating in Hanover County must also register with the Hanover County Commissioner of the Revenue.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Zoning Permit $25; Right-of-Way Permit $100; Sign Permit $50; Single Family Dwelling Land Disturbing Permit $300

Plan check fee

Site plan application fee $800 plus $75 per acre; Erosion and Sediment Control and Stormwater Management Plans Only $300 plus $50 per acre; site-plan resubmittal fees $200 for first, $300 for second, and $400 for third or more.

Permit fee formula

Mostly flat or acreage-based. Zoning permit $25; sign permit $50; right-of-way permit $100; minor subdivision $300; site plan $800 plus $75 per acre; Erosion and Sediment Control and Stormwater Management Plans Only $300 plus $50 per acre; single-family land disturbing permit $300; general land disturbance $300 plus $50 per acre; short-term residential land disturbing permit $150. Stormwater fees include $2,500 for a single-family home not part of a larger subdivision and $1.00 per square foot on new impervious area for certain new accessory buildings. Hanover County building permit fees are separate and apply to any USBC construction permit.

Reinspection fee

$100 reinspection fee for land-disturbance permits

Payment note

Card payments for business-license filings carry a 4 percent fee. No parallel permit-fee card-policy page was located for zoning or floodplain filings. Hanover County payment policies apply to any county-issued building permit.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Town of Ashland Department of Planning and Community Development; Hanover County Building Inspector's Office (USBC construction permits) to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Notify the Zoning Administrator for post-completion zoning compliance inspection (in-person)
• Hanover County eTRAKiT portal (building permit inspections) (online)
• Hanover County Building Inspector's Office: (804) 365-6040 (phone)

Inspection hours

Town Hall hours: Monday through Thursday, 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM. Hanover County Building Inspector's Office: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

Typical inspection sequence: Town zoning or floodplain review first, then Hanover County building permit inspections if a USBC permit is required. Applicants should obtain all required town approvals before relying on Hanover County final inspections or certificate of occupancy.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Ashland Town Code Section 4-1 adopts the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code; Section 4-2 states the USBC is enforced by the Chief Building Official for Hanover County; Section 4-3 states construction permits regulated by the USBC shall be obtained from the Hanover County Building Inspections Department.
• Verify contractor license: Virginia DPOR License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Starting a Business in Ashland
• Zoning Permit Application (PDF)
• Floodplain Permit Application (PDF)
• VESMP and Construction General Permit
• Hanover County Building Inspections Online Services
• Hanover County Apply for a Permit
• License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Town of Ashland Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Town of Ashland, VA?

A town zoning permit is required before the use or change of use of land, buildings, or structures, and before construction for work requiring zoning review. All construction also requires a separate building permit from the Hanover County Building Inspector's Office. In special flood hazard areas, even small work not needing a Hanover building permit may still require a town floodplain permit.

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

The minimum permit fee is Zoning Permit $25; Right-of-Way Permit $100; Sign Permit $50; Single Family Dwelling Land Disturbing Permit $300. Fees are calculated as: Mostly flat or acreage-based. Zoning permit $25; sign permit $50; right-of-way permit $100; minor subdivision $300; site plan $800 plus $75 per acre; Erosion and Sediment Control and Stormwater Management Plans Only $300 plus $50 per acre; single-family land disturbing permit $300; general land disturbance $300 plus $50 per acre; short-term residential land disturbing permit $150. Stormwater fees include $2,500 for a single-family home not part of a larger subdivision and $1.00 per square foot on new impervious area for certain new accessory buildings. Hanover County building permit fees are separate and apply to any USBC construction permit.. Plan check fee: Site plan application fee $800 plus $75 per acre; Erosion and Sediment Control and Stormwater Management Plans Only $300 plus $50 per acre; site-plan resubmittal fees $200 for first, $300 for second, and $400 for third or more..

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

1. Determine the actual approval path. Ashland's zoning permit form states additional permits may be required beyond zoning and expressly says building permits must be obtained from Hanover County. 2. Check whether a town zoning permit is required. The town zoning permit form covers new residential construction, commercial or industrial structures and additions, residential additions, accessory structures, fences, temporary uses, and change-of-use scenarios. Signs and home occupations use separate town permit applications. 3. Check floodplain and stormwater triggers. All uses, activities, or development in the floodplain require a permit path: a site plan for development causing more than 2,500 square feet of land disturbance, a Hanover County building permit for new or improved structures over 256 square feet or otherwise required by Hanover, or a town floodplain permit for development not covered by those paths. 4. Prepare the required town documents. The zoning permit form requires owner and applicant information, address, GPIN, zoning, project description, setbacks, and a sketch or site plan. New residences require a scaled professional survey; commercial construction or additions may require a licensed site plan. 5. Submit the complete town application with fees to the appropriate town office. Only fully complete applications will be accepted by the Zoning Administrator. 6. Obtain town approvals first, then secure any remaining permits from Public Works, the Hanover County Building Inspectors, Public Utilities, and/or the Fire Marshal. 7. If a Hanover County building permit is required, submit to Hanover County through the eTRAKiT portal or in person and follow the county's plan-review, issuance, and inspection process. 8. For land disturbance of one acre or more, or smaller disturbance part of a larger common plan totaling one acre or more, obtain Construction General Permit coverage through Ashland's VESMP program and keep a site-specific SWPPP at the site.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: Notify the Zoning Administrator for post-completion zoning compliance inspection, Hanover County eTRAKiT portal (building permit inspections), Hanover County Building Inspector's Office: (804) 365-6040.