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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Ashland
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.
Note: No single Ashland exempt-work list has been published for all town-side permits. Ashland's floodplain permit form says a town floodplain permit covers development not already handled through a site plan or Hanover building permit, such as a small fence, earthen structure, or accessory structure. Even where Hanover building-permit exemptions apply, Ashland's zoning or floodplain review may still be required. Confirm with the Town of Ashland Department of Planning and Community Development and the Hanover County Building Inspector's Office before proceeding.
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 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.
- 02 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.
- 03 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.
- 04 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.
- 05 Submit the complete town application with fees to the appropriate town office. Only fully complete applications will be accepted by the Zoning Administrator.
- 06 Obtain town approvals first, then secure any remaining permits from Public Works, the Hanover County Building Inspectors, Public Utilities, and/or the Fire Marshal.
- 07 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.
- 08 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.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Ashland building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Zoning Permit $25; Right-of-Way Permit $100; Sign Permit $50; Single Family Dwelling Land Disturbing Permit $300
02
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.
03
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.
04
Reinspection fee
$100 reinspection fee for land-disturbance permits
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 periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
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 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.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Ashland permits
01 Do I need a building permit in 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Ashland, VA? ▸
Building permit fees in Ashland, VA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Ashland, VA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Ashland, VA, follow these steps: 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.
04 How do I schedule a building inspection in Ashland, VA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Ashland, VA 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.
last verified April 2026
source Town of Ashland Department of Planning and Community Development; Hanover County Building Inspector's Office (USBC construction permits) ↗
entry id permits/virginia/hanover/ashland
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Town of Ashland Department of Planning and Community Development; Hanover County Building Inspector's Office (USBC construction permits) before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.