Hanover County, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Hanover County is the building permit issuer for unincorporated Hanover County under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. By county-town agreement, Hanover County also enforces the building code and issues construction permits for projects inside the Town of Ashland.

Department

Hanover County Building Inspector's Office

Address

7516 County Complex Road, Hanover, VA 23069

Phone

(804) 365-6040

Email

bldginsp@hanovercounty.gov

Website

https://www.hanovercounty.gov/1326/Building-Inspections-Online-Services

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Determine whether the work needs a building permit under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code and whether related approvals are also needed from Planning, Public Utilities, Public Works, Health, or Fire. Hanover's application page separately flags site-plan approval, utilities forms, and special inspections for some projects.
2. Prepare the application package. Hanover posts separate residential and commercial building permit applications. The residential form requires one set of plans. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
3. For commercial projects, assemble any added prerequisites, including a statement of special inspections when the project requires professional engineering or architecture, an approved site plan or proof of site-plan or land-use approval, and a Department of Public Utilities meter sizing form where applicable.
4. Submit through the eTRAKiT Community Development Customer Portal or file using county application forms in person at the Building Inspector's Office.
5. Pay permit fees at submittal. Hanover's fee page states fees are due when the application is filed.
6. Wait for review and corrections, if any. Hanover tracks review status in the portal and rejects incomplete submissions.
7. Receive the issued permit. The residential application allows the applicant to indicate whether the office should mail, call, or email when the permit is ready.
8. Request required inspections through the portal or by phone as work progresses. All required final approvals must be obtained before certificate of occupancy routing.

Source: Hanover County Building Inspector's Office

General Requirements

Hanover County enforces the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. A permit is required for construction or demolition of a building or structure, many regulated system installations or alterations, changes of occupancy requiring a new certificate of occupancy, lot-line moves affecting safety, and asbestos removal during construction or demolition.

Required Documents

• Completed residential or commercial permit application
• Construction documents and one set of plans (residential)
• Site-plan approval or proof of approval when applicable
• Department of Public Utilities meter sizing form where applicable
• Statement of special inspections for qualifying commercial work
• Valid Virginia contractor license or signed Contractor License Exemption Statement affidavit

Permit validity

A permit application is deemed abandoned six months after filing unless pursued in good faith or issued. Hanover's fee schedule includes a $52.50 fee to extend an expired permit.

Building code

Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (2021 Virginia Construction Code)

Owner-builder

The Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code allows permit application by the owner, lessee, agent, design professional, contractor, or subcontractor. If the applicant is not subject to contractor licensure, Hanover requires a signed Contractor License Exemption Statement affidavit.

Contractor requirements

Contractors must furnish a copy of their valid Virginia contractor license issued under Code of Virginia Section 54.1-1111 before permit issuance. Applicants must also furnish proof that any required county, city, or town taxes or license fees have been paid.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$99.75 for most building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permit categories; $525 flat fee for new one- and two-family dwellings

Plan check fee

Application and processing fee $21.00; plan review and examination fee 20 percent of total building permit fee. A 20 percent pre-application commercial plan-review fee is credited toward the permit if filed without plan revisions within 12 months.

Permit fee formula

Mixed. New one- and two-family dwellings: $525 flat. Residential additions, alterations, sheds, garages, and similar structures: $99.75. Other building permits: $99.75 minimum, then $5.25 per additional $1,000 over the first $15,000 of valuation. Trade permits for one- and two-family dwellings: generally $99.75 flat. Other trade permits: $99.75 up to $5,000, then $4.20 per additional $1,000.

Trade permit fee

$99.75 flat for trade permits on one- and two-family dwellings

Reinspection fee

$52.50 per reinspection after the allowed threshold when work is not complete or corrections were not made; special inspection outside regular office hours or holidays $89.25

Penalty (no permit)

$89.25 investigative fee for unauthorized work started before permit approval; plan or scope change fee $52.50; permit extension fee $52.50; temporary certificate of occupancy $52.50 and each extension $52.50

Payment note

Permit fees are paid when the application is filed. The Treasurer accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card. The Building Inspector's Office accepts checks, debit cards, and credit cards. Additional credit card processing fees apply.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached tool or storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses not over 256 square feet, if not Group F-1 or H
• Tents or air-supported structures 900 square feet or less with occupant load of 50 or less
• Fences of any height, except those required for pedestrian safety or used as swimming-pool barriers
• Concrete or masonry walls not over 6 feet high
• Retaining walls supporting less than 3 feet of unbalanced fill and not carrying surcharge beyond ordinary fill
• Small pools not over 150 square feet and less than 24 inches deep
• Flagpoles 30 feet or less
• Ordinary repairs including similar-size replacement windows and doors in covered residential groups, fixture replacement without system alterations, certain outlet and light-fixture swaps, non-gas and non-oil appliance replacement in covered residential groups, roof-covering or siding replacement within code limits, small roof-deck replacement, floor finishes, cabinetry or trim, and paint or wallpaper

Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. The building official may require permits for otherwise exempt items in a special flood hazard area or in designated historic districts. Confirm with the Hanover County Building Inspector's Office before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• eTRAKiT Community Development Customer Portal (online)
• (804) 365-6040 (phone)

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding county holidays

Typical inspection sequence: Commercial inspection sequence includes footing, projection or drain tile, poured wall, foundation, waterproofing, slab, anchoring, veneer, framing, firewall, insulation, draftstopping, above-ceiling, miscellaneous or special inspection, building final, trade rough-ins and finals, and certificate-of-occupancy routing. All required third-party reports must be submitted before framing or final as applicable. Hanover also publishes a separate residential inspection information handout.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (2021 Virginia Construction Code)
• Verify contractor license: Virginia DPOR License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• Residential Building Permit Application (PDF)
• Commercial Building Permit Application (PDF)
• Special Building Inspections
• Development Fees
• Floodplains
• Virginia USBC (DHCD)
• License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Hanover County Building Permit FAQ

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

Hanover County enforces the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. A permit is required for construction or demolition of a building or structure, many regulated system installations or alterations, changes of occupancy requiring a new certificate of occupancy, lot-line moves affecting safety, and asbestos removal during construction or demolition.

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

The minimum permit fee is $99.75 for most building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permit categories; $525 flat fee for new one- and two-family dwellings. Fees are calculated as: Mixed. New one- and two-family dwellings: $525 flat. Residential additions, alterations, sheds, garages, and similar structures: $99.75. Other building permits: $99.75 minimum, then $5.25 per additional $1,000 over the first $15,000 of valuation. Trade permits for one- and two-family dwellings: generally $99.75 flat. Other trade permits: $99.75 up to $5,000, then $4.20 per additional $1,000.. Plan check fee: Application and processing fee $21.00; plan review and examination fee 20 percent of total building permit fee. A 20 percent pre-application commercial plan-review fee is credited toward the permit if filed without plan revisions within 12 months..

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

1. Determine whether the work needs a building permit under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code and whether related approvals are also needed from Planning, Public Utilities, Public Works, Health, or Fire. Hanover's application page separately flags site-plan approval, utilities forms, and special inspections for some projects. 2. Prepare the application package. Hanover posts separate residential and commercial building permit applications. The residential form requires one set of plans. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. 3. For commercial projects, assemble any added prerequisites, including a statement of special inspections when the project requires professional engineering or architecture, an approved site plan or proof of site-plan or land-use approval, and a Department of Public Utilities meter sizing form where applicable. 4. Submit through the eTRAKiT Community Development Customer Portal or file using county application forms in person at the Building Inspector's Office. 5. Pay permit fees at submittal. Hanover's fee page states fees are due when the application is filed. 6. Wait for review and corrections, if any. Hanover tracks review status in the portal and rejects incomplete submissions. 7. Receive the issued permit. The residential application allows the applicant to indicate whether the office should mail, call, or email when the permit is ready. 8. Request required inspections through the portal or by phone as work progresses. All required final approvals must be obtained before certificate of occupancy routing.

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

The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached tool or storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses not over 256 square feet, if not Group F-1 or H; Tents or air-supported structures 900 square feet or less with occupant load of 50 or less; Fences of any height, except those required for pedestrian safety or used as swimming-pool barriers; Concrete or masonry walls not over 6 feet high; Retaining walls supporting less than 3 feet of unbalanced fill and not carrying surcharge beyond ordinary fill; Small pools not over 150 square feet and less than 24 inches deep; Flagpoles 30 feet or less; Ordinary repairs including similar-size replacement windows and doors in covered residential groups, fixture replacement without system alterations, certain outlet and light-fixture swaps, non-gas and non-oil appliance replacement in covered residential groups, roof-covering or siding replacement within code limits, small roof-deck replacement, floor finishes, cabinetry or trim, and paint or wallpaper. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. The building official may require permits for otherwise exempt items in a special flood hazard area or in designated historic districts. Confirm with the Hanover County Building Inspector's Office before proceeding.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: eTRAKiT Community Development Customer Portal, (804) 365-6040.