Henry County, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Henry County Building Inspection issues permits for county territory outside the independent City of Martinsville. DHCD's Building Officials Directory routes Ridgeway Town to Henry County for building official purposes, so the Town of Ridgeway is also served by this department.

Department

Henry County Building Inspection Department, within Planning, Zoning, and Inspections

Address

3300 Kings Mountain Road, Martinsville, VA 24112

Phone

276-634-4615

Website

https://www.henrycountyva.gov/200/Building-Inspection

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Determine whether the project is in unincorporated Henry County, the Town of Ridgeway, or the independent City of Martinsville. If in Martinsville, use that city's separate permit process.
2. Identify the permit type in the county portal. Separate portal paths are published for building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, demolition, land disturbance, and sign permits.
3. Submit the appropriate online application through the iWorQ Citizen Portal or contact the Building Inspection Department to apply in person.
4. Upload supporting documents as required: construction documents and site plan if required by the building official, residential E and S agreement or commercial land disturbing form for land disturbance work, asbestos form for demolition, and sign-specific documents (contractor license copy, Commissioner of Revenue business license approval, sign plans, UL information for illuminated signs) for sign permits.
5. Complete any required zoning prerequisites. For sign permits, contact zoning first before submitting the building permit application.
6. Pay permit fees. The county accepts Visa, MasterCard, and Discover with a 3.25% or $2 service fee (whichever is greater, non-refundable). Checks may be mailed to County of Henry, P.O. Box 7, Collinsville, VA 24078, or a card payment link can be emailed.
7. After permit issuance, post the permit on site and call for inspections as work progresses. A final inspection closes the permit; a certificate of occupancy is required before occupancy or change of occupancy where applicable.

Source: Henry County Building Inspection Department, within Planning, Zoning, and Inspections

General Requirements

A permit may be required when building, demolishing, renovating, or repairing a structure. Permit-required work includes manufactured housing, additions, decks and porches, sheds or carports over 256 square feet, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or framing renovations, pools, communication towers, demolition, garages, amusement devices, commercial structures, reroofing for commercial or industrial buildings, and footprint changes.

Required Documents

• Permit application
• Construction documents and site plan (when required by the building official)
• Residential E and S agreement in lieu of an erosion and sediment control plan (for qualifying land disturbance)
• Commercial or industrial land disturbing permit form (for commercial land disturbance)
• Asbestos form (for demolition work)
• Virginia contractor license copy (for sign permits)
• Commissioner of Revenue business license approval (for sign permits)
• Sign plans (for sign permits)
• UL information for illuminated signs (for sign permits)

Permit validity

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

Building code

2021 Virginia Construction Code (effective January 18, 2024), enforced through the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code

Owner-builder

Virginia Code Section 54.1-1111 requires the applicant to either show contractor licensure or file a written statement that the applicant is not subject to contractor licensure.

Contractor requirements

Virginia state contractor licensing under Code Section 54.1-1111 applies. Sign permit applicants must also provide a copy of the contractor's Virginia license and approval from the Commissioner of Revenue regarding a Henry County business license.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$25 for new construction and alterations or renovations; $15 minimum for electrical permits

Permit fee formula

Mixed. New construction: generally $0.08 per square foot. Alterations and renovations: $0.03 per square foot of affected area. Many trade permits are flat or unit-based. Land disturbance: per-acre plus a flat fee. Sign fees are size-based. A 2% state levy is added to listed permit fees.

Reinspection fee

$10 per extra trip when the wrong address is given, condemned work is due to faulty construction, corrections are incomplete, or work is not ready

Payment note

Visa, MasterCard, and Discover accepted online with a 3.25% or $2 non-refundable service fee, whichever is greater. Checks payable to County of Henry may be mailed to P.O. Box 7, Collinsville, VA 24078. A payment link can be emailed for card payment.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Drywall repair and painting
• Residential reroofing
• Residential exterior siding
• Tents covering 900 square feet or less with an occupant load under 50 persons
• Fences
• Floor coverings and porch or deck flooring
• One-story detached residential accessory structures under 256 square feet, including detached prefabricated structures under 256 square feet (subject to zoning setbacks)

Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. Confirm with the Henry County Building Inspection Department before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 276-634-4615 (phone)

Typical inspection sequence: Inspections are required as work progresses under the Virginia Construction Code. A final inspection is required to close the permit.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2021 Virginia Construction Code (effective January 18, 2024), enforced through the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code
• Verify contractor license: Virginia DPOR License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• Residential E and S Agreement
• Commercial and Industrial Land Disturbing Permit
• Fire Prevention / Fire Marshal
• Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (DHCD)
• License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Henry County Building Permit FAQ

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

A permit may be required when building, demolishing, renovating, or repairing a structure. Permit-required work includes manufactured housing, additions, decks and porches, sheds or carports over 256 square feet, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or framing renovations, pools, communication towers, demolition, garages, amusement devices, commercial structures, reroofing for commercial or industrial buildings, and footprint changes.

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

The minimum permit fee is $25 for new construction and alterations or renovations; $15 minimum for electrical permits. Fees are calculated as: Mixed. New construction: generally $0.08 per square foot. Alterations and renovations: $0.03 per square foot of affected area. Many trade permits are flat or unit-based. Land disturbance: per-acre plus a flat fee. Sign fees are size-based. A 2% state levy is added to listed permit fees..

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

1. Determine whether the project is in unincorporated Henry County, the Town of Ridgeway, or the independent City of Martinsville. If in Martinsville, use that city's separate permit process. 2. Identify the permit type in the county portal. Separate portal paths are published for building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, demolition, land disturbance, and sign permits. 3. Submit the appropriate online application through the iWorQ Citizen Portal or contact the Building Inspection Department to apply in person. 4. Upload supporting documents as required: construction documents and site plan if required by the building official, residential E and S agreement or commercial land disturbing form for land disturbance work, asbestos form for demolition, and sign-specific documents (contractor license copy, Commissioner of Revenue business license approval, sign plans, UL information for illuminated signs) for sign permits. 5. Complete any required zoning prerequisites. For sign permits, contact zoning first before submitting the building permit application. 6. Pay permit fees. The county accepts Visa, MasterCard, and Discover with a 3.25% or $2 service fee (whichever is greater, non-refundable). Checks may be mailed to County of Henry, P.O. Box 7, Collinsville, VA 24078, or a card payment link can be emailed. 7. After permit issuance, post the permit on site and call for inspections as work progresses. A final inspection closes the permit; a certificate of occupancy is required before occupancy or change of occupancy where applicable.

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

The following work is generally exempt: Drywall repair and painting; Residential reroofing; Residential exterior siding; Tents covering 900 square feet or less with an occupant load under 50 persons; Fences; Floor coverings and porch or deck flooring; One-story detached residential accessory structures under 256 square feet, including detached prefabricated structures under 256 square feet (subject to zoning setbacks). Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. Confirm with the Henry County Building Inspection Department before proceeding.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: 276-634-4615.