Unincorporated Henry County

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.

• Exempt Drywall repair and painting
• Exempt Residential reroofing
• Exempt Residential exterior siding
• Exempt Tents covering 900 square feet or less with an occupant load under 50 persons
• Exempt Fences
• Exempt Floor coverings and porch or deck flooring
• Exempt 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.

Building code

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

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.

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.

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

1. 01
   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. 02
   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. 03
   Submit the appropriate online application through the iWorQ Citizen Portal or contact the Building Inspection Department to apply in person.
4. 04
   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. 05
   Complete any required zoning prerequisites. For sign permits, contact zoning first before submitting the building permit application.
6. 06
   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. 07
   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 ↗

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 periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

• 276-634-4615 (phone)

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

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