City Building Permits

Town of Smithfield, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Town of Smithfield, Virginia. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Virginia Isle of Wight County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Smithfield is an incorporated town within Isle of Wight County, not an independent city. The town administers planning, subdivisions, code enforcement, single-family residential erosion and sediment control, and zoning within town corporate limits. Isle of Wight County is the building permit and inspection authority for all construction in Smithfield — obtain town zoning approval first, then apply for the county building permit.

Department
Town of Smithfield Community Development and Planning (town zoning permits); Isle of Wight County Central Permitting and Building Inspections (building permits and inspections)
Address
310 Institute Street, Smithfield, VA 23430
Phone
757-365-4200
Website
https://www.smithfieldva.gov/157/Community-Development-Planning

Online Permit Portal

Open Town of Smithfield Community Development and Planning

Platform: • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Application Process

  1. Determine whether the work is inside Town of Smithfield corporate limits and whether it requires town zoning review, Board of Historic Architectural Review (BHAR) approval, town utility coordination, Chesapeake Bay documentation, or county building permit review.
  2. Obtain the town zoning permit application from the Planning Department at 310 Institute Street or download the PDF form from the town website.
  3. Prepare the town zoning submittal: completed application, applicable fee, survey or plat for fence applications, and for new construction over 2,500 square feet of land disturbance a Chesapeake Bay Ordinance Worksheet and Agreement in Lieu of an Erosion and Sediment Control Plan.
  4. Submit the application and pay the zoning fee to the town. If BHAR approval is required, secure that approval as part of the town process.
  5. Receive the town zoning permit.
  6. If the project also needs a building permit, apply to Isle of Wight County Central Permitting within 6 months of the town zoning permit issue date using the county OpenGov portal or in person at 17140 Monument Circle.
  7. Complete both any applicable town inspections and the required county building inspections.

Source: Town of Smithfield Community Development and Planning (town zoning permits); Isle of Wight County Central Permitting and Building Inspections (building permits and inspections)

General Requirements

A town zoning permit is required for fences and for any development that involves erecting, enlarging, moving, or demolishing structures within Smithfield town limits. The town zoning form also states that a county building permit must be obtained before work begins when a building permit is required. The town zoning permit states county building permits must be obtained within 6 months of zoning permit issuance.

Required Documents

  • Completed town zoning permit application
  • Applicable zoning permit fee
  • Survey or plat showing fence location (for fence applications)
  • BHAR approval (if required for historic district properties)
  • Chesapeake Bay Ordinance Worksheet (for new construction exceeding 2,500 sq ft of land disturbance)
  • Agreement in Lieu of an Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (for new construction exceeding 2,500 sq ft of land disturbance)
  • Health Department approval and special use permit (for septic systems and wells where applicable)
Permit validity
The town zoning permit remains valid as long as the county building permit remains valid. County building permits must be obtained within 6 months of town zoning permit issuance.
Building code
Town zoning permits are administered under Smithfield's zoning and related town ordinances. Building permits run through Isle of Wight County under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, 2021 edition.
Contractor requirements
An applicant must have a Town of Smithfield business license if the cost of the job exceeds $25,000. For building permits, Isle of Wight County and Virginia state contractor licensing rules also apply.

Fees

Minimum permit fee
$30 for town permits other than primary structures and commercial structures
Permit fee formula
Flat fee by permit category. Primary structures and commercial structures: $75. All other town permits: $30.
Payment note
The town accepts only cash or checks. Checks should be payable to Town of Smithfield. All fees must be paid when the zoning permit is issued.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

  • Sheds less than 256 square feet in building footprint do not require a county building permit (note: town zoning permit may still be required — verify with the town)
  • Residential fences do not require a county building permit (note: a town zoning permit is still required for fences within Smithfield town limits)

Important: Exempt from county building permit does not mean exempt from town zoning requirements. A town zoning permit is still required for fences even when no county building permit is needed. Confirm with the Town of Smithfield Community Development and Planning Department before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Inspection hours
Isle of Wight County inspectors are generally in the field between 9:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: For town zoning-side inspections, the town inspects erosion and sediment control measures, address numbers, water meter boxes, sewer cleanouts, sewer and water connections before backfill, driveway culverts, and driveway aprons. County building inspections follow the standard Isle of Wight County sequence (footing, foundation or slab, sheathing, rough-in, insulation, final) where a county building permit is required.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Town of Smithfield Community Development and Planning (town zoning permits); Isle of Wight County Central Permitting and Building Inspections (building permits and inspections) before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Town of Smithfield Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Town of Smithfield, VA?
A town zoning permit is required for fences and for any development that involves erecting, enlarging, moving, or demolishing structures within Smithfield town limits. The town zoning form also states that a county building permit must be obtained before work begins when a building permit is required. The town zoning permit states county building permits must be obtained within 6 months of zoning permit issuance.
How much does a building permit cost in Town of Smithfield, VA?
The minimum permit fee is $30 for town permits other than primary structures and commercial structures. Fees are calculated as: Flat fee by permit category. Primary structures and commercial structures: $75. All other town permits: $30..
How do I apply for a building permit in Town of Smithfield, VA?
1. Determine whether the work is inside Town of Smithfield corporate limits and whether it requires town zoning review, Board of Historic Architectural Review (BHAR) approval, town utility coordination, Chesapeake Bay documentation, or county building permit review. 2. Obtain the town zoning permit application from the Planning Department at 310 Institute Street or download the PDF form from the town website. 3. Prepare the town zoning submittal: completed application, applicable fee, survey or plat for fence applications, and for new construction over 2,500 square feet of land disturbance a Chesapeake Bay Ordinance Worksheet and Agreement in Lieu of an Erosion and Sediment Control Plan. 4. Submit the application and pay the zoning fee to the town. If BHAR approval is required, secure that approval as part of the town process. 5. Receive the town zoning permit. 6. If the project also needs a building permit, apply to Isle of Wight County Central Permitting within 6 months of the town zoning permit issue date using the county OpenGov portal or in person at 17140 Monument Circle. 7. Complete both any applicable town inspections and the required county building inspections.
What work is exempt from building permits in Town of Smithfield, VA?
The following work is generally exempt: Sheds less than 256 square feet in building footprint do not require a county building permit (note: town zoning permit may still be required — verify with the town); Residential fences do not require a county building permit (note: a town zoning permit is still required for fences within Smithfield town limits). Note: Exempt from county building permit does not mean exempt from town zoning requirements. A town zoning permit is still required for fences even when no county building permit is needed. Confirm with the Town of Smithfield Community Development and Planning Department before proceeding.
How do I schedule a building inspection in Town of Smithfield, VA?
Inspections can be scheduled via: Isle of Wight County OpenGov portal (building inspections), Isle of Wight County inspection hotline: 757-365-1666, to-inspect@iwus.net (county building inspections).

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

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