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When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Smithfield
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.
- 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)
- Exempt 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.
- 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)
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 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.
- 02 Obtain the town zoning permit application from the Planning Department at 310 Institute Street or download the PDF form from the town website.
- 03 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.
- 04 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.
- 05 Receive the town zoning permit.
- 06 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.
- 07 Complete both any applicable town inspections and the required county building inspections.
Fee schedule
Smithfield building permit fees
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 periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
- Isle of Wight County OpenGov portal (building inspections) (online)
- Isle of Wight County inspection hotline: 757-365-1666 (phone)
- to-inspect@iwus.net (county building inspections) (email)
- Inspection hours
- Isle of Wight County inspectors are generally in the field between 9:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Typical 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.
Frequently asked
Common questions about Smithfield permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Smithfield, VA? ▸
02 How much does a building permit cost in Smithfield, VA? ▸
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Smithfield, VA? ▸
04 What work is exempt from building permits in Smithfield, VA? ▸
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Smithfield, VA? ▸
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with 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. Jaspector is not legal advice.