Unincorporated King George County

Under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, a permit is required before construction or demolition of a building or structure, most structural alterations, changes affecting egress, most plumbing, electrical, mechanical, fuel gas, and fire protection work, changes of occupancy when a new certificate is required, and asbestos removal or disturbance during construction or demolition. King George County routes all regulated construction through the county building-permit process.

• Exempt One-story detached tool or storage sheds, playhouses, or similar structures not exceeding 256 square feet (sheds over 256 square feet require a building and zoning permit)
• Exempt Fences, unless required as a swimming-pool barrier or for pedestrian safety under construction provisions
• Exempt Concrete or masonry walls not over 6 feet high
• Exempt Retaining walls supporting less than 3 feet of unbalanced fill and not carrying surcharge beyond ordinary fill
• Exempt Small pools not over 150 square feet in surface area and less than 24 inches deep
• Exempt Flagpoles 30 feet or less
• Exempt Certain low-voltage wiring and similar minor listed installations under the Virginia Construction Code
• Exempt Ordinary repairs under the Virginia Construction Code, including certain like-for-like door and window replacements, fixture replacements without system alterations, certain non-gas non-oil appliance replacements in residential occupancies, limited roof and siding replacement, finish flooring, certain interior finish replacement, cabinetry or trim replacement, 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. Commercial projects may also require Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area, wetlands, stormwater, and erosion review. Confirm with the King George County Department of Community Development before proceeding.

Building code

2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (effective January 18, 2024), including the 2021 Virginia Residential Code, and the 2020 National Electrical Code

Permit validity

Permits are void if construction is not started within 6 months of issuance. Under the 2021 Virginia Construction Code, permits also become invalid if approved work is suspended or abandoned for 6 months, subject to extensions by the building official.

Owner-builder

The county residential packet references an owner-builder affidavit and includes the Virginia owner statement required by Section 54.1-1111. An owner acting without a licensed contractor must affirm they are not subject to licensure and will be solely responsible for the permitted construction. If work is performed by another person or firm, that person or firm must comply with state and local contractor licensing laws.

Contractor requirements

Building permits will not be issued without unexpired general contractor license information and county business license proof for the general contractor. Tradesman affidavits and unexpired trade licenses or tradesman cards are required where applicable. Commercial permits require a Class A contractor and copies of contractor and trade credentials plus a King George County business license. Virginia state contractor licensing is governed by DPOR.

Source: King George County Department of Community Development ↗

1. 01
   Determine whether the project is residential, commercial, trade-only, demolition, accessory structure, or land-disturbing work and download the applicable county application and checklists from the Community Development permits pages.
2. 02
   Assemble the required submission package. All applications require contractor and tradesman licenses, legible building plans, and a site plan, with project-specific variations. Residential new single-family projects additionally require owner-builder affidavit if applicable, county business license proof for the general contractor, land-disturbance forms, stormwater pollution prevention materials, and VDH permit or Service Authority deposit receipt where applicable.
3. 03
   For commercial structures, obtain site plan approval before the building permit is issued. Article 7 of the county zoning ordinance requires Planning Commission approval of the site plan before permit issuance, covering zoning, stormwater, Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area overlay, wetlands, erosion and sediment control, VDOT entrance approval, and water and sewage disposal approval.
4. 04
   Submit the completed application package to the Department of Community Development by email, in-person at the counter, or by other coordination with staff. Commercial submissions may require architect- or engineer-prepared plans and trade-specific supporting documents.
5. 05
   Respond to any review comments and pay required fees. Permit turnaround is typically 7 to 10 business days unless the plan reviewer needs additional information.
6. 06
   Once issued, post the permit so it is visible from the public right of way and keep county-approved plans on site throughout construction.
7. 07
   Request required inspections at least one day in advance by 3:00 p.m. by calling 540-775-7111. Same-day inspections are not scheduled.
8. 08
   Complete all required inspections and satisfy any outside signoffs needed for occupancy or completion, including Health Department, VDOT, Service Authority, zoning, erosion and sediment control, or SWPPP closeout where applicable.

Typical processing time: 7 to 10 business days unless the plan reviewer needs additional information.

Source: King George County Department of Community Development ↗

Cash, check, and credit card accepted. Credit card payments incur an additional 3 percent fee. Paid permits are placed in the pickup bin outside the office; unpaid permits are paid at the counter.

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

• 540-775-7111 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Request inspections at least one day in advance by 3:00 p.m. Same-day inspections are not scheduled. Call between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. on the inspection day to receive a 2-hour inspection window. Cancellations must be made by 8:30 a.m.

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Time windows

Call between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. on the inspection day to receive a 2-hour window.

Typical sequence: Typical residential sequence: erosion and sediment controls, footing/pier, foundation, retaining wall, waterproofing and drain tile, plumbing groundworks, waterline, sewer (where applicable), slab, rough-in all trades, veneer or wall bracing, insulation, drywall for brace walls, shower pan and walls, LP gas tank and line, underground electric, temporary electric, fireplace-related inspections, final building, final erosion and sediment control, and bond release. Commercial projects require separate inspection requests for plumbing, electrical, mechanical, gas, sprinkler, and building elements at each stage.

Source: King George County Department of Community Development ↗