King William County, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Unincorporated King William County. The county building and planning pathway described here applies to properties outside the incorporated Town of West Point. The Town of West Point handles its own local zoning and building permits inside town limits.

Department

King William County Building Department; King William County Planning and Zoning Department

Address

180 Horse Landing Road #4, King William, VA 23086

Phone

804-769-4969

Email

permits@kwc.gov

Website

https://www.kwc.gov/168/Building

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Determine whether the project needs county zoning and land disturbance approval before the building permit. County zoning rules require an approved zoning permit before obtaining a building permit.
2. For projects requiring zoning review, complete the Zoning/Land Disturbance Permit application and submit the required plat or site plan, VDH and VDOT approvals if applicable, floodplain and Chesapeake Bay information if applicable, and any required supporting plans.
3. Obtain a well and septic permit from the Health Department if applicable, then take the well and septic permit and land plat to Planning and Zoning to apply for the land disturbance and zoning permit.
4. After zoning approval, complete the Building Permit Application and submit two sets of building plans with truss specifications to the Building Department. Separate permits are required for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work.
5. Building staff reviews plans for code compliance. The county states applicants should not expect same-day issuance because review takes time.
6. After approval, pay the permit fees plus the 2 percent state levy. Permits are not valid until approved, paid, and issued.
7. Request inspections through the county by phone, email, or through the SmartGov portal. A certificate of occupancy is issued after final inspection and compliance.

Typical processing time: No fixed turnaround published. The county expressly states not to expect a same-day permit after application because plan review takes time.

Source: King William County Building Department; King William County Planning and Zoning Department

General Requirements

County building permits are required for covered construction, alteration, demolition, and trade work under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. A county zoning permit must be approved before obtaining a building permit.

Required Documents

• Completed building permit application
• Land plat
• Well and septic approval (if applicable)
• Two sets of building plans
• Truss specifications
• Structural details
• Approved zoning/land disturbance permit
• Contractor name and license number

Permit validity

The county fee schedule includes a Building Permit Extension After 6 Months fee of $100. Applicants should confirm current USBC expiration rules directly with the Building Department.

Building code

Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), incorporating the 2021 Virginia Residential Code

Owner-builder

The posted residential building permit application includes a notarized affidavit for homeowners acting as their own contractors. The affiant must state that they own the tract, are familiar with licensure prerequisites, are not subject to contractor licensure for the work, and understand the contractor recovery fund warning.

Contractor requirements

County permit applications require contractor name and Virginia license number. Virginia DPOR regulates contractor and tradesman licensing statewide. Separate trade permits are required for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$100

Plan check fee

Residential dwelling plan review $250; accessory structures $150 unless otherwise noted; commercial new construction or addition plan review 20% of total permit fee; pre-application plan review $250 residential and $500 commercial.

Permit fee formula

Valuation-based with flat minimums. Residential accessory structures or renovations: $100 for $0–$15,000 value, then $100 plus $5 per $1,000 over $15,000, capped at $500. Commercial building permits use the same $100 plus $5 per $1,000 over $15,000 formula. All building permit fees are subject to an additional 2% Commonwealth of Virginia levy.

Reinspection fee

$125 per reinspection

Penalty (no permit)

Permit after starting work doubles the permit fee.

Payment note

County building pages state payment is not accepted until plans are approved. The online portal supports permits, document submission, inspection requests, and public permit lookup.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the King William County Building Department; King William County Planning and Zoning Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 804-769-4969 (phone)
• permits@kwc.gov (email)
• SmartGov Public Portal (online)

Scheduling deadline

Inspection requests must be submitted by 8:00 AM for same-day service unless circumstances warrant delay.

Inspection hours

Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Typical inspection sequence: County guidance lists at least footing, projection, slab, ground work, foundation/floor joist, basement, rough-in stages, insulation, and final inspections for a new dwelling. Additional inspections may apply for commercial or special residential conditions.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), incorporating the 2021 Virginia Residential Code
• Verify contractor license: Virginia DPOR Contractor License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Building Permit Process
• Inspections
• Certificates of Occupancy
• Residential Plan Review Requirements
• Zoning/Land Disturbance Permit Application
• Zoning Permit Procedures and Requirements
• Planning and Zoning Fee Schedule
• Virginia DPOR Tradesmen Program
• License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

King William County Building Permit FAQ

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

County building permits are required for covered construction, alteration, demolition, and trade work under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. A county zoning permit must be approved before obtaining a building permit.

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

The minimum permit fee is $100. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based with flat minimums. Residential accessory structures or renovations: $100 for $0–$15,000 value, then $100 plus $5 per $1,000 over $15,000, capped at $500. Commercial building permits use the same $100 plus $5 per $1,000 over $15,000 formula. All building permit fees are subject to an additional 2% Commonwealth of Virginia levy.. Plan check fee: Residential dwelling plan review $250; accessory structures $150 unless otherwise noted; commercial new construction or addition plan review 20% of total permit fee; pre-application plan review $250 residential and $500 commercial..

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

1. Determine whether the project needs county zoning and land disturbance approval before the building permit. County zoning rules require an approved zoning permit before obtaining a building permit. 2. For projects requiring zoning review, complete the Zoning/Land Disturbance Permit application and submit the required plat or site plan, VDH and VDOT approvals if applicable, floodplain and Chesapeake Bay information if applicable, and any required supporting plans. 3. Obtain a well and septic permit from the Health Department if applicable, then take the well and septic permit and land plat to Planning and Zoning to apply for the land disturbance and zoning permit. 4. After zoning approval, complete the Building Permit Application and submit two sets of building plans with truss specifications to the Building Department. Separate permits are required for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work. 5. Building staff reviews plans for code compliance. The county states applicants should not expect same-day issuance because review takes time. 6. After approval, pay the permit fees plus the 2 percent state levy. Permits are not valid until approved, paid, and issued. 7. Request inspections through the county by phone, email, or through the SmartGov portal. A certificate of occupancy is issued after final inspection and compliance.

How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated King William County, VA?

Typical processing time is No fixed turnaround published. The county expressly states not to expect a same-day permit after application because plan review takes time..

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: 804-769-4969, permits@kwc.gov, SmartGov Public Portal. Inspection requests must be submitted by 8:00 AM for same-day service unless circumstances warrant delay..