Unincorporated King William County

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.

Note: No county-specific public exempt-work list was identified on the county building pages reviewed. Because the county administers permits under the USBC, contact the King William County Building Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before proceeding.

Building code

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

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.

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.

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

1. 01
   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. 02
   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. 03
   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. 04
   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. 05
   Building staff reviews plans for code compliance. The county states applicants should not expect same-day issuance because review takes time.
6. 06
   After approval, pay the permit fees plus the 2 percent state levy. Permits are not valid until approved, paid, and issued.
7. 07
   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 ↗

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

• 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 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.

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