Town of West Point, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All properties within the incorporated Town of West Point. West Point is an incorporated town inside King William County; town staff handle zoning permits, building permits, property maintenance, and inspections inside town limits.

Department

Town of West Point Community Development; Town of West Point Building Department

Address

West Point Town Hall, 802 Main Street, West Point, VA 23181

Phone

804-843-3330

Email

scarnell@west-point.va.us

Website

https://www.west-point.va.us/departments/building_official_working/index.php

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm zoning requirements with Community Development. Permit types include zoning, land disturbance, and building.
2. For zoning review, use the town zoning permit form and confirm district standards, setbacks, and use permissions with Community Development.
3. Select the applicable town permit application from the Building Department page. Posted options include accessory structure, commercial building, deck, demolition, electrical, gas, handicap ramp, mechanical, plumbing, pool, single family dwelling, and solar.
4. Assemble complete plans and attachments. Incomplete applications should not be submitted; the application routes simultaneously to environmental, grading and erosion, Community Development, utilities or Health Department, and application review.
5. Submit the complete application packet by dropping it off in the reception area of Town Hall, 802 Main Street, West Point.
6. Wait for staff review and issuance. Review times vary with workload; applicants will be notified when the permit has been approved and is ready to be issued.
7. Post the permit and approved plans at the site, then schedule inspections by phone or email. Final approval is required before lawful occupancy.

Typical processing time: No fixed processing time published. The town states review times vary depending on project scope and staff workload.

Source: Town of West Point Community Development; Town of West Point Building Department

General Requirements

A permit is required before starting work whenever a structure is constructed, reconstructed, enlarged, altered, or demolished. The town also separately requires zoning permits for items such as sheds and flag poles.

Required Documents

• Completed town permit application
• Approved zoning permit from Community Development
• Two copies of construction drawings
• Foundation plans
• Floor plans
• Wall or building sections
• Window and door sizing
• Roof framing
• Stamped drawings for engineered members
• Contractor Virginia license number and class (or owner affidavit of exemption)

Permit validity

Permits are valid for six months from issuance. Each scheduled inspection extends the permit for another six months, subject to USBC limitations. The permit becomes invalid if work is not commenced within six months after issuance; renewal is required in one year.

Building code

Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), Town of West Point zoning ordinance, and applicable Health Department requirements

Owner-builder

The town commercial permit application includes an owner affidavit stating the owner is familiar with Virginia Code Section 54.1-1111 prerequisites and is not subject to licensure as a contractor or subcontractor for the permitted work.

Contractor requirements

Town permit applications require the Virginia contractor number and class. Virginia Code Section 54.1-1111 requires either proof of licensure or an affidavit of exemption before issuance, plus proof that required local taxes or licenses have been paid.

Fees

Permit fee formula

No separate public fee schedule was identified. Application forms include blank fields for permit fee, surcharge, and zoning amounts, indicating town-calculated fees at issuance. Contact the Building Department for current fee information.

Reinspection fee

$50 reinspection fee required after two failed inspections or if an inspection fails due to incomplete work; payment must be received before reinspection is scheduled.

Payment note

No dedicated online payment workflow identified. Permits are picked up and dropped off at Town Hall; applicants are notified when permits are approved and ready to be issued.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Ordinary repairs such as interior or exterior painting
• Repairing drywall, plaster, or exterior siding
• Installing new floor coverings
• Installing or refurbishing cabinetry
• Repairing or replacing porch or deck flooring boards (not joists or girders)
• Repairing or replacing handrails on a porch
• Installing or replacing doors and windows where no structural changes are performed
• Installing or replacing exterior siding
• Residential re-roofing when the old shingle roof can remain under the limits stated by the town FAQ
• Installing or replacing gutters and downspouts
• Installing driveways or sidewalks
• Storage sheds, playhouses, and similar structures 256 square feet or less (a zoning permit is still required)
• Fences 6 feet or less in height when not part of a pool enclosure
• Recreational equipment such as swings and jungle gyms
• Roof insulation
• Wiring or equipment operating at less than 50 volts
• Security alarm systems
• Replacement of an existing electric water heater with a new electric water heater
• Replacement of electrical fixtures such as switches and receptacles
• Installing or replacing a ceiling fan to a pre-wired switch
• Replacing plumbing fixtures such as sinks
• Replacing or repairing existing mechanical appliances of equal size and type, except gas and oil-fired appliances
• Temporary ADA ramps with less than 30 inches of rise for residential properties

Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. A zoning permit may still be required for items such as sheds and fences. Confirm with the Town of West Point Community Development before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 804-843-3330 (phone)
• scarnell@west-point.va.us (email)

Scheduling deadline

Requests must be made before 4:30 PM to be scheduled for the next business day. Allow two business days for completion of each requested inspection.

Inspection hours

Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM

Typical inspection sequence: The town's inspection request page links to a Required Building Inspections document. Approved plans must be on site for all inspections. Applications route through environmental, grading and erosion, Community Development, utilities or Health Department, and application review before issuance.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), Town of West Point zoning ordinance, and applicable Health Department requirements
• Verify contractor license: Virginia DPOR Contractor License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Building Department FAQs
• Permit Applications
• Commercial Building Permit Application
• Accessory Structure Permit Application
• Zoning Permit Form
• 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

Town of West Point Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Town of West Point, VA?

A permit is required before starting work whenever a structure is constructed, reconstructed, enlarged, altered, or demolished. The town also separately requires zoning permits for items such as sheds and flag poles.

How much does a building permit cost in Town of West Point, VA?

Fees are calculated as: No separate public fee schedule was identified. Application forms include blank fields for permit fee, surcharge, and zoning amounts, indicating town-calculated fees at issuance. Contact the Building Department for current fee information..

How do I apply for a building permit in Town of West Point, VA?

1. Confirm zoning requirements with Community Development. Permit types include zoning, land disturbance, and building. 2. For zoning review, use the town zoning permit form and confirm district standards, setbacks, and use permissions with Community Development. 3. Select the applicable town permit application from the Building Department page. Posted options include accessory structure, commercial building, deck, demolition, electrical, gas, handicap ramp, mechanical, plumbing, pool, single family dwelling, and solar. 4. Assemble complete plans and attachments. Incomplete applications should not be submitted; the application routes simultaneously to environmental, grading and erosion, Community Development, utilities or Health Department, and application review. 5. Submit the complete application packet by dropping it off in the reception area of Town Hall, 802 Main Street, West Point. 6. Wait for staff review and issuance. Review times vary with workload; applicants will be notified when the permit has been approved and is ready to be issued. 7. Post the permit and approved plans at the site, then schedule inspections by phone or email. Final approval is required before lawful occupancy.

How long does it take to get a building permit in Town of West Point, VA?

Typical processing time is No fixed processing time published. The town states review times vary depending on project scope and staff workload..

What work is exempt from building permits in Town of West Point, VA?

The following work is generally exempt: Ordinary repairs such as interior or exterior painting; Repairing drywall, plaster, or exterior siding; Installing new floor coverings; Installing or refurbishing cabinetry; Repairing or replacing porch or deck flooring boards (not joists or girders); Repairing or replacing handrails on a porch; Installing or replacing doors and windows where no structural changes are performed; Installing or replacing exterior siding; Residential re-roofing when the old shingle roof can remain under the limits stated by the town FAQ; Installing or replacing gutters and downspouts; Installing driveways or sidewalks; Storage sheds, playhouses, and similar structures 256 square feet or less (a zoning permit is still required); Fences 6 feet or less in height when not part of a pool enclosure; Recreational equipment such as swings and jungle gyms; Roof insulation; Wiring or equipment operating at less than 50 volts; Security alarm systems; Replacement of an existing electric water heater with a new electric water heater; Replacement of electrical fixtures such as switches and receptacles; Installing or replacing a ceiling fan to a pre-wired switch; Replacing plumbing fixtures such as sinks; Replacing or repairing existing mechanical appliances of equal size and type, except gas and oil-fired appliances; Temporary ADA ramps with less than 30 inches of rise for residential properties. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. A zoning permit may still be required for items such as sheds and fences. Confirm with the Town of West Point Community Development before proceeding.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Town of West Point, VA?

Inspections can be scheduled via: 804-843-3330, scarnell@west-point.va.us. Requests must be made before 4:30 PM to be scheduled for the next business day. Allow two business days for completion of each requested inspection..