On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for West Point
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.
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
- Exempt Ordinary repairs such as interior or exterior painting
- Exempt Repairing drywall, plaster, or exterior siding
- Exempt Installing new floor coverings
- Exempt Installing or refurbishing cabinetry
- Exempt Repairing or replacing porch or deck flooring boards (not joists or girders)
- Exempt Repairing or replacing handrails on a porch
- Exempt Installing or replacing doors and windows where no structural changes are performed
- Exempt Installing or replacing exterior siding
- Exempt Residential re-roofing when the old shingle roof can remain under the limits stated by the town FAQ
- Exempt Installing or replacing gutters and downspouts
- Exempt Installing driveways or sidewalks
- Exempt Storage sheds, playhouses, and similar structures 256 square feet or less (a zoning permit is still required)
- Exempt Fences 6 feet or less in height when not part of a pool enclosure
- Exempt Recreational equipment such as swings and jungle gyms
- Exempt Roof insulation
- Exempt Wiring or equipment operating at less than 50 volts
- Exempt Security alarm systems
- Exempt Replacement of an existing electric water heater with a new electric water heater
- Exempt Replacement of electrical fixtures such as switches and receptacles
- Exempt Installing or replacing a ceiling fan to a pre-wired switch
- Exempt Replacing plumbing fixtures such as sinks
- Exempt Replacing or repairing existing mechanical appliances of equal size and type, except gas and oil-fired appliances
- Exempt 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.
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)
- Building code
- Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), Town of West Point zoning ordinance, and applicable Health Department requirements
- 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.
- 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.
Source: Town of West Point Community Development; Town of West Point Building Department ↗
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: No fixed processing time published. The town states review times vary depending on project scope and staff workload.
- 01 Confirm zoning requirements with Community Development. Permit types include zoning, land disturbance, and building.
- 02 For zoning review, use the town zoning permit form and confirm district standards, setbacks, and use permissions with Community Development.
- 03 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.
- 04 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.
- 05 Submit the complete application packet by dropping it off in the reception area of Town Hall, 802 Main Street, West Point.
- 06 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.
- 07 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 ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
West Point building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
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.
02
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.
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.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
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 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.
Source: Town of West Point Community Development; Town of West Point Building Department ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about West Point permits
01 Do I need a building permit in 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in West Point, VA? ▸
Building permit fees in West Point, VA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in West Point, VA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in West Point, VA, follow these steps: 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.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in West Point, VA? ▸
Building permit processing times in West Point, VA typically run No fixed processing time published. The town states review times vary depending on project scope and staff workload.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in West Point, VA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in West Point, VA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in West Point, VA 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..
last verified April 2026
source Town of West Point Community Development; Town of West Point Building Department ↗
entry id permits/virginia/king-william/west-point
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Town of West Point Community Development; Town of West Point Building Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.