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

Fees are calculated as: Town zoning fees are set by Kilmarnock and listed in the town fee schedule. Building permit fees are charged separately by Lancaster County: $50 minimum; new construction and additions at $0.12 per sq ft (residential) or $0.15 per sq ft (commercial); renovations at $50 plus $2 per $1,000 of value (residential) or $50 plus $5 per $1,000 (commercial). Flat fees apply for various permit categories..

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

1. Determine whether the project is a small-scale administrative zoning matter or a larger project needing more extensive town review. Single-family homes, garages, and fences are typical small-scale projects; subdivisions and commercial development are large-scale projects. 2. Submit the applicable town form. Kilmarnock posts zoning permit, sign permit, plat review, rezoning, and conditional use forms on its permits page. The zoning permit form asks for owner, applicant, and contractor information, parcel and use data, dimensions, and site-plan or sketch information. 3. Satisfy any local business-license requirement. Any applicable business license must be obtained before zoning permit approval. Out-of-town contractors must obtain a town business license once their calendar-year work in Kilmarnock exceeds $25,000. 4. After the town issues the zoning permit, apply separately for the Lancaster County building permit. The Kilmarnock zoning permit is invalid if a required Lancaster County building permit is not subsequently obtained. Submit the county application to the Lancaster County Building Office by email to build@lancova.com, by fax, or by mail. 5. Do not pay county fees until Lancaster County staff issue a permit number and the amount due. Pay by mailed check or online through Web Fee Pay (2.45% convenience fee for card transactions). 6. Proceed to county inspections and obtain the county certificate of occupancy where applicable. Kilmarnock does not publish a separate USBC inspection program — all inspections are conducted by Lancaster County.

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

The following work is generally exempt: Detached accessory structures such as tool sheds, storage sheds, or playhouses not exceeding 256 square feet from Lancaster County building permit requirements (town zoning approval is still required; trade permits are still required if electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work is included); Fences and privacy walls not part of a building or pool barrier that do not exceed 6 feet in height from Lancaster County building permit requirements; Small swimming pools not over 150 square feet, under 5,000 gallons, and less than 24 inches deep from Lancaster County building permit requirements; Ordinary repairs qualifying under the Lancaster County permit-required pamphlet, including many same-kind replacements and interior finishes, subject to listed exclusions. Note: Exemptions from the Lancaster County building permit do not eliminate the requirement to obtain a town zoning permit from Kilmarnock, or to comply with floodplain, Chesapeake Bay, wetlands, or other land-use requirements. Confirm with both the Town of Kilmarnock Planning and Zoning Department and the Lancaster County Building Office before proceeding.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: 804-462-0241 (Lancaster County inspection line). Calls made before 2:30 p.m. are scheduled for the next business day. Emailed requests and messages left on other employee voicemail boxes are not accepted as inspection requests..

City Building Permits

Town of Kilmarnock, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Town of Kilmarnock, Virginia. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Virginia Lancaster County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Kilmarnock is an incorporated town within Lancaster County, not an independent city. The Town of Kilmarnock administers zoning and related land-use approvals inside town limits. Lancaster County remains the building-permit issuer and inspector for all properties in Kilmarnock. Projects that require a building permit must obtain an approved Kilmarnock town zoning permit first, then apply for the building permit through the Lancaster County Building Office.

Department: Town of Kilmarnock Planning and Zoning Department (zoning); Lancaster County Building Office (building permits)
Address: 1 North Main Street, Kilmarnock, VA 22482
Phone: 804-435-1552
Email: msebra@kilmarnockva.com
Website: https://www.kilmarnockva.com/government/planning-zoning/

Online Permit Portal

Open Kilmarnock Zoning Permit Form (town zoning step)

Platform: Town of Kilmarnock website with embedded online forms • Account required: No • Submission: Online or in-person

Additional resources:

Application Process

Determine whether the project is a small-scale administrative zoning matter or a larger project needing more extensive town review. Single-family homes, garages, and fences are typical small-scale projects; subdivisions and commercial development are large-scale projects.
Submit the applicable town form. Kilmarnock posts zoning permit, sign permit, plat review, rezoning, and conditional use forms on its permits page. The zoning permit form asks for owner, applicant, and contractor information, parcel and use data, dimensions, and site-plan or sketch information.
Satisfy any local business-license requirement. Any applicable business license must be obtained before zoning permit approval. Out-of-town contractors must obtain a town business license once their calendar-year work in Kilmarnock exceeds $25,000.
After the town issues the zoning permit, apply separately for the Lancaster County building permit. The Kilmarnock zoning permit is invalid if a required Lancaster County building permit is not subsequently obtained. Submit the county application to the Lancaster County Building Office by email to build@lancova.com, by fax, or by mail.
Do not pay county fees until Lancaster County staff issue a permit number and the amount due. Pay by mailed check or online through Web Fee Pay (2.45% convenience fee for card transactions).
Proceed to county inspections and obtain the county certificate of occupancy where applicable. Kilmarnock does not publish a separate USBC inspection program — all inspections are conducted by Lancaster County.

Typical processing time: No fixed public town turnaround time published. The town states small-scale projects usually do not take long to finalize. Lancaster County residential building permit review is a minimum of 3 business days.

Source: Town of Kilmarnock Planning and Zoning Department (zoning); Lancaster County Building Office (building permits)

General Requirements

A town zoning permit from Kilmarnock is required before a Lancaster County building permit can be issued for projects inside town limits. A Lancaster County building permit is separately required for construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, or demolition of a building or structure; installation or alteration of regulated equipment; change of occupancy; and removal or disturbance of asbestos during construction or demolition.

Required Documents

Town of Kilmarnock zoning permit application with owner, applicant, contractor, parcel, and project information
Site plan or sketch showing dimensions and property-line distances
Applicable business license (if contractor is required to hold one for town work)
Completed Lancaster County building permit application (for building permit step)
Construction plans, scaled site plan, and supporting documents required by Lancaster County
State contractor license proof or owner affidavit (for Lancaster County building permit)
Health Department, floodplain, Bay Act, erosion, and other supporting materials as required by Lancaster County

Permit validity: The Kilmarnock zoning permit is invalid if a required Lancaster County building permit is not obtained. Lancaster County building permits become invalid if work is not commenced within 6 months of issuance, or if authorized work is suspended or abandoned for 6 months after commencement.
Building code: Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code; 2021 Virginia Residential Code and 2021 Virginia Construction Code (enforced by Lancaster County).
Owner-builder: Lancaster County's contractor statement form includes an Owner's Affidavit for owners performing the work themselves, citing Code of Virginia section 54.1-1111.
Contractor requirements: Virginia contractor's license number is required on the Lancaster County contractor statement form. Out-of-town contractors performing more than $25,000 of calendar-year work in Kilmarnock must also hold a town business license.

Fees

Permit fee formula: Town zoning fees are set by Kilmarnock and listed in the town fee schedule. Building permit fees are charged separately by Lancaster County: $50 minimum; new construction and additions at $0.12 per sq ft (residential) or $0.15 per sq ft (commercial); renovations at $50 plus $2 per $1,000 of value (residential) or $50 plus $5 per $1,000 (commercial). Flat fees apply for various permit categories.
Reinspection fee: $100 when not ready at time of inspection; $50 reinspection fee (Lancaster County — confirm current practice). After-the-fact permits are double the original fee.
Penalty (no permit): After-the-fact permits are charged at double the original fee by Lancaster County.
Payment note: Town fees are paid to Kilmarnock per town procedures. Lancaster County building permit fees: do not pay until staff issue a permit number and amount due. Online payments via Web Fee Pay add a 2.45% convenience fee.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Detached accessory structures such as tool sheds, storage sheds, or playhouses not exceeding 256 square feet from Lancaster County building permit requirements (town zoning approval is still required; trade permits are still required if electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work is included)
Fences and privacy walls not part of a building or pool barrier that do not exceed 6 feet in height from Lancaster County building permit requirements
Small swimming pools not over 150 square feet, under 5,000 gallons, and less than 24 inches deep from Lancaster County building permit requirements
Ordinary repairs qualifying under the Lancaster County permit-required pamphlet, including many same-kind replacements and interior finishes, subject to listed exclusions

Important: Exemptions from the Lancaster County building permit do not eliminate the requirement to obtain a town zoning permit from Kilmarnock, or to comply with floodplain, Chesapeake Bay, wetlands, or other land-use requirements. Confirm with both the Town of Kilmarnock Planning and Zoning Department and the Lancaster County Building Office before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

804-462-0241 (Lancaster County inspection line) (phone)

Scheduling deadline: Calls made before 2:30 p.m. are scheduled for the next business day. Emailed requests and messages left on other employee voicemail boxes are not accepted as inspection requests.
Inspection hours: Lancaster County Building Office hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: All building inspections are conducted by Lancaster County. Typical single-family sequence: footings and erosion and sediment; foundation; floor joist; under-slab trades; slabs; water and sewer laterals; veneer; service; framing and trades rough-ins together; insulation; Health Department approval and final flood elevation certificates before finals; then final building, trade, and erosion and sediment inspections.

Additional Resources

Building code: Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code; 2021 Virginia Residential Code and 2021 Virginia Construction Code (enforced by Lancaster County).
Verify contractor license: DPOR License Lookup
Zoning information: View zoning info
Kilmarnock Planning and Zoning
Lancaster County Building Office
Lancaster County Building Office FAQ
License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Town of Kilmarnock Planning and Zoning Department (zoning); Lancaster County Building Office (building permits) before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Town of Kilmarnock Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Town of Kilmarnock, VA?: A town zoning permit from Kilmarnock is required before a Lancaster County building permit can be issued for projects inside town limits. A Lancaster County building permit is separately required for construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, or demolition of a building or structure; installation or alteration of regulated equipment; change of occupancy; and removal or disturbance of asbestos during construction or demolition.
How much does a building permit cost in Town of Kilmarnock, VA?: Fees are calculated as: Town zoning fees are set by Kilmarnock and listed in the town fee schedule. Building permit fees are charged separately by Lancaster County: $50 minimum; new construction and additions at $0.12 per sq ft (residential) or $0.15 per sq ft (commercial); renovations at $50 plus $2 per $1,000 of value (residential) or $50 plus $5 per $1,000 (commercial). Flat fees apply for various permit categories..
How do I apply for a building permit in Town of Kilmarnock, VA?: 1. Determine whether the project is a small-scale administrative zoning matter or a larger project needing more extensive town review. Single-family homes, garages, and fences are typical small-scale projects; subdivisions and commercial development are large-scale projects. 2. Submit the applicable town form. Kilmarnock posts zoning permit, sign permit, plat review, rezoning, and conditional use forms on its permits page. The zoning permit form asks for owner, applicant, and contractor information, parcel and use data, dimensions, and site-plan or sketch information. 3. Satisfy any local business-license requirement. Any applicable business license must be obtained before zoning permit approval. Out-of-town contractors must obtain a town business license once their calendar-year work in Kilmarnock exceeds $25,000. 4. After the town issues the zoning permit, apply separately for the Lancaster County building permit. The Kilmarnock zoning permit is invalid if a required Lancaster County building permit is not subsequently obtained. Submit the county application to the Lancaster County Building Office by email to build@lancova.com, by fax, or by mail. 5. Do not pay county fees until Lancaster County staff issue a permit number and the amount due. Pay by mailed check or online through Web Fee Pay (2.45% convenience fee for card transactions). 6. Proceed to county inspections and obtain the county certificate of occupancy where applicable. Kilmarnock does not publish a separate USBC inspection program — all inspections are conducted by Lancaster County.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Town of Kilmarnock, VA?: Typical processing time is No fixed public town turnaround time published. The town states small-scale projects usually do not take long to finalize. Lancaster County residential building permit review is a minimum of 3 business days..
What work is exempt from building permits in Town of Kilmarnock, VA?: The following work is generally exempt: Detached accessory structures such as tool sheds, storage sheds, or playhouses not exceeding 256 square feet from Lancaster County building permit requirements (town zoning approval is still required; trade permits are still required if electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work is included); Fences and privacy walls not part of a building or pool barrier that do not exceed 6 feet in height from Lancaster County building permit requirements; Small swimming pools not over 150 square feet, under 5,000 gallons, and less than 24 inches deep from Lancaster County building permit requirements; Ordinary repairs qualifying under the Lancaster County permit-required pamphlet, including many same-kind replacements and interior finishes, subject to listed exclusions. Note: Exemptions from the Lancaster County building permit do not eliminate the requirement to obtain a town zoning permit from Kilmarnock, or to comply with floodplain, Chesapeake Bay, wetlands, or other land-use requirements. Confirm with both the Town of Kilmarnock Planning and Zoning Department and the Lancaster County Building Office before proceeding.
How do I schedule a building inspection in Town of Kilmarnock, VA?: Inspections can be scheduled via: 804-462-0241 (Lancaster County inspection line). Calls made before 2:30 p.m. are scheduled for the next business day. Emailed requests and messages left on other employee voicemail boxes are not accepted as inspection requests..

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.