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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Kilmarnock
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.
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
- 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)
- Exempt 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
- Exempt Small swimming pools not over 150 square feet, under 5,000 gallons, and less than 24 inches deep from Lancaster County building permit requirements
- Exempt 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.
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
- Building code
- Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code; 2021 Virginia Residential Code and 2021 Virginia Construction Code (enforced 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.
- 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.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: 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.
- 01 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.
- 02 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.
- 03 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.
- 04 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.
- 05 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).
- 06 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.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Kilmarnock building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
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.
02
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.
03
Penalty (no permit)
After-the-fact permits are charged at double the original fee by Lancaster County.
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 periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
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 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.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Kilmarnock permits
01 Do I need a building permit in 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Kilmarnock, VA? ▸
Building permit fees in Kilmarnock, VA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Kilmarnock, VA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Kilmarnock, VA, follow these steps: 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.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Kilmarnock, VA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Kilmarnock, VA typically run 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.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Kilmarnock, VA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Kilmarnock, VA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Kilmarnock, VA 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..
last verified April 2026
source Town of Kilmarnock Planning and Zoning Department (zoning); Lancaster County Building Office (building permits) ↗
entry id permits/virginia/lancaster/kilmarnock
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Town of Kilmarnock Planning and Zoning Department (zoning); Lancaster County Building Office (building permits) before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.