Lee County, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Lee County is the building-permit issuer for unincorporated Lee County and for the incorporated towns of Jonesville and Pennington Gap. Virginia DHCD's June 2024 directory of building officials lists both Jonesville Town and Pennington Gap Town as 'See Lee County,' confirming the county administers the Virginia USBC for the entire county.

Department

Department of Building Safety / Inspection

Address

Lee County Courthouse, 2nd Floor, Room 206, P.O. Box 367, Jonesville, VA 24263

Phone

(276) 346-7715

Email

jcox@leecova.org

Website

https://www.leecova.com/building-safety-inspection

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm whether both a county building permit and a county zoning permit are required. Lee County requires a building permit for new construction, additions, major renovations, electrical work, fire protection and mechanical systems, fuel supply systems, tanks, manufactured homes, demolitions, and structural alterations. A separate Lee County zoning permit is also required for new construction, additions, major renovations, structural alterations, manufactured homes, and tank work.
2. Download the applicable building permit application form from the Lee County Building Safety / Inspection page and, if needed, the zoning application from the Zoning Department page.
3. Gather required supporting documents. For zoning permits, a copy of the recorded deed and a $20.00 fee are required. For manufactured homes, also obtain septic approval from the Lee County Health Department and zoning verification before applying. For one-family and two-family residential work, include mechanics' lien agent information if requested under state law.
4. If the project involves a manufactured home or requires zoning review, obtain or apply for the zoning permit first or simultaneously. Lee County states the building permit for a manufactured home may be obtained at the same time as the zoning permit.
5. Bring the printed permit application package to the Building Inspector's office at the Lee County Courthouse, 2nd Floor, Room 206, to file for permit review. No online submittal workflow is available.
6. Pay all assessed permit fees before permit issuance. A 2% state surcharge applies to all building permit fees. Contractors whose work is valued at $100,000 or more must also pay the contractor's license tax before permits are issued.
7. Post the issued permit on site for public inspection as required by the Virginia USBC. Complete required inspections at each stage of construction. The Building Inspector will issue a certificate of occupancy after all inspections are passed.

Source: Department of Building Safety / Inspection

General Requirements

A building permit is required for any new construction, addition, or major renovation in Lee County, including asbestos disturbance, repair or replacement of required fire or smoke-rated assemblies, electrical wiring, fire protection systems, mechanical systems, fuel supply systems, tank installation or closure, manufactured homes, residential, commercial, or public buildings, demolitions, and structural alterations. A separate Lee County zoning permit is also required for new construction, additions, major renovations, manufactured homes, structural alterations, and tank work.

Required Documents

• Completed county permit application form
• General description of work and site location
• Owner and applicant contact information
• Copy of recorded deed (required for zoning permits)
• Septic approval from the Lee County Health Department (manufactured homes)
• Zoning verification (manufactured homes)
• Invoice or description of the home (manufactured homes)
• Proof of Virginia contractor licensure or written exemption statement
• Mechanics' lien agent information if requested (one-family and two-family residential work)

Permit validity

Under Virginia USBC section 108.8, a permit application is abandoned if not pursued in good faith within six months after filing unless extended. Under section 110.6, an issued permit may be revoked if work does not commence within six months after issuance or if work is suspended or abandoned for six months, subject to extensions. Section 110.7 allows the locality to require a three-year completion limit for new detached single-family dwellings, additions, and residential accessory structures.

Building code

Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (2021 USBC), effective January 18, 2024, incorporating 2020 NEC references, as administered under 13VAC5-63.

Owner-builder

The property owner, lessee, owner's agent, contractor, subcontractor, or design professional may apply for a permit under Virginia USBC section 108.3. State law requires either proof of Virginia contractor licensure or a written statement that licensure is not required before permit issuance.

Contractor requirements

All permit applicants must provide proof of Virginia contractor licensure or a written statement that licensure is not required under Virginia USBC section 108.4 and Virginia Code section 54.1-1111. Contractor's license tax applies for work valued at $100,000 or more and must be paid before permits are issued. Contractor and trade licensing is regulated by the Virginia DPOR Board for Contractors.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$35 for residential building permits; $50 for commercial building permits

Permit fee formula

Residential building: $0.10 per square foot ($35 minimum). Unfinished basements and storage buildings: $0.03 per square foot ($35 minimum). Commercial building: $0.15 per square foot ($50 minimum). Structure fee: $5.00 per $1,000 of value ($50 minimum). Floodplain development: $2 per acre ($50 minimum, $100 maximum). Zoning permit: flat $20.00 fee. A 2% state surcharge applies to all building permit fees.

Payment note

Permit fees must be paid before permit issuance. No online payment workflow for building permit applications was identified. Contractor's license tax on work valued at $100,000 or more must also be paid before permits are issued.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached tool or storage sheds and similar detached structures not over 256 square feet
• Fences, unless required for pedestrian safety or as pool barriers
• Qualifying masonry walls and retaining walls supporting less than 3 feet of unbalanced fill
• Qualifying small shallow pools
• Flagpoles 30 feet or less
• Certain LP-gas tank replacements of the same capacity
• Qualifying ordinary repairs, including like-for-like window and door replacements, plumbing-fixture replacements without piping alteration, certain light fixtures and devices, qualifying residential roof-covering or siding replacement, limited roof-decking replacement, cabinetry, trim, paint, and wallpaper

Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from Lee County zoning requirements, floodplain regulations, or other land-use requirements. The building official may require a permit in historic districts or special flood hazard areas under Virginia USBC section 108.2. Confirm with the Department of Building Safety / Inspection before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• (276) 346-7715 (phone)
• jcox@leecova.org (email)

Inspection hours

Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Typical inspection sequence: The Building Inspector will inspect the property at various stages of construction. Inspections are required before work is covered. A certificate of occupancy is issued after all required inspections are passed. The county's public-facing pages do not publish a full stage-by-stage inspection sequence.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (2021 USBC), effective January 18, 2024, incorporating 2020 NEC references, as administered under 13VAC5-63.
• Verify contractor license: Virginia DPOR License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Virginia USBC — Permit Applications and Exemptions (13VAC5-63-80)
• Virginia USBC — Permits and Permit Validity (13VAC5-63-100)
• Virginia DHCD Building Officials Directory
• Virginia DHCD Codes Page
• Virginia Contractor Permit Prerequisite Statute (54.1-1111)
• Virginia DPOR Board for Contractors
• Lee County Code Library
• FEMA Flood Map Service Center
• License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Lee County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Lee County, VA?

A building permit is required for any new construction, addition, or major renovation in Lee County, including asbestos disturbance, repair or replacement of required fire or smoke-rated assemblies, electrical wiring, fire protection systems, mechanical systems, fuel supply systems, tank installation or closure, manufactured homes, residential, commercial, or public buildings, demolitions, and structural alterations. A separate Lee County zoning permit is also required for new construction, additions, major renovations, manufactured homes, structural alterations, and tank work.

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Lee County, VA?

The minimum permit fee is $35 for residential building permits; $50 for commercial building permits. Fees are calculated as: Residential building: $0.10 per square foot ($35 minimum). Unfinished basements and storage buildings: $0.03 per square foot ($35 minimum). Commercial building: $0.15 per square foot ($50 minimum). Structure fee: $5.00 per $1,000 of value ($50 minimum). Floodplain development: $2 per acre ($50 minimum, $100 maximum). Zoning permit: flat $20.00 fee. A 2% state surcharge applies to all building permit fees..

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Lee County, VA?

1. Confirm whether both a county building permit and a county zoning permit are required. Lee County requires a building permit for new construction, additions, major renovations, electrical work, fire protection and mechanical systems, fuel supply systems, tanks, manufactured homes, demolitions, and structural alterations. A separate Lee County zoning permit is also required for new construction, additions, major renovations, structural alterations, manufactured homes, and tank work. 2. Download the applicable building permit application form from the Lee County Building Safety / Inspection page and, if needed, the zoning application from the Zoning Department page. 3. Gather required supporting documents. For zoning permits, a copy of the recorded deed and a $20.00 fee are required. For manufactured homes, also obtain septic approval from the Lee County Health Department and zoning verification before applying. For one-family and two-family residential work, include mechanics' lien agent information if requested under state law. 4. If the project involves a manufactured home or requires zoning review, obtain or apply for the zoning permit first or simultaneously. Lee County states the building permit for a manufactured home may be obtained at the same time as the zoning permit. 5. Bring the printed permit application package to the Building Inspector's office at the Lee County Courthouse, 2nd Floor, Room 206, to file for permit review. No online submittal workflow is available. 6. Pay all assessed permit fees before permit issuance. A 2% state surcharge applies to all building permit fees. Contractors whose work is valued at $100,000 or more must also pay the contractor's license tax before permits are issued. 7. Post the issued permit on site for public inspection as required by the Virginia USBC. Complete required inspections at each stage of construction. The Building Inspector will issue a certificate of occupancy after all inspections are passed.

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Lee County, VA?

The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached tool or storage sheds and similar detached structures not over 256 square feet; Fences, unless required for pedestrian safety or as pool barriers; Qualifying masonry walls and retaining walls supporting less than 3 feet of unbalanced fill; Qualifying small shallow pools; Flagpoles 30 feet or less; Certain LP-gas tank replacements of the same capacity; Qualifying ordinary repairs, including like-for-like window and door replacements, plumbing-fixture replacements without piping alteration, certain light fixtures and devices, qualifying residential roof-covering or siding replacement, limited roof-decking replacement, cabinetry, trim, paint, and wallpaper. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from Lee County zoning requirements, floodplain regulations, or other land-use requirements. The building official may require a permit in historic districts or special flood hazard areas under Virginia USBC section 108.2. Confirm with the Department of Building Safety / Inspection before proceeding.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Lee County, VA?

Inspections can be scheduled via: (276) 346-7715, jcox@leecova.org.