Unincorporated Lee County

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.

• Exempt One-story detached tool or storage sheds and similar detached structures not over 256 square feet
• Exempt Fences, unless required for pedestrian safety or as pool barriers
• Exempt Qualifying masonry walls and retaining walls supporting less than 3 feet of unbalanced fill
• Exempt Qualifying small shallow pools
• Exempt Flagpoles 30 feet or less
• Exempt Certain LP-gas tank replacements of the same capacity
• Exempt 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.

Building code

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

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.

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.

Source: Department of Building Safety / Inspection ↗

1. 01
   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. 02
   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. 03
   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. 04
   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. 05
   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. 06
   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. 07
   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 ↗

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 periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

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

Inspection hours

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

Typical 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.

Source: Department of Building Safety / Inspection ↗