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

The minimum permit fee is $15.00 town zoning permit filing fee; $35 minimum for residential Lee County building permits; $50 minimum for commercial Lee County building permits. Fees are calculated as: Pennington Gap town zoning permit: flat $15.00 filing fee. Lee County building fees: 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 ($50 minimum). A 2% state surcharge applies to all county building permit fees..

What work is exempt from building permits in Town of Pennington Gap, 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 Lee County building permit does not mean exempt from Pennington Gap town zoning requirements. Even where work is building-permit exempt under the Virginia USBC, town zoning review may still be required under the Pennington Gap town zoning ordinance. Confirm with both Lee County Building Safety / Inspection and Pennington Gap Town Hall before proceeding.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: (276) 346-7715 (Lee County Building Safety / Inspection), (276) 546-1177 (Pennington Gap Town Hall — town zoning inspection).

City Building Permits

Town of Pennington Gap, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Virginia Lee County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Pennington Gap is an incorporated town in Lee County, not an independent city. Virginia DHCD's June 2024 directory of building officials lists 'Pennington Gap Town — See Lee County,' confirming that Lee County is the building-permit issuer. Pennington Gap separately administers town zoning permits and issues a town Certificate of Occupancy and Compliance after a final town zoning inspection.

Department: Lee County Department of Building Safety / Inspection (building permits); Town of Pennington Gap Zoning Administrator (town zoning permits and Certificate of Occupancy and Compliance)
Address: Lee County Courthouse, 2nd Floor, Room 206, P.O. Box 367, Jonesville, VA 24263 (county building permits); Pennington Gap Town Hall, 528 Industrial Drive, Pennington Gap, VA 24277 (town zoning)
Phone: (276) 346-7715 (Lee County); (276) 546-1177 (Pennington Gap Town Hall)
Email: jcox@leecova.org
Website: https://www.townofpenningtonva.gov/town-hall/page/applicationspermits

Online Permit Portal

Open Pennington Gap — Applications and Permits

Platform: • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Additional resources:

Application Process

Determine whether the project is inside Pennington Gap town limits. If so, both a Lee County building permit and a Pennington Gap town zoning permit are likely required for structural alteration or new construction.
Complete the Town of Pennington Gap Application for Zoning Permit and Certificate of Occupancy and Compliance. The town form states it must be completed in compliance with the town zoning ordinance and subdivision regulations.
Obtain the necessary Lee County building permits in addition to the town zoning permit. The Pennington Gap zoning application expressly states that the applicant must comply with all building requirements and obtain necessary permits for Lee County before the town permit can be issued.
Submit the town zoning application and required attachments to Pennington Gap Town Hall and pay the required $15.00 filing fee.
Submit the county building-permit application package in printed form to Lee County's Building Inspector office at the Lee County Courthouse. Pay all county permit fees before issuance.
Complete work in compliance with both the town zoning approval and the county building permit.
Within 10 days of completing the structural alteration or new construction, notify the town's Zoning Administrator so the final town zoning inspection can be performed.
After the town's final zoning inspection confirms compliance, the Zoning Administrator issues the town Certificate of Occupancy and Compliance. County building inspections and county occupancy approval also apply under the county building-permit track.

Source: Lee County Department of Building Safety / Inspection (building permits); Town of Pennington Gap Zoning Administrator (town zoning permits and Certificate of Occupancy and Compliance)

General Requirements

The Pennington Gap town zoning permit applies to structural alteration or new construction within town limits under the town zoning ordinance. The town zoning application also requires applicants to obtain any necessary Lee County building permits. County building-permit triggers are the same as those that apply throughout Lee County: new construction, additions, major renovations, electrical work, fire protection and mechanical systems, fuel supply systems, tanks, manufactured homes, demolitions, and structural alterations.

Required Documents

Completed Pennington Gap Application for Zoning Permit and Certificate of Occupancy and Compliance
$15.00 town zoning permit filing fee
Compliance with town zoning ordinance and subdivision regulations
Lee County building permit application and supporting documents (submitted separately to Lee County)
Proof of Virginia contractor licensure or written exemption statement (for Lee County building permit)
Copy of recorded deed (required for county zoning permits)
Proof that required local taxes or license fees have been paid (for Lee County building permit)

Permit validity: No separate town zoning expiration rule was found in current Pennington Gap public-facing materials. Virginia USBC permit validity rules apply to the Lee County building permit: an application is abandoned after six months if not pursued in good faith, and an issued permit may be revoked if work does not commence within six months after issuance or is suspended or abandoned for six months.
Building code: Building permits in Pennington Gap are issued by Lee County under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (2021 USBC), effective January 18, 2024, incorporating 2020 NEC references.
Owner-builder: No Pennington Gap-specific owner-builder handout was found. County and Virginia owner-applicant rules apply on the Lee County building-permit side. State law requires either proof of Virginia contractor licensure or a written statement that licensure is not required before permit issuance.
Contractor requirements: Virginia contractor licensure rules apply through the Lee County building permit process and DPOR. Pennington Gap also publishes business-license applications and annual renewals through Town Hall. Contractors should verify town business-license obligations with Pennington Gap Town Hall in addition to county and state requirements.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: $15.00 town zoning permit filing fee; $35 minimum for residential Lee County building permits; $50 minimum for commercial Lee County building permits
Permit fee formula: Pennington Gap town zoning permit: flat $15.00 filing fee. Lee County building fees: 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 ($50 minimum). A 2% state surcharge applies to all county building permit fees.
Payment note: The town zoning filing fee must be paid for the zoning permit to become official upon Zoning Administrator approval. County permit fees must be paid before the Lee County building permit is issued. No online payment workflow was identified for either the town zoning permit or county building permits.

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 Lee County building permit does not mean exempt from Pennington Gap town zoning requirements. Even where work is building-permit exempt under the Virginia USBC, town zoning review may still be required under the Pennington Gap town zoning ordinance. Confirm with both Lee County Building Safety / Inspection and Pennington Gap Town Hall before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

(276) 346-7715 (Lee County Building Safety / Inspection) (phone)
(276) 546-1177 (Pennington Gap Town Hall — town zoning inspection) (phone)

Inspection hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM (Lee County and Pennington Gap Town Hall)

Typical inspection sequence: County building inspections are conducted by Lee County Building Safety / Inspection at required stages during construction. After structural alteration or new construction is complete, the applicant must notify Pennington Gap's Zoning Administrator within 10 days so the final town zoning inspection can be performed. The Zoning Administrator issues the town Certificate of Occupancy and Compliance after the final zoning inspection confirms the work conforms to the town zoning ordinance. County building inspections and county occupancy approval apply separately under the Lee County building-permit track.

Additional Resources

Building code: Building permits in Pennington Gap are issued by Lee County under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (2021 USBC), effective January 18, 2024, incorporating 2020 NEC references.
Verify contractor license: Virginia DPOR License Lookup
Zoning information: View zoning info
Pennington Gap Applications and Permits
Pennington Gap Town Code
Pennington Gap Document Library
Lee County Building Safety / Inspection
Lee County Zoning Department
Virginia USBC — Permit Applications and Exemptions (13VAC5-63-80)
Virginia USBC — Permits and Permit Validity (13VAC5-63-100)
Virginia DHCD Building Officials Directory
Virginia DPOR Board for Contractors
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

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Lee County Department of Building Safety / Inspection (building permits); Town of Pennington Gap Zoning Administrator (town zoning permits and Certificate of Occupancy and Compliance) before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Town of Pennington Gap Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Town of Pennington Gap, VA?: The Pennington Gap town zoning permit applies to structural alteration or new construction within town limits under the town zoning ordinance. The town zoning application also requires applicants to obtain any necessary Lee County building permits. County building-permit triggers are the same as those that apply throughout Lee County: new construction, additions, major renovations, electrical work, fire protection and mechanical systems, fuel supply systems, tanks, manufactured homes, demolitions, and structural alterations.
How much does a building permit cost in Town of Pennington Gap, VA?: The minimum permit fee is $15.00 town zoning permit filing fee; $35 minimum for residential Lee County building permits; $50 minimum for commercial Lee County building permits. Fees are calculated as: Pennington Gap town zoning permit: flat $15.00 filing fee. Lee County building fees: 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 ($50 minimum). A 2% state surcharge applies to all county building permit fees..
How do I apply for a building permit in Town of Pennington Gap, VA?: 1. Determine whether the project is inside Pennington Gap town limits. If so, both a Lee County building permit and a Pennington Gap town zoning permit are likely required for structural alteration or new construction. 2. Complete the Town of Pennington Gap Application for Zoning Permit and Certificate of Occupancy and Compliance. The town form states it must be completed in compliance with the town zoning ordinance and subdivision regulations. 3. Obtain the necessary Lee County building permits in addition to the town zoning permit. The Pennington Gap zoning application expressly states that the applicant must comply with all building requirements and obtain necessary permits for Lee County before the town permit can be issued. 4. Submit the town zoning application and required attachments to Pennington Gap Town Hall and pay the required $15.00 filing fee. 5. Submit the county building-permit application package in printed form to Lee County's Building Inspector office at the Lee County Courthouse. Pay all county permit fees before issuance. 6. Complete work in compliance with both the town zoning approval and the county building permit. 7. Within 10 days of completing the structural alteration or new construction, notify the town's Zoning Administrator so the final town zoning inspection can be performed. 8. After the town's final zoning inspection confirms compliance, the Zoning Administrator issues the town Certificate of Occupancy and Compliance. County building inspections and county occupancy approval also apply under the county building-permit track.
What work is exempt from building permits in Town of Pennington Gap, 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 Lee County building permit does not mean exempt from Pennington Gap town zoning requirements. Even where work is building-permit exempt under the Virginia USBC, town zoning review may still be required under the Pennington Gap town zoning ordinance. Confirm with both Lee County Building Safety / Inspection and Pennington Gap Town Hall before proceeding.
How do I schedule a building inspection in Town of Pennington Gap, VA?: Inspections can be scheduled via: (276) 346-7715 (Lee County Building Safety / Inspection), (276) 546-1177 (Pennington Gap Town Hall — town zoning inspection).

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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.

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