Unincorporated Lunenburg County

Under the Virginia USBC, a permit is required before construction or demolition of a building or structure; structural changes; plumbing, electrical, mechanical, fire-protection, and fuel-system installations or alterations; some changes of occupancy; and asbestos disturbance during building construction or demolition. Lunenburg posts separate building and trade permit forms covering new construction, remodels, decks, storage buildings, pools, demolition, tents, towers, and trade work.

• Exempt Certain low-voltage wiring in limited cases as specified by the Virginia USBC
• Exempt One-story detached tool sheds, storage sheds, and playhouses up to 256 square feet
• Exempt Certain small utility buildings
• Exempt Qualifying tents up to 900 square feet with occupant load 50 or less
• Exempt Fences not used as pool barriers
• Exempt Concrete or masonry walls up to 6 feet in height
• Exempt Retaining walls supporting less than 3 feet of unbalanced fill
• Exempt Small pools not over 150 square feet and under 24 inches deep
• Exempt Certain signs
• Exempt Same-capacity LP-gas container replacements
• Exempt Flagpoles 30 feet or less
• Exempt Temporary dwelling ramps
• Exempt Ordinary repairs: same-size replacement windows and doors in listed residential occupancies, replacement plumbing fixtures without system alteration, replacement switches and receptacles in listed residential occupancies, certain appliance replacements, qualifying roof-covering or siding replacement, limited roof-deck replacement, floor finishes, cabinetry or trim, and paint or wallpaper

Note: Historic districts and special flood hazard areas can narrow these exemptions. Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. Confirm with Lunenburg County Office of the Building Inspector before proceeding.

Building code

Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (13VAC5-63). Lunenburg administers the Virginia statewide code locally.

Permit validity

Under Virginia USBC Section 110.6, a permit may be revoked if work is not commenced within 6 months of issuance or if work is suspended or abandoned for 6 months; written extension requests are available. Under Section 110.7, the building official may impose a 3-year completion limit for new detached single-family dwellings, additions, and residential accessory structures.

Owner-builder

Virginia law exempts an owner performing or supervising construction, removal, repair, or improvement of no more than one primary residence owned by that owner for the owner's own use during any 24-month period, but the owner must still comply with the Virginia USBC.

Contractor requirements

Virginia USBC Section 108.4 requires proof of DPOR licensure or a written statement that the applicant is not subject to contractor licensure before permit issuance. Virginia contractor licensing is regulated by the DPOR Board for Contractors.

Source: Lunenburg County Office of the Building Inspector; Lunenburg Planning Department ↗

1. 01
   Confirm whether the project also needs zoning review from the Lunenburg Planning Department. The county building guidelines tie permits to zoning setbacks, lot area, frontage, side-yard, rear-yard, and height rules.
2. 02
   Download the correct county form: use the building permit application for building work and the electrical/mechanical permit application for electrical, HVAC, reconnect, generator, propane, and similar trade work.
3. 03
   Complete the application with owner information, property address, tax map number, construction type, square footage, porch and deck sizes, contractor and license information, mechanics lien agent information, and real job cost.
4. 04
   For new construction, include additional documents: footing and foundation plans, at least one wall section, mechanical description, electrical plan, at least one elevation plan, framing plan, approved VDOT entrance permit, and a health-department sanitation approval letter where applicable.
5. 05
   Submit the completed application packet to the county building office in person, by mail, or by email.
6. 06
   County review occurs through the building official, with planning review as needed for zoning compliance.
7. 07
   Pay the permit fee, including the 2% Virginia state levy, before permit issuance.
8. 08
   Post the permit at the jobsite and call for required inspections as construction reaches each stage.

Source: Lunenburg County Office of the Building Inspector; Lunenburg Planning Department ↗

The county fee sheet notes that 80% permit refunds are available only by written request made before any inspections are completed.

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

• (434) 696-2143 (phone)
• jtuck@lunenburgva.gov (email)

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, except holidays

Typical sequence: Virginia USBC minimum sequence includes: footing, foundation, preparatory work before concrete placement, structural framing before concealment, rough MEP before concealment, insulation and energy-conservation before concealment, and final inspection. Lunenburg new-construction applications signal footing, framing, electrical, mechanical, and final inspection stages.

Source: Lunenburg County Office of the Building Inspector; Lunenburg Planning Department ↗