Middlesex County, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Middlesex County is the building-permit issuer and inspection authority for unincorporated county areas and, by agreement, for building and remodeling projects inside the incorporated Town of Urbanna. The county also administers zoning permits, erosion and sediment control, Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area review, and related land-use reviews.

Department

Middlesex County Building Inspection Office; Department of Planning and Community Development

Address

865 General Puller Highway, Saluda, VA 23149

Phone

(804) 758-4305

Email

david@co.middlesex.va.us

Website

https://www.co.middlesex.va.us/170/Building-Official

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm whether your project requires only a county building permit or also county zoning, erosion and sediment control, Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area, floodplain, wetland, Health Department, VDOT, or utility-related approvals. Middlesex uses a combined building and zoning application.
2. Complete the county's combined building and zoning application and any needed trade-permit addenda. Separate electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permit applications are available on the county website.
3. Assemble the submission package: two sets of building plans for residential work (three sets for commercial), flood-zone site plan if applicable, County Health Officer approval for sewage and water if applicable, manufacturer installation instructions for manufactured homes, and a zoning plot plan showing setbacks, septic areas, RPA and RMA lines, land disturbance, and erosion controls.
4. Submit the application package to the county building and zoning offices. Applications may be submitted by mail or electronically if the county accepts it; applicants cannot be required to appear in person under Virginia Administrative Code 13VAC5-63-80.
5. County staff review the zoning and building portions. The Zoning Administrator has up to 30 days from complete submission to approve, approve with modifications, or deny a zoning permit.
6. Pay county permit fees, plan review fees, valuation fees, and the 2% state levy. After-the-fact permit fees are doubled.
7. Receive the zoning and building permit numbers, post the permit on site, and proceed with inspections. Separate trade permits are required for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems.

Typical processing time: Zoning permit review is up to 30 days from complete submission under the zoning ordinance. No public county building plan-check turnaround estimate was found.

Source: Middlesex County Building Inspection Office; Department of Planning and Community Development

General Requirements

Virginia USBC permit applications are required before construction or demolition of a building or structure; structural, egress, plumbing, electrical, fire protection, mechanical, fuel-gas, or other regulated installations or alterations; certain changes of occupancy; and asbestos disturbance during construction or demolition. Middlesex also requires a county zoning permit for changes in exterior footprint, height, number of stories, or use.

Required Documents

• Combined county building and zoning application
• Owner, contractor, and parcel information
• Two residential plan sets or three commercial plan sets
• Flood-zone site plan prepared by a certified land surveyor or registered civil engineer (if applicable)
• County Health Officer approval for sewage and water (if applicable)
• Manufacturer installation instructions for manufactured homes (if applicable)
• Zoning plot plan showing setbacks, septic fields, impervious area, RPA and RMA delineation, land-disturbance area, erosion controls, and tree-removal information
• Trade-permit applications where electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work is included

Permit validity

Virginia Construction Code 13VAC5-63-90 generally voids a permit if work is not started within 6 months after issuance or if work is suspended or abandoned for 6 months after commencement. The zoning ordinance separately states that a zoning permit expires if work is not substantially completed within 5 years.

Building code

Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), 2021 code cycle

Owner-builder

The county application allows the owner, contractor, or authorized agent to apply. State contractor-licensing exemptions under Code of Virginia section 54.1-1111 may apply depending on project and ownership status.

Contractor requirements

The county application requests contractor license number and expiration date, and trade-permit forms also request license information. Contractors and trades are licensed at the state level through Virginia DPOR.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$50 minimum building permit fee; $50 minimum each for plumbing, mechanical, and electrical permits; $50 county zoning permit fee

Plan check fee

$50 for residential site-built dwelling plan review; $50 per 10,000 sq ft for commercial plan review ($50 minimum)

Permit fee formula

$0.20 per sq ft for commercial construction; $0.12 per sq ft for site-built residential habitable space, mobile homes, modular homes, basements, and unfinished future habitable floors; $0.10 per sq ft for decks, garages, sheds, porches, carports, storage buildings, pole sheds, boathouses, and relocations; $5 per $1,000 for remodeling and alterations (max $500); $10 per $1,000 for pools, marine structures, chimneys, and fireplaces; $25 minimum plus $0.05 per sq ft for signs. Zoning permits are flat $50; tourist-home zoning permits are $75; after-the-fact zoning permits are $150.

Trade permit fee

$50 minimum each for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits

Reinspection fee

First reinspection free; second reinspection $50; third and later reinspections $100 each. Fee must be paid before each additional trip when site is locked or not ready.

Penalty (no permit)

After-the-fact building, trade, and land-disturbance permits are doubled.

Payment note

County pages link to PayGov for online payments. No convenience-fee percentage was published on the public fee pages reviewed.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Installation of certain wiring and equipment operating below 50 volts, qualifying broadband communications systems, and certain monitoring or automation systems (subject to life-safety exceptions in 13VAC5-63-80)
• One-story detached tool sheds, storage sheds, playhouses, and similar structures not over 256 square feet and not Group F-1 or H occupancies
• Detached prefabricated utility-service buildings not over 150 square feet
• Tents or air-supported structures of 900 square feet or less with an occupant load of 50 or less
• Other state-code exemptions listed in 13VAC5-63-80 may apply; no Middlesex County-specific exempt-work handout was found on the public county building pages reviewed

Important: Even where a USBC permit is exempt, local zoning, floodplain, Chesapeake Bay, erosion-control, wetland, Health Department, or access approvals can still apply. Confirm with the Building Inspection Office before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• (804) 758-4305 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

At least 24 hours advance notice is required for any inspection.

Inspection hours

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

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: footing; foundation and floor-joist and projection; slab; exterior veneer; brick veneer; framing with combined electrical rough-in, plumbing rough-in, and mechanical rough-in (when applicable); masonry fireplace; insulation; drywall; electrical final; Health Department operation permit on file (when applicable); final inspection for certificate of occupancy. The building department has five working days to issue the certificate of occupancy after final approval under USBC Section 116.1.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), 2021 code cycle
• Verify contractor license: Virginia DPOR License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• Required Inspections (PDF)
• Zoning Ordinance (PDF)
• FEMA Flood Maps
• Planning and Community Development Fee Ordinance (PDF)
• Virginia Permit Application Rule (13VAC5-63-80)
• License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Middlesex County Building Permit FAQ

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

Virginia USBC permit applications are required before construction or demolition of a building or structure; structural, egress, plumbing, electrical, fire protection, mechanical, fuel-gas, or other regulated installations or alterations; certain changes of occupancy; and asbestos disturbance during construction or demolition. Middlesex also requires a county zoning permit for changes in exterior footprint, height, number of stories, or use.

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

The minimum permit fee is $50 minimum building permit fee; $50 minimum each for plumbing, mechanical, and electrical permits; $50 county zoning permit fee. Fees are calculated as: $0.20 per sq ft for commercial construction; $0.12 per sq ft for site-built residential habitable space, mobile homes, modular homes, basements, and unfinished future habitable floors; $0.10 per sq ft for decks, garages, sheds, porches, carports, storage buildings, pole sheds, boathouses, and relocations; $5 per $1,000 for remodeling and alterations (max $500); $10 per $1,000 for pools, marine structures, chimneys, and fireplaces; $25 minimum plus $0.05 per sq ft for signs. Zoning permits are flat $50; tourist-home zoning permits are $75; after-the-fact zoning permits are $150.. Plan check fee: $50 for residential site-built dwelling plan review; $50 per 10,000 sq ft for commercial plan review ($50 minimum).

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

1. Confirm whether your project requires only a county building permit or also county zoning, erosion and sediment control, Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area, floodplain, wetland, Health Department, VDOT, or utility-related approvals. Middlesex uses a combined building and zoning application. 2. Complete the county's combined building and zoning application and any needed trade-permit addenda. Separate electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permit applications are available on the county website. 3. Assemble the submission package: two sets of building plans for residential work (three sets for commercial), flood-zone site plan if applicable, County Health Officer approval for sewage and water if applicable, manufacturer installation instructions for manufactured homes, and a zoning plot plan showing setbacks, septic areas, RPA and RMA lines, land disturbance, and erosion controls. 4. Submit the application package to the county building and zoning offices. Applications may be submitted by mail or electronically if the county accepts it; applicants cannot be required to appear in person under Virginia Administrative Code 13VAC5-63-80. 5. County staff review the zoning and building portions. The Zoning Administrator has up to 30 days from complete submission to approve, approve with modifications, or deny a zoning permit. 6. Pay county permit fees, plan review fees, valuation fees, and the 2% state levy. After-the-fact permit fees are doubled. 7. Receive the zoning and building permit numbers, post the permit on site, and proceed with inspections. Separate trade permits are required for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems.

How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Middlesex County, VA?

Typical processing time is Zoning permit review is up to 30 days from complete submission under the zoning ordinance. No public county building plan-check turnaround estimate was found..

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

The following work is generally exempt: Installation of certain wiring and equipment operating below 50 volts, qualifying broadband communications systems, and certain monitoring or automation systems (subject to life-safety exceptions in 13VAC5-63-80); One-story detached tool sheds, storage sheds, playhouses, and similar structures not over 256 square feet and not Group F-1 or H occupancies; Detached prefabricated utility-service buildings not over 150 square feet; Tents or air-supported structures of 900 square feet or less with an occupant load of 50 or less; Other state-code exemptions listed in 13VAC5-63-80 may apply; no Middlesex County-specific exempt-work handout was found on the public county building pages reviewed. Note: Even where a USBC permit is exempt, local zoning, floodplain, Chesapeake Bay, erosion-control, wetland, Health Department, or access approvals can still apply. Confirm with the Building Inspection Office before proceeding.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: (804) 758-4305. At least 24 hours advance notice is required for any inspection..