Montgomery County, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

County office administers building permits and inspections for unincorporated Montgomery County only. Does not cover the incorporated Town of Blacksburg, Town of Christiansburg, or the independent City of Radford, each of which has its own permit authority.

Department

Montgomery County Building Inspections

Address

755 Roanoke St., Suite 1D, Christiansburg, VA 24073

Phone

540-382-5750

Email

mcbuildingsinspections@montgomerycountyva.gov

Website

https://www.montgomerycountyva.gov/1/departments-services/building-permits-inspections

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm zoning and development compliance with Montgomery County Planning and GIS Services before filing; the residential permit application certifies that the applicant has contacted Planning and GIS.
2. Select the correct county application form from the Building Permit Applications and Forms page.
3. Prepare required submittals: VDOT property entrance documentation and one set of construction plans are required for residential applications.
4. Submit through the OpenGov portal or by emailing completed forms to mcbuildingsinspections@montgomerycountyva.gov.
5. For commercial work, complete third-party plan review before applying for a non-residential permit.
6. Pay permit fees, plus the Virginia state levy (2%) and technology fee (2%, $10 minimum) assessed by the county.
7. After permit issuance, schedule required inspections online or by phone; the county requests approximately 36 hours advance notice.

Source: Montgomery County Building Inspections

General Requirements

A building permit must be issued before construction begins on any building or structure in unincorporated Montgomery County. The Building Inspections office handles plan review, permit issuance, and inspections for all buildings and structures during construction.

Required Documents

• Completed permit application
• VDOT property entrance documentation (required with all permit applications)
• One set of construction plans (required for residential applications)
• Project details, owner and contractor information
• Applicable trade permit forms
• Third-party plan review documentation (required for commercial/non-residential work)

Permit validity

No county-specific validity rule is published on the county's public permit pages. Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) state rules apply.

Building code

Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), 2021 Code Year

Owner-builder

The residential application permits filing by property owner, lessee, agent, or contractor. No separate county owner-builder affidavit or policy page was identified in public-facing materials.

Contractor requirements

Contractor name and license number are required on the residential permit application when a contractor is used. State contractor licensing is regulated by the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR).

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$45 (most residential, non-residential, and trade permit categories)

Plan check fee

Commercial plans require third-party plan review before application. No separate county in-house plan review fee is posted.

Permit fee formula

Residential construction: $0.22 per sq. ft. ($45 minimum). Non-residential construction: $0.32 per sq. ft. ($45 minimum), or $2.75 per $1,000 estimated cost where floor area does not adequately reflect the extent of construction. Trade permits: generally $0.03 per sq. ft. ($45 minimum). Some items are flat fees.

Trade permit fee

$0.03 per sq. ft. with $45 minimum

Reinspection fee

$50 per re-inspection

Payment note

County adds a Virginia state levy of 2% and a technology fee of 2% (with a $10 minimum) to each permit fee charged. Payment questions: mcbuildingsinspections@montgomerycountyva.gov or 540-382-5750.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Montgomery County Building Inspections to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Online inspection request form (linked from county permit page) (online)
• 540-382-5750 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Approximately 36 hours advance notice requested.

Inspection hours

Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM

Typical inspection sequence: No consolidated county inspection-sequence checklist is posted on the public permit pages. Sequence is project-specific.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), 2021 Code Year
• Verify contractor license: Virginia DPOR License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Permit Applications and Forms
• Building Code Information
• Planning Fee Schedule
• License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Montgomery County Building Permit FAQ

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

A building permit must be issued before construction begins on any building or structure in unincorporated Montgomery County. The Building Inspections office handles plan review, permit issuance, and inspections for all buildings and structures during construction.

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

The minimum permit fee is $45 (most residential, non-residential, and trade permit categories). Fees are calculated as: Residential construction: $0.22 per sq. ft. ($45 minimum). Non-residential construction: $0.32 per sq. ft. ($45 minimum), or $2.75 per $1,000 estimated cost where floor area does not adequately reflect the extent of construction. Trade permits: generally $0.03 per sq. ft. ($45 minimum). Some items are flat fees.. Plan check fee: Commercial plans require third-party plan review before application. No separate county in-house plan review fee is posted..

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

1. Confirm zoning and development compliance with Montgomery County Planning and GIS Services before filing; the residential permit application certifies that the applicant has contacted Planning and GIS. 2. Select the correct county application form from the Building Permit Applications and Forms page. 3. Prepare required submittals: VDOT property entrance documentation and one set of construction plans are required for residential applications. 4. Submit through the OpenGov portal or by emailing completed forms to mcbuildingsinspections@montgomerycountyva.gov. 5. For commercial work, complete third-party plan review before applying for a non-residential permit. 6. Pay permit fees, plus the Virginia state levy (2%) and technology fee (2%, $10 minimum) assessed by the county. 7. After permit issuance, schedule required inspections online or by phone; the county requests approximately 36 hours advance notice.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: Online inspection request form (linked from county permit page), 540-382-5750. Approximately 36 hours advance notice requested..