On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Montgomery County
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.
Note: No consolidated county-specific exempt-work list is published on the county's public permit pages. Applicants should confirm proposed work directly with Montgomery County Building Inspections before assuming a Virginia USBC exemption applies.
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)
- Building code
- Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), 2021 Code Year
- 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.
- 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).
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 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.
- 02 Select the correct county application form from the Building Permit Applications and Forms page.
- 03 Prepare required submittals: VDOT property entrance documentation and one set of construction plans are required for residential applications.
- 04 Submit through the OpenGov portal or by emailing completed forms to mcbuildingsinspections@montgomerycountyva.gov.
- 05 For commercial work, complete third-party plan review before applying for a non-residential permit.
- 06 Pay permit fees, plus the Virginia state levy (2%) and technology fee (2%, $10 minimum) assessed by the county.
- 07 After permit issuance, schedule required inspections online or by phone; the county requests approximately 36 hours advance notice.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Montgomery County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$45 (most residential, non-residential, and trade permit categories)
02
Plan check fee
Commercial plans require third-party plan review before application. No separate county in-house plan review fee is posted.
03
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.
04
Trade permit fee
$0.03 per sq. ft. with $45 minimum
05
Reinspection fee
$50 per re-inspection
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 periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
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 sequence: No consolidated county inspection-sequence checklist is posted on the public permit pages. Sequence is project-specific.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Montgomery County permits
01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Montgomery County, VA? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Montgomery County, VA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Montgomery County, VA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Montgomery County, VA, follow these steps: 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.
04 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Montgomery County, VA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Montgomery County, VA via: Online inspection request form (linked from county permit page), 540-382-5750. Approximately 36 hours advance notice requested..
last verified April 2026
source Montgomery County Building Inspections ↗
entry id permits/virginia/montgomery-va/montgomery-va-county
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Montgomery County Building Inspections before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.