New Kent County, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

New Kent County is a Virginia county locality under the Uniform Statewide Building Code. Building Development is the permit issuer for all building permits and inspections countywide. Planning and Zoning handles setbacks, site plans, zoning permits, and subdivisions. Environmental handles land disturbance, Chesapeake Bay Preservation, RPA modifications, wetlands, and floodplain review where applicable.

Department

New Kent County Building Development

Address

12007 Courthouse Circle, New Kent, VA 23124

Phone

Building Development: (804) 966-9680; Inspection Line: (804) 966-8572; Planning: (804) 966-9690; Environmental: (804) 966-8580

Email

peprisco@newkent-va.us

Website

https://www.newkent-va.us/179/Building-Development

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm whether Health Department, zoning, and environmental approvals are needed before or alongside the building permit. Private well or septic projects require New Kent Health Department approval first. Projects disturbing more than 2,500 sq ft need a land disturbance permit from Environmental. Commercial permits are accepted only after Planning site-plan approval and after a land disturbance permit has been submitted to Environmental.
2. Determine the correct county forms. New homes use the Single Family Dwelling application; additions, accessory structures, renovations, and similar residential work use the Building Permit application; commercial work uses the commercial building or trade permit forms. All forms are available at the county's Applications and Forms page.
3. Assemble required documents. Residential submittals require the completed application, two complete plan sets, one site plan, Health Department packet if applicable, proof of applying for a land disturbance permit when required, and a copy of the recorded deed. Commercial submittals require a complete application, two full plan sets including architectural, structural, and MEP sheets, an approved site plan or approval letter, and a copy of the land disturbance permit.
4. Submit the packet in person or by mail with original signatures, license verification, and payment. Residential applications cannot be faxed or emailed and no online or phone payment is presently accepted. Submissions are accepted Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
5. Await county reviews. Building Development performs plan review and code review. Planning handles setbacks, zoning, and site-plan prerequisites. Environmental handles land disturbance, erosion and stormwater, Chesapeake Bay, wetlands, and floodplain review where applicable. Commercial projects also require a preconstruction conference for all commercial and industrial work.
6. Pay remaining fees and secure permit issuance. Permit fees are due at or before issuance; Environmental fees are due upon permit issuance except Chesapeake Bay Board applications where payment is due at submittal. Work performed before a permit is obtained may trigger doubled permit fees.
7. Post approved plans and permit card at the job site before beginning work. Schedule required inspections through the inspection line (804-966-8572) or Building Development office. Environmental preconstruction inspections are scheduled through Environmental when land disturbance permits apply.
8. Obtain final approvals. A certificate of occupancy for a new single-family dwelling is issued the next business day after a successful final inspection and is available for pickup after 3:00 p.m.

Typical processing time: Allow 10 to 15 business days for residential new-construction permit processing. Inspections are generally performed within one working day after request under normal circumstances and within two working days at most. No fixed commercial permit turnaround is publicly posted.

Source: New Kent County Building Development

General Requirements

A permit is required whenever you construct, reconstruct, enlarge, alter, or demolish a structure. Permits are required for all structures except non-residential farm buildings as defined by the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. All proposed development in special flood hazard areas requires county review and approval. Chesapeake Bay or wetlands overlays may add separate county approvals.

Required Documents

• Completed permit application (residential or commercial as applicable)
• Two complete sets of plans and specifications
• One site plan
• Health Department permit packet (if private well or septic is involved)
• Proof of land disturbance permit application (if disturbing more than 2,500 sq ft)
• Copy of recorded deed
• Approved site plan or site-plan approval letter (commercial)
• Copy of land disturbance permit (commercial)
• Virginia contractor license number, class, and expiration date, or owner-builder exemption affidavit
• New Kent County business license (required for contractor submittals)

Permit validity

Permits are valid for six months from issuance. Each passed inspection extends the permit for another six months. A permit becomes invalid if authorized work is not commenced within six months of issuance.

Building code

2021 Virginia Residential Code and 2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), effective January 17, 2025

Owner-builder

Owner-builders must complete the affidavit on the permit application, stating they own the property, are familiar with Virginia Code section 54.1-1111 prerequisites, are not subject to licensure as a contractor or subcontractor, and accept responsibility for all work performed under the permit.

Contractor requirements

Contractors must hold a valid Virginia contractor license (DPOR Class A, B, or C as applicable). The permit forms require the Virginia contractor number, class, and expiration date. All contractors must also obtain a New Kent County business license before permit submittal and must present it at submission. Either proof of licensure or a sworn exemption affidavit is required before permit issuance per Virginia Code section 54.1-1111.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$66.30 (project cost $0–$500: $65.00 permit fee + $1.30 state levy)

Plan check fee

No separate standalone plan-review fee was identified. Plan review is included in the county's permit-review process.

Permit fee formula

Valuation-based. The posted fee sheet lists project-cost bands from $0 to $25,000 with a separate state levy column. Contact the Building Development office for fees on projects valued above $25,001. Fees are based on the fair market value of the improvement.

Reinspection fee

$55.00 missed inspection fee for each inspection not called in; $75.00 for inspections that fail twice or are called in before work is ready; $125.00 for second-offense reinspections.

Penalty (no permit)

Permit fees may be doubled for any work performed before a permit is obtained.

Payment note

Payment is required at submittal for residential permits. The county does not presently accept online or phone payments for building permit applications. Environmental fees are due upon permit issuance, except Chesapeake Bay Board applications where payment is due at submittal.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the New Kent County Building Development to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Inspection Line: (804) 966-8572 (phone)
• Building Development office: (804) 966-9680 (phone)
• Environmental (land disturbance inspections): (804) 966-8580 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Inspection requests for the next business day must be made before 4:00 p.m. Inspectors are assigned routes each morning at 8:00 a.m. Limited a.m./p.m. accommodations are available for footings, floor joists, and occupied-structure finals.

Inspection hours

Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Time windows

No general a.m./p.m. inspection windows; limited scheduling accommodations available for footings, floor joists, and occupied-structure finals. Inspections are generally performed within one working day after request, and within two working days at most.

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: (1) environmental erosion and sediment control preconstruction inspection where land disturbance permits apply, (2) footing, (3) projection, (4) foundation, (5) under-slab plumbing, (6) floor joists, (7) slab, (8) rough-in trade inspections, (9) framing, (10) insulation, (11) final trade inspections, (12) final building inspection. Inspections must be requested in order — the next inspection cannot be requested until the prior required inspection passes. Approved plans, permit card, and posted site address must be visible at the site or the inspection may be failed and a reinspection fee charged.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2021 Virginia Residential Code and 2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), effective January 17, 2025
• Verify contractor license: Virginia DPOR Contractor License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• New Kent County Permits Overview
• Fees
• Environmental / Land Disturbance
• FEMA Floodplain
• Chesapeake Bay Preservation Areas
• Wetlands Board
• Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC)
• License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

New Kent County Building Permit FAQ

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

A permit is required whenever you construct, reconstruct, enlarge, alter, or demolish a structure. Permits are required for all structures except non-residential farm buildings as defined by the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. All proposed development in special flood hazard areas requires county review and approval. Chesapeake Bay or wetlands overlays may add separate county approvals.

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

The minimum permit fee is $66.30 (project cost $0–$500: $65.00 permit fee + $1.30 state levy). Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based. The posted fee sheet lists project-cost bands from $0 to $25,000 with a separate state levy column. Contact the Building Development office for fees on projects valued above $25,001. Fees are based on the fair market value of the improvement.. Plan check fee: No separate standalone plan-review fee was identified. Plan review is included in the county's permit-review process..

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

1. Confirm whether Health Department, zoning, and environmental approvals are needed before or alongside the building permit. Private well or septic projects require New Kent Health Department approval first. Projects disturbing more than 2,500 sq ft need a land disturbance permit from Environmental. Commercial permits are accepted only after Planning site-plan approval and after a land disturbance permit has been submitted to Environmental. 2. Determine the correct county forms. New homes use the Single Family Dwelling application; additions, accessory structures, renovations, and similar residential work use the Building Permit application; commercial work uses the commercial building or trade permit forms. All forms are available at the county's Applications and Forms page. 3. Assemble required documents. Residential submittals require the completed application, two complete plan sets, one site plan, Health Department packet if applicable, proof of applying for a land disturbance permit when required, and a copy of the recorded deed. Commercial submittals require a complete application, two full plan sets including architectural, structural, and MEP sheets, an approved site plan or approval letter, and a copy of the land disturbance permit. 4. Submit the packet in person or by mail with original signatures, license verification, and payment. Residential applications cannot be faxed or emailed and no online or phone payment is presently accepted. Submissions are accepted Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. 5. Await county reviews. Building Development performs plan review and code review. Planning handles setbacks, zoning, and site-plan prerequisites. Environmental handles land disturbance, erosion and stormwater, Chesapeake Bay, wetlands, and floodplain review where applicable. Commercial projects also require a preconstruction conference for all commercial and industrial work. 6. Pay remaining fees and secure permit issuance. Permit fees are due at or before issuance; Environmental fees are due upon permit issuance except Chesapeake Bay Board applications where payment is due at submittal. Work performed before a permit is obtained may trigger doubled permit fees. 7. Post approved plans and permit card at the job site before beginning work. Schedule required inspections through the inspection line (804-966-8572) or Building Development office. Environmental preconstruction inspections are scheduled through Environmental when land disturbance permits apply. 8. Obtain final approvals. A certificate of occupancy for a new single-family dwelling is issued the next business day after a successful final inspection and is available for pickup after 3:00 p.m.

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

Typical processing time is Allow 10 to 15 business days for residential new-construction permit processing. Inspections are generally performed within one working day after request under normal circumstances and within two working days at most. No fixed commercial permit turnaround is publicly posted..

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

The following work is generally exempt: Non-residential farm buildings as defined by the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC section 108.2); Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area: installation of water wells, passive recreation facilities (boardwalks, trails, pathways), and historic preservation or archaeological activities may be exempt from Chesapeake Bay criteria only if all listed conditions are met and any required RPA Modification or CBPA Exception is approved; Silvicultural activities in Chesapeake Bay Preservation Areas are exempt from county ChesBay ordinances only if operations follow applicable Virginia Department of Forestry water-quality procedures — this does not exempt the activity from other permits that may apply. Note: No comprehensive county-issued public exempt-work list for ordinary building, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work was found on New Kent County's public permit pages. The county points applicants to the USBC and applicable overlay rules. Confirm any claimed exemption with Building Development before starting work. Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning, Planning, or Environmental review requirements.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: Inspection Line: (804) 966-8572, Building Development office: (804) 966-9680, Environmental (land disturbance inspections): (804) 966-8580. Inspection requests for the next business day must be made before 4:00 p.m. Inspectors are assigned routes each morning at 8:00 a.m. Limited a.m./p.m. accommodations are available for footings, floor joists, and occupied-structure finals..