Unincorporated New Kent County

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.

• Exempt Non-residential farm buildings as defined by the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC section 108.2)
• Exempt 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
• Exempt 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.

Building code

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

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.

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.

Source: New Kent County Building Development ↗

1. 01
   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. 02
   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. 03
   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. 04
   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. 05
   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. 06
   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. 07
   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. 08
   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 ↗

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

• 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 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.

Source: New Kent County Building Development ↗