County Building Permits
Northampton County, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Northampton County, Virginia. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Northampton County's Building Official reviews and issues building permits, administers the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, performs inspections, and issues certificates of occupancy for properties throughout Northampton County. Permit review generally routes through Health Department, Zoning, and Building Department approvals as applicable.
- Department
- Northampton County Planning, Permitting and Enforcement, Building Department
- Address
- 16404 Courthouse Road, Eastville, VA 23347
- Phone
- (757) 678-0443 ext. 525
Online Permit Portal
Platform: County website (no transactional portal) • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Confirm the parcel jurisdiction and whether town-level zoning, historic district, wetlands, or other local land-use approvals apply before county building permit issuance.
- Complete the Northampton County permit application and assemble required plans and supporting documentation.
- Submit the application to the county Building Department by mail or hand delivery to 16404 Courthouse Road, Eastville, VA 23347.
- Route any required approvals through Health Department, Zoning, and Building review as applicable to your project.
- Ensure real estate taxes on the subject parcel are paid up to date — the county requires this before accepting an application for processing.
- Pay the required fees and obtain the permit.
- Schedule and pass all required phase inspections, then obtain a certificate of occupancy before occupying or using the structure where required.
Typical processing time: No general turnaround estimate is publicly posted. The county notes the building official must issue a certificate of occupancy within five working days after request once the project qualifies. Contact the Building Department for current processing times.
Source: Northampton County Planning, Permitting and Enforcement, Building Department
General Requirements
Permits are required for all construction regulated by the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. The county directs applicants to USBC Section 108.1 for a full list of permit triggers.
Required Documents
- Completed permit application
- Project plans
- Health Department approval (where applicable)
- Zoning approval (where applicable)
- Floodplain or other supporting approvals (where applicable)
- Plans sealed by a Virginia-licensed architect or engineer for structures in V-zone flood areas
- Plans sealed by a registered design professional for projects within 1,500 feet of major bodies of water (per county policy)
- Permit validity
- No general permit expiration rule was clearly posted on the reviewed county pages. The county references a refund policy under 2021 USBC Section 107.1.2 for revocation, abandonment, or discontinuance. Verify current validity rules directly with the Building Department.
- Building code
- Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (2021 edition)
- Owner-builder
- Verify owner-builder rules directly with the Northampton County Building Department.
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors must hold a valid Virginia DPOR license where applicable. Verify current licensing requirements with the Building Department.
Fees
- Permit fee formula
- Northampton County publishes building, electrical, mechanical, and related fee schedule entries in its FY25 budget materials. Planning and zoning fees should be confirmed with the permit technician.
- Payment note
- Real estate taxes on the subject parcel must be paid up to date before a building permit application will be accepted for processing.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Northampton County Planning, Permitting and Enforcement, Building Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- (757) 678-0443 ext. 525 (phone)
Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: permit issuance, required phase inspections as specified on the permit, final inspection, and certificate of occupancy where applicable. Structures must pass final inspection before a permanent certificate of occupancy is signed.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (2021 edition)
- Verify contractor license: Virginia DPOR License Lookup
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Certificate of Occupancy
- USBC Section 108.1 — Permit Triggers
- License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Northampton County Planning, Permitting and Enforcement, Building Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Northampton County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Northampton County, VA?
- Permits are required for all construction regulated by the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. The county directs applicants to USBC Section 108.1 for a full list of permit triggers.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Northampton County, VA?
- Fees are calculated as: Northampton County publishes building, electrical, mechanical, and related fee schedule entries in its FY25 budget materials. Planning and zoning fees should be confirmed with the permit technician..
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Northampton County, VA?
- 1. Confirm the parcel jurisdiction and whether town-level zoning, historic district, wetlands, or other local land-use approvals apply before county building permit issuance. 2. Complete the Northampton County permit application and assemble required plans and supporting documentation. 3. Submit the application to the county Building Department by mail or hand delivery to 16404 Courthouse Road, Eastville, VA 23347. 4. Route any required approvals through Health Department, Zoning, and Building review as applicable to your project. 5. Ensure real estate taxes on the subject parcel are paid up to date — the county requires this before accepting an application for processing. 6. Pay the required fees and obtain the permit. 7. Schedule and pass all required phase inspections, then obtain a certificate of occupancy before occupying or using the structure where required.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Northampton County, VA?
- Typical processing time is No general turnaround estimate is publicly posted. The county notes the building official must issue a certificate of occupancy within five working days after request once the project qualifies. Contact the Building Department for current processing times..
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Northampton County, VA?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: (757) 678-0443 ext. 525.
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