Northumberland County, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Covers all of Northumberland County, Virginia. Northumberland is a Virginia county locality — not an independent city — and no incorporated town within the county has been identified with a separate building department. All county building permits, zoning permits, land-disturbing permits, and trade permits are processed through the county Building and Zoning office. Additional county pathways apply for wetlands work, Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area encroachments, floodplain development, historic-overlay exterior changes, and conditional use or rezoning matters.

Department

Northumberland County Building and Zoning

Address

72 Monument Place, Heathsville, VA 22473

Phone

804-580-8910

Email

osamuels@co.northumberland.va.us

Website

https://www.co.northumberland.va.us/buildingzoning

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm whether the project needs only a county building permit or also requires a county zoning permit, Chesapeake Bay review, floodplain review, wetlands board approval, land-disturbance permit, Health Department coordination, VDOT access approval, or other outside approvals. County zoning code section 148-164 requires a zoning permit before land is used or occupied and before buildings or structures are started, reconstructed, enlarged, or altered.
2. Download the correct county form set from the Building and Zoning forms page. Northumberland posts separate Building Permit, Electrical Permit, Mechanical Permit, Plumbing Permit, Zoning Permit, Land Disturbing Permit, Safe Adequate Form, and Short Term Rental application forms.
3. Assemble the supporting package. The zoning permit form requires a site plan and any additional plans or studies required by Article 5 of the Chesapeake Bay Preservation ordinance, including an erosion and sediment control plan or an agreement in lieu of a plan. The building permit form asks for owner, contractor, license number, lien-agent, address, square footage, estimated value, and project details. The Safe Adequate form requires a sketch, building plans, and plat for sewage and water review where human occupancy is involved.
4. Submit completed forms to Building and Zoning. County guidance states all Building and Zoning forms should be emailed to Odessa Samuels at osamuels@co.northumberland.va.us. The office also accepts in-person submissions at 72 Monument Place, Heathsville. Virginia law states that applicants cannot be required to appear in person.
5. County staff review zoning and building prerequisites. Zoning review checks setbacks, parcel data, floodplain status, Bay Act triggers, and any required outside approvals. Building review checks USBC scope, state contractor-licensing compliance, and whether trade permits, demolition addenda, or Health Department coordination are needed.
6. Pay the applicable county permit fees to the County Treasurer when the application is made. A 4% surcharge applies to credit-card payments.
7. Receive the permit and post it on site before work starts. Virginia permit rules require the permit to be obtained before covered work begins and posted at the construction site until work is complete.
8. Call for inspections as work reaches required stages. Obtain final approval and a certificate of occupancy where applicable. If the project is in a flood hazard area, elevation documentation must be submitted before final inspection.

Typical processing time: No standard county turnaround time for routine building or zoning permits is published in county guidance. Special pathways: the Historic Site Review Board has 30 days to review an application, with up to an additional 30 days after receiving requested additional information; Chesapeake Bay exception requests are decided within 90 days after the public hearing.

Source: Northumberland County Building and Zoning

General Requirements

Northumberland County code chapter 45 and Virginia Administrative Code 13VAC5-63-80 require permits before construction or demolition of a building or structure; many structural, egress, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, fire-protection, fuel-gas, or other regulated installations or alterations; certain changes of occupancy; lot-line moves that reduce safety; and asbestos disturbance during construction or demolition. County zoning code also requires a zoning permit before land is used or occupied and before a building or structure is started, reconstructed, enlarged, or altered.

Required Documents

• Completed county application form (building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, or zoning as applicable)
• Owner and applicant contact information
• Parcel location and tax map data
• Contractor name and Virginia state license number, or owner affidavit under Code of Virginia section 54.1-1111
• Project description, square footage, and estimated value
• Site plan (required for zoning permit review)
• Chesapeake Bay studies or plans where triggered by Article 5 of the Preservation ordinance
• Erosion and sediment control plan or agreement in lieu where triggered
• Safe and adequate sewage disposal attachments (sketch, plans, and plat) where human occupancy is involved
• Any outside approvals required by Health Department, Wetlands Board, floodplain review, or highway access authorities

Permit validity

Permit applications are deemed abandoned six months after filing unless pursued in good faith or issued. A building official may revoke a permit if work does not commence within six months after issuance or if work is suspended or abandoned for six months after issuance. Plumbing, electrical, and mechanical permits are not revoked while the related building permit remains in effect. Wetlands permits must carry an expiration date set by the Wetlands Board and may be extended on proper application.

Building code

Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), 2021 Virginia code cycle, effective January 18, 2024 (adopted by reference in Northumberland County code chapter 45)

Owner-builder

The county building permit form includes an affidavit path for owners who are not subject to contractor licensure under Code of Virginia section 54.1-1111. When the homeowner is listed as contractor, the homeowner assumes responsibility and is responsible for using only state-licensed contractors where required.

Contractor requirements

County permit forms request the contractor's Virginia state license number and include the statutory affidavit text from Code of Virginia section 54.1-1111. Virginia Administrative Code 13VAC5-63-80 requires proof that the applicant is properly licensed or exempt, and proof that any required local taxes or license fees have been paid, before permit issuance.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Zoning permit $75; building remodel or repair $40 plus $5 per $1,000; electrical permit $50; plumbing permit $50; mechanical permit $50; mobile home or travel trailer $150; swimming pool $100; wetland application $300

Plan check fee

No separate plan-review or plan-check fee was identified in the county fee schedule; review appears bundled into the permit or application fee.

Permit fee formula

Mixed schedule. New residential construction: $0.12 per square foot of building area (including double-wide units). New commercial construction: $0.05 per square foot. Remodel and repair: $40 plus $5 per $1,000 of estimated value. Commercial mechanical, electrical, and plumbing permits: $50 plus $1 per $1,000. Land-disturbing fee: $50 per 10,000 square feet disturbed. Most zoning and board applications are flat-fee based.

Trade permit fee

$50 base fee for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits (residential); $50 plus $1 per $1,000 for commercial trade permits

Reinspection fee

$50 per reinspection; $50 permit renewal fee

Penalty (no permit)

After-the-fact permits: $200 plus triple fees. Bad check: $20.

Payment note

Permit fees are paid to the County Treasurer when application is made. A 4% surcharge applies to credit-card payments.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Installation of certain wiring and equipment operating below 50 volts, qualifying broadband communications systems, and certain dwelling-unit monitoring or automation systems (subject to life-safety exceptions in 13VAC5-63-80)
• One-story detached tool sheds, storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses not exceeding 256 square feet and not Group F-1 or H occupancies
• Detached prefabricated buildings for publicly regulated utility equipment not exceeding 150 square feet
• Tents or air-supported structures of 900 square feet or less with an occupant load of 50 or fewer
• Fences of any height unless required for pedestrian safety under the code or used as a swimming-pool barrier
• Concrete or masonry walls not over six feet high
• Retaining walls supporting less than three feet of unbalanced fill (subject to liquid and surcharge exceptions in the code)
• Swimming pools not greater than 150 square feet in area and less than 24 inches deep
• Temporary ramps serving certain dwelling occupancies where the height served is no more than 30 inches above grade
• Ordinary repairs, including many same-size window and door replacements, same-system fixture replacements, qualifying receptacle and luminaire replacements, certain non-gas and non-oil appliance replacements, qualifying roofing and siding replacements, limited roof-deck replacement, cabinetry, trim, paint, and similar minor work (see 13VAC5-63-80 for full list)

Important: Exempt from a USBC building permit does not mean exempt from local zoning, floodplain, Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area, wetlands, erosion-control, historic-overlay, septic, well, or access requirements. Confirm all applicable approvals with Northumberland County Building and Zoning before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Building and Zoning — 804-580-8910 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

No public same-day cutoff or advance-notice requirement was identified in county guidance. Contact the Building and Zoning office at 804-580-8910 to confirm scheduling requirements.

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM

Time windows

No specific inspection window schedule was published in county guidance. Contact the office to confirm available windows.

Typical inspection sequence: Follow the Virginia USBC minimum inspection sequence: footing; foundation; preparatory work before concrete placement; structural members and fasteners before concealment; electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems before concealment; energy-conservation materials before concealment; and final inspection. Projects in flood hazard areas also require lowest-floor elevation documentation before final inspection. The permit holder must notify the building official when work reaches an inspection stage and must provide any ladders, scaffolding, or test equipment needed for inspection.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), 2021 Virginia code cycle, effective January 18, 2024 (adopted by reference in Northumberland County code chapter 45)
• Verify contractor license: Virginia DPOR License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• Building and Zoning Contact Information
• County Building Construction Ordinance (Chapter 45)
• County Zoning Permits Article
• County Floodplain Ordinance
• Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance
• Wetlands Board
• Historic Site Overlay District
• Virginia Permit Application Rules (13VAC5-63-80)
• Virginia Permit Validity and Expiration Rules (13VAC5-63-100)
• Virginia Inspections Rules (13VAC5-63-130)
• Planning Commission
• Commissioner of Revenue
• License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Northumberland County Building Permit FAQ

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

Northumberland County code chapter 45 and Virginia Administrative Code 13VAC5-63-80 require permits before construction or demolition of a building or structure; many structural, egress, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, fire-protection, fuel-gas, or other regulated installations or alterations; certain changes of occupancy; lot-line moves that reduce safety; and asbestos disturbance during construction or demolition. County zoning code also requires a zoning permit before land is used or occupied and before a building or structure is started, reconstructed, enlarged, or altered.

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

The minimum permit fee is Zoning permit $75; building remodel or repair $40 plus $5 per $1,000; electrical permit $50; plumbing permit $50; mechanical permit $50; mobile home or travel trailer $150; swimming pool $100; wetland application $300. Fees are calculated as: Mixed schedule. New residential construction: $0.12 per square foot of building area (including double-wide units). New commercial construction: $0.05 per square foot. Remodel and repair: $40 plus $5 per $1,000 of estimated value. Commercial mechanical, electrical, and plumbing permits: $50 plus $1 per $1,000. Land-disturbing fee: $50 per 10,000 square feet disturbed. Most zoning and board applications are flat-fee based.. Plan check fee: No separate plan-review or plan-check fee was identified in the county fee schedule; review appears bundled into the permit or application fee..

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

1. Confirm whether the project needs only a county building permit or also requires a county zoning permit, Chesapeake Bay review, floodplain review, wetlands board approval, land-disturbance permit, Health Department coordination, VDOT access approval, or other outside approvals. County zoning code section 148-164 requires a zoning permit before land is used or occupied and before buildings or structures are started, reconstructed, enlarged, or altered. 2. Download the correct county form set from the Building and Zoning forms page. Northumberland posts separate Building Permit, Electrical Permit, Mechanical Permit, Plumbing Permit, Zoning Permit, Land Disturbing Permit, Safe Adequate Form, and Short Term Rental application forms. 3. Assemble the supporting package. The zoning permit form requires a site plan and any additional plans or studies required by Article 5 of the Chesapeake Bay Preservation ordinance, including an erosion and sediment control plan or an agreement in lieu of a plan. The building permit form asks for owner, contractor, license number, lien-agent, address, square footage, estimated value, and project details. The Safe Adequate form requires a sketch, building plans, and plat for sewage and water review where human occupancy is involved. 4. Submit completed forms to Building and Zoning. County guidance states all Building and Zoning forms should be emailed to Odessa Samuels at osamuels@co.northumberland.va.us. The office also accepts in-person submissions at 72 Monument Place, Heathsville. Virginia law states that applicants cannot be required to appear in person. 5. County staff review zoning and building prerequisites. Zoning review checks setbacks, parcel data, floodplain status, Bay Act triggers, and any required outside approvals. Building review checks USBC scope, state contractor-licensing compliance, and whether trade permits, demolition addenda, or Health Department coordination are needed. 6. Pay the applicable county permit fees to the County Treasurer when the application is made. A 4% surcharge applies to credit-card payments. 7. Receive the permit and post it on site before work starts. Virginia permit rules require the permit to be obtained before covered work begins and posted at the construction site until work is complete. 8. Call for inspections as work reaches required stages. Obtain final approval and a certificate of occupancy where applicable. If the project is in a flood hazard area, elevation documentation must be submitted before final inspection.

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

Typical processing time is No standard county turnaround time for routine building or zoning permits is published in county guidance. Special pathways: the Historic Site Review Board has 30 days to review an application, with up to an additional 30 days after receiving requested additional information; Chesapeake Bay exception requests are decided within 90 days after the public hearing..

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

The following work is generally exempt: Installation of certain wiring and equipment operating below 50 volts, qualifying broadband communications systems, and certain dwelling-unit monitoring or automation systems (subject to life-safety exceptions in 13VAC5-63-80); One-story detached tool sheds, storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses not exceeding 256 square feet and not Group F-1 or H occupancies; Detached prefabricated buildings for publicly regulated utility equipment not exceeding 150 square feet; Tents or air-supported structures of 900 square feet or less with an occupant load of 50 or fewer; Fences of any height unless required for pedestrian safety under the code or used as a swimming-pool barrier; Concrete or masonry walls not over six feet high; Retaining walls supporting less than three feet of unbalanced fill (subject to liquid and surcharge exceptions in the code); Swimming pools not greater than 150 square feet in area and less than 24 inches deep; Temporary ramps serving certain dwelling occupancies where the height served is no more than 30 inches above grade; Ordinary repairs, including many same-size window and door replacements, same-system fixture replacements, qualifying receptacle and luminaire replacements, certain non-gas and non-oil appliance replacements, qualifying roofing and siding replacements, limited roof-deck replacement, cabinetry, trim, paint, and similar minor work (see 13VAC5-63-80 for full list). Note: Exempt from a USBC building permit does not mean exempt from local zoning, floodplain, Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area, wetlands, erosion-control, historic-overlay, septic, well, or access requirements. Confirm all applicable approvals with Northumberland County Building and Zoning before proceeding.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: Building and Zoning — 804-580-8910. No public same-day cutoff or advance-notice requirement was identified in county guidance. Contact the Building and Zoning office at 804-580-8910 to confirm scheduling requirements..