Nottoway County, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Nottoway County is the building permit issuing authority for all parcels in Nottoway County, including parcels inside the incorporated Towns of Blackstone, Burkeville, and Crewe. Projects inside those towns must first obtain town zoning approval, then submit that approval to Nottoway County to apply for the county building permit.

Department

Nottoway County Building Department / Building and Code Official

Address

344 West Courthouse Road, Crewe, VA 23930

Phone

434-645-8696

Email

mmurphy@nottoway.org , mmohn@nottoway.org

Website

https://nottoway.org/departments/building_department/index.php

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm whether the parcel is in unincorporated Nottoway County or inside the Towns of Blackstone, Burkeville, or Crewe.
2. If the parcel is inside a town, obtain the required town zoning approval first and submit that approval to Nottoway County along with the building permit application.
3. If the parcel is in unincorporated county territory and the project requires zoning approval, obtain the county zoning permit first. New dwellings also require Health Department approval before the building permit is issued.
4. Submit the completed building permit application, approved zoning permit or town zoning approval, approved septic permit if applicable, and 2 sets of structural plans. Plans should include footing/foundation design, exterior wall design, electrical with lighting fixtures and receptacles, and HVAC design where applicable.
5. County staff verifies contractor and tradesman licensing status before permit issuance.
6. Pay the applicable permit fee.
7. After permit issuance, call the County Administration Office at 434-645-8696 to schedule required inspections.
8. Complete the required inspection sequence through final inspection. A final approval and certificate of occupancy are required where applicable.

Source: Nottoway County Building Department / Building and Code Official

General Requirements

Under the 2021 Virginia Construction Code, a permit is required before construction or demolition of a building or structure and before covered structural, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, fuel-gas, fire-protection, asbestos-removal, and other regulated work begins.

Required Documents

• Completed county permit application
• Approved town zoning approval (for projects inside Blackstone, Burkeville, or Crewe)
• County zoning permit where applicable in unincorporated areas
• Approved septic permit or Health Department approval for new dwellings
• 2 sets of structural plans (footing/foundation, exterior wall, electrical with fixtures and receptacles, HVAC where applicable)
• Contractor and tradesman license information where applicable

Permit validity

Permits are valid for 6 months. Each passing inspection extends the permit an additional 6 months. Permits with no inspection activity for 6 months are closed. Most permits are limited to 36 months total; manufactured homes are limited to 18 months. An application is deemed abandoned after 6 months if not pursued in good faith or issued.

Building code

Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), administered locally through the 2021 Virginia Construction Code

Owner-builder

State code allows the owner, lessee, or their agent to apply. The applicant must either show the required contractor and tradesman credentials or file the written statement allowed by state code if licensure or certification is not required.

Contractor requirements

Contractors doing $1,000 or more of work must be licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia. Plumbers, gas fitters, HVAC trades, and electricians must hold the required tradesman certification. Proof of required licensure or certification, or a statement that licensure is not required, plus proof that required county taxes or license fees have been paid, is required before permit issuance.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$50 for re-issue of certificate of occupancy; $60 base for residential additions

Permit fee formula

Mixed schedule. Examples: trade and solar commercial permits at $100 plus 1% of contract; asbestos remediation at $100 plus 1% of contract; tank removal/installation at $100 plus 1% of contract; amusement devices at $100 plus $10 per $1,000; tents and signs at $100 plus 1% of cost. Some fee rows are not fully visible on the public page.

Trade permit fee

$100 plus 1% of contract for trade permits

Penalty (no permit)

$250 for starting work without a permit

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Detached tool or storage sheds and similar one-story structures up to 256 square feet
• Fences, unless used as a pool barrier
• Certain low retaining walls
• Small shallow pools meeting state USBC exemption criteria
• Ordinary repairs that do not affect structural, mechanical, electrical, or plumbing systems
• Certain low-voltage wiring and minor work meeting state USBC exemption criteria

Important: Historic-district properties and special flood hazard area properties may lose some exemptions if the building official requires a permit. These exemptions derive from the Virginia USBC; no county-specific exempt-work list beyond state code was found. Confirm with the Nottoway County Building Department before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 434-645-8696 (County Administration Office) (phone)
• Schedule an Inspection (county page) (online)

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: Erosion and Sediment; Footer; Projection Foundation; Floor Joist; Block/Anchor/Strap (manufactured homes); Framing; Veneer; Marriage Wall (manufactured homes); Rough Electric; Rough Plumbing; HVAC including third-party duct leak check if required; Permanent Electric; Insulation; Final Erosion and Sediment with grading, seeding, and mulching; Final Health Department approval; Final including third-party blower door test if required; Certificate of Occupancy.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), administered locally through the 2021 Virginia Construction Code
• Verify contractor license: Virginia DPOR License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Building Permit Checklist
• Zoning Department
• County Ordinances
• County GIS
• Virginia DHCD Building Codes Resources
• 2021 Virginia Construction Code (PDF)
• Town of Blackstone Planning and Zoning
• Town of Burkeville Contact
• Town of Crewe Zoning Permits
• License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Nottoway County Building Permit FAQ

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

Under the 2021 Virginia Construction Code, a permit is required before construction or demolition of a building or structure and before covered structural, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, fuel-gas, fire-protection, asbestos-removal, and other regulated work begins.

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

The minimum permit fee is $50 for re-issue of certificate of occupancy; $60 base for residential additions. Fees are calculated as: Mixed schedule. Examples: trade and solar commercial permits at $100 plus 1% of contract; asbestos remediation at $100 plus 1% of contract; tank removal/installation at $100 plus 1% of contract; amusement devices at $100 plus $10 per $1,000; tents and signs at $100 plus 1% of cost. Some fee rows are not fully visible on the public page..

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

1. Confirm whether the parcel is in unincorporated Nottoway County or inside the Towns of Blackstone, Burkeville, or Crewe. 2. If the parcel is inside a town, obtain the required town zoning approval first and submit that approval to Nottoway County along with the building permit application. 3. If the parcel is in unincorporated county territory and the project requires zoning approval, obtain the county zoning permit first. New dwellings also require Health Department approval before the building permit is issued. 4. Submit the completed building permit application, approved zoning permit or town zoning approval, approved septic permit if applicable, and 2 sets of structural plans. Plans should include footing/foundation design, exterior wall design, electrical with lighting fixtures and receptacles, and HVAC design where applicable. 5. County staff verifies contractor and tradesman licensing status before permit issuance. 6. Pay the applicable permit fee. 7. After permit issuance, call the County Administration Office at 434-645-8696 to schedule required inspections. 8. Complete the required inspection sequence through final inspection. A final approval and certificate of occupancy are required where applicable.

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

The following work is generally exempt: Detached tool or storage sheds and similar one-story structures up to 256 square feet; Fences, unless used as a pool barrier; Certain low retaining walls; Small shallow pools meeting state USBC exemption criteria; Ordinary repairs that do not affect structural, mechanical, electrical, or plumbing systems; Certain low-voltage wiring and minor work meeting state USBC exemption criteria. Note: Historic-district properties and special flood hazard area properties may lose some exemptions if the building official requires a permit. These exemptions derive from the Virginia USBC; no county-specific exempt-work list beyond state code was found. Confirm with the Nottoway County Building Department before proceeding.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: 434-645-8696 (County Administration Office), Schedule an Inspection (county page).