Unincorporated Nottoway County

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.

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

Building code

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

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.

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.

Source: Nottoway County Building Department / Building and Code Official ↗

1. 01
   Confirm whether the parcel is in unincorporated Nottoway County or inside the Towns of Blackstone, Burkeville, or Crewe.
2. 02
   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. 03
   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. 04
   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. 05
   County staff verifies contractor and tradesman licensing status before permit issuance.
6. 06
   Pay the applicable permit fee.
7. 07
   After permit issuance, call the County Administration Office at 434-645-8696 to schedule required inspections.
8. 08
   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 ↗

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

• 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 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.

Source: Nottoway County Building Department / Building and Code Official ↗