Page County, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Page County issues USBC building permits and conducts building inspections for unincorporated county parcels. The County also issues building permits for construction within the incorporated towns of Luray, Shenandoah, and Stanley after each town's zoning review is completed. Zoning matters in unincorporated areas are handled by the Page County Zoning Office at 540-743-1324.

Department

Page County Building Inspections Department

Address

103 S Court Street, Suite B, Luray, VA 22835

Phone

540-743-6674

Email

pagebnz@pagecounty.virginia.gov

Website

https://www.pagecounty.virginia.gov/180/Building-Inspections-Department

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm locality and parcel status. If the parcel is in unincorporated Page County, County zoning applies. If the parcel is inside Luray, Shenandoah, or Stanley, obtain town zoning approval first before applying for the County building permit.
2. Obtain all prerequisite approvals as applicable: zoning permit, Health Department well/septic approval, VDOT entrance permit, tax verification, 911 address application, and erosion and sediment control or stormwater permit.
3. Download the correct fillable PDF application forms from the County Building Permit Forms and Fee Schedule page. Forms include building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, demolition, floodplain, asbestos, contractor release, owner's affidavit, and tax verification.
4. Submit the completed application package with two complete plan sets and payment to the Building Inspections Office at 103 S Court Street, Suite B, Luray. Permits are not issued after 4:30 PM.
5. Respond to review comments and provide any missing contractor releases, engineer-sealed plans, utility confirmations, or town zoning sign-off.
6. After approval, obtain the issued permit, keep approved plans on site, and request required inspections at least 48 hours in advance.
7. Complete the final inspection and obtain a certificate of occupancy or other closeout documentation where applicable.

Typical processing time: Review may take up to two weeks depending on workload. Permits are not issued after 4:30 PM.

Source: Page County Building Inspections Department

General Requirements

USBC building permits are required for all construction regulated by the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. County zoning permits are required for storage buildings, new homes, modular and manufactured homes, additions, porches and decks, barns, windmills, towers, signs, in-ground pools, and above-ground pools left up year-round.

Required Documents

• Building or trade permit application
• Zoning permit or town zoning approval where applicable
• Survey plat or hand-drawn sketch
• Deed copy for new structures
• VDOT entrance permit if applicable
• Tax map number and tax verification
• Health Department review documentation
• Contractor release forms
• Owner's affidavit if owner-builder
• Two complete plan sets for many projects
• Floodplain permit when applicable

Permit validity

No standalone County permit expiration handout was found on public County pages. Virginia USBC rules on abandoned applications, suspended work, revocation, and completion deadlines govern permit validity.

Building code

Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (2021 code cycle, effective January 18, 2024)

Owner-builder

The owner may list themselves as performing the work. When building a new primary residence, the owner may perform or supervise no more than one primary residence for their own use during any 24-month period.

Contractor requirements

All contractors must hold a Commonwealth of Virginia contractor license. Contractors living and working in Page County must also have a local business license through the Commissioner of the Revenue. Electricians, plumbers, and mechanical tradespersons need the applicable Virginia tradesman certification. Contractor release forms are required.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Residential new construction base fee $30; residential additions and remodels minimum $50; commercial new construction base fee $50; commercial additions and remodels minimum $50

Plan check fee

Residential plan review: $45 for new homes and additions; $30 for accessory structures, porches, and decks; $30 for remodels and repairs depending on scope. Commercial plan review: $50 plus $10 per 1,000 sq ft over 1,000 sq ft

Permit fee formula

Primarily base-fee-plus-square-foot formulas for building permits; flat fees for many trade and miscellaneous permits; County zoning fees are flat or parcel-based depending on application type

Reinspection fee

$40 per reinspection after one failed inspection; $40 for requesting an inspection and not being ready; $40 special inspection or trip fee

Penalty (no permit)

Stop work order penalty $100; residential failure to obtain permit $100; commercial failure to obtain permit 25% of fee with $100 minimum; County zoning failure to obtain permit doubles the zoning fee

Payment note

Completed forms must be returned with payment in person to the Building Inspections Office. No public online permit payment workflow was identified.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Page County Building Inspections Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 540-743-6674 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Call at least 48 hours in advance. Provide the permit number, homeowner name, inspection type, requestor name, and a contact phone number.

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM; building code and inspection time questions directed to the department between 8:00 and 9:00 AM; permits not issued after 4:30 PM

Typical inspection sequence: The County provides each applicant with a project-specific list of required inspections at permit issuance.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (2021 code cycle, effective January 18, 2024)
• Verify contractor license: Virginia DPOR License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Building Permit Forms and Fee Schedule
• Zoning Forms
• Contractors
• Soil Erosion Permits
• Construction Checklist
• Commercial Fee Schedule
• License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Page County Building Permit FAQ

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

USBC building permits are required for all construction regulated by the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. County zoning permits are required for storage buildings, new homes, modular and manufactured homes, additions, porches and decks, barns, windmills, towers, signs, in-ground pools, and above-ground pools left up year-round.

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

The minimum permit fee is Residential new construction base fee $30; residential additions and remodels minimum $50; commercial new construction base fee $50; commercial additions and remodels minimum $50. Fees are calculated as: Primarily base-fee-plus-square-foot formulas for building permits; flat fees for many trade and miscellaneous permits; County zoning fees are flat or parcel-based depending on application type. Plan check fee: Residential plan review: $45 for new homes and additions; $30 for accessory structures, porches, and decks; $30 for remodels and repairs depending on scope. Commercial plan review: $50 plus $10 per 1,000 sq ft over 1,000 sq ft.

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

1. Confirm locality and parcel status. If the parcel is in unincorporated Page County, County zoning applies. If the parcel is inside Luray, Shenandoah, or Stanley, obtain town zoning approval first before applying for the County building permit. 2. Obtain all prerequisite approvals as applicable: zoning permit, Health Department well/septic approval, VDOT entrance permit, tax verification, 911 address application, and erosion and sediment control or stormwater permit. 3. Download the correct fillable PDF application forms from the County Building Permit Forms and Fee Schedule page. Forms include building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, demolition, floodplain, asbestos, contractor release, owner's affidavit, and tax verification. 4. Submit the completed application package with two complete plan sets and payment to the Building Inspections Office at 103 S Court Street, Suite B, Luray. Permits are not issued after 4:30 PM. 5. Respond to review comments and provide any missing contractor releases, engineer-sealed plans, utility confirmations, or town zoning sign-off. 6. After approval, obtain the issued permit, keep approved plans on site, and request required inspections at least 48 hours in advance. 7. Complete the final inspection and obtain a certificate of occupancy or other closeout documentation where applicable.

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

Typical processing time is Review may take up to two weeks depending on workload. Permits are not issued after 4:30 PM..

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: 540-743-6674. Call at least 48 hours in advance. Provide the permit number, homeowner name, inspection type, requestor name, and a contact phone number..