Town of Farmville, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All building, demolition, trade, and community development permits for properties inside Farmville town limits. Farmville is an incorporated town within Prince Edward County and maintains its own Building Official and permit system separate from Prince Edward County.

Department

Town of Farmville Building Inspection Department, Community Development

Address

116 North Main Street, Farmville, VA 23901

Phone

434-392-8465

Email

inspections@farmvilleva.com

Website

https://www.farmvilleva.com/158/Building-Official

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Determine whether town zoning approval is needed. Farmville requires zoning approval for change of use, new construction, room additions, garages, sheds, signs, and similar projects. Zoning applications are submitted through the same Cloudpermit portal.
2. Create a free Cloudpermit account (first-time online users) or prepare a paper or PDF application. The town accepts paper submissions but notes extra data-entry time.
3. Assemble the application package. Required information includes property address or parcel number, flood hazard zone status, detailed work description, contractor business name, estimated cost, project area, site plan, drawings, lien agent information if applicable, and erosion and sediment control plan or agreement in lieu where required. Contractors must provide a DPOR license number if not already registered with the town.
4. Verify contractor and business-license compliance. Contractors must provide proof of DPOR licensure and a valid business license. For jobs of $25,000 or less, a current locality business license may be accepted; otherwise a Farmville business license may be required.
5. Submit building, demolition, and trade permit applications through Cloudpermit or on paper. Separate permits are required for construction and each trade.
6. Pay applicable fees. No permit is issued until fees are paid.
7. Request inspections through Cloudpermit or by phone at least 24 hours in advance. Work must be complete at the time of inspection. Voicemail and email inspection requests are not accepted.
8. Obtain final approval and, where required, a certificate of occupancy before occupancy or change of use.

Typical processing time: Minimum 24 hours for building and demolition permits. Applications are processed first-come, first-served and timing can vary.

Source: Town of Farmville Building Inspection Department, Community Development

General Requirements

The Farmville Building Official handles permits for the alteration or erection of all buildings and structures within town limits. Separate construction and trade permits are required, and zoning approval is required for change of use, new construction, room additions, garages, sheds, signs, and similar work.

Required Documents

• Property address or parcel number
• Flood hazard zone status
• Detailed description of work
• Contractor business name and DPOR license number
• Estimated project cost
• Project square footage
• Site plan
• Drawings
• Lien agent information (if applicable)
• Erosion and sediment control plan or agreement in lieu (where required)
• For demolition: asbestos certification and utility disconnection verification

Permit validity

No Farmville-specific expiration rule was located in public records. The Virginia USBC allows permit revocation if work does not commence within six months of issuance or is suspended or abandoned for six months, with extensions available on written request.

Building code

2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code and 2017 National Electrical Code

Owner-builder

Farmville requires owner-builders to submit an owner-builder affidavit, a list of all subcontractors and workers with estimated job values and license numbers where applicable, and detailed plans for the work. Virginia's owner-builder exemption for one primary residence in a 24-month period still requires compliance with the USBC.

Contractor requirements

Contractors and tradesmen must provide proof of Virginia DPOR licensure or certification and possess a valid business license. Those working inside town limits must satisfy Farmville business-license requirements.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$75 residential single-family and renovations; $50 garages, additions, porches, decks, and sheds; $150 commercial new construction and structural renovations

Plan check fee

$200 plan check fee

Permit fee formula

Residential single-family dwellings: $75 base + $0.20/sq. ft. Residential renovations (structural): $75 base + $0.20/sq. ft. Garages and additions: $50 base + $0.15/sq. ft. Porches, decks, and sheds: $0.15/sq. ft., $50 minimum. Commercial new construction and structural renovations: $150 base + $0.25/sq. ft. Commercial accessory structures: $150 + $0.25/sq. ft. Mobile and modular homes: $75 + $0.15/sq. ft. Plumbing, electrical, and HVAC (separate permits): $75 residential, $150 commercial each. Signs: $45 non-illuminated flush-mounted wall signs, $75 all other signs. Demolition: $50 small accessory building, $75 residences, $125 commercial or industrial. Moving building or structure: $150. Swimming pools: $125 in-ground, $75 above-ground. Electrical upgrade or service change: $75.

Trade permit fee

$75 per trade (residential); $150 per trade (commercial)

Reinspection fee

$30 reinspection fee after a specific inspection fails twice; fee must be paid before the follow-up inspection is scheduled

Penalty (no permit)

$50 certificate of occupancy for existing buildings; $50 permit amendment or transfer

Payment note

No permit is issued until fees are paid. A 2 percent Commonwealth levy applies to all building permit fees. Permit refunds of up to 80 percent may be requested in writing within six months of the application or issue date if no inspections were performed.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• No Farmville-specific exempt-work list was located in public records.
• The statewide exemptions in Virginia Construction Code Section 108.2 (13VAC5-63-80) apply, which include qualifying low-voltage wiring, one-story detached sheds and similar structures up to 256 square feet, utility prefabricated buildings up to 150 square feet, certain fences, concrete or masonry walls up to 6 feet, retaining walls supporting less than 3 feet of unbalanced fill, flagpoles up to 30 feet, and many like-kind ordinary repairs.

Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. Farmville requires zoning approval for many project types. Confirm with the Farmville Building Inspection Department before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Cloudpermit portal (online)
• 434-392-8465 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Inspections must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance. Voicemail and email inspection requests are not accepted.

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday

Typical inspection sequence: The permit issued through Cloudpermit lists the required inspections for each project. Applicants may also request inspections not listed on the permit.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code and 2017 National Electrical Code
• Verify contractor license: Virginia DPOR License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• Contractor Information
• Inspections
• Farmville Town Code (Municode)
• License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Town of Farmville Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Town of Farmville, VA?

The Farmville Building Official handles permits for the alteration or erection of all buildings and structures within town limits. Separate construction and trade permits are required, and zoning approval is required for change of use, new construction, room additions, garages, sheds, signs, and similar work.

How much does a building permit cost in Town of Farmville, VA?

The minimum permit fee is $75 residential single-family and renovations; $50 garages, additions, porches, decks, and sheds; $150 commercial new construction and structural renovations. Fees are calculated as: Residential single-family dwellings: $75 base + $0.20/sq. ft. Residential renovations (structural): $75 base + $0.20/sq. ft. Garages and additions: $50 base + $0.15/sq. ft. Porches, decks, and sheds: $0.15/sq. ft., $50 minimum. Commercial new construction and structural renovations: $150 base + $0.25/sq. ft. Commercial accessory structures: $150 + $0.25/sq. ft. Mobile and modular homes: $75 + $0.15/sq. ft. Plumbing, electrical, and HVAC (separate permits): $75 residential, $150 commercial each. Signs: $45 non-illuminated flush-mounted wall signs, $75 all other signs. Demolition: $50 small accessory building, $75 residences, $125 commercial or industrial. Moving building or structure: $150. Swimming pools: $125 in-ground, $75 above-ground. Electrical upgrade or service change: $75.. Plan check fee: $200 plan check fee.

How do I apply for a building permit in Town of Farmville, VA?

1. Determine whether town zoning approval is needed. Farmville requires zoning approval for change of use, new construction, room additions, garages, sheds, signs, and similar projects. Zoning applications are submitted through the same Cloudpermit portal. 2. Create a free Cloudpermit account (first-time online users) or prepare a paper or PDF application. The town accepts paper submissions but notes extra data-entry time. 3. Assemble the application package. Required information includes property address or parcel number, flood hazard zone status, detailed work description, contractor business name, estimated cost, project area, site plan, drawings, lien agent information if applicable, and erosion and sediment control plan or agreement in lieu where required. Contractors must provide a DPOR license number if not already registered with the town. 4. Verify contractor and business-license compliance. Contractors must provide proof of DPOR licensure and a valid business license. For jobs of $25,000 or less, a current locality business license may be accepted; otherwise a Farmville business license may be required. 5. Submit building, demolition, and trade permit applications through Cloudpermit or on paper. Separate permits are required for construction and each trade. 6. Pay applicable fees. No permit is issued until fees are paid. 7. Request inspections through Cloudpermit or by phone at least 24 hours in advance. Work must be complete at the time of inspection. Voicemail and email inspection requests are not accepted. 8. Obtain final approval and, where required, a certificate of occupancy before occupancy or change of use.

How long does it take to get a building permit in Town of Farmville, VA?

Typical processing time is Minimum 24 hours for building and demolition permits. Applications are processed first-come, first-served and timing can vary..

What work is exempt from building permits in Town of Farmville, VA?

The following work is generally exempt: No Farmville-specific exempt-work list was located in public records.; The statewide exemptions in Virginia Construction Code Section 108.2 (13VAC5-63-80) apply, which include qualifying low-voltage wiring, one-story detached sheds and similar structures up to 256 square feet, utility prefabricated buildings up to 150 square feet, certain fences, concrete or masonry walls up to 6 feet, retaining walls supporting less than 3 feet of unbalanced fill, flagpoles up to 30 feet, and many like-kind ordinary repairs.. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. Farmville requires zoning approval for many project types. Confirm with the Farmville Building Inspection Department before proceeding.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Town of Farmville, VA?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Cloudpermit portal, 434-392-8465. Inspections must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance. Voicemail and email inspection requests are not accepted..