Unincorporated Prince Edward County

Permits are required for contractors and homeowners performing construction, enlarging, repairing, converting, or demolishing any building within Prince Edward County. The Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code also requires permits before construction or demolition and for most structural, MEP, occupancy-change, lot-line hazard, and asbestos-disturbance work.

• Exempt Qualifying low-voltage wiring
• Exempt One-story detached sheds, playhouses, and similar structures up to 256 square feet
• Exempt Utility prefabricated buildings up to 150 square feet
• Exempt Certain small tents
• Exempt Fences, unless serving as pool barriers or pedestrian-safety barriers
• Exempt Concrete or masonry walls up to 6 feet
• Exempt Retaining walls supporting less than 3 feet of unbalanced fill
• Exempt Small shallow pools meeting state criteria
• Exempt Certain signs
• Exempt Replacement LP-gas containers of the same capacity in the same location
• Exempt Flagpoles up to 30 feet
• Exempt Certain temporary ramps
• Exempt Minor ordinary work approved by the building official
• Exempt Enumerated ordinary repairs including many like-kind window and door replacements, fixture replacements, certain appliance swaps, limited reroofing, floor finishes, cabinetry and trim, and paint or wallpaper

Note: Prince Edward County directs applicants to Virginia Construction Code Section 108.2 for the statewide exemption list. Historic-district properties and special flood hazard area properties may still require permits for otherwise exempt work. Confirm with the Prince Edward County Building Office before proceeding.

Building code

2021 Virginia Construction Code, 2021 Virginia Existing Building Code, 2021 Virginia Property Maintenance Code, 2021 Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code, and related 2021 DHCD code packages

Permit validity

Virginia USBC allows permit revocation if work does not commence within six months after issuance or is suspended or abandoned for six months. The county publishes a permit extension and renewal form for extensions beyond that period.

Owner-builder

Virginia law exempts a person who performs or supervises work on no more than one primary residence owned by and for that person's own use during any 24-month period. The owner must still comply with the Virginia USBC.

Contractor requirements

Before permit issuance, the applicant must provide proof of Virginia DPOR licensure or certification, or a written statement that licensure is not required. Proof that applicable county taxes or license fees have been paid is also required.

Source: Prince Edward County Building Office ↗

1. 01
   Confirm whether zoning approval is required before submitting a building permit application. The Planning and Zoning division publishes zoning permit forms by district.
2. 02
   Gather all supporting approvals and documents. County guidance lists zoning approval, Health Department approval, VDOT approval, a title copy for a singlewide, electronic plans, and a completed building application as possible requirements.
3. 03
   Submit the building application to the Prince Edward County Building Office in person (8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday) or by email to building@co.prince-edward.va.us.
4. 04
   Pay permit and plan review fees. The county building fee schedule became effective March 1, 2026 and includes a 2 percent state levy.
5. 05
   County reviews the application under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. If compliant, the permit is issued; otherwise, the applicant must correct deficiencies before resubmittal.
6. 06
   Call 434-392-8838 to request inspections. Work must be ready by 8:00 a.m. on the day of inspection; the county cannot provide appointment windows.
7. 07
   Obtain a certificate of occupancy where required. The building official is required to issue the certificate within five working days after final inspection approval.

Typical processing time: No general permit turnaround time is published. Certificate of occupancy issuance is stated as within five working days after final approval.

Source: Prince Edward County Building Office ↗

A 2 percent state levy applies to permit fees. Credit card payments were operational as of February 23, 2026. Up to an 80 percent refund may be requested in writing within one year if no work or inspection has occurred.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective March 1, 2026) before budgeting.

• 434-392-8838 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Work must be ready by 8:00 a.m. on the day of inspection. The county cannot provide appointment windows.

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Typical sequence: Typical sequence includes: footing, foundation, drain tile/damp proof, sill plate, floor joist, framing, veneer, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas, fireplace, and final inspection.

Source: Prince Edward County Building Office ↗