Prince George County, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Prince George County is a county locality. The Building Inspections Division issues permits and conducts inspections for all new construction, alterations, repairs, removal, demolition, and other building operations countywide. Related zoning, floodplain, Chesapeake Bay, site-plan, and land-disturbance reviews run through Planning and Zoning or other county reviewers as applicable. No incorporated town with a separate building-permit issuer was identified.

Department

Building Inspections Division, Department of Community Development and Code Compliance

Address

6602 Courts Drive, First Floor, Prince George, VA 23875

Phone

(804) 722-8659

Email

inspections@princegeorgecountyva.gov

Website

https://www.princegeorgecountyva.gov/community_development/building_inspections/index.php

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the project scope and determine whether related county approvals are needed. Building permits route through Building Inspections; zoning, floodplain development permits, site plans, Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area review, and similar land-use reviews route through Planning and Zoning as applicable.
2. Download the correct permit application forms from the Building Inspections Forms page. The county publishes separate forms for general building permits with zoning review, exempt structures, electrical, plumbing, gas, mechanical, sign, land disturbance, floodplain development, and zoning permits.
3. Assemble the submission package. Residential applicants must include a completed application, three plot plans drawn to scale showing lot and structure location, setbacks, easements, and well/drain-field locations, plus three sets of structural plans showing footing and foundation plan, roof or truss design package, floor plans, structural member sizing, wall sections, window and door locations, finish materials, and insulation values. Commercial applicants follow the county's commercial checklist and minimum-plan-information requirements.
4. Submit the complete package in person to Building Inspections at 6602 Courts Drive. For new residential structures, the application is reviewed by Building Inspections, the Planning Division, Information Technology (for addressing), Engineering and Utilities (for public water/sewer), and the Health Department (for private well or septic where applicable).
5. Respond to any correction comments and resubmit revised documents if required. The county states incomplete applications are the primary cause of delays. A re-submittal fee of $40.00 applies.
6. Pay permit fees to the County Treasurer before issuance. Staff will calculate the fee and send a payment link for residential projects. No permit is issued until fees are paid.
7. Receive the issued permit by mail or pick it up at the Building Officials Office before beginning any work.

Source: Building Inspections Division, Department of Community Development and Code Compliance

General Requirements

A building permit is required for all new construction, alterations, repairs, removal, demolition, and other building operations countywide. Permits are also required for gas logs and all fuel-fired appliance installation or replacement, electrical service upgrades or changes, pools more than 2 feet deep, and carports or storage buildings over 256 square feet. A floodplain development permit is required for any activity in a Special Flood Hazard Area.

Required Documents

• Completed permit application form
• Three plot plans drawn to scale (showing lot and structure location, setbacks, easements, and well/drain-field locations if present) — residential
• Three sets of structural plans (footing and foundation plan, roof or truss design package, floor plans, structural member sizing, wall sections, window and door locations, finish materials, and insulation values) — residential
• Commercial checklist documents and discipline-specific plan requirements — commercial
• Special-inspection forms where applicable — commercial
• Payment of permit fees

Permit validity

Per Virginia Construction Code Section 110.6, a permit becomes invalid if work does not commence within 6 months after issuance, or if approved work is suspended or abandoned for 6 months after work begins, unless an extension is granted. The building official may set a completion time limit for certain residential projects under Section 110.7.

Building code

2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (effective January 18, 2024), including the 2021 Virginia Construction Code and 2020 National Electrical Code references

Owner-builder

Virginia law allows certain owners to work under statutory contractor-license exemptions, including limited work on the owner's own primary residence. Under Virginia Code Section 54.1-1111, a permit applicant must either provide proof of appropriate licensure or file a written statement that the applicant is not subject to licensure.

Contractor requirements

Virginia DPOR regulates contractor and tradesman licensing statewide. A permit applicant must provide proof of licensure when the work is subject to contractor licensing, or a written statement of exemption. Prince George County also requires contractors to hold a local business license through the Commissioner of the Revenue; a county business-license application requires a valid state contractor license and Virginia Workers Compensation Form 61A.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$100 residential; $200 commercial

Plan check fee

No separate standard plan-check fee identified. Planning and Zoning charges separate review fees for site plans, plats, rezoning, special exceptions, and floodplain development permits.

Permit fee formula

Residential new one- and two-family dwellings: $0.22 per finished sq ft (building permit) plus $0.07 per finished sq ft (auxiliary permits), $100 base fee. Residential renovations and repairs: 1% of estimated cost, $100 base fee. Commercial building permits over $5,000: 1% of estimated cost, $200 base fee. Commercial auxiliary permits over $1,000: 1% of estimated cost, $200 base fee. Many other permit types are flat-fee items.

Reinspection fee

$50.00 when work is not ready, not accessible, or corrections have not been made

Penalty (no permit)

Code investigation fee for work started without a required permit is 100% of the permit fee. Using or occupying a structure prior to issuance of a certificate of use and occupancy carries a $100.00 penalty.

Payment note

No permit is issued until fees are paid to the County Treasurer. Staff will calculate fees and send a payment link for residential projects. Online bill pay is available at the Tyler Portico portal for fee payment, but permit applications cannot be submitted online.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Fences (building permit not required unless the fence serves as a pool barrier; a floodplain development permit is required if the fence is in a Special Flood Hazard Area)
• Driveways (building permit not required; a land-disturbance permit may be required depending on size; a floodplain development permit is required in a Special Flood Hazard Area)
• Residential siding replacement and replacement windows
• Residential re-roofing where 100 square feet or less of roof sheathing is replaced (a permit is required when more than 100 square feet of sheathing is replaced)
• Storage buildings and carports at or under 256 square feet (a permit is required when they exceed 256 square feet)

Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning, floodplain, land-disturbance, Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area, or other overlay requirements. Confirm with the Building Inspections Division and Planning and Zoning before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• (804) 722-8659 (phone)
• inspections@princegeorgecountyva.gov (email)

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays

Typical inspection sequence: Building Inspections reviews plans for code compliance and inspects structures at critical points during construction. The county references project-stage inspections including an E&S Initial Site Inspection for residential new construction; the county's full posted inspection sequence was not publicly available in the sources reviewed.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (effective January 18, 2024), including the 2021 Virginia Construction Code and 2020 National Electrical Code references
• Verify contractor license: Virginia DPOR Board for Contractors
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• Building Inspections FAQs
• Building Inspections Forms
• Residential Building Guidance
• Planning and Zoning Applications and Forms
• Floodplain Development
• Virginia DPOR Board for Tradesmen
• 2021 Virginia Construction Code (DHCD)
• License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Prince George County Building Permit FAQ

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

A building permit is required for all new construction, alterations, repairs, removal, demolition, and other building operations countywide. Permits are also required for gas logs and all fuel-fired appliance installation or replacement, electrical service upgrades or changes, pools more than 2 feet deep, and carports or storage buildings over 256 square feet. A floodplain development permit is required for any activity in a Special Flood Hazard Area.

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

The minimum permit fee is $100 residential; $200 commercial. Fees are calculated as: Residential new one- and two-family dwellings: $0.22 per finished sq ft (building permit) plus $0.07 per finished sq ft (auxiliary permits), $100 base fee. Residential renovations and repairs: 1% of estimated cost, $100 base fee. Commercial building permits over $5,000: 1% of estimated cost, $200 base fee. Commercial auxiliary permits over $1,000: 1% of estimated cost, $200 base fee. Many other permit types are flat-fee items.. Plan check fee: No separate standard plan-check fee identified. Planning and Zoning charges separate review fees for site plans, plats, rezoning, special exceptions, and floodplain development permits..

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

1. Confirm the project scope and determine whether related county approvals are needed. Building permits route through Building Inspections; zoning, floodplain development permits, site plans, Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area review, and similar land-use reviews route through Planning and Zoning as applicable. 2. Download the correct permit application forms from the Building Inspections Forms page. The county publishes separate forms for general building permits with zoning review, exempt structures, electrical, plumbing, gas, mechanical, sign, land disturbance, floodplain development, and zoning permits. 3. Assemble the submission package. Residential applicants must include a completed application, three plot plans drawn to scale showing lot and structure location, setbacks, easements, and well/drain-field locations, plus three sets of structural plans showing footing and foundation plan, roof or truss design package, floor plans, structural member sizing, wall sections, window and door locations, finish materials, and insulation values. Commercial applicants follow the county's commercial checklist and minimum-plan-information requirements. 4. Submit the complete package in person to Building Inspections at 6602 Courts Drive. For new residential structures, the application is reviewed by Building Inspections, the Planning Division, Information Technology (for addressing), Engineering and Utilities (for public water/sewer), and the Health Department (for private well or septic where applicable). 5. Respond to any correction comments and resubmit revised documents if required. The county states incomplete applications are the primary cause of delays. A re-submittal fee of $40.00 applies. 6. Pay permit fees to the County Treasurer before issuance. Staff will calculate the fee and send a payment link for residential projects. No permit is issued until fees are paid. 7. Receive the issued permit by mail or pick it up at the Building Officials Office before beginning any work.

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

The following work is generally exempt: Fences (building permit not required unless the fence serves as a pool barrier; a floodplain development permit is required if the fence is in a Special Flood Hazard Area); Driveways (building permit not required; a land-disturbance permit may be required depending on size; a floodplain development permit is required in a Special Flood Hazard Area); Residential siding replacement and replacement windows; Residential re-roofing where 100 square feet or less of roof sheathing is replaced (a permit is required when more than 100 square feet of sheathing is replaced); Storage buildings and carports at or under 256 square feet (a permit is required when they exceed 256 square feet). Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning, floodplain, land-disturbance, Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area, or other overlay requirements. Confirm with the Building Inspections Division and Planning and Zoning before proceeding.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: (804) 722-8659, inspections@princegeorgecountyva.gov.