Pulaski County, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Issues building permits for unincorporated Pulaski County. Also issues building permits and inspections for the Town of Dublin as of May 1, 2025. The incorporated Town of Pulaski maintains a separate building department.

Department

Pulaski County Building Office, Community Development

Address

143 Third Street NW, Suite 1, Pulaski, VA 24301

Phone

540-980-7710

Email

buildingdept@pulaskicounty.org

Website

https://www.pulaskicounty.org/building-department.html

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm zoning and land-use status with Pulaski County Planning and Zoning before applying. Note: the incorporated towns of Pulaski and Dublin administer their own land use ordinances.
2. Assemble the permit package for your project type. Required materials vary but typically include the application form, building plans, site plan, utility and septic documentation (if applicable), flood elevation certificate (if in a floodplain), erosion and sediment control paperwork, and trade-specific submittals.
3. Submit the complete application through the county Citizen Self Service (CSS) portal or by emailing all permit documentation to buildingdept@pulaskicounty.org. The Building Office also accepts in-person submittals during office hours.
4. County staff performs building and zoning review. New home reviews may take up to 3 days; general permit turnaround times are not publicly posted.
5. If approved, the county issues the building permit and associated trade permits. Applicants are notified by phone or email.
6. Request inspections during construction. Inspections require 24 to 48 hours advance notice to the Building Office.
7. Complete all required final inspections including trade, energy, and final building inspections. Health Department completion is required before the final inspection for projects with a private well or septic system.

Typical processing time: New home reviews may take up to 3 days. No general permit-wide turnaround was published.

Source: Pulaski County Building Office, Community Development

General Requirements

Building permits are required for new construction, additions, and alterations in unincorporated Pulaski County. The county publishes separate applications for commercial, residential, solar, manufactured home, electrical, gas, HVAC, plumbing, and sprinkler/fire-alarm permits. New home construction may also require temporary power, VDOT entrance, Health Department, zoning, and debris-disposal permits.

Required Documents

• Completed permit application for the project type
• Building plans
• Site plan
• VDH well and septic permit (where applicable)
• Utility or garbage setup documentation or paid connection receipt
• Flood elevation certificate (if property is in a flood zone)
• AEP work-order number (where applicable)
• Agreement in lieu of erosion and sediment control plan
• HVAC load calculations
• Trade-specific application forms for each subcontractor discipline

Permit validity

No county-specific validity or expiration period was found on public building pages. The residential application warns that permits may be revoked if issued on incorrect information.

Building code

2021 Virginia Construction Code and 2021 Virginia Residential Code, effective January 18, 2024

Owner-builder

Homeowners may obtain permits but the county strongly recommends using a licensed contractor. Homeowners performing their own work must submit a Homeowners Affidavit.

Contractor requirements

Contractors must provide a Virginia state license number (DPOR). Tradesmen and subcontractors must complete separate trade permit applications.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$30.00 for miscellaneous permits (first $1,000 of value); $50.00 flat minimum for demolition and temporary electrical permits

Plan check fee

No separate plan-check fee listed in the published fee schedule.

Permit fee formula

Residential new construction: $0.16 per square foot plus tradesman fees. Non-residential new construction: $0.20 per square foot plus tradesman and miscellaneous fees. Miscellaneous permits: $30.00 for the first $1,000 in value plus $5.00 per additional increment. Manufactured homes and many trade permits are flat-fee based.

Reinspection fee

$50.00

Payment note

The Building Office page does not publish detailed payment-processing instructions for building permits. A credit-card authorization form is available on the Planning and Zoning side.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Pulaski County Building Office, Community Development to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 540-980-7710 (24-48 hours advance notice required) (phone)
• buildingdept@pulaskicounty.org (email)

Scheduling deadline

Inspections require 24 to 48 hours advance notice.

Inspection hours

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

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: footing and foundation (as applicable), underground and utility tests, combination rough-in inspections (mechanical, plumbing, electrical, framing, air leakage), insulation, duct test, house-wrap and window-flashing inspection, blower-door testing, permanent power, and final inspection. Additional inspections may be required depending on project type.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2021 Virginia Construction Code and 2021 Virginia Residential Code, effective January 18, 2024
• Verify contractor license: DPOR License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• Building a New Home Guide
• Unified Development Ordinance (July 2025)
• Pulaski County GIS Parcel Viewer
• Information for Designers (2025)
• Agreement in Lieu of E&S Control Plan
• License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Pulaski County Building Permit FAQ

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

Building permits are required for new construction, additions, and alterations in unincorporated Pulaski County. The county publishes separate applications for commercial, residential, solar, manufactured home, electrical, gas, HVAC, plumbing, and sprinkler/fire-alarm permits. New home construction may also require temporary power, VDOT entrance, Health Department, zoning, and debris-disposal permits.

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

The minimum permit fee is $30.00 for miscellaneous permits (first $1,000 of value); $50.00 flat minimum for demolition and temporary electrical permits. Fees are calculated as: Residential new construction: $0.16 per square foot plus tradesman fees. Non-residential new construction: $0.20 per square foot plus tradesman and miscellaneous fees. Miscellaneous permits: $30.00 for the first $1,000 in value plus $5.00 per additional increment. Manufactured homes and many trade permits are flat-fee based.. Plan check fee: No separate plan-check fee listed in the published fee schedule..

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

1. Confirm zoning and land-use status with Pulaski County Planning and Zoning before applying. Note: the incorporated towns of Pulaski and Dublin administer their own land use ordinances. 2. Assemble the permit package for your project type. Required materials vary but typically include the application form, building plans, site plan, utility and septic documentation (if applicable), flood elevation certificate (if in a floodplain), erosion and sediment control paperwork, and trade-specific submittals. 3. Submit the complete application through the county Citizen Self Service (CSS) portal or by emailing all permit documentation to buildingdept@pulaskicounty.org. The Building Office also accepts in-person submittals during office hours. 4. County staff performs building and zoning review. New home reviews may take up to 3 days; general permit turnaround times are not publicly posted. 5. If approved, the county issues the building permit and associated trade permits. Applicants are notified by phone or email. 6. Request inspections during construction. Inspections require 24 to 48 hours advance notice to the Building Office. 7. Complete all required final inspections including trade, energy, and final building inspections. Health Department completion is required before the final inspection for projects with a private well or septic system.

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

Typical processing time is New home reviews may take up to 3 days. No general permit-wide turnaround was published..

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: 540-980-7710 (24-48 hours advance notice required), buildingdept@pulaskicounty.org. Inspections require 24 to 48 hours advance notice..