Unincorporated Pulaski County

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.

Note: No public exempt-work list was found on the Pulaski County Building Office pages. Contact the Building Office at buildingdept@pulaskicounty.org or 540-980-7710 to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Building code

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

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.

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.

Source: Pulaski County Building Office, Community Development ↗

1. 01
   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. 02
   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. 03
   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. 04
   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. 05
   If approved, the county issues the building permit and associated trade permits. Applicants are notified by phone or email.
6. 06
   Request inspections during construction. Inspections require 24 to 48 hours advance notice to the Building Office.
7. 07
   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 ↗

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 periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

• 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 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.

Source: Pulaski County Building Office, Community Development ↗