Richmond County, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Richmond County Building Inspections is the building-permit issuer for all unincorporated Richmond County and for building work inside the incorporated Town of Warsaw. Note: Richmond County is a Virginia county, not an independent city. The City of Richmond is a separate, independent city not served by this office.

Department

Richmond County Building Inspections

Address

101 Court Circle, P.O. Box 1000, Warsaw, VA 22572

Phone

804-333-5460

Email

cwoolard@co.richmond.va.us

Website

https://co.richmond.va.us/departments/county-administration/building-inspections

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Determine whether the project requires prerequisite approvals beyond the building permit — zoning, land-disturbance, stormwater, Chesapeake Bay, wetlands, Health Department septic or well permits, or utility connections. County policy requires zoning and land-disturbance permits to be issued before a building permit is released.
2. Review the county permit guidance and single-family permit process materials. Prepare your application package including two sets of drawings, a site plan, and required supporting documentation.
3. Submit the completed application package through the county's online OpenGov portal or deliver completed materials in person to the Building and Zoning office at 101 Court Circle. All fees are calculated and collected at the time of submission.
4. County zoning review occurs first. The Zoning Administrator verifies that the proposed use is permitted and that all required prerequisite permits have been applied for.
5. After zoning approval, building and site plans are reviewed simultaneously. Routine permits are typically released within 1 to 3 working days; single-family new construction coordinated zoning and building review typically takes 1 to 2 weeks.
6. For single-family new construction, before the building permit is released the county requires a temporary toilet, dumpster, stone construction entrance or other erosion controls, and an initial erosion and sediment control inspection within 24 hours of implementing the controls.
7. Receive and post the issued permit. Obtain separate permits for plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and gas installations before those trades begin work.
8. Schedule and pass all required inspections as work progresses. Obtain final inspection approval and a certificate of occupancy before occupying any dwelling or structure.

Typical processing time: 1 to 3 working days for routine permits; 1 to 2 weeks for single-family new construction where coordinated zoning and building review is required.

Source: Richmond County Building Inspections

General Requirements

A permit is required when constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, or demolishing a building or structure; changing the use of a building when the new use requires greater code protection; installing or altering code-regulated equipment; or removing or disturbing asbestos-containing material during demolition, alteration, renovation, or additions.

Required Documents

• Completed permit application
• Two sets of construction drawings
• Site plan showing house location, driveway, setbacks, water features, drainfield or septic or well location, limits of clearing and new lawn, and erosion control measures
• Approved sewage disposal permit or public utility connection proof (well and septic or public water and sewer)
• Copy of the general contractor's Virginia license
• Copies of plumbing, electrical, and mechanical contractor licenses and master tradesman cards for trade permits
• Owner-builder affidavit (signed in office) if the owner is acting as their own general contractor

Permit validity

Permits become invalid if work is not commenced within 6 months of issuance or if work is suspended or abandoned for 6 months after commencement. Plumbing, electrical, and mechanical permits remain effective while the related building permit remains in effect. County land-disturbance permits are valid for 1 year from issuance.

Building code

Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC). The statewide current cycle is the 2021 Virginia Codes, effective January 18, 2024. Confirm the currently enforced edition directly with the Building Official, as the county website references the 2018 edition and may be stale.

Owner-builder

If the owner is acting as the builder, the owner must appear in the office and sign an owner-builder affidavit in lieu of submitting contractor license documentation.

Contractor requirements

Contractors must hold a current Virginia contractor license issued by the Virginia DPOR Board for Contractors. Plumbing, electrical, HVAC, gas fitting, and other trade work requires both a contractor business license and a master tradesman card issued by the Virginia DPOR Board for Tradesmen. Copies of all applicable licenses and tradesman cards must be submitted with the permit application.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$100 minimum for dwelling and commercial construction; $100 minimum for fire suppression systems; $40 minimum for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical dwelling permits

Plan check fee

No separate plan-check fee identified; plan review appears bundled into permit fees collected at submission.

Permit fee formula

Mixed schedule. Dwellings and commercial construction: $0.12 per square foot. Garages, porches, decks, accessory structures, and unfinished basements: $0.08 per square foot. Miscellaneous construction: $6.00 per $1,000 of construction value. A 2% state levy applies to all county building permit fees.

Trade permit fee

$40 minimum per trade permit for residential work

Reinspection fee

Residential reinspection: $30. Commercial reinspection: $50.

Penalty (no permit)

After-the-fact permit fees are doubled.

Payment note

All building, zoning, and land-disturbance permit fees are calculated and collected when the completed application is submitted. A 2% state levy applies to county building fees.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Richmond County Building Inspections to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 804-333-5460 (Building Official; voicemail accepted after hours) (phone)
• 804-333-3415 (Development Services) (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Inspections generally must be requested 24 hours in advance. Exception: footing, water and sewer line, and electrical-upgrade inspections may be scheduled the same day if requested by 10:00 a.m.

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: footing; slab; foundation; basement drainage and waterproofing if applicable; poured walls; framing; electrical rough-in; electrical service; plumbing rough-in; mechanical rough-in; gas rough-in inside and outside; gas final; fireplace throat; insulation; underground water and sewer lines; final inspection; certificate of occupancy. Final inspection for a dwelling also requires a sewage disposal operational permit from the Richmond County Health Department and the assigned address number must be displayed before the certificate of occupancy will be issued.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC). The statewide current cycle is the 2021 Virginia Codes, effective January 18, 2024. Confirm the currently enforced edition directly with the Building Official, as the county website references the 2018 edition and may be stale.
• Verify contractor license: Virginia DPOR Board for Contractors
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Virginia DPOR Board for Tradesmen (electricians, plumbers, HVAC)
• Planning and Zoning Applications
• Chesapeake Bay Regulations
• Virginia USBC Overview (DHCD)
• Building Inspections FAQs
• License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Richmond County Building Permit FAQ

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

A permit is required when constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, or demolishing a building or structure; changing the use of a building when the new use requires greater code protection; installing or altering code-regulated equipment; or removing or disturbing asbestos-containing material during demolition, alteration, renovation, or additions.

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

The minimum permit fee is $100 minimum for dwelling and commercial construction; $100 minimum for fire suppression systems; $40 minimum for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical dwelling permits. Fees are calculated as: Mixed schedule. Dwellings and commercial construction: $0.12 per square foot. Garages, porches, decks, accessory structures, and unfinished basements: $0.08 per square foot. Miscellaneous construction: $6.00 per $1,000 of construction value. A 2% state levy applies to all county building permit fees.. Plan check fee: No separate plan-check fee identified; plan review appears bundled into permit fees collected at submission..

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

1. Determine whether the project requires prerequisite approvals beyond the building permit — zoning, land-disturbance, stormwater, Chesapeake Bay, wetlands, Health Department septic or well permits, or utility connections. County policy requires zoning and land-disturbance permits to be issued before a building permit is released. 2. Review the county permit guidance and single-family permit process materials. Prepare your application package including two sets of drawings, a site plan, and required supporting documentation. 3. Submit the completed application package through the county's online OpenGov portal or deliver completed materials in person to the Building and Zoning office at 101 Court Circle. All fees are calculated and collected at the time of submission. 4. County zoning review occurs first. The Zoning Administrator verifies that the proposed use is permitted and that all required prerequisite permits have been applied for. 5. After zoning approval, building and site plans are reviewed simultaneously. Routine permits are typically released within 1 to 3 working days; single-family new construction coordinated zoning and building review typically takes 1 to 2 weeks. 6. For single-family new construction, before the building permit is released the county requires a temporary toilet, dumpster, stone construction entrance or other erosion controls, and an initial erosion and sediment control inspection within 24 hours of implementing the controls. 7. Receive and post the issued permit. Obtain separate permits for plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and gas installations before those trades begin work. 8. Schedule and pass all required inspections as work progresses. Obtain final inspection approval and a certificate of occupancy before occupying any dwelling or structure.

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

Typical processing time is 1 to 3 working days for routine permits; 1 to 2 weeks for single-family new construction where coordinated zoning and building review is required..

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: 804-333-5460 (Building Official; voicemail accepted after hours), 804-333-3415 (Development Services). Inspections generally must be requested 24 hours in advance. Exception: footing, water and sewer line, and electrical-upgrade inspections may be scheduled the same day if requested by 10:00 a.m..