Surry County, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Surry County is a Virginia county locality and the building permit issuer for all county territory. The Town of Surry and Town of Claremont, both incorporated towns within the county, route building permits through Surry County Building Inspections under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. Properties within those towns may require a separate local zoning review before the county building permit can be issued.

Department

Surry County Building Inspections

Address

45 School Street, Surry, VA 23883

Phone

757-294-5211

Email

inspections@surrycountyva.gov

Website

https://www.surrycountyva.gov/150/Building-Inspections

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm zoning first. Residential and general permit packets require a zoning permit or waiver from Surry County Planning and Community Development before the building permit can be issued.
2. Select the correct county form package for your project type: residential, general, commercial, manufactured home or industrialized building, demolition, or tradesman permit.
3. Assemble required documents. Depending on project type, packets call for the sewage disposal permit, water or sewer tap receipts, footing and foundation plans, floor plans, deck framing details if applicable, and two sets of complete construction documents.
4. Submit the completed application and all required documents to Building Inspections at 45 School Street. No separate online filing portal is available.
5. County staff reviews for completeness and code compliance. Incomplete submittals may trigger a $50 re-review fee before further processing.
6. Pay permit fees before issuance. No permit may be issued until all prescribed fees are paid.
7. After permit issuance, schedule required inspections by calling 877-224-7978 or emailing inspections@surrycountyva.gov with your name, phone number, permit address, and inspection type.
8. Pass all required inspections. The county issues a certificate of occupancy after a successful final inspection.

Typical processing time: No standard turnaround estimate is posted for ordinary building permits. Requested inspections are generally scheduled the next business day; allow up to two business days. A fast-track plan-of-development review program (seven working days for qualifying projects) is available through Planning and Community Development.

Source: Surry County Building Inspections

General Requirements

Surry County issues permits and conducts inspections for new construction and other building operations under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. Permit types include residential, general, commercial, demolition, manufactured home, industrialized building, and trades permits. A zoning permit or waiver from Planning and Community Development is a stated prerequisite on county building permit packets.

Required Documents

• Completed county permit application for the applicable project type
• Zoning permit or waiver from Surry County Planning and Community Development
• Private sewage disposal system permit (where applicable)
• Water tap fee receipt (where applicable)
• Sewer tap fee receipt (where applicable)
• Footing and foundation plan with details
• First floor plan and second floor plan
• Deck framing plan and details (if applicable)
• Two sets of complete construction documents and plans

Permit validity

The county fee schedule lists fees for amendments, renewals, extensions, reinstatement, and ownership or contractor changes. No general expiration period was publicly posted; confirm the operative validity period with Building Inspections at the time of application.

Building code

Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC). The Building Inspections page references the 2018 USBC edition; a Hampton Roads Special Inspections Policy labeled 2021 USBC Edition is also posted. Confirm the operative USBC edition for your specific project with the Building Official before applying.

Owner-builder

The county tradesman packet includes an affidavit of licensure exemption under Virginia Code 54.1-1111. The Virginia Board for Contractors strongly advises that contractors, not owners or residents, obtain building permits. Permit holders remain responsible for code violations regardless of who pulled the permit.

Contractor requirements

County permit forms request the Virginia state contractor license number, specialty, class, and expiration date. An affidavit process applies only where the applicant claims exemption from Virginia licensure requirements. Verify current contractor licensing with the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR).

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$75 base permit fee; $35 zoning application fee (Planning and Community Development)

Plan check fee

Residential plan review $50; commercial new-construction plan review $250

Permit fee formula

Residential: base fee of $75 plus $0.16 per square foot of finished area and $0.08 per square foot of unfinished area. Commercial or industrial new construction: 1% of contract value. Separate flat fees apply for pools, fences, signs, demolition, chimneys, tents, retaining walls, and administrative actions. A 2% state levy is added to applicable permit fees.

Reinspection fee

$100 reinspection fee if the job is not ready when the inspection is requested

Penalty (no permit)

$100 code investigation fee; $100 fine for work started before permit issuance; $50 incomplete application re-review fee

Payment note

Fees must be paid before permit issuance. Planning and Community Development fees are directed to the Treasurer of Surry County.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

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

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 877-224-7978 (inspections hotline) (phone)
• inspections@surrycountyva.gov (email)

Scheduling deadline

Inspection requests must be made by telephone before 5:00 p.m. for next-business-day scheduling. Allow up to two business days for completion of each requested inspection.

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: footing, projection, foundation and boxing and floor joist, framing and rough electrical/plumbing/mechanical, chimney and fireplace, insulation, final inspection before occupancy.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC). The Building Inspections page references the 2018 USBC edition; a Hampton Roads Special Inspections Policy labeled 2021 USBC Edition is also posted. Confirm the operative USBC edition for your specific project with the Building Official before applying.
• Verify contractor license: Virginia DPOR License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Surry County Code of Ordinances (Municode)
• Chesapeake Bay Act Requirements
• Planning and Community Development Fee Schedule
• Virginia DHCD Building Officials Directory
• License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Surry County Building Permit FAQ

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

Surry County issues permits and conducts inspections for new construction and other building operations under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. Permit types include residential, general, commercial, demolition, manufactured home, industrialized building, and trades permits. A zoning permit or waiver from Planning and Community Development is a stated prerequisite on county building permit packets.

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

The minimum permit fee is $75 base permit fee; $35 zoning application fee (Planning and Community Development). Fees are calculated as: Residential: base fee of $75 plus $0.16 per square foot of finished area and $0.08 per square foot of unfinished area. Commercial or industrial new construction: 1% of contract value. Separate flat fees apply for pools, fences, signs, demolition, chimneys, tents, retaining walls, and administrative actions. A 2% state levy is added to applicable permit fees.. Plan check fee: Residential plan review $50; commercial new-construction plan review $250.

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

1. Confirm zoning first. Residential and general permit packets require a zoning permit or waiver from Surry County Planning and Community Development before the building permit can be issued. 2. Select the correct county form package for your project type: residential, general, commercial, manufactured home or industrialized building, demolition, or tradesman permit. 3. Assemble required documents. Depending on project type, packets call for the sewage disposal permit, water or sewer tap receipts, footing and foundation plans, floor plans, deck framing details if applicable, and two sets of complete construction documents. 4. Submit the completed application and all required documents to Building Inspections at 45 School Street. No separate online filing portal is available. 5. County staff reviews for completeness and code compliance. Incomplete submittals may trigger a $50 re-review fee before further processing. 6. Pay permit fees before issuance. No permit may be issued until all prescribed fees are paid. 7. After permit issuance, schedule required inspections by calling 877-224-7978 or emailing inspections@surrycountyva.gov with your name, phone number, permit address, and inspection type. 8. Pass all required inspections. The county issues a certificate of occupancy after a successful final inspection.

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

Typical processing time is No standard turnaround estimate is posted for ordinary building permits. Requested inspections are generally scheduled the next business day; allow up to two business days. A fast-track plan-of-development review program (seven working days for qualifying projects) is available through Planning and Community Development..

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: 877-224-7978 (inspections hotline), inspections@surrycountyva.gov. Inspection requests must be made by telephone before 5:00 p.m. for next-business-day scheduling. Allow up to two business days for completion of each requested inspection..