Unincorporated Sussex County

Under the 2021 Virginia Construction Code, a permit is required before construction or demolition of a building or structure; structural alterations; work affecting fire-rated assemblies or means of egress; water, sewer, vent, electrical, fire-protection, mechanical, or fuel-supply systems; regulated equipment; and certain changes of occupancy. A zoning permit or waiver from Sussex County Planning and Zoning (or the applicable town zoning administrator for work inside an incorporated town) is a prerequisite before the building permit is issued.

• Exempt One-story detached tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar detached structures up to 256 square feet
• Exempt Tents or air-supported structures of 900 square feet or less with occupant load of 50 or less
• Exempt Fences of any height unless required as pool barriers or for pedestrian safety
• Exempt Concrete or masonry walls not over 6 feet above finished grade
• Exempt Retaining walls supporting less than 3 feet of unbalanced fill and not supporting surcharge beyond ordinary unbalanced fill
• Exempt Small pools not greater than 150 square feet and less than 24 inches deep
• Exempt Flagpoles 30 feet or less in height
• Exempt Certain ordinary repairs, including like-for-like window and door replacements in qualifying residential occupancies, replacement of plumbing fixtures and well pumps without system alteration, certain switch and receptacle replacements, certain appliance replacements, paint or wallpaper, cabinetry or trim, and specified residential roofing and siding work

Note: Exemptions are based on Section 108.2 of the 2021 Virginia Construction Code. Sussex County may require permits for otherwise exempt items in a special flood hazard area. A zoning permit or waiver from Sussex County Planning and Zoning (or the applicable town zoning administrator) may still be required even where building-permit work is exempt. Confirm with Building Inspections and Planning and Zoning before proceeding.

Building code

2021 Virginia Construction Code (Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code), effective January 18, 2024

Permit validity

A permit application is considered abandoned if not pursued within 6 months after filing. An issued permit may be revoked if work does not commence within 6 months after issuance or if work is suspended or abandoned for 6 months; written extensions may be granted via the county's permit-extension application. Approved site plans become void if no building permit is obtained within 12 months, with a possible 6-month extension.

Owner-builder

Sussex County forms include an affidavit of licensure exemption for owner-builders and other exempt applicants. The affidavit states the exempt applicant is responsible for all construction under the permit and acknowledges that any hired firms must still comply with state and local contractor-licensing laws. Sussex County's FAQ advises that the contractor should normally obtain the permit rather than the owner.

Contractor requirements

Contractors must provide a valid Virginia state license number or file the statutory affidavit of licensure exemption. Proof that any applicable county, city, or town taxes or license fees have been paid is also required.

Source: Building Inspections ↗

1. 01
   Confirm whether the project requires county zoning approval, a zoning waiver, floodplain review, land-disturbance approval, subdivision review, or site-plan review before the building permit is filed. For projects inside the incorporated towns of Jarratt, Stony Creek, Wakefield, or Waverly, town-level zoning clearance may also be required first.
2. 02
   Download the correct Sussex County permit form. Sussex publishes separate forms for general, residential, commercial, tradesman, demolition, manufactured-home, permit-extension, and certificate-of-occupancy requests.
3. 03
   Assemble the full permit package. Required supporting items include the completed permit application, zoning permit or waiver, private sewage permit if applicable, water and sewer tap receipts if applicable, footing and foundation plan and details, floor plans, deck framing details if applicable, and two complete sets of construction documents.
4. 04
   Submit the application to Sussex County Building Inspections by mail or in person at 20135 Princeton Road, Sussex, VA 23884. Virginia's Construction Code allows mail submissions unless the applicant selects another method.
5. 05
   Respond to any completeness or correction comments. An incomplete application triggers a $50.00 re-review fee before processing and permit issuance.
6. 06
   Pay all required permit fees and the state levy before permit issuance. Sussex County states no permit shall be issued until prescribed fees are paid.
7. 07
   After issuance, post the permit on-site and call for required inspections at each stage. Final inspection for a dwelling requires an approved water sample and sewage operations permit from the Health Department before the final can be scheduled.

Source: Building Inspections ↗

All applicable permit fees carry a 2% state levy. Written cancellations or abandoned permits may be eligible for a refund with a 30% deduction. Planning and Zoning fees (rezonings, special uses, site plans, plats, floodplain, erosion control) are scheduled separately.

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

• (434) 246-4390 (phone)

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Typical sequence: Sussex County published inspection stages: footing; projection; foundation/boxing/floor-joist; framing/electrical/plumbing/mechanical rough-in; chimney and fireplace (if applicable); insulation; and final inspection before occupancy. Do not cover foundations or piers before inspection. Final inspection for a dwelling requires an approved water sample and a sewage operations permit from the Health Department.

Source: Building Inspections ↗