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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Tazewell County
Permits are required for new houses, additions, decks, garages, porches, detached accessory structures 257 square feet or larger, structural work, pools over county thresholds, retaining walls over the threshold, new electrical service or wiring, plumbing changes, most HVAC changes, gas work, and demolition. Separate electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas, and demolition permits may apply to the same project.
Ordinary repairs and improvements: painting, drywall or siding repair, shingle reroofing, floor coverings, cabinetry work, and gutter replacement
Driveways and sidewalks
Storage sheds, playhouses, and similar detached structures 256 square feet or less
Fences 6 feet or less in height that are not part of a pool enclosure
Recreational equipment such as swings and jungle gyms
Insulation
Wiring or equipment operating at less than 50 volts
Security alarm systems
Replacement electric water heaters
Replacement switches, receptacles, and similar electrical fixtures
Plumbing fixture replacements such as sinks, toilets, and faucets
Landscaping retaining walls
Replacement electric cooktops, ranges, and dryers
- Exempt Ordinary repairs and improvements: painting, drywall or siding repair, shingle reroofing, floor coverings, cabinetry work, and gutter replacement
- Exempt Driveways and sidewalks
- Exempt Storage sheds, playhouses, and similar detached structures 256 square feet or less
- Exempt Fences 6 feet or less in height that are not part of a pool enclosure
- Exempt Recreational equipment such as swings and jungle gyms
- Exempt Insulation
- Exempt Wiring or equipment operating at less than 50 volts
- Exempt Security alarm systems
- Exempt Replacement electric water heaters
- Exempt Replacement switches, receptacles, and similar electrical fixtures
- Exempt Plumbing fixture replacements such as sinks, toilets, and faucets
- Exempt Landscaping retaining walls
- Exempt Replacement electric cooktops, ranges, and dryers
Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning, land-use, or other county requirements. Confirm edge cases with Tazewell County Building Inspections before proceeding.
Required documents
- Correct county application form (new construction or miscellaneous)
- County tax parcel number
- Town permit or zoning permit number if the project is in Richlands, Cedar Bluff, Pocahontas, or Tazewell
- Plans, blueprints, or detailed drawings
- Health Department approval if project uses a private well or septic system
- Virginia contractor and tradesman license numbers
- Owner-builder written statement (if claiming exemption under Code of Virginia Section 54.1-1111)
- Building code
- 2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (Virginia Construction Code), effective January 18, 2024
- Permit validity
- No county-specific permit expiration rule was found in the reviewed public materials. Contact Building Inspections to confirm current validity requirements.
- Owner-builder
- The county posts an owner-builder written statement form tied to Code of Virginia Section 54.1-1111. The exemption applies to an owner who personally performs or supervises work on no more than one primary residence owned for their own use during any 24-month period.
- Contractor requirements
- Valid Virginia contractor, subcontractor, and tradesman license numbers are required at application unless the applicant qualifies for a statutory exemption. Verify licenses through the Virginia DPOR license lookup.
Source: Tazewell County Building Inspections / Department of Building Safety ↗
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Plan review takes 3 to 10 business days after a complete submission; more extensive projects may take longer.
- 01 Choose the correct county application form: new construction or miscellaneous building permit application, available on the county's Applications and Forms page.
- 02 Obtain the county tax parcel number for the project property.
- 03 If the project is located within the towns of Richlands, Cedar Bluff, Pocahontas, or Tazewell, obtain any required town permit or zoning permit from that town before proceeding with the county building permit.
- 04 If the project uses a private well or septic system, secure Health Department approval before submitting.
- 05 If soil disturbance will be 10,000 square feet or more, coordinate with Tazewell County Engineering for erosion and sediment control.
- 06 Submit the completed application along with plans, blueprints, or detailed drawings in person, by mail, or by email to Building Inspections.
- 07 Provide valid Virginia contractor and tradesman license numbers, or submit the owner-builder exemption written statement if applicable.
- 08 After permit issuance, call Building Inspections at (276) 385-1215 to schedule required inspections, providing at least 24 hours advance notice.
Typical processing time: Plan review takes 3 to 10 business days after a complete submission; more extensive projects may take longer.
Source: Tazewell County Building Inspections / Department of Building Safety ↗
§ 04
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- (276) 385-1215 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- The county requests 24 hours advance notice. Calls made between 8:00 AM and 9:30 AM may be added to the same day's schedule if space is available; calls after 9:30 AM are scheduled for the next business day.
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Typical sequence: No single public inspection sequence checklist was located. Required inspections depend on permit type and inspector direction. Contact Building Inspections after permit issuance for the applicable sequence.
Source: Tazewell County Building Inspections / Department of Building Safety ↗
§ 05
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Tazewell County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Tazewell County, VA? ▸
Permits are required for new houses, additions, decks, garages, porches, detached accessory structures 257 square feet or larger, structural work, pools over county thresholds, retaining walls over the threshold, new electrical service or wiring, plumbing changes, most HVAC changes, gas work, and demolition. Separate electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas, and demolition permits may apply to the same project.
02 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Tazewell County, VA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Tazewell County, VA, follow these steps: 1. Choose the correct county application form: new construction or miscellaneous building permit application, available on the county's Applications and Forms page. 2. Obtain the county tax parcel number for the project property. 3. If the project is located within the towns of Richlands, Cedar Bluff, Pocahontas, or Tazewell, obtain any required town permit or zoning permit from that town before proceeding with the county building permit. 4. If the project uses a private well or septic system, secure Health Department approval before submitting. 5. If soil disturbance will be 10,000 square feet or more, coordinate with Tazewell County Engineering for erosion and sediment control. 6. Submit the completed application along with plans, blueprints, or detailed drawings in person, by mail, or by email to Building Inspections. 7. Provide valid Virginia contractor and tradesman license numbers, or submit the owner-builder exemption written statement if applicable. 8. After permit issuance, call Building Inspections at (276) 385-1215 to schedule required inspections, providing at least 24 hours advance notice.
03 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Tazewell County, VA? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Tazewell County, VA typically run Plan review takes 3 to 10 business days after a complete submission; more extensive projects may take longer.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Tazewell County, VA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Tazewell County, VA. The following work is generally exempt: Ordinary repairs and improvements: painting, drywall or siding repair, shingle reroofing, floor coverings, cabinetry work, and gutter replacement; Driveways and sidewalks; Storage sheds, playhouses, and similar detached structures 256 square feet or less; Fences 6 feet or less in height that are not part of a pool enclosure; Recreational equipment such as swings and jungle gyms; Insulation; Wiring or equipment operating at less than 50 volts; Security alarm systems; Replacement electric water heaters; Replacement switches, receptacles, and similar electrical fixtures; Plumbing fixture replacements such as sinks, toilets, and faucets; Landscaping retaining walls; Replacement electric cooktops, ranges, and dryers. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning, land-use, or other county requirements. Confirm edge cases with Tazewell County Building Inspections before proceeding. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Tazewell County, VA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Tazewell County, VA via: (276) 385-1215. The county requests 24 hours advance notice. Calls made between 8:00 AM and 9:30 AM may be added to the same day's schedule if space is available; calls after 9:30 AM are scheduled for the next business day..
last verified April 2026
source Tazewell County Building Inspections / Department of Building Safety ↗
entry id permits/virginia/tazewell/tazewell-county
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Tazewell County Building Inspections / Department of Building Safety before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.