Washington County, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Washington County is a Virginia county locality (not an independent city). The county building office issues building permits and performs inspections in unincorporated county territory and in the Towns of Damascus and Glade Spring. Building permits are also required in portions of the Town of Saltville that lie in Washington County. County zoning does not apply inside the incorporated towns.

Department

Washington County Department of Building and Development Services

Address

Government Center Building, 1 Government Center Place, Suite A, Abingdon, VA 24210

Phone

(276) 525-1320

Email

buildhelp@washcova.com

Website

https://www.washcova.com/building-development/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm whether the project is in unincorporated Washington County or inside an incorporated town. If inside Damascus, Glade Spring, or the Washington County portion of Saltville, complete the town zoning or development permit step first, because the county requires a completed zoning and building application before permit issuance.
2. Assemble the permit package: completed permit application, tax ticket or proof of ownership (new construction), VDH septic approval or sewer connection proof, VDH well approval or water connection proof, VDOT entrance approval where applicable, site plan, two sets of construction plans or electronic plans, and land-disturbance and ESC materials if the project disturbs more than 10,000 square feet.
3. Submit the application package to Building and Development Services at the Government Center. Electronic plan submission is available for construction plans and ESC/SWM plan submittals; in-person filing is also accepted.
4. Await county plan review. Staff will calculate permit fees after review.
5. Pay all required fees — both zoning compliance and building permit fees as shown on the permit forms. A 2% DHCD levy applies to all permits.
6. Receive the issued permit and post it on site before starting work.
7. Request required inspections as work progresses. Under the Virginia USBC, the permit holder must notify the building official when work reaches each mandatory inspection stage.
8. Complete the final inspection and obtain occupancy approval if applicable.

Typical processing time: No countywide public turnaround time posted. Contact Building and Development Services at (276) 525-1320 for current estimates.

Source: Washington County Department of Building and Development Services

General Requirements

A permit is required before constructing, enlarging, altering, or changing the use of a structure, per Virginia USBC Section 109.1. The county directs applicants to check before any construction in Washington County, including in Damascus, Glade Spring, and portions of Saltville.

Required Documents

• Completed building application and zoning approval
• Tax ticket or proof of ownership (new construction)
• VDH septic approval or sewer connection proof
• VDH well approval or water connection proof
• VDOT entrance approval (when applicable)
• Site plan
• Two sets of construction plans or electronic plans
• Land-disturbing permit and ESC plan (if over 10,000 sq ft disturbed)
• Virginia contractor license card or owner-builder affidavit (Code of Virginia Section 54.1-1111)

Permit validity

Permit applications expire after 180 days if a permit is not issued. Issued permits become invalid if work is not started within 6 months or is suspended or abandoned for 6 months. Confirm any local extension policy with the county.

Building code

Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), 2021 edition, incorporating 2021 IBC/IRC-family model codes and 2020 NEC, as adopted by Virginia

Owner-builder

Owners acting as their own contractor may use the owner-builder pathway under Code of Virginia Section 54.1-1111. The county strongly recommends consultation with the County Building Official before proceeding without a licensed contractor.

Contractor requirements

Contractors must hold a valid Virginia contractor license. The license card must be presented with the application unless the owner signs the Section 54.1-1111 affidavit. Trade permit forms also request state license numbers.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$25

Plan check fee

For commercial permits over $500,000: plan review fee is 10% of the building permit fee. An additional 10% applies for third and subsequent plan reviews caused by amendments or applicant corrections.

Permit fee formula

Valuation-based with graduated tiers: $25 for projects up to $1,000, then graduated tiers through $500,001 and above. A 2% DHCD levy applies to all permits.

Trade permit fee

Trade permits tied to a building permit over $500,000 are assessed at 5% of the building permit fee; otherwise the standard valuation chart applies.

Reinspection fee

$50 after the third and subsequent inspections of the same work, at the Building Official's discretion.

Penalty (no permit)

Work started before permit issuance is assessed an additional review fee equal to the normal permit fee.

Payment note

Temporary certificate of occupancy: $25. Temporary electrical permit: $25. Singlewide manufactured home fee: $50. Project valuation includes labor and materials and may be verified by the county.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective June 1, 2016 (confirm current schedule with county)).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Certain utility and communications equipment located in public rights-of-way
• Some industrial process equipment
• Parking lots and sidewalks not part of an accessible route
• Playground or recreational equipment
• Industrialized buildings and manufactured homes regulated under separate Virginia programs
• Farm buildings and structures (except certain restaurant uses)

Important: These exemptions are drawn from Virginia USBC statewide provisions (13VAC5-63-20(D)). No county-specific exempt-work handout was identified. Confirm whether your project requires a permit with Washington County Building and Development Services before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• (276) 525-1320 — Washington County Building and Development Services (phone)
• Government Center Building, 1 Government Center Place, Suite A, Abingdon, VA 24210 (in-person)

Scheduling deadline

No public advance scheduling deadline posted. Contact the building office to confirm required lead time.

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Time windows

No public AM/PM inspection window posted. Contact the building office for scheduling.

Typical inspection sequence: Virginia USBC minimum mandatory inspections include: footing excavation and reinforcement, foundation, preparatory work before concrete placement, structural framing before concealment, MEP rough-in before concealment, energy conservation measures before concealment, and final inspection. Flood-hazard area projects also require elevation documentation during construction and before final inspection. After a passed footer inspection, the county gathers GPS data and assigns a 911 address.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), 2021 edition, incorporating 2021 IBC/IRC-family model codes and 2020 NEC, as adopted by Virginia
• Verify contractor license: Virginia DPOR License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• Washington County Interactive GIS
• Virginia USBC (13VAC5-63)
• Virginia Adopted Codes (ICC)
• License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Washington County Building Permit FAQ

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

A permit is required before constructing, enlarging, altering, or changing the use of a structure, per Virginia USBC Section 109.1. The county directs applicants to check before any construction in Washington County, including in Damascus, Glade Spring, and portions of Saltville.

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

The minimum permit fee is $25. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based with graduated tiers: $25 for projects up to $1,000, then graduated tiers through $500,001 and above. A 2% DHCD levy applies to all permits.. Plan check fee: For commercial permits over $500,000: plan review fee is 10% of the building permit fee. An additional 10% applies for third and subsequent plan reviews caused by amendments or applicant corrections..

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

1. Confirm whether the project is in unincorporated Washington County or inside an incorporated town. If inside Damascus, Glade Spring, or the Washington County portion of Saltville, complete the town zoning or development permit step first, because the county requires a completed zoning and building application before permit issuance. 2. Assemble the permit package: completed permit application, tax ticket or proof of ownership (new construction), VDH septic approval or sewer connection proof, VDH well approval or water connection proof, VDOT entrance approval where applicable, site plan, two sets of construction plans or electronic plans, and land-disturbance and ESC materials if the project disturbs more than 10,000 square feet. 3. Submit the application package to Building and Development Services at the Government Center. Electronic plan submission is available for construction plans and ESC/SWM plan submittals; in-person filing is also accepted. 4. Await county plan review. Staff will calculate permit fees after review. 5. Pay all required fees — both zoning compliance and building permit fees as shown on the permit forms. A 2% DHCD levy applies to all permits. 6. Receive the issued permit and post it on site before starting work. 7. Request required inspections as work progresses. Under the Virginia USBC, the permit holder must notify the building official when work reaches each mandatory inspection stage. 8. Complete the final inspection and obtain occupancy approval if applicable.

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

Typical processing time is No countywide public turnaround time posted. Contact Building and Development Services at (276) 525-1320 for current estimates..

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Washington County, VA?

The following work is generally exempt: Certain utility and communications equipment located in public rights-of-way; Some industrial process equipment; Parking lots and sidewalks not part of an accessible route; Playground or recreational equipment; Industrialized buildings and manufactured homes regulated under separate Virginia programs; Farm buildings and structures (except certain restaurant uses). Note: These exemptions are drawn from Virginia USBC statewide provisions (13VAC5-63-20(D)). No county-specific exempt-work handout was identified. Confirm whether your project requires a permit with Washington County Building and Development Services before proceeding.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: (276) 525-1320 — Washington County Building and Development Services, Government Center Building, 1 Government Center Place, Suite A, Abingdon, VA 24210. No public advance scheduling deadline posted. Contact the building office to confirm required lead time..