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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Washington County
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.
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)
- Exempt Certain utility and communications equipment located in public rights-of-way
- Exempt Some industrial process equipment
- Exempt Parking lots and sidewalks not part of an accessible route
- Exempt Playground or recreational equipment
- Exempt Industrialized buildings and manufactured homes regulated under separate Virginia programs
- Exempt 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.
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)
- Building code
- Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), 2021 edition, incorporating 2021 IBC/IRC-family model codes and 2020 NEC, as adopted by Virginia
- 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.
- 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.
Source: Washington County Department of Building and Development Services ↗
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: No countywide public turnaround time posted. Contact Building and Development Services at (276) 525-1320 for current estimates.
- 01 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.
- 02 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.
- 03 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.
- 04 Await county plan review. Staff will calculate permit fees after review.
- 05 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.
- 06 Receive the issued permit and post it on site before starting work.
- 07 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.
- 08 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 ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective June 1, 2016 (confirm current schedule with county)
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$25
02
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.
03
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.
04
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.
05
Reinspection fee
$50 after the third and subsequent inspections of the same work, at the Building Official's discretion.
06
Penalty (no permit)
Work started before permit issuance is assessed an additional review fee equal to the normal permit fee.
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 periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective June 1, 2016 (confirm current schedule with county)) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
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 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.
Source: Washington County Department of Building and Development Services ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Washington County permits
01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Washington County, VA? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Washington County, VA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Washington County, VA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Washington County, VA, follow these steps: 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.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Washington County, VA? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Washington County, VA typically run No countywide public turnaround time posted. Contact Building and Development Services at (276) 525-1320 for current estimates.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Washington County, VA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Washington County, VA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Washington County, VA 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..
last verified April 2026
source Washington County Department of Building and Development Services ↗
entry id permits/virginia/washington/washington-county
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Washington County Department of Building and Development Services before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.