On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Waynesboro
A building permit is required for any construction, alteration, enlargement, replacement, repair, or maintenance to any structure and equipment therein, including accessory structures. Separate permits are required for electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and gas fitting work. Site development review is additionally required for non-residential construction, expansion, alteration, or change of use.
Installing or replacing guttering
Installing or replacing residential roof covering
Installing or replacing vinyl siding
Painting, wallpapering, carpeting, laminate, or other aesthetic improvements
Replacing cabinets
Replacing residential fixtures such as lights, bathtubs, sinks, and water closets
Replacing residential windows
One- and two-family dwellings are exempt from the city's separate site development review process (but not from ordinary building-permit requirements where applicable)
- Exempt Installing or replacing guttering
- Exempt Installing or replacing residential roof covering
- Exempt Installing or replacing vinyl siding
- Exempt Painting, wallpapering, carpeting, laminate, or other aesthetic improvements
- Exempt Replacing cabinets
- Exempt Replacing residential fixtures such as lights, bathtubs, sinks, and water closets
- Exempt Replacing residential windows
- Exempt One- and two-family dwellings are exempt from the city's separate site development review process (but not from ordinary building-permit requirements where applicable)
Note: The city's published exempt-work list is presented as examples, not a complete exemption table. Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm with Building and Zoning before proceeding.
Required documents
- Completed building permit application
- Permit fee
- Site plan
- Construction documents (two sets for residential one- and two-family; three sets for commercial)
- Asbestos Certificate of Compliance (required for all building and demolition permit applications)
- Contractor license information (required for contractor applicants)
- Estimated construction cost and detailed scope of work
- Architectural and structural plan sheets as applicable (wall sections, elevations, foundation plan, floor system plan, roof system plan, braced-wall layout)
- Separate electrical, mechanical, and plumbing plans when required
- Power-of-attorney form if application is filed by an authorized tenant or lessee
- Building code
- 2021 Virginia Residential Code, 2021 Virginia Construction Code, 2021 Virginia Existing Building Code, 2017 ICC A117.1 accessibility standards, 2021 Virginia Energy Conservation Code, 2021 Virginia Plumbing Code, 2021 Virginia Mechanical Code, 2021 Virginia Fuel Gas Code, 2020 NEC, 2021 Virginia Maintenance Code, 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, 2021 International Fire Code
- Permit validity
- Permit holders have six months from issuance to begin work. Permits expire after six months of no activity or no inspections.
- Owner-builder
- Property owners may apply for building permits directly. The permit application allows filing by property owner, duly authorized tenant or lessee, contractor, licensed design professional, or lessee. A power-of-attorney form is required for an authorized tenant or lessee applicant.
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors performing work valued over $1,000 in Virginia must hold a Virginia state contractor's license issued by DPOR: Class C for work over $1,000 but less than $10,000; Class B for $10,000 but less than $120,000; Class A for $120,000 or more. Contractors must also hold a current city business license to perform work within Waynesboro.
Source: City of Waynesboro Community Development Department, Building and Zoning Division ↗
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Minimum 15 business days for residential projects requiring plan review. Site development review departments have up to 45 days. Planning public-hearing applications typically run approximately 10 weeks to Planning Commission plus the following month for City Council action.
- 01 Confirm the project is located within Waynesboro city limits. Waynesboro is an independent city separate from Augusta County — the city issues its own permits.
- 02 Determine the correct review path. One- and two-family dwellings proceed directly with Building and Zoning. All other construction types require site development review approval before or alongside building-permit issuance. Check early whether the project also triggers zoning, subdivision, historic-district, floodplain, erosion-control, stormwater, utility, or fire-code review.
- 03 If Planning approvals (rezonings, conditional use permits, subdivision plats, or historic-demolition certificates) are needed, file the zoning or legislative application first. The normal Planning submission deadline is the first Thursday of the month, with Planning Commission hearing approximately 10 weeks later and City Council action the following month.
- 04 If site development review is required, submit the Site Development Plan Review Application with six copies of the site plan, two sets of erosion and sediment control and stormwater calculations, the applicable fee, and electronic versions of all documents to Building and Zoning. Review departments have up to 45 days to complete their review.
- 05 Assemble the complete building permit package: fully completed permit application, required construction documents, site plan, Asbestos Certificate of Compliance, and associated fees. Residential one- and two-family submissions require two sets of building plans and two sets of site plans. Commercial permits require prior site development approval and three sets of building plans.
- 06 Include all supporting information: owner information, physical and mailing addresses, contractor license details, architect or designer information if applicable, mechanic's lien agent information if applicable, estimated construction cost, detailed scope of work, wall sections, elevations, foundation plan, floor system plan, roof system plan, braced-wall layout, and separate trade plans when required.
- 07 Submit the complete package to Building and Zoning. Allow a minimum of 15 business days for residential projects requiring plan review.
- 08 Respond to any review comments and provide revised documents as requested.
- 09 Pay the invoiced fees and obtain the issued permit. Post the permit on the property in a visible location protected from the weather.
- 10 Schedule required inspections by calling Building and Zoning at 540-942-6628 at least 24 to 48 hours in advance. Complete all required inspections in sequence.
- 11 Obtain final approvals and, for new construction, the Certificate of Occupancy after all final inspections are completed and approved.
Typical processing time: Minimum 15 business days for residential projects requiring plan review. Site development review departments have up to 45 days. Planning public-hearing applications typically run approximately 10 weeks to Planning Commission plus the following month for City Council action.
Source: City of Waynesboro Community Development Department, Building and Zoning Division ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Waynesboro building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$50 for residential new construction, additions, alterations, and most residential trade permits; $75 for manufactured-home placement; $25 for fence and similar permits
02
Plan check fee
No separate residential plan-check fee identified. Site development review includes one resubmittal at no charge; each additional resubmittal is $250.
03
Permit fee formula
Residential building fees are square-foot based: new construction and additions at $0.15 per sq ft ($50 minimum); alterations at $0.05 per sq ft ($50 minimum); accessory structures over 256 sq ft requiring continuous footings at $0.10 per sq ft ($50 minimum). Residential trade permits are mostly flat $50 or $0.05 per sq ft with $50 minimum. Site development review is acreage-based: $250 for less than 3 acres, or $250 for the first 3 acres plus $20 per additional acre or partial acre. Commercial and industrial permit fees are not publicly itemized — contact Building and Zoning for those rates.
04
Trade permit fee
$50 flat fee or $0.05 per sq ft with $50 minimum for most residential trade permits
05
Reinspection fee
$50 per reinspection for any work requiring more than one reinspection
Fees are submitted with the permit package. The city maintains an online payments channel through Tyler Portico for invoiced permit fees; the public pages reviewed do not describe card processing surcharges.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- 540-942-6628 (Building and Zoning) (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Call at least 24 to 48 hours in advance. City guidance is inconsistent: the FAQ recommends 48 hours; the Required Inspections page states 24 hours.
- Inspection hours
- Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Typical sequence: Typical sequence: footing, slab, foundation or drain tile, rough-in inspections (electrical, mechanical, plumbing, gas fitting), framing, insulation, final inspections. Final-inspection prerequisites include ladder access, utilities turned on, off-street parking in place, legible address display, and required landscaping complete. A Certificate of Occupancy is issued after all final inspections are approved for new construction.
Source: City of Waynesboro Community Development Department, Building and Zoning Division ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Waynesboro permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Waynesboro, VA? ▸
A building permit is required for any construction, alteration, enlargement, replacement, repair, or maintenance to any structure and equipment therein, including accessory structures. Separate permits are required for electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and gas fitting work. Site development review is additionally required for non-residential construction, expansion, alteration, or change of use.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Waynesboro, VA? ▸
Building permit fees in Waynesboro, VA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $50 for residential new construction, additions, alterations, and most residential trade permits; $75 for manufactured-home placement; $25 for fence and similar permits. Fees are calculated as: Residential building fees are square-foot based: new construction and additions at $0.15 per sq ft ($50 minimum); alterations at $0.05 per sq ft ($50 minimum); accessory structures over 256 sq ft requiring continuous footings at $0.10 per sq ft ($50 minimum). Residential trade permits are mostly flat $50 or $0.05 per sq ft with $50 minimum. Site development review is acreage-based: $250 for less than 3 acres, or $250 for the first 3 acres plus $20 per additional acre or partial acre. Commercial and industrial permit fees are not publicly itemized — contact Building and Zoning for those rates.. Plan check fee: No separate residential plan-check fee identified. Site development review includes one resubmittal at no charge; each additional resubmittal is $250..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Waynesboro, VA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Waynesboro, VA, follow these steps: 1. Confirm the project is located within Waynesboro city limits. Waynesboro is an independent city separate from Augusta County — the city issues its own permits. 2. Determine the correct review path. One- and two-family dwellings proceed directly with Building and Zoning. All other construction types require site development review approval before or alongside building-permit issuance. Check early whether the project also triggers zoning, subdivision, historic-district, floodplain, erosion-control, stormwater, utility, or fire-code review. 3. If Planning approvals (rezonings, conditional use permits, subdivision plats, or historic-demolition certificates) are needed, file the zoning or legislative application first. The normal Planning submission deadline is the first Thursday of the month, with Planning Commission hearing approximately 10 weeks later and City Council action the following month. 4. If site development review is required, submit the Site Development Plan Review Application with six copies of the site plan, two sets of erosion and sediment control and stormwater calculations, the applicable fee, and electronic versions of all documents to Building and Zoning. Review departments have up to 45 days to complete their review. 5. Assemble the complete building permit package: fully completed permit application, required construction documents, site plan, Asbestos Certificate of Compliance, and associated fees. Residential one- and two-family submissions require two sets of building plans and two sets of site plans. Commercial permits require prior site development approval and three sets of building plans. 6. Include all supporting information: owner information, physical and mailing addresses, contractor license details, architect or designer information if applicable, mechanic's lien agent information if applicable, estimated construction cost, detailed scope of work, wall sections, elevations, foundation plan, floor system plan, roof system plan, braced-wall layout, and separate trade plans when required. 7. Submit the complete package to Building and Zoning. Allow a minimum of 15 business days for residential projects requiring plan review. 8. Respond to any review comments and provide revised documents as requested. 9. Pay the invoiced fees and obtain the issued permit. Post the permit on the property in a visible location protected from the weather. 10. Schedule required inspections by calling Building and Zoning at 540-942-6628 at least 24 to 48 hours in advance. Complete all required inspections in sequence. 11. Obtain final approvals and, for new construction, the Certificate of Occupancy after all final inspections are completed and approved.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Waynesboro, VA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Waynesboro, VA typically run Minimum 15 business days for residential projects requiring plan review. Site development review departments have up to 45 days. Planning public-hearing applications typically run approximately 10 weeks to Planning Commission plus the following month for City Council action.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Waynesboro, VA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Waynesboro, VA. The following work is generally exempt: Installing or replacing guttering; Installing or replacing residential roof covering; Installing or replacing vinyl siding; Painting, wallpapering, carpeting, laminate, or other aesthetic improvements; Replacing cabinets; Replacing residential fixtures such as lights, bathtubs, sinks, and water closets; Replacing residential windows; One- and two-family dwellings are exempt from the city's separate site development review process (but not from ordinary building-permit requirements where applicable). Note: The city's published exempt-work list is presented as examples, not a complete exemption table. Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm with Building and Zoning before proceeding. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Waynesboro, VA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Waynesboro, VA via: 540-942-6628 (Building and Zoning). Call at least 24 to 48 hours in advance. City guidance is inconsistent: the FAQ recommends 48 hours; the Required Inspections page states 24 hours..
last verified April 2026
source City of Waynesboro Community Development Department, Building and Zoning Division ↗
entry id permits/virginia/waynesboro-city/waynesboro-city
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Waynesboro Community Development Department, Building and Zoning Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.