Westmoreland County, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Westmoreland County is the building permit issuing authority and inspection authority for all permit work within the county, including projects inside the incorporated Town of Colonial Beach and Town of Montross (both towns retain separate zoning permit roles but rely on the county for USBC building permits and all inspections).

Department

Westmoreland County Land Use Administration

Address

111 Polk Street, Montross, VA 22520

Phone

804-493-0130

Email

landuse@westmoreland-county.org

Website

https://www.westmoreland-county.org/185/Building-Zoning

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Determine whether the project is in unincorporated Westmoreland County or inside the Town of Colonial Beach or Town of Montross. Projects inside Colonial Beach require a town zoning permit first; projects inside Montross require town zoning approval before the county building permit can be issued.
2. Download the county Permit Application, Checklist for Permit Submittal, and any specialty forms from the county Forms and Applications page, or start the application through the iWorQ Citizen Portal.
3. Assemble the submission package. Required materials include the permit application, applicable fees, proof of Virginia contractor license or a signed and notarized owner affidavit, site or plot plans (three sets), building plans (two sets), and any additional project-specific materials such as VDOT access approval, septic and well approvals, stormwater or bond documentation, and wetlands or Bay Act materials when triggered.
4. Submit the application to Land Use Administration online through the iWorQ portal or in person at the county office. The county Building Official and Zoning Administrator may conduct building and zoning review concurrently, but no building permit may be issued before the zoning permit is approved.
5. Staff complete zoning and building review. The county must approve or deny each permit within 10 business days after the application is deemed complete.
6. Pay assessed fees. The county will contact the applicant with the fee assessment after submittal. Fees may be paid through the iWorQ portal or by cash, check, or money order payable to the Treasurer of Westmoreland County.
7. Receive permit issuance. Keep the permit active by ensuring at least one required inspection is passed within each 12-month period. Permits may be renewed annually up to 36 months from original issuance.
8. Schedule and complete required inspections in sequence. File the occupancy permit application (submitted concurrently with the building permit application) and obtain occupancy approval after all inspections and prior permit conditions are satisfied.

Typical processing time: County zoning permit and county building permit must each be approved or denied within 10 business days after the application is deemed complete.

Source: Westmoreland County Land Use Administration

General Requirements

A county zoning permit is required before any use, building, structure, sign, site plan, or subdivision activity requiring zoning approval. A county building permit is required before any principal or accessory building, structure, or use is constructed, reconstructed, moved, added to, structurally altered, or otherwise allowed. Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code permit triggers also apply for covered building, trade, demolition, change-of-occupancy, and other regulated work.

Required Documents

• Completed permit application
• Applicable permit fees
• Copy of Virginia contractor license or signed and notarized owner affidavit
• Site or plot plans (three sets)
• Building plans (two sets)
• Utility and drainage information
• VDOT or private-road access evidence where applicable
• Septic and well approvals where applicable
• Stormwater, bond, or BMP materials where applicable
• Specialty approvals (wetlands, Chesapeake Bay Act exception, floodplain, subdivision) when triggered

Permit validity

County zoning permits and county building permits are each valid for 1 year. Annual permit renewal costs $150 per year if a required inspection passed during the preceding 12-month period. Renewals may not extend beyond 36 months from the original issue date. Virginia USBC application abandonment and revocation rules also apply.

Building code

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

Owner-builder

Owner-builders must submit a signed and notarized owner affidavit in lieu of a Virginia contractor license copy.

Contractor requirements

Proof of Virginia contractor licensing or exemption is required. Local contractor registration fees also apply: Class A contractor $75, Class B contractor $50, Class C contractor $50, all other contractors $50, third-party inspector registration $75.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$175 for one- and two-family dwellings; $50 for many accessory, trade, demolition, sign, and reinspection items; county zoning permit minimums start at $25 for structures under 150 sq ft

Plan check fee

No separate plan review fee identified for ordinary building permits; review appears bundled into the permit fee. Consultant review costs and hourly administrative review charges may be added where applicable.

Permit fee formula

Mixed schedule. County zoning permits use square-foot tiers from $25 to $600, plus $500 for RPA shoreline construction categories. County building permits use a base fee plus $0.05 per square foot for new construction, additions, renovations, accessory structures, commercial work, and trade categories. Flat fees apply to demolition, temporary electrical service, pool permits, permit transfer, and reinspection.

Reinspection fee

$50 per reinspection; additional hourly charges may apply for special inspections or after-the-fact enforcement situations

Penalty (no permit)

Construction started without a permit is subject to triple the permit and inspection fees plus staff hourly rate

Payment note

Fees may be paid through the iWorQ portal after assessment, or by cash, check, or money order payable to the Treasurer of Westmoreland County.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Certain low-voltage electrical work (per Virginia USBC 13VAC5-63-80)
• Detached accessory structures up to 256 square feet (per Virginia USBC state exemptions)
• Certain small tents and temporary structures (per Virginia USBC state exemptions)
• Some fences and low retaining walls (per Virginia USBC state exemptions)
• Small shallow pools meeting state exemption criteria
• Ordinary repairs as defined in 13VAC5-63-80

Important: Westmoreland County did not publish a separate county-specific exempt-work handout. Virginia USBC state exemptions apply, but even where a USBC building permit is exempt, county zoning, Chesapeake Bay Act, floodplain, wetlands, land-disturbance, septic, driveway, or other local approvals may still be required. Confirm with Land Use Administration before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• iWorQ Citizen Portal (permit status and inspection lookup) (online)
• Land Use Administration — 804-493-0130 (phone)

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Typical inspection sequence: No county-specific standard inspection sequence was published. Applicants should expect the Virginia USBC sequence: footing, foundation, slab or under-slab, framing, rough trades (mechanical, electrical, plumbing), insulation or energy items, and final inspections, plus any county erosion, stormwater, shoreline, or occupancy sign-off required by the permit.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (2021 Virginia code package, effective January 18, 2024)
• Verify contractor license: Virginia DPOR License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Building and Zoning Department
• Permit Application PDF
• Permit Submittal Checklist PDF
• Virginia USBC Permit Exemptions (13VAC5-63-80)
• Virginia USBC Inspection Requirements (13VAC5-63-130)
• Virginia USBC Permit Expiration Rules (13VAC5-63-100)
• License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Westmoreland County Building Permit FAQ

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

A county zoning permit is required before any use, building, structure, sign, site plan, or subdivision activity requiring zoning approval. A county building permit is required before any principal or accessory building, structure, or use is constructed, reconstructed, moved, added to, structurally altered, or otherwise allowed. Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code permit triggers also apply for covered building, trade, demolition, change-of-occupancy, and other regulated work.

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

The minimum permit fee is $175 for one- and two-family dwellings; $50 for many accessory, trade, demolition, sign, and reinspection items; county zoning permit minimums start at $25 for structures under 150 sq ft. Fees are calculated as: Mixed schedule. County zoning permits use square-foot tiers from $25 to $600, plus $500 for RPA shoreline construction categories. County building permits use a base fee plus $0.05 per square foot for new construction, additions, renovations, accessory structures, commercial work, and trade categories. Flat fees apply to demolition, temporary electrical service, pool permits, permit transfer, and reinspection.. Plan check fee: No separate plan review fee identified for ordinary building permits; review appears bundled into the permit fee. Consultant review costs and hourly administrative review charges may be added where applicable..

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

1. Determine whether the project is in unincorporated Westmoreland County or inside the Town of Colonial Beach or Town of Montross. Projects inside Colonial Beach require a town zoning permit first; projects inside Montross require town zoning approval before the county building permit can be issued. 2. Download the county Permit Application, Checklist for Permit Submittal, and any specialty forms from the county Forms and Applications page, or start the application through the iWorQ Citizen Portal. 3. Assemble the submission package. Required materials include the permit application, applicable fees, proof of Virginia contractor license or a signed and notarized owner affidavit, site or plot plans (three sets), building plans (two sets), and any additional project-specific materials such as VDOT access approval, septic and well approvals, stormwater or bond documentation, and wetlands or Bay Act materials when triggered. 4. Submit the application to Land Use Administration online through the iWorQ portal or in person at the county office. The county Building Official and Zoning Administrator may conduct building and zoning review concurrently, but no building permit may be issued before the zoning permit is approved. 5. Staff complete zoning and building review. The county must approve or deny each permit within 10 business days after the application is deemed complete. 6. Pay assessed fees. The county will contact the applicant with the fee assessment after submittal. Fees may be paid through the iWorQ portal or by cash, check, or money order payable to the Treasurer of Westmoreland County. 7. Receive permit issuance. Keep the permit active by ensuring at least one required inspection is passed within each 12-month period. Permits may be renewed annually up to 36 months from original issuance. 8. Schedule and complete required inspections in sequence. File the occupancy permit application (submitted concurrently with the building permit application) and obtain occupancy approval after all inspections and prior permit conditions are satisfied.

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

Typical processing time is County zoning permit and county building permit must each be approved or denied within 10 business days after the application is deemed complete..

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

The following work is generally exempt: Certain low-voltage electrical work (per Virginia USBC 13VAC5-63-80); Detached accessory structures up to 256 square feet (per Virginia USBC state exemptions); Certain small tents and temporary structures (per Virginia USBC state exemptions); Some fences and low retaining walls (per Virginia USBC state exemptions); Small shallow pools meeting state exemption criteria; Ordinary repairs as defined in 13VAC5-63-80. Note: Westmoreland County did not publish a separate county-specific exempt-work handout. Virginia USBC state exemptions apply, but even where a USBC building permit is exempt, county zoning, Chesapeake Bay Act, floodplain, wetlands, land-disturbance, septic, driveway, or other local approvals may still be required. Confirm with Land Use Administration before proceeding.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: iWorQ Citizen Portal (permit status and inspection lookup), Land Use Administration — 804-493-0130.