Unincorporated Westmoreland County

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.

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

Building code

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

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.

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.

Source: Westmoreland County Land Use Administration ↗

1. 01
   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. 02
   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. 03
   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. 04
   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. 05
   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. 06
   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. 07
   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. 08
   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 ↗

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 periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

• 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 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.

Source: Westmoreland County Land Use Administration ↗