City Building Permits

Town of Big Stone Gap, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Town of Big Stone Gap, Virginia. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Virginia Wise County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Big Stone Gap is an incorporated town in Wise County. Public sources conflict: Wise County's current building page states the county enforces permits in Big Stone Gap, but DHCD's June 2024 building-official directory separately lists Big Stone Gap with its own building official (Matthew Bright), and town permit materials reference a town Building Official. Confirm with both the town and Wise County which office is handling the permit before filing. This page reflects the town as a separate authority based on DHCD's directory.

Department
Town of Big Stone Gap Building Official / Planning Administrator
Address
505 E 5th St S, Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
Phone
276-523-0115

Online Permit Portal

Platform:Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Application Process

  1. Contact Big Stone Gap Town Hall at 276-523-0115 to confirm whether the town or Wise County is the issuing authority for the specific project, because current public records are inconsistent between DHCD's directory and the county's own building page.
  2. If the project requires zoning or planning review, coordinate with the Town's Planning Administrator / Building Official at Town Hall.
  3. Submit the required permit package through the authority confirmed by the town. No public building-permit checklist or downloadable building-permit application was identified on the current town website.
  4. Pay assessed permit fees and complete all required inspections through the confirmed issuing office.

Typical processing time: No public estimate available. Contact Town Hall directly for current timelines.

Source: Town of Big Stone Gap Building Official / Planning Administrator

General Requirements

No town-specific public building-permit trigger list was found on the town website. Contact Town Hall to confirm whether your project requires a permit and which authority (town or Wise County) handles issuance.

Required Documents

  • Contact Town Hall to confirm current required documents — no public building-permit checklist was found on the town website
Permit validity
No town-specific public expiration rule was found. Virginia USBC validity rules apply: permits may be revoked if work does not commence within 6 months of issuance or is suspended or abandoned for 6 months.
Building code
Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (2021 edition)
Owner-builder
No town-specific owner-builder guidance was found. Virginia code allows the property owner, lessee, owner's agent, contractor, subcontractor, or design professional to apply.
Contractor requirements
Virginia DPOR contractor licensure rules apply. Confirm any local business-license obligations with Town Hall.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Town of Big Stone Gap Building Official / Planning Administrator to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

  • 276-523-0115 (Town Hall / Building Official) (phone)

Typical inspection sequence: No public inspection sequence was found for Big Stone Gap. Coordinate inspection scheduling directly with the Building Official or with Wise County Building & Zoning (276-328-7119) depending on which authority confirms jurisdiction.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Town of Big Stone Gap Building Official / Planning Administrator before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Town of Big Stone Gap Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Town of Big Stone Gap, VA?
No town-specific public building-permit trigger list was found on the town website. Contact Town Hall to confirm whether your project requires a permit and which authority (town or Wise County) handles issuance.
How do I apply for a building permit in Town of Big Stone Gap, VA?
1. Contact Big Stone Gap Town Hall at 276-523-0115 to confirm whether the town or Wise County is the issuing authority for the specific project, because current public records are inconsistent between DHCD's directory and the county's own building page. 2. If the project requires zoning or planning review, coordinate with the Town's Planning Administrator / Building Official at Town Hall. 3. Submit the required permit package through the authority confirmed by the town. No public building-permit checklist or downloadable building-permit application was identified on the current town website. 4. Pay assessed permit fees and complete all required inspections through the confirmed issuing office.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Town of Big Stone Gap, VA?
Typical processing time is No public estimate available. Contact Town Hall directly for current timelines..
How do I schedule a building inspection in Town of Big Stone Gap, VA?
Inspections can be scheduled via: 276-523-0115 (Town Hall / Building Official).

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.