York County, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

York County Division of Building Safety is the building and trade permit issuer countywide, including within the Town of Yorktown. Planning, Zoning, Stormwater, Public Works Utilities, and Fire and Life Safety provide prerequisite or concurrent reviews depending on project type.

Department

York County Planning and Development Services, Division of Building Safety

Address

100 County Drive, Suite B, Yorktown, VA 23692

Phone

757-890-3522

Email

bldgsafety@yorkcounty.gov

Website

https://www.yorkcounty.gov/4107/Building-Inspections-Permits

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the review path before filing. Permits are required for most construction activity, renovation, demolition, plumbing, gas, mechanical, electrical, fire protection, and asbestos removal. Determine whether zoning, stormwater, floodplain, utility, Chesapeake Bay, wetlands, or fire reviews apply to your project.
2. Prepare the correct application package. Building Safety publishes separate building and trade permit forms. Depending on project type, required materials may include a plot plan, construction drawings, engineering documents, soil reports, flood elevation certificate, and utility or Health Department approvals.
3. Create and activate a county portal account. Complete the registration form on the Building Safety page; staff will activate your account and link current projects before you can use the portal.
4. Submit the application. Permit applications that do not require plan submissions may be submitted electronically by email using the website forms. Applications requiring plan submissions still require paper plans delivered to the office.
5. Complete prerequisite county reviews. Building Safety reviews plans after Planning and Development Services and Stormwater approvals. Many projects also require Public Works Utilities Operations and Fire and Life Safety review. Commercial projects require an approved site plan before building permits can be issued, though building plans may be submitted for review simultaneously.
6. Pay plan review and permit fees. After staff review and permit data entry, fees can be paid online through the portal (Visa/Mastercard, up to $2,500) or by check at the Building Safety office. Most permits carry a $5 technology fee.
7. Receive permit issuance after all reviews are approved and all applicable fees are paid.
8. Request inspections through the portal. Once your account is active, use the portal's Request Inspection function for all building permit inspections.

Typical processing time: No general countywide building permit turnaround estimate is published. LDA plan approval or denial is required within 45 days per the Development Guide. Contact Building Safety for current review timelines.

Source: York County Planning and Development Services, Division of Building Safety

General Requirements

York County requires permits for most construction activity, including new construction, additions, structural repairs, changes of use, demolition, pools, pool-barrier fences, retaining walls above stated thresholds, tents over 900 square feet, and installation or alteration of plumbing, electrical, mechanical, gas, fire protection, and asbestos-related work.

Required Documents

• Building or trade permit application
• Plot plan showing setbacks
• Two or more copies of construction plans
• Plan review fee
• Soil report (if required)
• Flood elevation certificate (if in a floodplain)
• Health Department septic approval or HRSD and county sewer tap-fee receipts
• LDA permit (where required)
• VDOT land use permit (where applicable)
• Trade-specific design documents for MEP systems

Permit validity

Permits will be revoked if work is not started within 6 months of issuance or if work is suspended or abandoned for 6 months. Residential construction must be completed within 3 years of issuance.

Building code

2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC), fully effective January 18, 2025. Permits issued after that date are subject to the 2021 VUSBC.

Owner-builder

A property owner may perform work on no more than one primary residence for the owner's own use during any 24-month period without a contractor license, provided the owner files the required written Contractor Licensing Exemption Statement and qualifies under Code of Virginia Sections 54.1-1101 and 54.1-1111.

Contractor requirements

Proof of current Virginia and local licensing is required before obtaining a permit. Local licenses from other Virginia localities are honored for projects valued up to $25,000. Projects valued at $25,000 or more require a County of York business license before permit issuance. State-level contractor licensure is regulated by DPOR.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$90 (residential structures under roof and structures not under roof); plus a $5 technology fee on most permits as of July 1, 2025

Plan check fee

Commercial building plan review: $280. Residential or other plan review: $90.

Permit fee formula

Square-foot and trade-unit based rather than valuation based. Residential structures under roof: $0.17 per sq ft ($90 minimum). Commercial structures under roof: $0.15 per sq ft for first 30,000 sq ft, $0.13 per sq ft over 30,000 sq ft. Structures not under roof: $0.15 per sq ft ($90 minimum). Trade permits use separate schedules by service size, fixture count, gas outlet count, and equipment type.

Reinspection fee

$90 per reinspection. A $90 reinspection fee may also apply if meter release is not scheduled with the electrical rough inspection.

Payment note

Online portal payments accept Visa and Mastercard credit cards only, with a $2,500 maximum and a 2.75% credit card service charge. The Building Safety office also accepts check payments. Most permits carry a $5 technology fee.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Installation of cabinets (all occupancies)
• Installation or replacement of floor finishes (all occupancies)
• Painting, plaster repair, interior tile, and other wall coverings (all occupancies)
• Replacement of 100 sq ft or less of roof decking in Use Group R-3, R-4, or R-5 under county-stated limits
• Replacement of non-gas and non-oil mechanical appliances in listed residential occupancies
• Replacement of plumbing equipment without alteration of the water supply, sanitary drainage, or vent systems
• Replacement of windows and doors of similar operation and opening dimension where the framed opening does not change
• One-story detached accessory structures not in a designated flood zone, used as tool sheds, storage sheds, playhouses, or similar uses, where floor area does not exceed 256 sq ft, eave height does not exceed 10 ft, and height from finished floor to grade does not exceed 18 inches

Important: Ordinary repairs do not include structural alterations, egress changes, or changes to piping, wiring, or mechanical work affecting public health or safety. Flood-zone conditions can independently trigger review. Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning, historic-district, or Chesapeake Bay requirements. Confirm with York County Division of Building Safety before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• York County Customer Service and Permit Portal (online)

Scheduling deadline

No public same-day cutoff for portal inspection requests was identified. Third-party inspections may be accepted if the county inspector cannot arrive within 2 working days of request.

Inspection hours

Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding holidays

Typical inspection sequence: Residential building: footing, slab or monolithic slab, foundation, framing, exterior moisture, insulation, and final building after all sub-trade final inspections and required departmental inspections are approved. Electrical: slab, trench, rough, meter release, and final. Plumbing: slab, rough, sewer or water lateral hookup, and final. Gas: rough and final. Mechanical: inspections by equipment stage.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC), fully effective January 18, 2025. Permits issued after that date are subject to the 2021 VUSBC.
• Verify contractor license: DPOR Contractor License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• Residential Permits and Inspections
• Commercial Permits and Inspections
• Building Permit Forms
• Development Guide
• New Residence Guide
• Renovations and Alterations Guide
• Zoning Ordinance
• Virginia USBC (DHCD)
• Chesapeake Bay Board
• Wetlands Board
• License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

York County Building Permit FAQ

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

York County requires permits for most construction activity, including new construction, additions, structural repairs, changes of use, demolition, pools, pool-barrier fences, retaining walls above stated thresholds, tents over 900 square feet, and installation or alteration of plumbing, electrical, mechanical, gas, fire protection, and asbestos-related work.

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

The minimum permit fee is $90 (residential structures under roof and structures not under roof); plus a $5 technology fee on most permits as of July 1, 2025. Fees are calculated as: Square-foot and trade-unit based rather than valuation based. Residential structures under roof: $0.17 per sq ft ($90 minimum). Commercial structures under roof: $0.15 per sq ft for first 30,000 sq ft, $0.13 per sq ft over 30,000 sq ft. Structures not under roof: $0.15 per sq ft ($90 minimum). Trade permits use separate schedules by service size, fixture count, gas outlet count, and equipment type.. Plan check fee: Commercial building plan review: $280. Residential or other plan review: $90..

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

1. Confirm the review path before filing. Permits are required for most construction activity, renovation, demolition, plumbing, gas, mechanical, electrical, fire protection, and asbestos removal. Determine whether zoning, stormwater, floodplain, utility, Chesapeake Bay, wetlands, or fire reviews apply to your project. 2. Prepare the correct application package. Building Safety publishes separate building and trade permit forms. Depending on project type, required materials may include a plot plan, construction drawings, engineering documents, soil reports, flood elevation certificate, and utility or Health Department approvals. 3. Create and activate a county portal account. Complete the registration form on the Building Safety page; staff will activate your account and link current projects before you can use the portal. 4. Submit the application. Permit applications that do not require plan submissions may be submitted electronically by email using the website forms. Applications requiring plan submissions still require paper plans delivered to the office. 5. Complete prerequisite county reviews. Building Safety reviews plans after Planning and Development Services and Stormwater approvals. Many projects also require Public Works Utilities Operations and Fire and Life Safety review. Commercial projects require an approved site plan before building permits can be issued, though building plans may be submitted for review simultaneously. 6. Pay plan review and permit fees. After staff review and permit data entry, fees can be paid online through the portal (Visa/Mastercard, up to $2,500) or by check at the Building Safety office. Most permits carry a $5 technology fee. 7. Receive permit issuance after all reviews are approved and all applicable fees are paid. 8. Request inspections through the portal. Once your account is active, use the portal's Request Inspection function for all building permit inspections.

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

Typical processing time is No general countywide building permit turnaround estimate is published. LDA plan approval or denial is required within 45 days per the Development Guide. Contact Building Safety for current review timelines..

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

The following work is generally exempt: Installation of cabinets (all occupancies); Installation or replacement of floor finishes (all occupancies); Painting, plaster repair, interior tile, and other wall coverings (all occupancies); Replacement of 100 sq ft or less of roof decking in Use Group R-3, R-4, or R-5 under county-stated limits; Replacement of non-gas and non-oil mechanical appliances in listed residential occupancies; Replacement of plumbing equipment without alteration of the water supply, sanitary drainage, or vent systems; Replacement of windows and doors of similar operation and opening dimension where the framed opening does not change; One-story detached accessory structures not in a designated flood zone, used as tool sheds, storage sheds, playhouses, or similar uses, where floor area does not exceed 256 sq ft, eave height does not exceed 10 ft, and height from finished floor to grade does not exceed 18 inches. Note: Ordinary repairs do not include structural alterations, egress changes, or changes to piping, wiring, or mechanical work affecting public health or safety. Flood-zone conditions can independently trigger review. Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning, historic-district, or Chesapeake Bay requirements. Confirm with York County Division of Building Safety before proceeding.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: York County Customer Service and Permit Portal. No public same-day cutoff for portal inspection requests was identified. Third-party inspections may be accepted if the county inspector cannot arrive within 2 working days of request..