State Building Permits

Virginia Building Permit Guides

Permit authority, application process, fees, and requirements for counties and cities across Virginia. Select your jurisdiction to find your local permit guide.

20 Jurisdictions 57 Permit Guides Updated March 2026

How Virginia Permitting Works

Virginia enforces the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), a mandatory statewide building code administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). The USBC adopts the International Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code (IRC) with Virginia amendments and applies statewide.

Virginia has a unique governmental structure: in addition to counties, it has independent cities — self-governing municipalities that are legally separate from any county. Independent cities (including Alexandria, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Richmond, Roanoke, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach) have their own building departments and permit processes distinct from any surrounding county.

For unincorporated areas, permits are issued by the county. For incorporated towns within a county, permits may be handled by the town or the county depending on whether the town has its own building department. Select your jurisdiction below for the permit office, application process, fees, and requirements that apply to your project.

Virginia Counties & Cities

City of Alexandria 1 jurisdiction → Arlington County 1 jurisdiction → City of Chesapeake 1 jurisdiction → Chesterfield County 5 jurisdictions → Fairfax County 6 jurisdictions → City of Fredericksburg 1 jurisdiction → City of Hampton 1 jurisdiction → Henrico County 5 jurisdictions → Loudoun County 7 jurisdictions → Montgomery County 4 jurisdictions → City of Newport News 1 jurisdiction → City of Norfolk 1 jurisdiction → Prince William County 7 jurisdictions → City of Richmond 1 jurisdiction → City of Roanoke 1 jurisdiction → Roanoke County 3 jurisdictions → Spotsylvania County 4 jurisdictions → Stafford County 5 jurisdictions → City of Suffolk 1 jurisdiction → City of Virginia Beach 1 jurisdiction →

Coverage includes major metro and regional counties and independent cities. Additional jurisdictions being added.

Related Virginia Resources

Contract Template Free Virginia homeowner-contractor agreement → License Requirements Verify your contractor's VA license →

Statewide Resources

  • Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD): Administers the Virginia USBC and provides code training and technical assistance.
  • Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR): Licenses contractors, including Class A, B, and C contractor licenses required for construction work in Virginia.
  • Virginia Consumer Protection Act: Provides protections for homeowners in contractor disputes and construction contracts.

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with your local building department before applying.

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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 your local permit authority. 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.