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Building Permits & Inspections

The Building Inspections Office is responsible for ensuring public health, safety, and welfare associated with the design, construction, and use of buildings. In addition to a Building Official, Campbell County has three Building Inspectors. County inspectors inspect all buildings under construction for compliance with the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.

 

General Information

 

Building codes in Campbell County     TOP

The 2009 editions of the Virginia Manufactured Home Safety Regulations and the Virginia Certification Standards will not become effective until mid-2011 and will be available at that time for download from the DHCD website.

Projects still administered by the 2006 USBC can find the codes at the DHCD (large PDF files) or through the International Code Council (the codes are broken down into smaller PDF chapters).

Design Criteria - Climate and Geography     TOP

Ground
Snow Load

Wind Speed

Seismic
Design Category

Subject to Damage From:

Winter
Design Temp

Ice Barrier Underdlayment
Required

Flood Hazards

Air
Freezing Index

Mean
Annual Temp

Weathering

Frost Line Depth

Termite

 25 psf

 90 mph

 B

Severe

18"

Heavy

16º

No

 8/28/2008*

500

55

*Effective date. FHBM identified 11/22/1974

Building permits     TOP

    A building permit is required before:

    • Constructing, moving, altering, or demolishing a building or structure.
    • Changing the use of a building where the new use requires different structural strength, fire protection, exits, or sanitary provisions.
    • Installing or altering any equipment which is regulated by the building code.

    Example projects that require a building permit:

    • Add or replace an existing deck
    • Replace or repair of roofing substructure (plywood, trusses)
    • Any roof work on a commercial building
    • Finish an unfinished area or basement
    • Replace water or sewer lines
    • Set up or install a swimming pool (more than 24 inches deep)
    • Install new electrical circuits
    • Install gas fired heaters or fireplace logs
    • Storage building or detached garage greater than 200 square feet in size
    • Changes to heating and ventilation ducting, water and wastewater piping, appliance vent systems and gas piping (other than when reconnecting to replace equipment). 
    • Modification of interior or exterior wall framing
    • Fences (if greater than six (6) feet tall)

    Example projects that may be exempt from requiring a building permit:

    • Painting 
    • Residential re-roof 
    • Replacement windows and doors, except those in fire-rated assemblies 
    • Repairs or replacement to interior walls and wall coverings 
    • Floor coverings and porch flooring 
    • Cabinet installation
    • Repair or replacement of existing plumbing and electrical fixtures
    • Replacement of common appliances
    • Installation of residential exterior siding 
    • Replacement doors and windows (with no framing changes)
    • Low-voltage lighting systems (less than 50 volts)

Permits - Application process     TOP

Most permits can be issued while you wait, assuming that all required information and fees are included. Permits involving plan review may take several days. The applicant will be contacted when a permit is ready to be picked up. Permits are not written after 4:30 pm.

Permits - Required Information     TOP

Having all of the necessary documentation and information will greatly speed the application process and save you multiple trips to the Building Inspection office.

Permits - Fees     TOP

(A 2% State Levy fee is added to all permit fees)

Residential construction:

New construction $0.18/sf for finished space and $0.11/sf for unfinished space
Additions or alterations $0.10/sf ($25 minimum)
Modular home $0.10/sf ($25 minimum)
Manufactured home

Singlewide $125   |   Doublewide $200   |   Industrialized $125

Commercial construction:

Construction $0.10/sf ($50 minimum)
Mechanical $20 + $5 per appliance (residential) or $10 per appliance (commercial)
Plumbing $20 + $5 per fixture, appurtenance, septic connection, county sewer or water connection
Electrical

$20 + $__ depending on size of service or number of switches, outlets, appurtenances

Other Common permit fees:

Storage shed $0.10/sf ($25 minimum)
Swimming pool $50
Irrigation system $20 (residential), $30 (commercial)
Demolition $50

Complete Fee Schedule 

Permits - Will my permit expire?     TOP

A permit remains valid for six months from the date it is issued. Each time an inspection is performed, the permit is extended for another six months. If an inspection is not requested within six months the permit may be suspended and may require you to re-apply and pay additional fees to reactivate it.

Permits - Obtaining by mail     TOP

Building permit applications are available at the Building Inspections office, or you can download the application. You may also request an application be mailed to you.

If you are confident that the application is complete, with all information and correct payment included, you may submit it to our office by mail. Normally, however, we recommend that you bring the application and supporting information to our office so we can verify all required information is included and to determine the correct fee amount.

Permits - Who may apply     TOP

Permits may be applied for by the owner or lessee of the building, or by the licensed engineer, architect, contractor, or subcontractor employed in connection with the prospective work. Engineers, architects, contractors, or subcontractors must be licensed to practice in Virginia.

Farm building permits     TOP

In certain situations farm structures are normally exempt from building and zoning permits. Among other things, the structure must be part of a farming operation where profits and losses will be reported by the owner to the IRS on Schedule F. If you cannot meet the criteria, you must apply for a building permit. The Application for Exemption: Farm Building Construction is required. 

Inspections - Scheduling     TOP

To schedule an inspection, call our office at (434) 332-9596, the one work day before you need the inspection. You will need to provide your permit number. Inspectors are allowed two business days to complete an inspection, but will normally arrive the next business day. 
When you schedule an inspection we will not know what time the inspector will arrive. Routes are set up each morning, so call the office between 8:30 am and 8:45 am to talk to the inspector directly.

Inspections - Which inspections do I need?     TOP

Here is a List of Inspections normally performed. The inspections you need will vary depending upon the project. If you are unsure about what inspections you need, please talk to a building inspector at (434) 332-9596.

Manufactured homes - Installation or replacement     TOP

You must first obtain a permit to install or replace a manufactured home. Please refer to the Requirements for Manufactured Houses for a detailed list of what you will need to apply for the permit.

The dealer is normally responsible for the installation of the manufactured home as stated in the sales contract. Some dealers use their own personnel while others use contractors. If you buy your home through a private sales transaction, you will have to coordinate with a contractor. Confirm that your contractor and subcontractors are properly licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia – Contractor License Lookup (to search by name, check the boxes under "Contractors").

Before You Hire a Contractor     TOP

All building contractors should be licensed by Virginia's Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR).

  • A valid Class A license is required of any contractor who undertakes a project that has a total value of $120,000 or more.
  • A valid Class B licence is required of any contractor who undertakes a project that has a total value greater than $10,000 and less than $120,000.
  • A valid Class C licence is required of any contractor who undertakes a project that has a total value between $1,000 and $10,000.

Virginia Board for Contractors Regulations

Consumer Protections info sheet

License lookup, Complaint history, and Disciplinary actions