Chesterfield County, VA Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- New single-family home permit
- $684.00 flat fee
- Issuing authority
- County building official
- Minimum-cost exemption
- Construction under $500 needing no other permit
- Places of worship
- Exempt from permit fee
- Unpermitted penalty
- Up to $2,500 fine, 30 days jail
- Governing code
- Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code
Summary
Chesterfield County requires a building permit before any building or structure is 'constructed, altered, repaired or converted in use,' per County Code § 5-1's adoption of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. Applicants pay the fee set in § 5-5 to the county treasurer before the building official issues the permit. Only construction under $500.00 needing no other trade permit is exempt.
The Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code shall apply to all buildings and structures which are constructed, altered, repaired or converted in use and to all equipment associated with such buildings and structures. ... (a)Generally. Except as provided in this section, every applicant for a building permit must pay the fees set forth in this section before the building official issues a building permit, as required by the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. ... (7)Fee exemptions:a.A building permit fee will not be required where the cost of construction is less than $500.00 and would not require securing any permit for electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing work in accordance with the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 80).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 5 of the county code makes the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) apply to 'all buildings and structures which are constructed, altered, repaired or converted in use and to all equipment associated with such buildings and structures' under § 5-1. The county maintains a local building department headed by a certified building official who 'administer[s], supervise[s] and enforce[s]' the USBC and may delegate duties to qualified staff (§ 5-2), and may adopt further rules with the board of supervisors' approval (§ 5-3). 00 minimum.
If the scope of work changes mid-project, the applicant must obtain a permit amendment and may owe additional fees. 00 that would not otherwise require an electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing permit; construction of a place of worship; construction for county departments funded by the general fund; and wheelchair-access ramps for a resident with a documented medical need, per § 5-5(b)(7). The building official may also periodically inspect occupied buildings serving 20 or more people or storing hazardous materials, and common areas of buildings with four or more dwelling units, under § 5-4.
Violations & Fines
Chapter 5 does not set its own fine for building without a permit, so an unpermitted project is punished under the Code's general penalty, § 1-5: up to a $2,500.00 fine and up to 30 days in jail, with each day the unpermitted work continues treated as a separate offense. The building official can also order an owner to remove, repair or secure any resulting unsafe or derelict structure under § 5-6, backed by a $1,000.00 civil penalty for noncompliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Chesterfield County require a building permit?
How much does a new house building permit cost in Chesterfield County?
Who is exempt from paying a Chesterfield building permit fee?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chesterfield County
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