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Building Safety in Hanover County, VA (2026)

3 rules for unincorporated Hanover County, Virginia.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Hanover County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Fire Sprinkler Requirements

Hanover County Code Section 9-22.1 requires anyone who tests or inspects a fire protection system in the county or the Town of Ashland, including a fire sprinkler system, to submit the results to the fire marshal within 30 days through a web-based inspection reporting system, with itemized documentation of the work performed.

Hanover County Fire Sprinkler Inspection Reporting

Some Restrictions

Hanover County Code § 9-22.1

(a)Reporting. Any person or firm providing or conducting tests or inspections of fire protection systems within Hanover County and the Town of Ashland must submit a copy of the results, tests, or inspections within thirty (30) days to the fire marshal. ... (c)Itemized records. Records for inspections, testing, maintenance, repair, or replacement of any and all life safety or fire protection sys...

Building Permits

In Hanover County outside the Town of Ashland, no building may be erected, altered, moved, converted, extended or enlarged without a building permit under the Zoning Ordinance (chapter 26) and the building code fee requirements of section 6-19. Permit applications must include a plat, and fees set by the board of supervisors must be paid before work begins.

Building Permits Required in Hanover County, VA

Some Restrictions

Hanover County Code § 26-342

No building shall be erected, constructed, altered, moved, converted, extended, or enlarged, without the owner or owners first having obtained a building permit. Such permit shall require conformity with the provisions of this Ordinance. ... All applications for building permits shall be accompanied by a drawing or plat in duplicate or as required by the zoning administrator showing, with dimen...

Building Inspections

Hanover County's building official and inspectors administer the Uniform Statewide Building Code under section 6-17, and under the Zoning Ordinance (chapter 26), no new or altered building can be used or occupied until the zoning administrator issues a certificate of occupancy, generally within 10 days of completed construction.

Building Inspections and Occupancy in Hanover County, VA

Some Restrictions

Hanover County Code § 26-345

(b)No premises shall be used, and no buildings hereafter erected or structurally altered shall be used, occupied, or changed in use until a certificate of occupancy and compliance shall have been issued by the zoning administrator, stating that the building or proposed use of a building or premises complies with the building laws and the provisions of these regulations.(c)Certificates of occupa...

All Hanover County ordinances

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