Generally, agricultural buildings are exempt from Virginia Building Code under the Virginia State Code 36-99 as long as they meet the definition (Virginia Code 36-97) of an agricultural building and are located on a working farm. Structures that are used for anything other than agriculture, including residential or commercial purposes, are not exempt from building codes.  

Below is the definition of an agricultural or farm building, per the Virginia State Code:   

“Farm building or structure" means a building or structure not used for residential purposes, located on property where farming operations take place, and used primarily for any of the following uses or combination thereof: 

• Storage, handling, production, display, sampling or sale of agricultural, horticultural, floricultural or silvicultural products produced in the farm; 
• Sheltering, raising, handling, processing or sale of agricultural animals or agricultural animal products; 
• Business or office uses relating to the farm operations; 
• Use of farm machinery or equipment or maintenance or storage of vehicles, machinery or equipment on the farm; 
• Storage or use of supplies and materials used on the farm; or 
• Implementation of best management practices associated with farm operations.” 

Even though property owners are not required to obtain building permits for farm buildings that meet the definition above, Pittsylvania County does require that property owners complete an affidavit testifying that the structure will be used exclusively for agricultural purposes. This means that someone building an agricultural building needs to come into the Community Development office and sign an affidavit that the structure will only be used for agricultural purposes for its entire lifespan. 

Knowingly providing false information to obtain a building permit or lying on an affidavit constitutes a Class 4 felony, which is punishable by up to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000. 

If a property owner decides to use the building for other purposes later, they will need to work with Community Development to ensure all relevant sections of the Virginia Building Code are met and building inspections completed. Failing to do so is a violation of the affidavit and is punishable by a Class 4 felony. 

For property owners that think they may want to use the structure for other purposes at some point in the future, it makes more sense to follow the Virginia Building Code by obtaining a building permit and requesting building inspections during the original construction.