A Building Permit Is Required for... 

• New residential structures and commercial buildings, additions and structures
• Interior alterations (including finished basements) except new floors, carpet, paint, trim work
• Porches and decks (including alterations to existing)
• New and replacement gas appliances and/or supply lines
• New and replacement HVAC equipment
• New plumbing fixtures
• New electric appliances
• Sheds and playhouses over 256 square feet 
• Swimming pools
• Retaining walls over 3 feet
• Roof sheathing replacements over 256 square feet
• New exterior stairs or stoops
• Demolition of buildings, structures, pools, or fuel tanks
• Sump pumps
• Tents over 900 square feet
• Fire Suppression equipment and lines
• Signs
• Cross connections for boilers, irrigations systems new commercial buildings. 
• Electric car charging equipment
• Changes of occupancy or use group of a commercial space
• Driveways greater than 10,000 square feet
• Or, any other requirements listed under Section 108.1 of the Virginia Construction Code or the Virginia Residential Code

A Building Permit Is Not Needed for... 

• Fences, except those used as a barrier around a swimming pool or required for pedestrian safety
• Residential window or door replacements
• Residential reroofs
• Residential roof sheathing replacements of 256 square feet or less
• Residential residing work
• Low voltage (50 volts maximum) wiring systems and equipment that are not a component of any fire protection system, access control system, egress control system, located in a plenum or penetrate fire rated or smoke protected construction.
• Gutters
• Kitchen cabinets
• Playground equipment
• On-grade patios
• Driveways – unless greater than 10,000 square feet in size
• Flagpoles 30 feet or less in height
• Temporary ramps serving residential dwellings that are no more than 30 inches high
• Replacement of above-ground LP-gas containers which meet the following:
  • Installed in the same location
  • Capacity of the containers are the same
  • Installed by the serving gas supplier
• Or, any other exemptions listed under Section 108.1 of the Virginia Construction Code or the Virginia Residential Code

Setbacks and other zoning requirements may still apply.