Administrative overview · FIPS 51001
Accomack County permit authority
The first compliance decision is jurisdictional: identify the office with statutory authority over your parcel, then use its filing and inspection sequence to keep the project moving.
Jurisdictional status
County
This county profile is the primary starting point for unincorporated-area permitting.
Responsible agency
Accomack County Building Inspections and Zoning
For a project in or near Accomack County, this office is the identified point of contact for permit intake, statutory code enforcement, plan review coordination, and inspection release conditions. Confirm the parcel’s boundary and project type before relying on the county lane.
Direct contact
757-787-5721; 757-824-5223
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
23296 Courthouse Avenue, Accomac, VA 23301; mailing address P.O. Box 93, Accomac, VA 23301
Operating hours
Building Division temporarily Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. through Labor Day 2026; regular Building Division and general office hours Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Review expectation
Ask the agency for its current review estimate
Compliance workbench
Choose the next project decision.
Apply online
Open the verified digital gateway, application form, and review timeline.
Open guide →Fees & penalties
Understand fee schedules, enforcement exposure, and stop-work liabilities.
Open guide →Codes & exemptions
Read the code framework, minor-work exemptions, and inspection lane.
Open guide →Agency website
Visit the primary public source for current notices and contact changes.
Open guide →Source trail
Official sources for this profile
Use these direct agency or licensing links to confirm current instructions before you file, pay, or schedule work. External pages control if their information differs from this directory.
Project questions
Frequently asked questions for Accomack County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
Accomack County Building Inspections and Zoning is the identified county-level authority for this profile. Confirm that the property is in its service area before filing.
How should I begin an application?
Begin with the online permit gateway listed in the application guide. If the portal does not recognize the address or project type, contact 757-787-5721; 757-824-5223.
How long might review take?
A typical review timeline was not verified. Ask the agency for its current completeness and review estimate.
How are inspections scheduled?
Request or cancel inspections through the ACCESS Online Permit Portal after all fees are paid, or contact Building Inspections and Zoning. Give at least 24 hours' notice; inspections are performed within two working days. The permit holder must notify the department at each required stage, have the site ready, and conspicuously post the permit card. Cancel by 8:30 a.m. on the requested day to avoid a possible reinspection fee. Concealed uninspected work may have to be exposed. Required stages include footing, foundation, framing, systems rough-ins, insulation/energy, and finals; flood-zone projects require pre-construction, foundation-stage, and final elevation certificates.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
The 2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code is mandatory in 2026. It comprises the 2021 Virginia Construction Code, based principally on the 2021 International Building Code with Virginia amendments; the 2021 Virginia Residential Code; the 2021 Virginia Existing Building Code; and applicable 2021 International Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Energy Conservation, Swimming Pool and Spa, and Fire Code provisions, together with the referenced 2020 National Electrical Code and Virginia amendments. Accomack County enforces the building code throughout the county and incorporated towns except Chincoteague; local zoning jurisdiction within incorporated towns remains with the town. No building permit or related inspection is required for qualifying one-story detached sheds, playhouses, or similar structures not exceeding 256 square feet; fences not serving as a required pedestrian-safety or pool barrier; qualifying tents of 900 square feet or less with an occupant load of 50 or fewer; certain low-voltage wiring; replacement of 256 square feet or less of roof decking on specified residential occupancies; and minor ordinary repairs approved by the Building Official. Historic-district siding, roofing, and window replacements and otherwise-exempt work in a special flood hazard area may still require a permit. Zoning, floodplain, and other approvals remain applicable.