Administrative overview · FIPS 51075
Goochland 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
Goochland County Department of Building Inspection
For a project in or near Goochland 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
804-556-5815
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
1800 Sandy Hook Road, Goochland, VA 23063
Operating hours
Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; permit applications are accepted until 4:00 p.m.
Review expectation
Commercial permits: 6-8 weeks; new single-family residential permits: about 4 weeks; other residential permits: 2-3 weeks. A certificate of occupancy is issued within two business days after the approved final inspection.
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 Goochland County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
Goochland County Department of Building Inspection 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 804-556-5815.
How long might review take?
Commercial permits: 6-8 weeks; new single-family residential permits: about 4 weeks; other residential permits: 2-3 weeks. A certificate of occupancy is issued within two business days after the approved final inspection.
How are inspections scheduled?
Request inspections through the EnerGov portal, by calling 804-556-5815, or by emailing bi-emails@goochlandva.us with the permit number, requested date, site address, inspection type, requester name, and phone. Requests are due by 3:00 p.m. at least one business day before the desired date; work must be ready by 8:00 a.m. and same-day cancellations are due before 9:00 a.m.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, including the 2021 Virginia Construction Code, 2021 Virginia Residential Code, 2021 Virginia Existing Building Code, 2021 Virginia Property Maintenance Code, 2021 Virginia Energy Conservation Code, 2021 Virginia Mechanical Code, 2021 Virginia Plumbing Code, 2021 Virginia Fuel Gas Code, and 2020 NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code) Farm buildings used entirely for qualifying farming operations are building-permit exempt but still require zoning compliance. Other exemptions include qualifying low-voltage wiring; one-story detached tool/storage sheds not exceeding 256 sq ft and accessory to an existing principal use; utility-equipment buildings not exceeding 150 sq ft; tents not exceeding 900 sq ft with 50 or fewer occupants; non-pool fences/privacy walls under 6 ft; retaining walls supporting under 36 inches of ordinary fill; pools under 24 inches deep, 5,000 gallons, and 150 sq ft; same-capacity/same-location aboveground LP-container replacement by the serving supplier; and ordinary repairs such as floor coverings, same-size windows/doors, qualifying same-for-same fixtures, residential roof/siding work, cabinets, and painting.