Fees, valuation & enforcement
Permit fees are a project input. Enforcement exposure is a project risk. Use the official schedule where available, then confirm valuation, trade permits, plan review, and inspection charges with the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
Official fee pathway
The final charge may depend on declared construction value, occupancy classification, square footage, plan review, state surcharges, trade permits, technology fees, and inspection activity. Do not use a neighboring city’s fee table as a substitute for this jurisdiction.
Fee desk contact
434-985-5204
Ask the counter to confirm current charges before submitting a project with multiple trades or a change of use.
Financial exposure
Plan for building, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, fire, energy, zoning, septic, right-of-way, or other reviews that the project scope triggers. The lowest initial permit fee is not always the lowest project cost.
Enforcement exposure
When work begins without authorization, the agency may halt the site, require corrective plans, impose additional fees, withhold inspection release, or require concealed work to be exposed for review.
Closeout exposure
A missing final inspection or certificate can complicate occupancy, refinancing, sale, insurance, and utility connection. Preserve the approved plans and signed inspection record through closeout.
Professional field note
Even when a cosmetic or minor project does not require a building permit, zoning, floodplain, shoreline, historic, utility, fire, or right-of-way controls may still apply. Confirm the full jurisdictional picture before work starts.
Source trail
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
Greene County Building Inspections Department is the identified county-level authority for this profile. Confirm that the property is in its service area before filing.
No verified online portal was located in the reviewed public materials. Contact 434-985-5204 and request the current application route before preparing a final submittal.
Detailed building permits may take 2-3 weeks to process.
Call 434-985-5204 or email inspections@gcva.us at least 2-3 days in advance with the permit number. Requests made less than 48 hours ahead will not be inserted into the next day's schedule, and requests should be submitted by 4:00 p.m. On the third Thursday morning of each month, staff training shifts scheduled inspections to the afternoon.
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) Greene County expressly exempts residential accessory storage structures of 256 sq ft or less from building and zoning permits. State-code exemptions also cover qualifying farm buildings; low-voltage wiring; utility-equipment buildings not exceeding 150 sq ft; tents not exceeding 900 sq ft with 50 or fewer occupants; most non-pool fences; low retaining walls; small shallow pools; qualifying temporary residential ramps; and ordinary repairs such as paint, cabinets, floor coverings, same-opening windows/doors, and qualifying same-for-same fixtures. Other sheds, garages, decks, carports, oversized tents, generators, gas installations, basement finishing, demolition, and remodeling require permits.
Why permit costs vary
Building departments commonly calculate charges from valuation, occupancy, floor area, project type, plan review effort, trade scope, state surcharges, and inspection activity. A remodel that appears small on paper may still trigger structural, energy, fire, or utility review. Ask the permit counter which disciplines apply before you finalize the construction budget.
The same discipline applies to enforcement. Correcting unpermitted work after finishes are installed can require demolition, revised plans, additional inspections, and schedule disruption. Authorization is usually the less expensive project-management decision.