Administrative overview · FIPS 51085
Hanover 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
Hanover County Building Inspector's Office
For a project in or near Hanover 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
804-365-6040
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
7516 County Complex Road, Hanover, VA 23069
Operating hours
Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m., excluding county holidays
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 Hanover County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
Hanover County Building Inspector's Office 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 804-365-6040.
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?
Schedule or cancel inspections through the Community Development eTRAKiT portal after creating an account, or call Building Inspections at 804-365-6040 during office hours. Post the building permit where it is visible from the right-of-way and keep county-approved plans on site; plans approved through eTRAKiT must be printed in color for inspection.
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) State-code exemptions include qualifying farm buildings; low-voltage wiring; one-story detached residential sheds/playhouses not exceeding 256 sq ft; utility-equipment buildings not exceeding 150 sq ft; tents not exceeding 900 sq ft with 50 or fewer occupants; most non-pool fences; retaining walls supporting less than 3 ft of ordinary fill; 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. Local zoning and land-disturbance review may still apply; the Town of Ashland may require a zoning permit for an accessory structure even when it is building-permit exempt.