Administrative overview · FIPS 51087
Henrico 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
Henrico County Department of Building Construction and Inspections
For a project in or near Henrico 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
804-501-4360
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
4301 East Parham Road, Henrico, VA 23228
Operating hours
Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Review expectation
N/A for general permit review. Henrico offers possible same-day walk-through review and issuance when complete documents are submitted by 3:00 p.m. for listed residential projects such as one-story additions, decks, porches, sunrooms, sheds over 256 square feet, pools/barriers, interior alterations, resubmittals, and subtrade permits; properties without public utilities require Virginia Department of Health review and are not eligible for walk-through processing.
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 Henrico County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
Henrico County Department of Building Construction and Inspections 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 804-501-4360.
How long might review take?
N/A for general permit review. Henrico offers possible same-day walk-through review and issuance when complete documents are submitted by 3:00 p.m. for listed residential projects such as one-story additions, decks, porches, sunrooms, sheds over 256 square feet, pools/barriers, interior alterations, resubmittals, and subtrade permits; properties without public utilities require Virginia Department of Health review and are not eligible for walk-through processing.
How are inspections scheduled?
Request inspections through Build Henrico at https://build.henrico.gov/; call 804-501-4360 for assistance. County residential guidance states inspections may generally be scheduled as early as the following business day. Post the permit and address where they are visible from the main road.
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 National Electrical Code. County-listed building-permit exemptions include wiring under 50 volts; detached one-story tool/storage sheds or playhouses not exceeding 256 square feet, with floor under 18 inches and eave height under 10 feet; tents not exceeding 900 square feet and 50 occupants; fences up to 7 feet unless serving as a pool barrier; concrete or masonry walls up to 6 feet; retaining walls with less than 3 feet of unbalanced fill; specified replacement mechanical appliances in one- and two-family dwellings, townhouses, and condominiums; roof-covering and siding replacement; up to 256 square feet of roof-decking replacement except where fire-rated construction applies; and cosmetic work such as floor finishes, cabinets and trim, painting, wallpapering, replacement doors/windows in existing openings, gutters, on-grade patios, and recreational equipment. Zoning, setback, trade-permit, and other applicable requirements still apply.