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
804-501-4360
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.