Administrative overview · FIPS 51101
King William 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
King William County Building Department
For a project in or near King William 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
804-769-4969
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
180 Horse Landing Road #4, King William, VA 23086
Operating hours
Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Review expectation
N/A. The county states that plan review takes time and applicants should not expect same-day permit issuance.
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 King William County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
King William County Building Department 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 804-769-4969.
How long might review take?
N/A. The county states that plan review takes time and applicants should not expect same-day permit issuance.
How are inspections scheduled?
Request inspections through the SmartGov portal, by calling 804-769-4969, or by emailing permits@kwc.gov. Requests received before 8:00 a.m. are eligible for same-day inspection, although workload may require a later day and timed inspections are not accepted. Provide the permit number, address, owner, contractor, inspection type, and callback number; the original approved plans must be on site.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, effective January 18, 2025, 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. Virginia's statewide exemptions include qualifying low-voltage wiring; detached one-story tool/storage sheds, playhouses, and similar accessory structures not exceeding 256 square feet; qualifying tents up to 900 square feet with fewer than 50 occupants; fences up to 7 feet unless serving as a pool barrier; low retaining walls; and ordinary cosmetic or maintenance work such as painting, wallpapering, floor finishes, cabinets and trim, and specified replacement work. Zoning and other applicable requirements remain in force.