Building Inspections

Welcome to Building Inspections! We are open to the public.

Main #: 434-263-7080
  1. Call us with your code questions – we can help you!
  2. Call to make an appointment. If there is no answer, we are helping others are are not able to come to the phone. Please leave a message and we will get back to you.
  3. Come into the lobby and we can help you!
QUICKLINKS

Our Mission

Our mission is to promote excellence in planning, building, and development. We encourage public collaboration and engage best management practices and methods to ensure public safety, environmental protection, and quality architectural design in Nelson County.

Our focus is to ensure that all buildings, structures, and related equipment are constructed in accordance with the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC).

Building Permit Fees

Minimum fee for projects valued $0 up to $5,000 AND for all individual trade permits not associated with a new home $25.50
New homes valued at over $5,000 (includes trade permits at time of application) OR
Projects other than new homes valued at over $5,000
(all trade permits will be a minimum of $25 each and based on their value) $5 per $1,000 of value
$5 per $1,000 of value
Agreement in Lieu of E&S Plan (Land Disturbing) fee $35 – $40

(A 2% Levy Fee is added to all Building Permit fees as per the State)

Payment Information

Checks should be payable to COUNTY OF NELSON and mailed to:

Building Inspections Department
P.O. Box 558
Lovingston, VA 22949

Payments types accepted at Building Inspections Department: Cash, check or credit card (VISA, MasterCard). Credit card payments available by calling 434-263-7080.

Helpful Resources

  • Nelson County Code (Municode) The Nelson County Code is published online as a convenience to citizens and the legal community. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of material published online, citizens are advised that the only official edition of the County Code is the printed version maintained by the County.
  • Virginia Building & Code Officials Association (VBCOA) The Virginia Building and Code Officials Association (VBCOA) is a statewide organization of building safety professionals dedicated to the protection of the health, safety and welfare of all persons who live, work or visit the Commonwealth of Virginia.
  • Virginia Department of Professional & Occupational Regulation (DPOR) The Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation’s mission is to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public by licensing qualified individuals and businesses and enforcing standards of professional conduct for professions and occupations as designated by statute.
  • Virginia Plumbing and Mechanical Inspectors Association (VPMIA) VPMIA is an association dedicated to plumbing and mechanical code enforcement to protect the health, safety and welfare of all citizens of The Commonwealth of Virginia.
  • Virginia Fire Prevention Association (VFPA) The Association is active in promoting State and Local codes and regulations developed to provide safety to life and property from the hazards of fire.
  • Virginia Chapter of the International Association of Electrical Inspectors (VIAEIA)
  • International Code Council (ICC) The International Codes, or I-Codes, published by ICC, provide minimum safeguards for people at home, at school and in the workplace. The I-Codes are a complete set of comprehensive, coordinated building safety and fire prevention codes. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
  • Virginia Floodplain Management Association (VFMA) VFMA provides easy access to information about state and federal guidelines and regulations and funding assistance to plan for avoiding flooding or for flood mitigation, response and recovery.
  • Virginia Municipal League (VML) The Virginia Municipal League is a statewide, nonprofit, nonpartisan association of city, town and county governments established in 1905 to improve and assist local governments through legislative advocacy, research, education and other services.
  • Virginia Association of Counties (VACO) VACo exists to support county officials and to effectively represent, promote and protect the interests of counties to better serve the people of Virginia.