Home / Government / Building Inspection
The purpose of the Building Inspector's Office is to insure that minimum standards
of performance as prescribed by the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code are
adhered to within building construction; to insure the public safety, health, and
welfare insofar as they are affected by building construction; and to secure safety
to life and property from all hazards incidental to the occupancy of building,
structures, or premises.
Code Official:
Kenneth Hurst
Office Hours:
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Monday - Friday
Phone:
(276) 223-6020
Address:
340 South Sixth Street
Wytheville, VA 24382
Email:
kphurst@wytheco.org
Duties of the Code Official:
Building Inspection Staff
Charlie McDaniel, Inspector
Rhonda Vaught, Secretary
Wythe County, along with all other localities in the State of Virginia, utilizes the Virginia
Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC). This is a set of guidelines produced by the Virginia
Board of Housing and Community Development. It is based upon the model codes published by the
following organizations:
A building permit is required before:
Examples that REQUIRE a building permit:
Examples that DO NOT REQUIRE a building permit:
Building permit costs are based on the square footage of the construction. Remodelling that
does not change the square footage of the building is charged the minimum fee.
| Description | Permit Fee |
| Residential Structures | $0.16 per sq.ft. |
| Manufactured Home | $0.16 per sq.ft. |
| Commercial Factory-Industrial, Storage Building: | (See table below) |
| first 20,000 sq. ft. | $0.16 per sq.ft. |
| next 20,001 to 40,000 sq. ft. | $0.08 per sq.ft. |
| next 40,001 to 60,000 sq. ft. | $0.04 per sq.ft. |
| next 60,001 to 80,000 sq. ft. | $0.02 per sq.ft. |
| all over 80,000 sq. ft. | $0.01 per sq.ft. |
| Minimum Fee | $35.00 |
| Demolition of Building/Storage Tanks | $100.00 |
| Cell Tower | $400.00 |
| Co-located on existing cell tower | $35.00 |
Please note: A 1.75% State Levy Tax is to be assessed to the above fees
Soil Erosion & Sediment Application: $100.00 plus $50.00 per week *
* - for duration of project until permanent stabilization is applied. Applicant must specify project time,
and applicant must amend the application and pay additional fee for extended period of project.
| Description | Permit Fee |
| Utility building less than 150 sq. ft. - no plumbing or electrical | - 0 - |
| Agricultural Use | - 0 - |
The following are exempt from paying building permit fees
If you use a contractor to perform the work, the contractor must meet the following licensing requirements:
You can save yourself a lot of time, trouble, and extra trips to the building inspection department
by making sure you have all of the information needed to get a building permit.
Requirements for building permit application - Manufactured Homes
Requirements for building permit application - All Other Buildings
Permits may be applied for by the owner or lessee of the building, or by the licensed engineer,
architect, contractor or subcontractor employed in connection with the prospective work. Engineers,
architects, contractors or subcontractors must provide evidence that they are licensed to practice
in Virginia or are exempt from the requirements.
Building permits can be obtained either in person or by mail. You may call or write the Building
Inspectior's Office and request an application and requirements be mailed to you. You may also
download building permit application from this
web site and print it on your home printer.
A permit remains valid for 6 months from the date the permit is issued. Every time there is an
inspection performed, that extends the permit for another six months. If the work is halted or
abandoned for at least six months, the permit may be suspended. Extensions may be granted by the
Building Official. If the permit is suspended, you may be required to re-apply and/or pay additional
fees to re-activate the permit.
Once your permit has been issued, you may call our office at 223-6020 during business hours.
You will need to provide us with your permit number and the inspection you want performed. If
you call early, we will try to do the inspection the same day. Otherwise, the inspection will
be performed the next business day.
The building inspection departments throughout the state of Virginia are required, by law,
to provide for the safe construction of all buildings and structures. This responsibility
is to the citizens of every community in the state, not to any single person or structure.
The building code law does not permit any of its requirements to be waived. The code does
contain provisions for modification of its requirements, so long as the spirit and intent
of the code are met. If you feel that a code requirement is unreasonable, you may request
the Building Official to consider modifying the requirement, but you must provide a
reasonable alternative to compliance that meets the spirit and intent of the code.
For most people who purchase a manufacuted home, this list will cover the majors steps
involved in setting up your new home. Some homeowners will have additional steps to
follow. Please call if you have questions.
Notes: Necessary site preparation, such as grading, drainage provisions and site access for
the home, must be considered. All footings, piers, supports and anchoring provisions must comply
with manufacurer's instructions and inspectors. Skirting shall be installed to enclose
the underside of the home within 60 days of occupancy of the home. A more detailed description for
setting up a manufactured home is available here.
Normally, the dealer is responsible for the installation of the homes as stated in the sales contract. Some dealers use their own personnel, while others use contractors to complete the setup. If the sales agreement between the dealer and buyer does not include dealer installation, the buyer should make certain that the person installing the home will follow the Uniform Statewide Building Code and the manufacturer's instructions. Setup contractors should be licensed as required by the Virginia Board for Contractors.
Yes, if you want to build a house (or locate a manufactured home) on property owned by someone
else, you should read over the Wythe County Subdivision
Ordinance.
