Building permits in Hanover County — located north of Richmond and including the Town of Ashland — are issued by the Building Inspections Department. Hanover enforces the 2021 VUSBC.
This guide covers permit requirements, the application process, fees, trade permits, and inspections in Hanover County.
Hanover County includes the Town of Ashland. The Town of Ashland has specific stormwater management rules for new impervious area over 50 sq ft. Check whether your property is within the town limits for additional requirements.
What requires a building permit in Hanover County?
Under the 2021 VUSBC, a building permit is required for most construction activities:
Permit required
- New construction, additions, and alterations
- Structural modifications
- Reroofing, windows, siding changes
- Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work
- Decks, pools, fences, and accessory structures
- Change of occupancy
- Demolition
- Manufactured home installations
Typically exempt
- Painting, flooring, and cosmetic work
- Detached accessory structure ≤ 256 sq ft
- Retaining walls ≤ 4 ft
- Same-type fixture replacements
Exemptions are narrow and scope-specific. When unsure, confirm with the building department before starting — see the penalty note below.
Get the permit issued before starting work. Building without one exposes the owner to penalties and stop-work orders. Note that exemption from a building permit does not exempt a project from zoning requirements — confirm edge cases with the building department.
Who handles permitting in Hanover County?
The Building Inspections Department handles plan review, permit issuance, and construction inspections for Hanover County.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office | Building Inspections — Hanover County, VA |
| Phone | (804) 365-6035 |
| Covers | Hanover County including Town of Ashland |
| Code cycle | 2021 VUSBC — effective January 18, 2025 |
| Online | Applications accepted in-person and online |
| Inspections | Schedule through Building Inspections |
Contact Building Inspections to apply. Hanover County accepts applications both in-person and through online channels. Call (804) 365-6035 for current submission procedures.
Hanover County building permit cost
Hanover County permit fees are valuation-based. A mandatory 2% state levy applies to all fees.
| Fee component | How it works |
|---|---|
| Residential building permit | Valuation-based |
| Commercial building permit | Valuation-based |
| Plan review fee | Included in permit structure |
| Trade permits | Separate fees per trade |
| State levy | 2% on all permit fees |
| Work-without-permit | Double fees + enforcement |
Want a precise number for a specific Hanover County project? Send us the scope and valuation and we'll return a fee estimate alongside a filing timeline.
Hanover County trade permits
Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits filed separately. DPOR-licensed contractors required.
Electrical permits
Required for service upgrades, panel work, solar PV, and wiring — DPOR-licensed electrical contractor required.
Plumbing permits
Required for plumbing, repipes, water heaters, and gas work — DPOR-licensed plumber required.
Mechanical (HVAC) permits
Required for HVAC installations, changeouts, and ductwork — DPOR-licensed mechanical contractor required.
Miscellaneous & specialty
Properties in the Town of Ashland may have additional stormwater management requirements for new impervious area over 50 sq ft.
Verify your contractor's license. Virginia requires a state contractor license issued by the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) for any project valued over $1,000. Licenses are classed by project value: Class A ($120,000+ per project), Class B ($10,000–$120,000), and Class C ($1,000–$10,000). Each class requires specific experience, education, and financial qualifications. Homeowners may perform work on their own primary residence without a contractor license, but all permits and inspections still apply. Verify licensure at dpor.virginia.gov.
How to get a building permit in Hanover County
Confirm zoning compliance
Contact Planning & Community Development for zoning verification.
Submit permit application
Apply in person or online with Building Inspections.
Submit plans for review
Provide construction documents for plan review.
Plan review & corrections
Staff reviews against 2021 VUSBC. Address comments.
Pay fees & receive permit
Pay all fees including 2% state levy.
Schedule inspections through CO
Schedule inspections. Final inspection required for CO.
Inspections in Hanover County
Schedule inspections through Building Inspections. Standard checkpoints include footing/foundation, framing, rough-in MEP, insulation, and final.
Address correction notices before requesting a re-inspection; a final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy are required before legal occupancy or use.
Official Hanover County permitting resources
- 🏛️ Hanover County Building Inspections
- 📋 Hanover County
- 🪪 VA DPOR — verify licenses
- 📘 VA DHCD — building codes
Simplify Hanover County permitting with Alliance Permitting
Hanover County's permitting process rewards well-prepared applications. Alliance Permitting is a permit expediter for Hanover County — our permit expediting services pair AI-driven document review with experts who know the Building Inspections Department process, so your Hanover County submissions move faster.
Trusted by leading builders and brands — including Dream Finders Homes, Tesla, Verizon, Hyatt, and Sunnova.
Contractors and builders choose Alliance for Hanover County because we deliver:
- Local expertise — we know Hanover County Building Inspections and 2021 VUSBC requirements.
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- Error-free submissions — AI pre-checks plus expert review catch issues before they become correction cycles.
Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company: we prepare your paperwork, file it correctly, and coordinate with the building department through issuance — including preparing private-provider documentation where that option is available. We are not a contractor and do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your team and the jurisdiction.
Need a Hanover County building permit?
Get your Hanover County project permitted right. Alliance Permitting handles your applications.
More Virginia permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general informational purposes and reflects publicly available information believed accurate as of June 2026. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change; always confirm current details with the Hanover County Building Inspections Department before filing. This is not legal advice.