Building permits in Henrico County — surrounding Richmond on three sides — are issued by the Department of Building Construction and Inspections. All permitting uses the Build Henrico online portal. Henrico enforces the 2021 VUSBC.
This guide covers permit requirements, the Build Henrico portal, Permit Center walk-throughs, fees, trade permits, and inspections.
Henrico County is separate from the City of Richmond — the independent city has its own permitting. This guide covers unincorporated Henrico County. The Permit Center functions as a one-stop shop with two locations (West at 4301 E Parham Rd, East at 3820 Nine Mile Rd). Most walk-in residential permits can be issued within 1.5 hours.
What requires a building permit in Henrico County?
Under the 2021 VUSBC, a permit is required for construction, demolition, removal, or alteration of any building or structure, including:
Permit required
- New construction, additions, and alterations
- Structural modifications
- Decks, porches, sheds, garages, swimming pools
- Reroofing, windows, siding changes
- Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work
- Change of occupancy
- Demolition and relocation
- Asbestos removal during construction/demolition
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 Henrico County?
The Department of Building Construction and Inspections handles all permitting through the Build Henrico portal (all permits since August 30, 2021 are processed online). The Permit Center at two locations offers walk-in service for residential projects — most walk-in residential addition permits can be issued within 1.5 hours.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office West | Permit Center — 4301 East Parham Rd, Henrico, VA 23228 |
| Office East | Permit Center — 3820 Nine Mile Rd, Henrico, VA 23223 |
| Phone | (804) 501-4360 |
| Automated System | (804) 501-7770 |
| Online portal | Build Henrico — henrico.gov/build |
| Code cycle | 2021 VUSBC — effective January 18, 2025 |
Apply through Build Henrico. All permits are processed through the Build Henrico online portal. Register for an account to apply, pay, track status, upload plans, and schedule inspections. As of April 2026, passwords are replaced with one-time passcodes sent to your email. Walk-in service still available at the two Permit Center locations for qualifying residential projects.
Henrico County building permit cost
Henrico County residential building permit fees are $100 for the first $5,000 of estimated cost plus $6 per additional $1,000. Commercial permits are $100 for the first $5,000 plus $7 per additional $1,000. All fees include a mandatory 2% state levy. Fee calculators are available on the county website.
| Fee component | How it works |
|---|---|
| Residential building permit | $100 for first $5,000 + $6 per additional $1,000 |
| Commercial building permit | $100 for first $5,000 + $7 per additional $1,000 |
| New one/two-family electrical | Flat fee: $100 + $2 state levy = $102 |
| Existing residential electrical | $100 + $6/add'l $1,000 + 2% levy |
| Trade permits | Separate fees per trade + 2% levy |
| Refund policy | 100% if not issued; 75% if issued |
Want a precise number for a specific Henrico County project? Send us the scope and valuation and we'll return a fee estimate alongside a filing timeline.
Henrico County trade permits
Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits are filed separately through Build Henrico.
Electrical permits
Required for wiring operating at 50+ volts, service upgrades, panel work, and solar PV. New single-family: flat fee of $102. Existing residential: valuation-based. 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, ductwork, fire protection, and elevator work — DPOR-licensed mechanical contractor required.
Miscellaneous & specialty
Sign permits are dropped off (not walked through). Properties without public water/sewer and two-story additions require additional engineering review before walk-through issuance.
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 Henrico County
Check the Permit Center & zoning
Contact the Permit Center at either location. Check the Who/What/When/Where page for which permits can be walked through vs. dropped off.
Register on Build Henrico & apply
Create a Build Henrico account. Submit the permit application online with all required documents.
Submit plans for review
Upload construction documents through Build Henrico. Walk-in residential additions may be reviewed same-day.
Plan review & corrections
Staff reviews against 2021 VUSBC. Walk-in permits target 1.5-hour turnaround. Dropped-off plans take longer.
Pay fees & receive permit
Pay all fees including 2% state levy. Use the online fee calculators to estimate costs.
Schedule inspections through CO
Schedule inspections through Build Henrico. Final inspection required for Certificate of Occupancy.
Inspections in Henrico County
Schedule inspections through the Build Henrico portal. Standard checkpoints include footing/foundation, framing, rough-in MEP, insulation, and final. Henrico retains building permit records for 3 years after project completion.
Address correction notices before requesting a re-inspection; a final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy are required before legal occupancy or use.
Official Henrico County permitting resources
- 🏛️ Build Henrico portal
- 📋 Henrico Permit Center
- 📋 When a permit is required
- 📋 Permitting & building inspections
- 🪪 VA DPOR — verify licenses
- 📘 VA DHCD — building codes
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Henrico County's Build Henrico portal, walk-in Permit Center service, and detailed fee calculators reward applicants who prepare thorough packages. Alliance Permitting is a permit expediter for Henrico County — our permit expediting services pair AI-driven document review with experts who know the Dept. of Building Construction & Inspections process, so your Henrico County submissions move faster.
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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 Henrico County building permit?
Get your Henrico County project permitted right. Alliance Permitting navigates Build Henrico — so you build, not wait.
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 Henrico County Department of Building Construction and Inspections before filing. This is not legal advice.