Culpeper County Building Department
Office hours are Monday 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Submission of Permit Application and Plan Review
Residential and Commercial Building Application is accompanied by a Checklist of the necessary paperwork. Below is a summary of the list.
1) Three (3) sets of detailed plans along with the Health Permit (if not on Town water); 2) Zoning Permit (Other details are required by Planning & Zoning; please visit their web page for details). From the Culpeper County Main Page, click on Planning and Zoning under Areas of Interest; click on Amendment to Article 20-Site Plans; 20-5-2.] The applicant will be required to fill out an application. This will require a copy of the contractor's license and expiration date if the owner is not the contractor.
The application and all attachments are submitted to the Plans Reviewer who verifies the information on the application with the plans and makes note of any changes that might be necessary to code. After applicant's plans are reviewed and appear to be in compliance, square footage is computed and the application and plans are "Approved."
When trade permits (electric, plumbing, mechanical) are to be issued with the building permit, the owner can pull permits for the job if the owner is doing his/her own work, or can have the tradesman fill out the appropriate information on back of the application and sign it (this will enable the applicant to pick up the trade permits) or the applicant can have the tradesman come in. The tradesman should have a Class A State Contractors license in his/her trade or a Class B with a master's or exempt card in that trade (as of 7/1/96 need a State-issued Tradesman Certification Card.) All trade permits must be pulled before the work is started.
After the permit has been issued the homeowner/contractor calls for the appropriate inspection with the permit number and the name in which the permit was issued. Currently inspections can be scheduled for next day if called in before 2:00 p.m.
Inspection process-- Applying for a building permit, State law (§36-97 et seq. of Title 36 of the Code of Virginia) requires that certain inspections be made by this department. It is your responsibility to notify this office that an inspection is necessary and this is to be done before future stages of construction can begin.
- Footing excavations and reinforcement material for concrete footings prior to the placement of concrete. This includes concrete slabs.
- Foundation systems during phases of construction are necessary to assure compliance with the building code. Block work, brickwork, poured concrete walls and especially where the thickness of the wall changes to accommodate a veneer covering.
- Preparatory work prior to the placement of concrete.
- Structural members and fasteners prior to concealment. Insulation including foundation if applicable.
- Electrical, mechanical and plumbing materials and systems prior to concealment.
- Energy conservation material prior to concealment. Insulation including foundation if applicable.
- A final inspection upon completion of building/structure.
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In certain cases other inspections may be required depending on site specific circumstances. If you have any questions regarding the need for and timing of an inspection, it is your responsibility to call the Building Inspection Office and confirm the specific requirement. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in State Violations.
If a residence of the "County" and not on Town Water, the homeowner/contractor should have a water test 2-3 weeks before the final inspection for occupancy. When the test results are received, they should be taken directly to the Health Department. The Health Department will issue a Sewage Disposal System Operation Permit. Once approved by the Health Department, a copy is faxed to our office for record. A Final Inspection will not be made without the Operation Permit Approval.