VA
Virginia permits & licenses
Last verified October 15, 2026
General information, not legal advice.
License thresholds and permit rules change, and your city or county enforces the permit. Local rules vary. Anything this research could not confirm is shown as “Check with your local building department,” not as a rule you can rely on.
Contractor license
Virginia Board for Contractors (DPOR)
State license required for projects over $1,000 (labor + materials). Class C: >$1,000 to <$30,000; Class B: $30,000-<$150,000; Class A: $150,000+. No separate handyman license; handymen under $1,000 may not do electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or pull permits (per James City County affidavit).
Licensing board
https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/Boards/ContractorsLicense lookup
https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/LicenseLookupHomeowner exemption
Summary
Owner may perform or supervise work on one primary residence they own and occupy, no more than once in any 24-month period (Va. Code 54.1-1101). Subcontractors must be licensed.
Electrical
Covered by the owner exemption for own primary residence; permit + inspection still required.
Plumbing
Same as electrical.
HVAC
Same as electrical.
Permit notes for common projects
Permit triggers are set and enforced locally (county/city building department), under the state code listed. Always confirm with the local building department.
Governing code
Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC, 13VAC5-63); statewide, enforced by localities
Water heater
Same-size, same-location ELECTRIC water heater replacement reported exempt; gas/oil replacement needs a permit (secondary source - verify in USBC 13VAC5-63-80).
Toilet
Check with your local building department
Ceiling fan, outlet, or GFCI
Check with your local building department
Fence
Exempt from building permit unless it serves as a required pool or pedestrian-safety barrier (USBC 13VAC5-63-80); zoning height limits still apply.
Deck
Generally requires a building permit; no small-deck exemption reported (secondary source - verify).
Shed
One-story detached accessory/storage shed 256 sq ft or less exempt from building permit; zoning may still apply (USBC; DHCD memo).
What this page does not confirm
- Water heater and deck rules came from a secondary source.
- Same-for-same toilet/fan/outlet replacements are 'ordinary repair' under the USBC; the exact wording wasn't confirmed.
Sources
- https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/boards/Contractors/Contractor_Consumer_Info.pdf
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacodefull/title54.1/chapter11/
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title54.1/chapter11/section54.1-1101/
- https://www.jamescitycountyva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8796/Handymans-Affidavit-PDF
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title13/agency5/chapter63/section80/
- https://www.dhcd.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/DocX/technical-memos-bulletins/carports-garages-sheds-info.pdf
Projects that hit these rules
Published by Fixit Express. Last verified October 15, 2026. Full disclaimer