When is a permit required?

Permits are required before:

• Constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, or demolishing a building or structure.
• Constructing a deck or porch.
• Placing a shed, carport (including metal), or utility building (including kit or Leonard type) on a lot.
• Installing a new sign, including temporary and banner signs.
• Changing the face of an existing sign.
• Changing the use of a building when the new use requires greater degrees of structural strength, fire protection, exit facilities, ventilation or sanitary provisions.
• Installing or altering any equipment which is regulated by the building code.
• Removing or disturbing any asbestos containing materials during demolition, alteration, renovation of or additions to buildings or structures.

Examples:

Permits are required to do the following:

1. Install exterior siding on multi-family or commercial structures.
2. Finish an unfinished area or basement.
3. Add or replace an existing deck.
4. Install attic pull-down stairs.
5. Install new sump pump (not replacement).
6. Replace water or sewer service lines.
7. Install swimming pool above or below ground when more than 24 inches deep.
8. Install new attic fan (not replacement).
9. Install new electrical circuits.
10. Install gas fired heaters or fireplace logs.
11. Build a deck/porch, carport (including metal), detached garage, or utility/storage building (including kits or Leonard type).
12. Change duct systems, plumbing supply, drain, waste and vent piping, appliance vent systems and gas piping, other than reconnection to replacement equipment.

When is a permit not required?

Permits are not required for the following:

• Ordinary repairs which do not involve any violations of the building code. These include painting, roofing less than 100 sq. ft., most glass, most doors, floor covering and porch flooring, repairs to plaster or interior tile and other wall covering, residential cabinets, and wiring and equipment operating under 50 volts.
  NOTE: Repairs do not include work on walls or partitions, anything that effects structural integrity, anything that effects egress or exits,removal or disturbance of asbestos, or work changing or replacing plumbing, mechanical or electrical equipment or systems.
• Most wiring and equipment that operates at less than 50 volts.
• Replacement of plumbing and electrical fixtures, fittings, appliances, including electric water heaters, fans, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, air cleaners, and similar mechanical equipment, doors and windows with that of similar capacity in the same location in most residential uses.

Examples:

Permits are not required to do the following:

1. Replacing existing plumbing fixtures when not altering supply or drain lines.
2. Replacing existing electrical fixtures when not adding or extending circuits.
3. Repair water heater.
4. Repair furnace or central air unit (permit required for motor or compressor replacement).
5. Replace deck or porch flooring boards only.
6. Painting or decorating.
7. Replacing residential cabinets.
8. Screen in existing covered porch.
9. Pour concrete patio on grade level.

What are the permit fees?

Zoning permits are $25.00 each. Sign permits are based on the cost of each complete sign installed or sign face changed, and are a MINIMUM of $25.00 each for permanent and portable signs and are $20.00 each for banner signs.

For all other types of permits, a minimum fee of $30.00 is charged. The Town utilizes pricing set by Roanoke County for permits, including building, mechanical, plumbing, electrical permits, for NEW structures. Roanoke County will issue these permits based on paperwork sent to them from the Town's Planning and Zoning Office. The fee is based upon square footage. For alterations or renovations to EXISTING structures, fees are based on the estimated cost of construction. During the construction process, Roanoke County Inspectors will perform all inspections of the work. The total cost of the permit(s) will be determined after the permit is issued and sent by Roanoke County to the Town's Planning and Zoning Department.

Where can a permit be obtained?

All permits for work within the Town of Vinton limits must be applied for at the Planning and Zoning Department and then paid for at the Treasurer's Office, both located in the Vinton Municipal Building at 311 S. Pollard Street. Once a building permit application has been made, it along with plans for the work, will be sent to Roanoke County's Building Commissioner for issuance. For residential construction, the permit issuance process may take 3 or more days to complete. For commercial construction, this process will be longer, and depends upon many variables. Once the permit is approved by the Building Commissioner, it will be faxed to the Vinton Planning and Zoning Department and prepared for the customer to pick up. A call will then be placed to the customer to notify him/her that the permit is ready to be picked up and paid for. Roanoke County will perform all inspections of the work.

How can I obtain an inspection?

Roanoke County inspectors perform all building inspections within the Town of Vinton. An inspection may be scheduled by calling Roanoke County at 540-772-2065. The permit number (application number) will be required at the time of the request. The permit/application number can be found near the top of your permit. You must call AT LEAST 24 hours in advance to schedule an inspection.

Who may apply for a permit?

Permits may be applied for by the owner or lessee of the building or the agent of either, or by the licensed professional engineer, architect, contractor or subcontractor (or their prospective agents) 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.

May someone else obtain a permit for me?

As stated above, certain professionals employed in connection with the project may also obtain permits. The owner may also have a designated agent to obtain permits. An agent is anyone the owner has given authority to act on his or her behalf. Evidence of this authority may be provided as a notarized statement on the permit application or a check for permit fees bearing the owner's name and signature.

Should my contractor or I obtain the permit?

It is our opinion, in almost all instances, the contractor should be required to obtain the permit as part of the project agreement. This is simply because the permit holder is the party responsible for the work and complying with the codes and regulations. A reputable contractor should have no problem obtaining a permit. It is usually those with no license or outstanding violations that will ask you to purchase the permit. If you decide to purchase permits yourself, you may wish to verify a contractor's state license and registration by calling the State Board for Contractors at 804-367-8511 or by clicking here to go to their web site. If you call the Board, a touch tone phone will allow you to use their automated verification process any time of the day or night. If the cost of the job is greater than $25,000, you should also verify that a local business license has been obtained from the Vinton Treasurer's Office by calling 540-983-0608. If the cost of the job is less than $25,000, you should verify that the contractor has a business license in the locality in which his/her business is based. In either case, we recommend that final payment to the contractor only be made upon final approval by the inspector.

May I obtain a permit by mail, phone, or downloading it?

Only trade contractors who have pre-qualified may apply for permits by telephone. Otherwise, permits must be obtained in person or by mail. You may call the Vinton Planning and Zoning Department at 540-983-0601 and request that a permit application be mailed to you. Also, you may download certain applications directly from this web site and print them out on your printer by clicking the selections below:

 Commercial Building Permit Application

 Asbestos Certification Form

 Trade Permit Application

 Residential Building Permit Application

 Zoning Permit Application

 Sign Permit Application

Note: To view the above documents, you must have the Adobe Acrobat® Reader® program installed on your computer. To download the program for FREE, please click the link below.
 Click here to download Adobe Acrobat® Reader®

How long is a permit valid?

A permit remains valid for as long as the work is proceeding. If the work is halted or abandoned for a period of at least six months, the permit may be suspended. Extensions may be granted for cause by the Building Commissioner. Letters are sent to permit holders advising them that the permit is about to be suspended and requesting a progress report when no inspections have been scheduled for 6 to 12 months. If the permit is suspended, you may be required to re-apply and/or pay additional fees to re-activate the permit.

May a permit be voided?

Permits may only be voided by the Building Commissioner when false or fraudulent information has been provided on the application. Otherwise, the permit may be cancelled by the applicant.

May a permit be returned for a refund?

Anytime before completion of the project, a permit may be canceled by the permit holder. If the project is incomplete, you are eligible for a refund based on the unfinished portion of the work.