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STEPS

  • If in the Town of Amherst contact the Town Zoning Department, at (434) 946-7885. Located in the Town Hall Building, Main Street, Amherst.
  • If in the County, contact the Planning and Zoning Department, at (434) 946-9303. Located in the County Administration Building, 153 Washington Street, Amherst.
  • If the site is to have a septic system and/or a well, contact the local Health Department, at (434) 946-9408. Located in the Health Department, 153 Washington Street, Amherst.
  • Contact the Building Inspections Department at (434) 946-9302. Located in the County Administration Building, 153 Washington Street, Amherst.


 TO OBTAIN A BUILDING PERMIT

  1. Submit an approved Zoning permit (either from the Town or County).
  2. Submit a septic and/or well permit, if applicable.
  3. Obtain a driveway entrance permit from VDOT for all new buildings on VDOT roads or roadways that are to be taken over by VDOT.
  4. Complete a Building Permit application.
  5. Submit an owner builder permit statement if acting as owner builder (not a licensed contractor with DPOR, and working under owner exemption).
  6. Submit land disturbance application if applicable. 

For erosion & sediment control purposes you will need to know how much land you plan to disturb, excavate, grade or clear for the dwelling. Examples of items that would need to be counted are driveway and any clearing for the house and yard. If you disturb over 10,000 square feet or you are in a small lot subdivision you will need to apply for a land disturbance permit.

AFTER PERMIT SUBMITTAL

  1. Wait during the review process. The majority of permit applications are processed with little delay. Residential submittals are usually processed within 48 hours of completed submittal submission. The Code Official will determine if your project is in compliance with the construction codes, with the zoning ordinance and other municipal or state ordinances and statutes.
  2. Receive results of the review process:
  • If compliance with the code, zoning ordinance or other applicable regulations is determined, the application is approved and a permit is issued.
  • If compliance is not determined, your application as submitted will be denied. If you are refused a building permit, you can correct the code violations or appeal the decision.


Receive The Permit. The building permit is the document granting legal permission to start construction. You must proceed as approved in the review process. A fee will be collected at this time. The permit fee helps defray the cost of the code official's time spent in the application process, the review process and on-site inspection process. The fee also gives you access to the code official's knowledge and experience when and if you have any questions about your construction project. An additional fee for services such as water connection and surveys may be required. Inspections required for your project will be indicated on a sheet handed to you with the permit. You are required to post the building permit in a window or other prominent place at the construction site. Keep a copy of the building plans at the site and bring proposed changes to the attention of the code official immediately. Changes will require a review and approval in the same manner a s the original application.

Arrange Inspection Visits. Each major phase of construction must be inspected by the code official to make certain the work conforms to code, the building permit and the approved plans. The person responsible for the construction project must request each inspection. Normally 24 to 48 hours' advance notice is required. If an inspector finds that some work does not conform to the approved plans, the inspector will advise (and possibly provide written notice) that the situation is to be remedied. If the violation is serious, a stop work order may be posted until the problem is resolved. another inspection may be necessary before work is resumed.

Receive Certificate of Occupancy. When code compliance is determined, the inspector issues a certificate of occupancy. This certificate is the formal document which marks the completion of your construction project and gives you permission to occupy your new or renovated building with the knowledge that it has met the safety standards in your community.