Shed Permit in Virginia Beach, Virginia
By Mario Bailey Last checked 2026-07-19 · 3 official sources
Verified against official sources Confirmed on official pageIt depends
Quick answer
Virginia Beach lists detached structures such as gazebos, storage buildings, and sheds exceeding 256 square feet among work requiring a residential building permit. This matches the statewide USBC, which exempts one story detached tool and storage sheds when the building area does not exceed 256 square feet. Applications go through the city's Accela Citizen Access portal, and accessory structures of 500 square feet or less qualify for counter review.
Typical threshold: One story detached sheds with a building area of 256 square feet or less are exempt from a building permit; larger sheds require one.
Who is pulling this permit?
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- Who pulls the permit, you or me, and is the permit fee included in the bid?
- Which inspections will this job need, and who meets the inspector on site?
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When a permit is usually needed
Sheds larger than 256 sq ft
What your shed permit must meet in Virginia
Virginia's 2021 Uniform Statewide Building Code, published as the 2021 Virginia Residential Code and effective January 18, 2024, lets a small detached shed skip the code's standard footing-depth rules entirely, provided it meets five specific conditions instead.
- Virginia exempts one-story detached sheds, tool and storage buildings, and playhouses up to 256 square feet in area from the code's standard footing requirements, provided all of the listed conditions are met (13VAC5-63-210, R403.1 exception).
- The shed's eave height must be 10 feet or less, and its finished floor cannot sit more than 18 inches above grade (13VAC5-63-210).
- Ground-contact structural elements must be placed level on firm soil, and any wood touching the ground must be approved pressure-preservative-treated for ground contact (13VAC5-63-210).
- Even without a conventional footing, the shed must still be anchored to withstand the code's required wind loads (13VAC5-63-210).
- The exempted shed must be light-frame construction of repetitive wood or light-gauge steel framing with lightweight walls and roof; slate, tile, brick, or masonry construction disqualifies it (13VAC5-63-210).
Based on 2021 Virginia Residential Code, Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code 13VAC5-63-210 (Section R403.1 exceptions). Read the code. Local amendments can be stricter; confirm the current requirement with your office before you build.
What shed permit costs in Virginia Beach
Non-heated residential new construction: $50 plus $4 per 100 sq ft, plus a 2% state levy and a $10 technology fee (city fee schedule rev Jul-2025).
How Virginia Beach compares in Virginia
| Jurisdiction | Permit needed? | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Arlington County | It depends | One story detached tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar structures are exempt from a building permit when the building area does not exceed 256 square feet. |
| Chesterfield County | It depends | sheds 256 sq ft or less require no permit; sheds 257 sq ft or larger (up to 400 sq ft) require a building permit |
| Culpeper County | It depends | over 256 sq ft |
| Fairfax County | It depends | single-story shed 256 sq ft or larger requires a building permit; under 256 sq ft no permit required |
| Fauquier County | It depends | single-story structures under 256 sq ft are exempt from building permit; 256 sq ft or larger requires a building and zoning permit |
| Henrico County | It depends | sheds and playhouses over 256 sq ft or more than one story require a building permit; 256 sq ft or less and only one story is exempt |
| Virginia Beachthis page | It depends | One story detached sheds with a building area of 256 square feet or less are exempt from a building permit; larger sheds require one. |
Closest shed permit thresholds outside Virginia
Jurisdictions we cover whose limit sits nearest Virginia Beach's 256 sq ft.
- Austin, Texas, one-story detached accessory structures used as tool or storage sheds with floor area no greater than 200 sq ft and no more than 15 ft in height and no plumbing and not in a floodplain are exempt
- Bellevue, Washington, detached storage sheds playhouses or gazebos with a floor area of 200 square feet or less do not require a building permit; structures over 200 square feet require a permit
- Clark County, Nevada, sheds over 200 sq ft require a building permit; storage sheds 200 sq ft or under may be exempt under Building Administrative Code Section 22.02.190
- Clark County, Washington, Sheds over 200 square feet require a building permit; sheds of 200 square feet or less are exempt if they meet setbacks and easements, but any size shed in a mobile home park or multi-family zone requires a permit.
How to apply in Virginia Beach
A residential shed permit application, once the shed is large enough to require one, is a set of construction documents that show what will be built and prove it meets the adopted residential code. In practice that means a written permit application, a scaled site plan locating the shed and its distances to the property lines, and construction documents covering the shed's foundation or anchoring system and its framing.
What most shed permit applications include:
- A written permit application identifying the proposed work and describing the property by its address or legal description, filed with the building department before construction begins (IRC R105.3).
- A scaled site plan showing the shed's size and location and its dimensioned distances to all property lines so required setbacks can be verified before the permit is issued (IRC R106.2).
- Construction documents showing the shed's foundation: freestanding accessory structures at or under the code's small-structure size and eave-height limits (600 square feet and a 10 foot eave height in the model code) are exempt from continuous footings but must still be shown supported on undisturbed soil or engineered fill and anchored to resist wind-induced uplift and overturning (IRC R403.1).
- Where the shed does sit on a continuous foundation with a wood sill plate, anchor bolt or approved strap details tying the sill plate to the foundation (IRC R403.1.6).
- Roof framing details showing the rafter-to-wall or truss-to-wall connections, since even a shed exempt from continuous footings must be anchored to resist wind-induced uplift and overturning (IRC R403.1; R802.11).
General submittal guidance from IRC R105.3 (permit application), R106.2 (site plan), R403.1 (footings and anchorage for accessory structures), and R403.1.6 (sill anchorage), 2021 IRC. Source. Planning & Community Development, Permits & Inspections Division sets the exact checklist for Virginia Beach.
Where to apply in Virginia Beach:
Planning & Community Development, Permits & Inspections Division
- 2403 Courthouse Drive, Building 3, Virginia Beach, VA 23456
- Phone: 757-385-4211
- Email: perminsp@vbgov.com
Inspections and closing out your permit
A permitted shed is inspected in stages as it goes up: the foundation or the anchors that hold it down before they are covered, the framing before it is enclosed, and a final inspection once the shed is finished. Each stage checks the items that would be hidden or unsafe if skipped.
- Foundation or anchor inspection: called after any required footings, piers, or ground anchors are set and any forms or reinforcing steel are in place, but before concrete is placed, so the foundation or anchoring system can be verified before it is covered (IRC R109.1.1).
- Frame inspection: after the shed is framed, sheathed, and braced, the inspector checks the framing, bracing, fasteners, and the roof connections that resist wind uplift, before those elements are covered (IRC R109.1.4 frame inspection; R403.1 anchorage).
- Final inspection: made after the permitted work is complete and before the shed is used; work may not proceed past any inspection stage without the building official's approval (IRC R109.1.6 final inspection; R109.4 approval required).
- For a pre-fabricated or kit shed, the manufacturer's installation instructions must be on site at the time of inspection so the inspector can confirm the anchoring and assembly match the design (IRC R106.1.2).
Schedule each inspection in advance and pass the final before you use the work or close the permit. Request inspections through the Virginia Beach permit portal or by phone at 757-385-4211.
Inspection sequence from IRC R109.1.1 (foundation inspection), R109.1.4 (frame inspection), R109.1.6 (final inspection), and R106.1.2 (manufacturer's instructions on site), 2021 IRC. Source. An open permit left un-inspected can surface later in a title search or home sale.
Your Shed Permit checklist for Virginia Beach
- Confirm the requirement. Sometimes, depending on the project. Typical threshold: One story detached sheds with a building area of 256 square feet or less are exempt from a building permit; larger sheds require one. Usually needed: Sheds larger than 256 sq ft.
- Budget the fee. Non-heated residential new construction: $50 plus $4 per 100 sq ft, plus a 2% state levy and a $10 technology fee (city fee schedule rev Jul-2025).
- Apply. A residential shed permit application, once the shed is large enough to require one, is a set of construction documents that show what will be built and prove it meets the adopted residential code. In practice that means a written permit application, a scaled site plan locating the shed and its distances to the property lines, and construction documents covering the shed's foundation or anchoring system and its framing. Start at the Virginia Beach permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. Planning & Community Development, Permits & Inspections Division. Phone: 757-385-4211. Address: 2403 Courthouse Drive, Building 3, Virginia Beach, VA 23456.
- Plan for inspections. A permitted shed is inspected in stages as it goes up: the foundation or the anchors that hold it down before they are covered, the framing before it is enclosed, and a final inspection once the shed is finished. Each stage checks the items that would be hidden or unsafe if skipped.
Compiled from the official sources on this page. Last checked 2026-07-19.
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Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a shed permit in Virginia Beach?
- Virginia Beach lists detached structures such as gazebos, storage buildings, and sheds exceeding 256 square feet among work requiring a residential building permit. This matches the statewide USBC, which exempts one story detached tool and storage sheds when the building area does not exceed 256 square feet. Applications go through the city's Accela Citizen Access portal, and accessory structures of 500 square feet or less qualify for counter review. One story detached sheds with a building area of 256 square feet or less are exempt from a building permit; larger sheds require one. Always confirm with the office before starting.
- How much does a shed permit cost in Virginia Beach?
- Non-heated residential new construction: $50 plus $4 per 100 sq ft, plus a 2% state levy and a $10 technology fee (city fee schedule rev Jul-2025). Contact the office for current amounts.
- How long does a shed permit take in Virginia Beach?
- In Virginia Beach, a shed permit typically takes 3 business days initial online review. Times can vary by workload and project scope, so confirm with the office.
- Where do you apply for a shed permit in Virginia Beach?
- You can apply through the Virginia Beach permit portal or contact the Planning & Community Development, Permits & Inspections Division directly. The links are listed on this page.
- Can a homeowner pull a shed permit themselves in Virginia Beach?
- Under Virginia law (Va. Code 54.1-1101(A); 13VAC5-63-80 (USBC Sections 108.3, 108.4)): Yes. Va. Code 54.1-1101(A) exempts any person who performs or supervises construction, removal, repair, or improvement of no more than one primary residence owned by them and for their own use during any 24-month period. The exemption covers the whole licensing chapter, including tradesman licensing for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC, so it reaches trade work on the owner's own primary residence. Under the USBC the permit applicant may be the owner or the owner's agent, and an applicant may file a written statement that they are not subject to licensure instead of proof of license. Limits: one primary residence per 24 months, for the owner's own use; rental and investment property work is not covered. Confirm how Virginia Beach applies this before you apply.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Virginia Beach
Every other permit type we have verified for this jurisdiction, with the rule that applies here.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck Permit | Permit required | No size or height exemption; the city states permits are required for construction of a new deck no matter the size or height. | Residential fees start at $50 plus area or valuation based charges (non-heated new work... |
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | State code exempts like-for-like replacement of snap switches, dimmer and control switches, 125 volt 15 or 20 ampere receptacles, luminaires, and ceiling fans; other electrical work needs a permit. | Not published |
| Fence Permit | It depends | A zoning fence permit is required for any fence or wall within 30 feet of a public right-of-way (except agricultural fences in the AG district); the statewide code exempts fences of any height from building permits unless they serve as a swimming pool barrier. | $61 fence permit fee (city Fence and Wall Bulletin, rev Nov-2025) |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | State code provides a narrow exemption for like-for-like replacement of certain mechanical appliances not fueled by gas or oil; other mechanical work needs a permit. | Not published |
| Patio Permit | It depends | Roofed or screened patio additions require a building permit; the city's published permit list does not address open at-grade patios and the state exemption list has no patio entry. | If a permit applies, residential fees start at $50 plus area or valuation based charges... |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | State code exempts replacement of plumbing fixtures and well pumps without alteration of the water supply and distribution systems; other plumbing work needs a permit. | Not published |
| Pool Permit | It depends | Permits are required for pools, hot tubs, and spas holding 24 inches or more of water; state code exempts only pools with a surface area of 150 square feet or less that are under 24 inches deep. | Residential permit fees start at $50 plus area or valuation based charges, plus a 2% st... |
| Roof Replacement Permit | Permit required | Roofing replacement is on the city's permit-required alterations list; the state exemption for roof covering replacement on one and two family dwellings applies only where the nominal design wind speed is not greater than 100 mph. | $50 plus $5 per $1,000 of construction value, plus a 2% state levy and a $10 technology... |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | No exemption; photovoltaic work is a listed category on the city electrical permit application and electrical work requires a permit under the statewide code. | Not published |
Shed Permit in other Virginia localities
Official sources
- https://planning.virginiabeach.gov/permits/building/residential-building-permits
- https://planning.virginiabeach.gov/permits/building
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title13/agency5/chapter63/section80/
- https://calhouncounty.sc.gov/sites/calhouncounty/files/Documents/Calhoun%20County/Departments/Building%20and%20Planning/2018IRC/2018%20IRC%20Building%20Guide_Accessory%20Structure.pdf
- https://www.botetourtva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/739/Accessory-Structure-Guide-pdf
- https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title13/agency5/chapter63/section210/
Verified by a person against the sources above on 2026-07-19, not confirmed with Planning & Community Development, Permits & Inspections Division. Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
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Shed Permit across Virginia