Virginia requires permits for construction and for many structural and trade alterations. Source: Virginia USBC, 13VAC5-63-80 Section 108.2 (work exempt from permits). Check with Clarke County about its building permit process and ask Berryville or Boyce about town requirements for an address inside either town.
Who issues the permit depends on your address
Virginia requires permit applications to describe the work and its location. Source: Virginia USBC, 13VAC5-63-80 Section 108.2 (work exempt from permits). Check with the county and the relevant town before filing for a Berryville or Boyce address.
Building official for the project address
Check with Clarke County about building applications and with Berryville or Boyce about any town review. Source: Virginia USBC, 13VAC5-63-80 Section 108.2 (work exempt from permits).
Do I need a permit? Job by job
Short answers for the remodel jobs homeowners ask us about most. Your exact scope decides the answer, so confirm with the permit office for your parcel.
Deck
Depends on scopeVirginia requires a permit for construction of a structure. Check with the county and, if applicable, the town about your deck plans. Source: Virginia USBC, 13VAC5-63-80 Section 108.2 (work exempt from permits).
Our decks workFinished basement
Depends on scopeChanges to walls, wiring, plumbing, or mechanical systems can require permits under Virginia's building code. Check with the county and, if applicable, the town about the exact scope. Source: Virginia USBC, 13VAC5-63-80 Section 108.2 (work exempt from permits).
Our basement finishing workBathroom or kitchen remodel
Depends on scopeVirginia requires permits for alterations to regulated wiring, plumbing, and mechanical systems. Check with the county and, if applicable, the town about cosmetic work. Source: Virginia USBC, 13VAC5-63-80 Section 108.2 (work exempt from permits).
Our bathroom remodeling workAddition or porch
Permit requiredVirginia requires a permit for construction of a building or structure. Ask the county and, if applicable, the town about plans and other local approvals. Source: Virginia USBC, 13VAC5-63-80 Section 108.2 (work exempt from permits).
Our home additions workShed or accessory structure
Depends on scopeVirginia's building code exempts some detached storage structures from a building permit. Check with the county and, if applicable, the town about your structure and any local land-use rules. Source: Virginia USBC, 13VAC5-63-80 Section 108.2 (work exempt from permits).
Roof, siding, or window work
Depends on scopeVirginia's ordinary-repair exemptions cover some replacement work, with exceptions for historic districts and other conditions. Check with the county and, if applicable, the town before exterior work. Source: Virginia USBC, 13VAC5-63-80 Section 108.2 (work exempt from permits).
Our roofing workThe typical permit steps in Clarke County
- Confirm the project address with the building official and ask whether town review applies. Source: Virginia USBC, 13VAC5-63-80 Section 108.2 (work exempt from permits).
- Describe construction, structural changes, and trade work in the permit application. Source: Virginia USBC, 13VAC5-63-80 Section 108.2 (work exempt from permits).
- Ask the issuing office which inspections apply. Source: Virginia USBC, 13VAC5-63-80 Section 108.2 (work exempt from permits).
HOA approval and historic districts are separate
A building permit and any HOA approval are separate. Check your community documents before work.
Ask the county and relevant town whether exterior work at the address needs historic review.
How Real Elite handles permits
On a job we build, we confirm which office has jurisdiction over your parcel, pull the permits the scope needs, and schedule the inspections. Start with a free site visit: we walk the project with you, tell you what we expect the permit path to be, and put it in a written estimate. If something on this page doesn’t match what the county tells you, the county is right.
Quick questions
- What if the house is in Berryville?
- Check with the county and the Town of Berryville before filing.
- What if the house is in Boyce?
- Check with the county and the Town of Boyce before filing.
- Does a kitchen remodel need a permit?
- Virginia requires permits for alterations to regulated plumbing, wiring, and mechanical systems. Check with the building official about the project scope. Source: Virginia USBC, 13VAC5-63-80 Section 108.2 (work exempt from permits).
Official sources
Last checked October 12, 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the county before you file.
Where we work in Clarke County
Permit guides for other counties
- Fairfax County, VA permit guide
- Loudoun County, VA permit guide
- Arlington County, VA permit guide
- Montgomery County, MD permit guide
- Howard County, MD permit guide
- Frederick County, MD permit guide
- Berkeley County, WV permit guide
- Jefferson County, WV permit guide
- Washington County, MD permit guide
- Franklin County, PA permit guide
- Fauquier County, VA permit guide
- Prince William County, VA permit guide
- Frederick County and Winchester, VA permit guide
- City of Alexandria, VA permit guide
- Falls Church and City of Fairfax, VA permit guide
- Anne Arundel County and Annapolis, MD permit guide
- Carroll County, MD permit guide
- Manassas and Manassas Park, VA permit guide