Virginia requires permit applications for construction and for many structural and trade alterations. Source: Virginia USBC, 13VAC5-63-80 Section 108.2 (work exempt from permits). Check with Frederick County for a county address. Check with the City of Winchester for a city address.
Who issues the permit depends on your address
Virginia applications go to the building official for the project location. Source: Virginia USBC, 13VAC5-63-80 Section 108.2 (work exempt from permits). Confirm whether the address is in Frederick County or the independent City of Winchester before filing. Check with the relevant office about Stephens City, Middletown, or Strasburg.
Frederick County building official
For a county address, check with the county about its permit application and inspections. Source: Virginia USBC, 13VAC5-63-80 Section 108.2 (work exempt from permits).
City of Winchester building official
For a city address, check with the city about its permit application and inspections. 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 or city building official 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 or city building official 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 or city building official 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 or city building official 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 or city building official 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 or city building official before exterior work. Source: Virginia USBC, 13VAC5-63-80 Section 108.2 (work exempt from permits).
Our roofing workThe typical permit steps in Frederick County and Winchester
- Confirm the governing jurisdiction for the project address and ask its building official which applications apply. Source: Virginia USBC, 13VAC5-63-80 Section 108.2 (work exempt from permits).
- Describe structural and trade work in the application; Virginia requires a general description and location of the proposed work. Source: Virginia USBC, 13VAC5-63-80 Section 108.2 (work exempt from permits).
- Ask the issuing office which inspections apply before work begins. 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.
Virginia allows local permit requirements for some otherwise exempt exterior work in a designated historic district. Ask the relevant office whether your address is affected. Source: Virginia USBC, 13VAC5-63-80 Section 108.2 (work exempt from permits).
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
- Is Winchester covered by the county permit office?
- Check with the City of Winchester for a city address and Frederick County for a county address.
- Does a deck need a permit?
- Virginia requires permits for construction of structures. Check with the building official for the project address about the deck design. Source: Virginia USBC, 13VAC5-63-80 Section 108.2 (work exempt from permits).
- What about Stephens City, Middletown, or Strasburg?
- Check with the town and county for the project address before filing.
Official sources
Last checked October 12, 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the county before you file.
Where we work in Frederick County and Winchester
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
- Clarke County, 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