Bolthole Index

Dinwiddie County, Virginia

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Dinwiddie County, Virginia

74Index Score / 100
#21 of 133 in Virginia

Dinwiddie County, Virginia requires a building permit for covered construction, additions, certain accessory structures and pools, issued by the county Office of Building Inspections12. Zoning approval comes from Planning and Zoning, and the parcel's district controls lot size and uses34. Septic permits and private-well permits are separate and come from the Crater Health District, not the county building office56.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for covered work, subject to statewide exemptions and exceptions17
Zoning
Yes; permitted uses and dimensional standards depend on the parcel's district89
Septic permit
Required through VDH's Crater Health District510
Private well
A written permit is required through VDH's Crater Health District56
RV living
Travel trailers cannot be the dwelling in RR-1, R-U or R-1A; A-2 allows only large campgrounds by conditional use permit1112
Owner-builder
Limited contractor-license exemption; building permits and code rules still apply13
Residential lot size
District-specific; the cited standards are 20,000 square feet in R-1 and 5,000 square feet in R-U with public water and sewer414
State-highway driveway
A VDOT land-use permit is required for a new or modified entrance15

Who to call

Building permits

Dinwiddie County Office of Building Inspections

Building permits, code review and inspections of electrical, mechanical, plumbing and structural systems

(804) 469-4500

14010 Boydton Plank Road, Dinwiddie, VA 23841

Online permits →

Zoning

Dinwiddie County Planning and Zoning Department

Zoning interpretations and enforcement, building-permit review, development review, the zoning map and ordinance, and the Flood Protection Ordinance

(804) 469-4500 Ext. 2116

14010 Boydton Plank Road, Dinwiddie, VA 23841

Online permits →

Septic permits

Dinwiddie Health Department, Crater Health District

Local contact for VDH onsite sewage and private-well services in Dinwiddie County

(804) 469-3771

14010 Boydton Plank Road, Dinwiddie, VA 23841

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 9, 2026.

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Do you need a building permit in Dinwiddie County, Virginia?

Yes. Dinwiddie County requires a permit for covered construction or demolition, structural remodeling or repair, additions such as decks and porches, accessory structures over 200 square feet, and pools meeting the county's stated size or depth thresholds1. Virginia law requires the permit before covered work starts, subject to the statewide code's listed exemptions, emergency-work timing rule and other exceptions7. Virginia's current adopted statewide code is the 2021 edition, effective in 2024, and it includes the 2020 National Electrical Code16. A qualifying nonresidential farm building can be exempt from the Building Code when it is on property where farming occurs and is used primarily for a listed farm purpose, but a residence does not fit that exemption17. County inspections cover electrical, mechanical, plumbing and structural systems18.

Who issues building permits in Dinwiddie County, and how do you reach them?

The Dinwiddie County Office of Building Inspections handles building permits, code review and inspections at 14010 Boydton Plank Road, Dinwiddie, VA 23841; call (804) 469-4500 or use the county's EnerGov portal2. The office reviews and inspects electrical, mechanical, plumbing and structural systems19. Planning and Zoning separately performs zoning interpretations, enforcement and building-permit review; call (804) 469-4500 Ext. 2116 at the same street address20. Site-plan review must precede permit or zoning-certificate approval for the project categories listed by the county, including specified nonresidential, multifamily, conditional-use and planned developments21. Building-permit charges follow a local schedule, while a land-disturbance permit separately lists a $200 issuance-and-inspection fee plus $15 per disturbed acre2223. Start in EnerGov, then ask Building Inspections which forms and fees fit the project2.

Does Dinwiddie County have zoning?

Dinwiddie County administers countywide zoning and subdivision ordinances, and a project may need a rezoning, conditional-use permit, special exception, variance, site plan or zoning certificate3. Minimum lot size depends on the district: R-1 requires 20,000 square feet, R-U requires 5,000 square feet with public water and sewer, RR-1 requires 2 acres where public water and sewer are not available, and A-2 agricultural land requires 3 acres4142425. Proffers or nonconforming-lot rules may change the answer for a given parcel4. A zoning-permit application must include a plat showing front, side and rear setbacks, and failure to meet the established setbacks voids the permit26. The office also administers the Flood Protection Ordinance, and applicable plans must show floodplain limits2027. Ask Planning and Zoning for the parcel's district, setbacks and any minimum dwelling-size or lot-coverage rule before finalizing a site plan20.

Who issues septic permits in Dinwiddie County, and how do they work?

A written construction permit is required before an onsite sewage system is built, expanded or modified in Dinwiddie County10. Crater Health District Environmental Health conducts site evaluations for septic and private-well design and permitting and reviews private-sector submissions for permit issuance5. Start with the Dinwiddie Health Department at 14010 Boydton Plank Road or (804) 469-377128. A sewage-system-only construction permit without OSE or PE documentation is listed at $425, while a combined well and onsite-system permit on that path is listed at $725; applicants seeking VDH evaluation and design services must meet the stated petition and means-testing rules10. About 48.4% of Dinwiddie County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so make the site evaluation an early purchase contingency29. Ask Crater Environmental Health which inspections and completion documents apply to the selected system5.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Dinwiddie County?

Dinwiddie County zoning decides where an RV can serve as a home, and the answer depends on the district. In the RR-1, R-U and R-1A residential districts, the permitted single-family dwelling use excludes travel trailers, so a travel trailer cannot be the dwelling there11. In the A-2 agricultural district, RV camping is allowed only as a campground under a conditional use permit, which requires at least 10 acres and at least 50 campsites, so it does not cover one private RV on a lot12. We could not confirm a rule for other districts, so ask Planning and Zoning for a parcel-specific interpretation before moving a unit onsite20. Virginia's campground rules do not answer whether one household may live in an RV on private land30. A tiny home used as a dwelling still must satisfy the county's zoning review and statewide building-code and occupancy requirements3132.

Building a home in Dinwiddie County: the steps, in order

  1. Ask Planning and Zoning to identify the parcel's district, allowed residential use, minimum lot standard and applicable setbacks34142620.
  2. Determine whether the project uses public utilities or private facilities; present the zoning permit to the Health Department or Water Authority, as applicable, for water-supply and sewage-disposal approval33.
  3. Obtain required septic and private-well permits through the Crater Health District before expecting the county building permit5106.
  4. Apply through the county's EnerGov portal before covered construction begins72.
  5. Request applicable electrical, mechanical, plumbing and structural inspections as construction progresses18.
  6. Obtain the required certificate of occupancy before occupying the completed home32. An owner-builder using specified contractor-license exemptions generally must also obtain one before selling to a third party unless the buyer gives the written acknowledgment described by state law34.

What should you check before buying land in Dinwiddie County?

Check zoning, district-specific lot size, setbacks, septic feasibility, water service, flood exposure and legal road access before making the purchase unconditional3414265332715. A private well requires a written permit to construct, alter, deepen or abandon it, and the listed permit fee is $3006. Dinwiddie County is mostly gentle terrain, with 98.6% of land at a slope of 15% or less, but 79% is wooded, so a seemingly easy building site can still carry clearing costs3536. Only 48.4% of county soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field, making septic feasibility a useful purchase contingency29. The effective property-tax rate is about 0.6%, and the median annual property-tax bill is about $1,4783738.

Watch-outs

  • Do not treat a building permit as zoning approval: Planning and Zoning reviews the parcel's district and proposed use as part of development review20.
  • We could not confirm one countywide answer for tiny-home occupancy or minimum dwelling size; ask Planning and Zoning for the rule tied to the parcel's district320.
  • A qualifying farm building can be exempt from the statewide Building Code, but the exemption does not turn a residential building into an exempt agricultural structure17.
  • Virginia's owner-builder provision covers one owner-occupied primary residence in a 24-month period, but it does not waive statewide-code compliance13.

Sources

  1. FAQs - When do I need a building permit?, quoted and re-checked
  2. Dinwiddie County Office of Building Inspections (dinwiddieva.us)
  3. Planning & Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  4. Planning Commission Staff Report, File P-19-1, quoted and re-checked
  5. Contact Us - Crater Health District, quoted and re-checked
  6. Contact Us - Crater Health District, quoted and re-checked
  7. 13VAC5-63-80. Section 108 Application for permit, quoted and re-checked
  8. Planning & Zoning (2026 county census)
  9. Planning & Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  10. Contact Us - Crater Health District, quoted and re-checked
  11. Sec. 22-96. - Permitted uses, RR-1, quoted and re-checked
  12. Planning Staff Report, Case C-23-3, quoted and re-checked
  13. § 54.1-1101. Exemptions; failure to obtain certificate of occupancy; penalties., quoted and re-checked
  14. Planning Commission Staff Report, R-U zoning conditions, quoted and re-checked
  15. Land use permits (Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) (Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. Code of Virginia § 36-99. Provisions of Code; modifications (Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. Building Inspections, quoted and re-checked
  19. Building Inspections, quoted and re-checked
  20. Dinwiddie County Planning and Zoning Department (dinwiddieva.us)
  21. Planning & Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  22. 13VAC5-63-70. Section 107 Fees (Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  23. Land Disturbance Permit Application, quoted and re-checked
  24. Planning Commission Meeting Summary Report, File P-18-1, quoted and re-checked
  25. Planning & Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  26. Zoning Permit, quoted and re-checked
  27. Planning & Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  28. Dinwiddie Health Department, Crater Health District (vdh.virginia.gov)
  29. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  30. 12VAC5-450 Rules and Regulations Governing Campgrounds (Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  31. Planning & Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  32. 13VAC5-63-160. Section 116 Certificates of occupancy (Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  33. Zoning Permit, quoted and re-checked
  34. § 54.1-1101. Exemptions; failure to obtain certificate of occupancy; penalties., quoted and re-checked
  35. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  36. Wooded share of land: Bolthole Index county data
  37. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  38. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 9, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

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Compared with neighboring counties

Like all 6 of its neighbors, Dinwiddie County requires a building permit for a home.

RuleDinwiddie CountyPetersburg CityColonial Heights CityBrunswick CountyChesterfield CountyPrince George CountySussex County
Building permitRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequired
County zoningYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Septic permitsVDHVA Dept. of HealthVDHVA Dept. of HealthVA Dept. of HealthVA Dept. of HealthVA Dept. of Health

County locator

Dinwiddie County in Virginia

74
County map
Dinwiddie County highlighted among the Virginia counties · colored by Index score

How Dinwiddie County scores

Seclusion51100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency78100% ev.
Admin Boringness3990% ev.
Durability78100% ev.
Property Autonomy66100% ev.
Carry Cost81100% ev.

Evidence strength: 98%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$305kTypical home
0.6%Property tax
$3,339Land / acre
46.6"Annual rain
1.1% of yrsSevere drought
8.7 / yr (+7.8)Mid-century 100°F days
13.2 daysMid-century dry spell
2.19" (+7.6%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.4×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,405Home insurance / yr
3.3% / yrInsurance growth
1.24%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
11,870People within 30 min
4,651,111People within 2 hr
27,192Radius comparison (15 mi)
56.2People / sq mi
0.4%Federal land
98.6%Land at 15% slope or less
48.4%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
153,442 acWorkable land screen
79%Wooded land
53.5 tonsBiomass / forest ac
58.6°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Dinwiddie County

Inside a city or town, that city usually issues building permits and sets zoning; the county’s rules above cover unincorporated land. Septic, wells and floodplain rules usually stay with the county or state everywhere.

Town of McKenney

Answers from the rulebook for Dinwiddie County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Dinwiddie County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction and specified alterations, additions, accessory structures, and swimming pools in Dinwiddie County subject to the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.

    • The county FAQ identifies construction or demolition of a building or structure, remodels or repairs involving structural components, accessory structures over 200 square feet, additions including decks and porches, and swimming pools with a surface area of 150 square feet or more or a depth of 24 inches or more.
    • The state code contains additional permit exemptions and exceptions, including certain small sheds, utility buildings, tents, fences, walls, retaining walls, small pools, minor ordinary work, ordinary repairs, and other listed activities.
    • Applications for emergency construction, alterations, or equipment replacement are due by the end of the first working day after work commences; the building official may authorize work to begin while an application or permit is pending.
    • Site plan review is required before issuance of building permits for specified nonresidential, multifamily, mobile-home-park, business, industrial, conditional-use, special-exception, and planned-unit-development projects.

    accessory structure threshold: > 200 square feet (County FAQ threshold; state code separately exempts certain one-story detached tool/storage sheds and similar structures not exceeding 256 square feet when other conditions are met.) · swimming-pool surface-area threshold: >= 150 square feet (State code exempts pools with surface area not greater than 150 square feet and depth less than 24 inches.) · swimming-pool depth threshold: >= 24 inches (State code exempts pools with surface area not greater than 150 square feet and depth less than 24 inches.)

    “Section 108.1 Uniform Statewide Building Code: Construction or demolition of a building or structure; Remodel or repairs involving structural components; Accessory structures over 200 sq ft; Additions including decks and porches; Swimming pools if 150 sq ft or over 24” deep”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and structural systems reviewed and inspected by Dinwiddie Building Inspections.

    • The source does not list every inspection stage or exception.
    “This protects citizens from unsafe structures through a review and inspection of electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and structural systems.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and structural construction systems.
      “through a review and inspection of electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and structural systems.”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    Commercial business applicants and zoning-permit enforcement in Dinwiddie County.

    • The county checklist asks whether a structure has a valid certificate of occupancy issued by the Building Department.
    • The zoning permit states that failure to comply with applicable local and state laws results in withholding the certificate, including a temporary certificate, until corrected.
    “Failure to comply with applicable Local and State laws and ordinances shall be considered a violation of this zoning permit and result in the withholding of the Certificate of Occupancy, to include a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy, until such violation is corrected.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Dinwiddie County zoning administration.

    • The county Planning and Zoning Department administers the County’s Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map.
    • Specific uses remain subject to district regulations, conditional-use permits, special exceptions, variances, and site-plan review.
    “The staff administers the County’s Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances, Flood Protection Ordinance, Street Naming and Addressing Code, and the Vegetation Code.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Present (with conditions) — Dinwiddie County zoning and development review.
      “The staff administers the County’s Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    County-administered zoning throughout Dinwiddie County, including unincorporated county land.

    • The source describes county zoning administration; no separate municipal zoning authority was identified in the opened sources.
    “The Office of the Zoning Administrator is responsible for Zoning Interpretations, Zoning Enforcement, Building Permit Review and Project Review of Proposed Development Projects, maintenance of the Dinwiddie County Zoning Map and Zoning Ordinance, administering the Flood Protection Ordinance, and staffing the Dinwiddie County Board of Zoning Appeals.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Dinwiddie County zoning districts and zoning map.

    • The Zoning Administrator maintains the county zoning map and zoning ordinance.
    • Specific district schedules and dimensional controls were not fully extracted in this run.
    “The home occupation type(s) permitted in each district are described in the “Permitted Uses” section for the applicable zoning district in Dinwiddie County Code Chapter 22, Zoning, Article IV, District Regulations.”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Development in Dinwiddie County's unincorporated Residential, Rural (RR-1) zoning district, specifically lots not served by public water and sewer.

    • The county planning report states that the two-acre minimum lot-size requirement applies to lots not served by public water and sewer.
    • Other applicable zoning, subdivision, access, wastewater, and building requirements may also apply.

    minimum lot area: >= 2 acres (The cited county report specifies this requirement for lots not served by public water and sewer.)

    “This requested Zoning District, Residential, Rural, RR-1, has a Zoning Ordinance defined two acre minimum lot size requirement for lots not served by public water and sewer, however, the density proposed under this rezoning request is equal to or greater than that of the density of A-2 zoned property.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Specified — Single-family residential development in Dinwiddie County's Residential, Limited R-1 zoning district.
      “The applicant, Christopher L. Everett, President, on behalf of Everett Bros. Properties, Inc., is requesting to rezone property containing approximately 0.12 +/- acres from R-1, Residential Limited, minimum lot size 20,000 sq. ft. to R-U, Residential Urban, minimum lot size 5,000 sq. ft.”
    • Specified — Single-family residential development in Dinwiddie County's Residential, Urban R-U zoning district.
      “The R-U zoning classification allows for minimum lot sizes of 5,000 square feet provided that the single-family dwelling is served by public water and sewer.”
    • District specific (with conditions) — Permitted uses in Dinwiddie County's Agricultural, General, A-2 zoning district.
      “The minimum lot area for permitted uses in agricultural, district A-2 shall be three (3) acres or more.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Proposed structures requiring a Dinwiddie County zoning permit.

    • A plat showing front, side, and rear setbacks must accompany the zoning permit.
    • Failure to comply renders the zoning permit null and void.
    “A plat showing the location of the proposed structure with front, side and rear setbacks must be submitted with this Zoning Permit. Failure to comply with the setbacks established herein shall render this Zoning Permit null and void.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Proposed structures requiring a Dinwiddie County zoning permit.
      “front, side and rear setbacks must be submitted with this Zoning Permit.”
  • Living in an RVProhibited

    Use of a travel trailer as a single-family dwelling in the RR-1, R-U, and R-1A residential zoning districts.

    • The cited provisions address permitted single-family dwelling uses and expressly exclude travel trailers; they do not independently resolve RV storage, short-term camping, or campground uses under other provisions.
    “(1) Single-family dwellings, except mobile homes, travel trailers and manufactured homes.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — RV campground occupancy in the Agricultural, General, District A-2 zoning district, where the use is established as a campground rather than a single private RV dwelling.
      “The property is zoned Agricultural, General, District A-2 which allows for a campground with a conditional use permit.”
  • Who permits septicState (with conditions)

    Onsite sewage and private-well permitting services for Dinwiddie County within the Crater Health District.

    • Dinwiddie County is one of the counties served by the Crater Health District.
    • The source describes Environmental Health permitting and inspections but does not state that every property uses onsite sewage or a private well.
    “EH conducts site evaluations for design and permitting of septic systems and private wells. We also review private sector submittals for permit issuance.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction or permitting of onsite sewage systems in Dinwiddie County through the Crater Health District.

    • The Crater Health District performs site evaluations for septic-system design and permitting and reviews submittals for permit issuance.
    • The VDH fee page lists different application types and fees, including certification letters, construction permits, combined well and onsite-system permits, repair permits, and voluntary upgrades.
    • Applicants seeking VDH evaluation and design services must submit a petition and meet means-testing criteria or VDH Hardship Guidelines; fee waivers may apply under the stated income conditions.

    construction permit for onsite sewage system only without OSE/PE documentation: 425 USD · combined well and onsite system construction permit without OSE/PE documentation: 725 USD · fee schedule effective date: 2019-07-01 (The page states the onsite sewage application fees are effective July 1, 2019.)

    “No person or owner shall cause or allow the construction, expansion or modification of a sewage disposal system without the written construction permit from the commissioner which authorizes the construction or modifications.”
  • Well permitRequired

    Private-well construction and abandonment permitting in Dinwiddie County through the Crater Health District.

    • The Crater Health District provides private-well permitting services and reviews submittals for permit issuance.
    • The VDH fee page lists private-well construction or abandonment permits and combined well and onsite-system permits.
    • The source does not establish that every property has or needs a private well.

    private well construction or abandonment permit: 300 USD (with or without OSE/PE documentation)

    “After November 6, 2024, no person shall construct, alter, abandon, or increase the depth of a private well or allow the construction, alteration, abandonment, or activity to increase the depth of a private well without a written construction permit from the commissioner.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Water-supply and sewage-disposal approvals associated with a Dinwiddie County zoning permit.

    • The zoning permit must be presented to the Dinwiddie County Health Department or Dinwiddie County Water Authority, as applicable, for approval.
    • The source does not establish a universal mandatory connection to public water or sewer.
    “This permit must be presented to the Dinwiddie County Health Department or the Dinwiddie County Water Authority, as applicable, in order to receive their approval for water supply and/or sewage disposal.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Conditional — Water and wastewater service for development reviewed by Dinwiddie County.
      “in order to receive their approval for water supply and/or sewage disposal.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision review and administration in Dinwiddie County.

    • The Planning and Zoning Department administers the County Subdivision Ordinance and processes and reviews subdivisions.
    “Staff is responsible for processing and reviewing rezonings, conditional use permits, special exceptions, variances, site plans, and subdivisions.”
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    Development subject to Dinwiddie County's flood protection ordinance.

    • The county Planning and Zoning Department administers the Flood Protection Ordinance.
    • Floodplain limits must be shown on applicable site and subdivision plans.
    “Show/label 100 year floodplain, wetlands and WOUS.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Dinwiddie County land-disturbance permits.

    • The land-disturbance application states an issuance-and-inspections fee of $200 plus $15 per disturbed acre.
    • The application also requires approved site/subdivision construction plans, surety, applicable VDOT and Water Authority permits, wetlands permit if applicable, CRLD certification, and stormwater permit.

    issuance and inspections fee: 200 USD (plus $15 per disturbed acre) · disturbed acreage fee: per 15 USD per acre

    “Issuance and Inspections Fee: $200.00 Disturbed Acres:_________ X $15.00 +________ Total Fee: =________”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Development projects requiring site-plan review in Dinwiddie County.

    • Site-plan review precedes building, land-disturbance, stormwater, occupancy, or zoning-certificate approval for listed categories.
    • Listed categories include nonresidential uses, multifamily/mobile-home-park/business/industrial districts, conditional or special-exception uses, and planned unit developments.
    • The Land Development Committee coordinates approvals from county departments, VDOT, VDH, and other agencies as needed.
    “Site Plan Review is required prior to the issuance of building permits, land disturbance permits, stormwater permits, occupancy permits, or zoning certificate approval in the following cases:”

Virginia rules that apply here

  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    A person performing or supervising construction, removal, repair, or improvement of one primary residence owned by that person and for that person's own use, for contractor-licensing purposes.

    • The exemption is limited to no more than one primary residence owned by the person and for the person's own use during any 24-month period.
    • The exemption from contractor licensing does not exempt the work from the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.
    • If the person is exempt under subdivision A 7 and conveys the property to a third-party purchaser, the person must obtain a certificate of occupancy before conveyance unless the purchaser acknowledges in writing that no certificate of occupancy has been issued and consents to acquire the property without one.
    • The exemption concerns Chapter 11 contractor licensing; applicable building permits and inspections remain governed by the Uniform Statewide Building Code.

    primary residences per 24-month period: <= 1 residence (residence must be owned by the person and for the person's own use)

    “Any person who performs or supervises the construction, removal, repair, or improvement of no more than one primary residence owned by him and for his own use during any 24-month period;”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Available (with conditions) — A person constructing, removing, repairing, or improving no more than one primary residence owned by that person for personal use during any 24-month period.
      “Any person who performs or supervises the construction, removal, repair, or improvement of no more than one primary residence owned by him and for his own use during any 24-month period;”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Construction of new buildings, structures, and additions; maintenance, repair, renovation, and changes in use of existing buildings and structures throughout Virginia.

    • The Board of Housing and Community Development adopts and amends the USBC.
    • Enforcement is the responsibility of the local government's building inspections department.
    • The Uniform Statewide Building Code does not supersede other state-agency regulations governing building-related activities not covered by the USBC, including public water supply systems, wastewater treatment and disposal systems, and solid waste facilities.
    • The Code does not supersede specified proffered conditions, special exceptions, special or conditional use permits, variances, clustering and open-space development conditions, airport or highway overlay-district requirements, historic-district requirements, or local floodplain regulations adopted for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program.

    current adopted code edition: 2021 Uniform Statewide Building Code · effective date: 2024-01-18 · adopted referenced electrical code: 2020 National Electrical Code

    “The effective date of the 2021 Uniform Statewide Building Code, 2021 Statewide Fire Prevention Code, 2021 Industrialized Building Safety Regulations and the 2021 Amusement Device Regulations is Jan. 18, 2024.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Adopted (with conditions) — Construction, maintenance, repair, renovation, and changes of use in Dinwiddie County under the Virginia USBC.
      “The Board of Housing and Community Development adopts and amends the USBC.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Placement and occupancy of manufactured homes in Virginia localities that adopt and enforce zoning ordinances.

    • In agricultural zoning districts, or similarly classified districts where agricultural, horticultural, or forest uses are dominant and site-built housing is allowed, placement of manufactured homes must be permitted.
    • In other zoning districts where site-built housing is allowed, the manufactured home must be converted to real property under § 46.2-653.1, have its certificate of occupancy issued within five years following the manufacture date on the data plate, and be placed on an individual lot.
    • Localities may adopt uniform standards applying to all residential structures in the zoning district, but those standards may not exclude manufactured housing compliant with the Virginia Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Law.
    • Restrictive covenants may continue to impose obligations.
    • Local zoning and land-use controls that do not affect construction or installation remain in force; site preparation, utility connections, skirting, and maintenance must meet the Uniform Statewide Building Code.

    certificate of occupancy deadline from manufacture date: <= 5 years (date listed on the home's data plate) · placement requirement: individual lots

    “the placement of manufactured homes shall be permitted for manufactured homes that are (i) converted to real property in accordance with § 46.2-653.1”
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

    Accessory dwelling units on residential dwelling lots in single-family residential zoning districts, under Virginia Code § 15.2-2292.4 effective July 1, 2027.

    • The ADU must be attached or detached, provide complete independent living facilities, be on the same lot as a proposed or existing primary residence, and include facilities for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation.
    • The locality must treat ADUs as a permitted accessory use in single-family residential zoning districts, subject to the statute's listed exceptions and conditions.
    • An applicant must first obtain an ADU permit from the locality; the locality may charge no more than $500 for that permit, in addition to applicable inspection, site, or building permit fees.
    • Localities may require a rental lease term of at least 30 consecutive days; replacement or dedicated parking; floor-area, lot-coverage, and impervious-area limits of at least 350 square feet on lots under 2,500 square feet and at least 500 square feet on lots of 2,500 square feet or greater; building-code, water, sewer, septic, emergency-access, flood-zone, stormwater, historic-district, corridor-protection, and Air Installations Compatible Use Zone compliance; owner occupancy of either the ADU or primary dwelling at application; an ADU no more than 500 feet from the primary dwelling; no ADU on a residential lot with more than one dwelling unit; and no separate sale or subdivision from the primary dwelling.
    • Localities may not require rear or side setbacks greater than those applicable to the primary dwelling or accessory structures, more restrictive ADU restrictions regarding height, rear or side setbacks, lot size or coverage, or building frontage than for single-family dwellings in the same zoning area, restrictive covenants concerning an ADU on a qualifying lot, public-street improvements except for repair or reconstruction of construction-related disturbance, or consanguinity or affinity between occupants.
    • The statute does not supersede private contracts, recorded declarations, condominium instruments, common-interest-community declarations, cooperative instruments, or property-owners'-association declarations.
    • The statute does not apply to existing ADU permits approved before July 1, 2027.
    • The statute does not restrict a locality from passing before July 1, 2027, an ADU ordinance or amendment that substantially complies with the statute.
    • The statute does not apply to a locality that adopted an ADU ordinance before January 1, 2026.

    ADU permit fee maximum: <= 500 USD (Additional inspection, site, or building permit fees may apply.) · minimum floor-area limit on lots under 2,500 square feet: >= 350 square feet (Locality may impose limits on floor area, lot coverage, and impervious area.) · minimum floor-area limit on lots of at least 2,500 square feet: >= 500 square feet (Locality may impose limits on floor area, lot coverage, and impervious area.) · maximum ADU distance from primary dwelling: <= 500 feet (A locality may require this limit.) · effective date: 2027-07-01

    “§ 15.2-2292.4. (Effective July 1, 2027) Development and use of accessory dwelling units. [...] Zoning ordinances for single-family residential zoning districts shall be deemed to include accessory dwelling units as a permitted accessory use, and no locality shall require compliance with any other requirements except as provided in this section.”
  • Septic inspectionLimited

    Alternative discharging sewage treatment systems in Dinwiddie County.

    • The source specifically states annual post-installation inspections for each alternative discharging system.
    • Owners must have such systems maintained and monitored by a licensed service provider.

    inspection frequency: annual (alternative discharging sewage treatment systems)

    “VDH EHS review the designs, issue a permit based on an approved design, and post-installation, conducts annual inspections of each discharging system.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Limited — Private-well inspection associated with onsite permitting.
      “Inspections are conducted: During construction and/or after construction to assure the well was sited and constructed properly; Before the well can be approved as a drinking water supply; To abandon a well.”
    • Limited — Installation of sewage disposal systems statewide.
      “This section shall not apply to any sewage disposal system installation that is pursuant to a design certified by a licensed professional engineer or onsite soil evaluator.”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Farm buildings and structures under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.

    • A farm building or structure is not used for residential purposes, is located on property where farming operations take place, and is used primarily for a listed farm use.
    • The exemption does not apply to a building or portion of a building on a farm that is operated as a restaurant and licensed by the Board of Health under Chapter 2 (§ 35.1-11 et seq.) of Title 35.1.
    • Farm buildings and structures in a flood plain or mudslide-prone area remain subject to applicable flood-proofing or mudslide regulations.
    • A qualifying agritourism farm building or structure where the public is invited to enter and which is used for display, sampling, or sale described in § 36-99 must have portable fire extinguishers, a simple written emergency plan, and the required exemption sign.
    “Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, farm buildings and structures shall be exempt from the provisions of the Building Code, except for a building or a portion of a building located on a farm that is operated as a restaurant as defined in § 35.1-1 and licensed as such by the Board of Health pursuant to Chapter 2 (§ 35.1-11 et seq.) of Title 35.1.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Construction or modification of entrances connecting to VDOT-maintained highways and activities in VDOT highway right-of-way.

    • The requirement applies to state-maintained highways and right-of-way under VDOT jurisdiction.
    • Entrance location and design must comply with VDOT access-management regulations and design standards.
    • Applications are typically obtained through the VDOT district or residency office serving the locality.
    • An existing entrance also requires a land-use permit when modified because of a change in land use, traffic volume, or type of traffic.
    “Anyone who plans to work or perform an activity on or crossing any right of way under the jurisdiction of the Department must first obtain a land use permit. These include activities such as installation of utilities, construction of private and commercial entrances, landscaping, the temporary use of the right-of-way, as well as numerous other types of activities.”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Residential dwelling use as a short-term rental in Virginia.

    • Existing local authority to regulate short-term rentals through general land-use and zoning authority is preserved.
    • A locality may adopt a registration ordinance, and a registration ordinance may impose a penalty up to $500 per violation for an operator required to register.
    • A locality may limit a lessee or sublessee to one short-term rental within the locality.
    • For a residential dwelling also legally occupied by the property owner as the primary residence, a local ordinance enacted after December 31, 2023, or a later amendment, may not require a special exception, special use, or conditional use permit for short-term rental use.
    • Private contracts, condominium instruments, common-interest-community declarations, cooperative instruments, and property-owners-association declarations are not superseded.

    registration penalty: <= 500 USD per violation (Only where a locality adopts a registry ordinance and the operator is required to register.) · owner-occupied primary residence special-use permit prohibition date: > 2023-12-31 (Applies to local ordinances enacted after this date or subsequent amendments.)

    “Except as provided in this section, nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit, limit, or otherwise supersede existing local authority to regulate the short-term rental of property through general land use and zoning authority.”
  • Campground & park staysLimited

    Recreational vehicles and other camping units offered as campsites in Virginia campgrounds, including facilities with three or more campsites and travel-trailer camps; this claim does not establish a general residential right to occupy an RV outside the specified campground framework.

    • A campground includes land or facilities accommodating camping units for periods of overnight or longer and includes travel trailer camps.
    • A campground must be permitted by the Virginia Department of Health and is inspected annually by local health department staff.
    • Offering three or more campsites may require a campground permit, including short-term or online-advertised camping.
    • Temporary campground permits allow up to 14 days of temporary camping, consecutively or nonconsecutively, within a 60-day period.
    • Temporary campgrounds must provide at least one portable toilet per 75 campers, make sewage-tank pumping available when RVs are present, and provide an acceptable water source.
    • The statutory definition excludes property where an individual owner may choose to camp, provided the owner is not prohibited or encumbered by covenants, restrictions, or conditions from providing sanitary facilities within the owner's property lines.
    • Other exclusions include summer camps, migrant labor camps, parks for manufactured homes, construction camps, and storage areas for unoccupied camping units.

    minimum campsites for campground definition: >= 3 campsites (The individual-owner camping exception and other statutory exclusions apply.) · temporary campground permit duration: <= 14 days (In a 60-day period, consecutively or nonconsecutively.) · temporary campground permit period: 60 days · portable toilets: per 1 per 75 campers (Temporary campgrounds.)

    “"Campground" means any area, place, parcel, or tract of land, by whatever name called, on which three or more campsites are occupied or intended for occupancy, or facilities are established or maintained, wholly or in part, for the accommodation of camping units for periods of overnight or longer [...] "Camping unit" means any device or vehicular type structure for use as temporary living quarters or shelter during periods of recreation, vacation, leisure time, or travel, including any tent, tent trailer, travel trailer, camping trailer, pickup camper, or motor home.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • county zoning authorityGeneral

    Virginia counties adopting and administering zoning ordinances over unincorporated territory statewide.

    • The zoning power is exercised by county governing bodies through ordinance.
    • County zoning jurisdiction covers unincorporated territory; incorporated areas are under municipal jurisdiction.
    • The statute permits regulation of land uses, structures, dimensional standards, open spaces, and excavation or mining, including residential and flood-plain uses.
    “For the purpose of zoning, the governing body of a county shall have jurisdiction over all the unincorporated territory in the county, and the governing body of a municipality shall have jurisdiction over the incorporated area of the municipality.”
  • county building authorityGeneral

    Virginia counties administering and enforcing the Uniform Statewide Building Code and issuing building permits for construction, including residential construction, in county jurisdiction.

    • Virginia's building code is a Uniform Statewide Building Code adopted by the State Board; it supersedes county building codes and regulations.
    • The county's role is local administration and enforcement through a local building department, not independent adoption of a conflicting county building code.
    • A county without a building department or local board of Building Code appeals must enter an agreement with another county, municipality, agency, or approved state agency for enforcement and appeals.
    • A town with a population of less than 3,500 may elect to administer and enforce the Building Code; if it does not, the county administers and enforces the Code for that town.
    • Buildings may be inspected before completion and are not deemed compliant until approved by the inspecting authority; inspections under $2,500 construction cost may be waived at the inspecting authority's discretion.
    • Building permit and enforcement fees may be levied by the local governing body.
    • Farm buildings and structures are exempt from the Building Code except for a farm building or portion operated as a licensed restaurant; farm buildings in flood plains or mudslide-prone areas remain subject to applicable flood-proofing or mudslide regulations.

    small-town population threshold: < 3500 people (The town may elect to administer and enforce the Building Code; otherwise the county administers it for the town.) · inspection-waiver construction cost threshold: < 2500 USD (The inspecting authority may waive inspection at its discretion.)

    “Enforcement of the provisions of the Building Code for construction and rehabilitation shall be the responsibility of the local building department. [...] Whenever a county or a municipality does not have such a building department or board of Building Code appeals, the local governing body shall enter into an agreement with the local governing body of another county or municipality or with some other agency, or a state agency approved by the Department for such enforcement and appeals resulting therefrom.”

Still unanswered

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  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size under county zoning.
  • Lot coverage — Lot-coverage standards under county zoning.
  • Building height — Building-height standards under county zoning.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy.
1 more unanswered
  • Off-grid sanitation

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Living off-grid in Dinwiddie County, Virginia

Is Dinwiddie County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Dinwiddie County scores 74/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and mixed durability signals. Watch-outs: more administrative friction around building and land use.

Do you need a building permit in Dinwiddie County, Virginia?

Dinwiddie County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Virginia Department of Health (VDH) — Southside Health District, Division of Onsite Sewage and Water Services. Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

How much does land cost in Dinwiddie County, Virginia?

Land in Dinwiddie County runs about $3,339 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Dinwiddie County?

Dinwiddie County gets about 46.6" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 1.1% of years.

How remote is Dinwiddie County?

A representative private-land location has about 11,870 people within a 30-minute drive and 4,651,111 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

How Dinwiddie compares in Virginia

Compare side-by-side →See all 133 Virginia counties ranked →