Bolthole Index

Greene County, Virginia

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

69Index Score / 100
#42 of 133 in Virginia

Greene County, Virginia requires a building permit for most residential and commercial construction, and the county enforces zoning and subdivision rules12. The Greene County Building Inspections Department handles building permits, while the Greene County Health Department handles private septic systems and wells34. An owner may serve as the general contractor, but the plans, permits and inspections still apply5.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for most residential and commercial construction1
Zoning
Yes; the county reviews development for zoning and subdivision compliance26
Septic and well permits
Required before the county building permit; handled by the Greene County Health Department74
Owner-builder
Allowed, but other application, plan, permit and inspection requirements remain5
Small storage shed
Residential accessory storage structures of 256 sq. ft. or less are exempt from building and zoning permits1
RV living
Private-land occupancy is not confirmed; ask Planning & Zoning before relying on it6
Tiny home / minimum size
No distinct tiny-home rule or general minimum dwelling size is confirmed; ask Planning & Zoning6
State-road driveway
A current VDOT entrance permit is required with the home application8

Who to call

Building permits

Greene County Building Inspections Department

Building-code questions, building permits and inspections in Greene County

434-985-5204

[email protected]

40 Celt Road (Room 226), Stanardsville, VA 22973

Zoning

Greene County Planning & Zoning Department

Zoning, subdivision, rezoning, special-use, sign and development review

434-990-2519

[email protected]

40 Celt Road (Room 226), Stanardsville, VA 22973

Online permits →

Septic permits

Greene County Health Department, Environmental Health

Applications and permits for private sewage systems and wells in Greene County

434-985-2262

[email protected]

50 Stanard Street, PO Box 38, Stanardsville, VA 22973

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 27, 2026.

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

Yes. Greene County requires a building permit for most residential and commercial construction, including construction or demolition of a building or structure and regulated equipment work1. The county enforces Virginia's Uniform Statewide Building Code rather than a separate county-written building code9. A narrow exception covers residential accessory storage structures of 256 square feet or less, which are exempt from both building and zoning permits1. A qualifying farm building used primarily for farm purposes and not as a residence is exempt from the state Building Code, although floodplain rules can still apply10. Permit fees vary under the local schedule, so get final pricing from Building Inspections for the specific scope of work11.

Who is the Greene County building department, and how do you reach it?

The Greene County Building Inspections Department handles the county's building-code questions, building permits and inspections3. Its office is at 40 Celt Road, Room 226, Stanardsville, and applicants can call 434-985-5204 or email [email protected]3. The county says completed applications and every required checklist item may be emailed to that address, while its online submission option is on hold123. Permitted work must pass applicable inspections, and Greene County asks for inspection requests at least 48 hours in advance with the permit number available13. Virginia also requires a certificate of occupancy before a regulated building is first occupied or its occupancy changes14.

Does Greene County, Virginia have zoning?

Yes. Greene County Planning & Zoning reviews new construction, site development, subdivisions, property divisions, rezonings and special-use applications for compliance with county ordinances26. Reach Planning & Zoning at 434-990-2519 or [email protected], or use the department's online application portal6. Do not borrow a setback, height or coverage limit from another parcel: the department says setbacks vary by zoning district, and the ordinance's dimensional limits are district-specific61516. Greene County also regulates subdivision and lot creation, with road frontage and private-road questions tied to the subdivision ordinance and VDOT standards17. Planning & Zoning is therefore the right first call for a parcel's district, allowed use, setbacks and any special-use approval before plans are finalized6.

How do septic permits work in Greene County, Virginia?

Private septic systems and wells in Greene County go through the Greene County Health Department's Environmental Health office, which takes local applications under the Virginia Department of Health program74. Contact the office at 50 Stanard Street in Stanardsville, by phone at 434-985-2262 or by email at [email protected]4. Virginia requires a written construction permit before an onsite sewage system is built, expanded or modified, and Greene County requires the approved septic permit or health approval with the building-permit application1819. Only about 31.9% of Greene County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so secure a site evaluation before treating a home site as buildable20.

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

Greene County's confirmed RV limit applies to an individual unit in a recreational vehicle park or campground: continuous occupancy may not exceed 60 days within one year21. That campground rule does not answer whether someone may occupy an RV on a private homesite while building, so ask Greene County Planning & Zoning about the parcel and proposed duration before relying on an RV for housing6. Greene County also does not publish a distinct tiny-home occupancy category or a confirmed general minimum size for a principal dwelling; Planning & Zoning should confirm the district's land-use rules, and Building Inspections should confirm the construction-code path63. A manufactured home has a separate statewide route, but local zoning and site requirements still apply22.

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

  1. Ask Planning & Zoning to confirm the parcel's zoning district, allowed residential use, setbacks and any development-review requirements6.
  2. Have the Greene County Health Department evaluate the site and obtain the required septic and well approval before the county building permit74.
  3. Obtain a current VDOT entrance permit if the driveway is on a state-maintained or proposed state-maintained road; an existing entrance must also be reviewed8.
  4. Submit the complete building application, plans, site sketch and supporting approvals to Building Inspections; incomplete submissions are not accepted12.
  5. If acting as the general contractor, identify yourself as the owner-builder while still completing every other required permit, plan and inspection step5.
  6. Schedule county inspections at least 48 hours ahead and keep the permit number ready13.
  7. Obtain the certificate of occupancy before moving into the completed home14.

What should you check before buying land in Greene County?

Start with a zoning and access check: Greene County regulates subdivisions, and a home application may need a current VDOT entrance permit for a driveway on a state-maintained road178. Test the septic site early because only about 31.9% of county soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional drain field20. Terrain deserves equal attention: about 48.3% of Greene County land has a slope of 15% or less, while about 69.9% is wooded2324. Check mapped flood hazards too, because Virginia allows the building official to require a permit even for otherwise exempt work in a special flood hazard area25. For carrying costs, the county's effective property-tax rate is about 0.6%, with a median annual property-tax bill near $2,0092627.

Watch-outs

  • Greene County's online Building Inspections portal is on hold, so submit the completed application and checklist materials by email or office drop-off as the department directs123.
  • The confirmed 60-day RV limit is for a unit in a recreational vehicle park or campground, not a general answer for RV occupancy on private land; ask Planning & Zoning about the specific parcel216.
  • A small accessory storage structure may be permit-exempt, but Virginia allows the building official to require a permit for otherwise exempt work in a special flood hazard area125.

Sources

  1. Building Inspections, quoted and re-checked
  2. Greene County Planning & Zoning (2026 county census)
  3. Greene County Building Inspections Department (greenecountyva.gov)
  4. Greene County Health Department, Environmental Health (vdh.virginia.gov)
  5. Single Family Application Check List, quoted and re-checked
  6. Greene County Planning & Zoning Department (greenecountyva.gov)
  7. VDH Division of Onsite Water and Wastewater Services (2026 county census)
  8. Single Family Application Check List, quoted and re-checked
  9. Virginia Code § 36-98, quoted and re-checked
  10. Code of Virginia § 36-99. Provisions of Code; modifications (Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. 13VAC5-63-70. Section 107 Fees (Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. Single Family Application Check List, quoted and re-checked
  13. Building Inspections, quoted and re-checked
  14. 13VAC5-63-160. Section 116 Certificates of occupancy (Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. Greene County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  16. Greene County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  17. Greene County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  18. 12VAC5-610-240. Permits; general (Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. Greene County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  20. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  21. Greene County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  22. § 15.2-2290. Uniform regulations for manufactured housing (Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  23. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Wooded share of land: Bolthole Index county data
  25. 13VAC5-63-80. Section 108 Application for permit (Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  26. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  27. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 27, 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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County locator

Greene County in Virginia

69
County map
Greene County highlighted among the Virginia counties · colored by Index score

How Greene County scores

Seclusion47100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency69100% ev.
Admin Boringness3990% ev.
Durability77100% ev.
Property Autonomy66100% ev.
Carry Cost67100% 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 →

$386kTypical home
0.6%Property tax
$8,303Land / acre
45.9"Annual rain
2.8% of yrsSevere drought
4.1 / yr (+4)Mid-century 100°F days
12.9 daysMid-century dry spell
2.58" (+12.1%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.52×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,137Home insurance / yr
1.8% / yrInsurance growth
1.51%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
22,561People within 30 min
4,395,032People within 2 hr
66,157Radius comparison (15 mi)
136.6People / sq mi
15.9%Federal land
48.3%Land at 15% slope or less
31.9%Septic soil without severe limits
31,540 acWorkable land screen
69.9%Wooded land
68.8 tonsBiomass / forest ac
54.7°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Greene County

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

Greene County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction or demolition of buildings and structures, and listed residential and commercial work in Greene County.

    • Emergency construction, alterations, or equipment replacement applications may be submitted by the end of the first working day after work begins.
    • The building official may authorize work to commence pending an application or permit.
    • Residential accessory storage structures 256 square feet or less are exempt from building and zoning permits.

    residential accessory storage exemption: <= 256 square feet (residential accessory storage structures only)

    “State law requires a building permit for most residential and commercial construction projects.”
  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Residential building permit applicants in Greene County.

    • The owner may act as the own general contractor; other application requirements, permits, licenses, plans, and inspections still apply.
    “Owner can act as own general contractor.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Permitted construction requiring county building inspections.

    • Inspection requests should be made at least 48 hours in advance; requests made less than 48 hours in advance will not be inserted into the next day's scheduled inspections.
    • Permit number is required when scheduling.

    minimum inspection request notice: >= 48 hours (less advance notice may delay scheduling)

    “Call at least 48 hours to request an inspection.”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Lot coverage in applicable Greene County zoning districts.

    • The cited ordinance provision applies specifically to the TFRD district.
    • All impervious surfaces are included in the maximum coverage.

    TFRD maximum lot coverage: <= 75 percent (including all impervious surfaces)

    “Maximum Lot Coverage: 75%, including all impervious surfaces.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Building height in applicable Greene County zoning districts.

    • Buildings may be up to 35 feet from grade; up to 50 feet is allowed if required yards increase one foot for each foot over 35 feet.
    • Certain architectural and utility features are exempt.
    • The Board of Supervisors may authorize an increase by special exception.

    base building height: <= 35 feet (from grade) · conditional building height: <= 50 feet (required yards increase one foot for each foot over 35 feet)

    “Buildings may be erected up to thirty-five (35) feet in height from grade”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Occupancy of an individual recreational vehicle in a Greene County recreational vehicle park or campground.

    • No individual unit may be continuously occupied for more than 60 days within one year.
    • Parks and campgrounds must provide Health Department-approved water, sewage, trash, and sanitation facilities.

    maximum continuous occupancy: <= 60 days within one year (individual unit in a recreational vehicle park or campground)

    “No individual unit shall be continuously occupied in any recreational vehicle park and campground for a period of more than sixty (60) days with in one year.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Off-grid sanitation for residential development in Greene County.

    • Private septic systems may be used when approved by the Health Department; central water/sewer requirements vary by zoning district.
    • An approved septic permit or Health approval must accompany the building permit application.
    “private systems are approved by the Planning Commission upon recommendation of the Health Department.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and lot-creation activity in Greene County.

    • The zoning ordinance expressly preserves and references the Greene County Subdivision Ordinance.
    • Private roads and frontage must comply with the subdivision ordinance and VDOT standards.
    “Nothing in this section shall be constructed to replace, supersede, or amend the Greene County Subdivision Ordinance”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Driveways on state-maintained or proposed state-maintained roads serving Greene County building projects.

    • A current VDOT Entrance Permit must be submitted.
    • Existing driveways must also be reviewed by VDOT.
    • The county zoning ordinance requires residential lots to front on a VDOT-accepted and maintained public street or qualifying private street.
    “A copy of a current VDOT Entrance Permit must be submitted if the driveway is located on a state-maintained road or a proposed state-maintained road.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building permit application process for residential projects in Greene County.

    • Applications must be complete and paid upon submittal; incomplete submittals will not be accepted.
    • Plans, site sketch, applicable VDOT entrance permit, Health Department septic/well documentation, utility documentation, and erosion and sediment control materials may be required.
    • The county's online portal submission option was placed on hold effective December 1, 2025; applications are submitted by email or office drop-off according to the page.
    “You can email your completed application along with all items required on the checklist to: [email protected].”
  • County-wide zoningPresent

    The county reviews applications for compliance with its Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance.

    Greene County Planning & Zoning ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

Virginia rules that apply here

  • 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) — Uniform Statewide Building Code applicable in Greene County.
      “Effective January 18, 2025, the 2021 Uniform State Building Code will be enforced as the only code effective in the Commonwealth of Virginia.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Occupancy or change of occupancy of buildings or structures regulated by the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.

    • A certificate of occupancy must be obtained before occupancy or change of occupancy.
    • The building official issues it within five working days after approval of the final inspection and determination of compliance with the code and pertinent laws or ordinances.
    • A certificate of occupancy is not required for an IRC accessory structure.
    • A new certificate of occupancy is not required for an addition to an existing Group R-5 building that already has a certificate of occupancy.
    • A temporary certificate may be issued before completion if the portion can be occupied safely without endangering life or public safety.
    • For certain contractor-license exemptions, a certificate of occupancy must still be obtained before conveying the property to a third-party purchaser unless the purchaser acknowledges in writing that none was issued and consents to acquire without one.

    certificate issuance deadline after final inspection approval: 5 working days (when the building or structure is determined to comply with the code and pertinent laws or ordinances)

    “Prior to occupancy or change of occupancy of a building or structure, a certificate of occupancy shall be obtained in accordance with this section.”
  • 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”
  • Who permits septicState

    Statewide supervision and control of onsite sewage systems, alternative discharging sewage systems, and treatment works affecting public health and welfare.

    • Local or district health departments administer application, inspection, and permit functions under the statewide framework.
    • Alternative discharging sewage systems are also subject to applicable State Water Control Board regulations and permits.
    “The Board shall have supervision and control over the safe and sanitary collection, conveyance, transportation, treatment, and disposal of sewage by onsite sewage systems and alternative discharging sewage systems, and treatment works as they affect the public health and welfare.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction, operation, expansion, or modification of a sewage disposal or handling system in Virginia.

    • A written construction permit is required before construction, expansion, or modification.
    • A written operation permit is required for sewage disposal systems constructed after the effective date of the chapter.
    • Permit conditions may be imposed and must be followed.
    • The $75 statutory onsite sewage permit application fee may be waived for applicants below federal poverty guidelines or applications for a pit privy or repair of a failing onsite sewage system; the fee is refunded if the Department denies a permit for land on which the applicant seeks to construct a principal residence.

    onsite sewage permit application fee: 75 USD (Statutory fee; waiver and refund provisions apply as stated in § 32.1-164(C).)

    “No person or owner shall construct, operate, expand or modify a sewage disposal or handling system without a written permit from the commissioner.”
  • Septic inspectionLimited

    Installation of sewage disposal systems statewide.

    • For installations not pursuant to a design certified by a licensed professional engineer or onsite soil evaluator, no part may be covered or used until inspected, corrected if necessary, and approved by the district or local health department, unless expressly authorized.
    • Installations under a certified professional engineer or onsite soil evaluator design are exempt from the local-health-department inspection requirement in 12VAC5-610-320 and instead require the certifier's inspection report under 12VAC5-610-330.
    • The rule is inapplicable to a Type III septage disposal facility.
    “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.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Work otherwise exempt from a Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code permit when located in a special flood hazard area.

    • The building official may require a permit for items that are otherwise exempt under the permit-application section when they are located in a special flood hazard area.
    • The rule does not establish that every floodplain development project is exempt from other local floodplain, building, zoning, or federal requirements.
    “Application for a permit may be required by the building official for any items exempted in this section that are located in a special flood hazard area.”
  • 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.”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code permit fees administered through local building departments statewide.

    • The local governing body establishes the fee schedule.
    • Unit rates may be based on square footage, cubic footage, estimated cost of construction, or other appropriate criteria.
    • A permit or amendment generally may not be issued until designated fees are paid, but the building official may authorize delayed payment.
    • A local building department collects a 2.0% code-academy levy on permit fees, subject to the stated statutory exception for localities with qualifying individual or regional training academies.

    code academy levy: 2 percent (Localities that maintain individual or regional training academies accredited by DHCD may retain the levy.)

    “The local governing body shall establish a fee schedule incorporating unit rates, which may be based on square footage, cubic footage, estimated cost of construction, or other appropriate criteria.”
  • Campground & park staysLimited

    Temporary camping in a Virginia campground regulated under 12VAC5-450.

    • Campground construction, renovation, or addition requires plan submission and written approval by the Health Commissioner before construction begins, except that temporary campground owners or operators submit the plans as part of the permit application and do not need separate written plan approval.
    • A valid campground permit is required before operation.
    • Local plumbing, building, electrical, and zoning ordinances also apply.
    • Temporary permits are limited to temporary camping of 14 days duration or less; a temporary permit may be valid for 60 days or less, but total operation may not exceed 14 days during any 60-day period.

    temporary camping permit duration: <= 14 days (temporary permit may be valid for 60 days or less, but total days of operation may not exceed 14 days during any 60-day period) · campsite minimum area: >= 1600 square feet · campsite minimum narrowest width: >= 25 feet

    “to allow temporary camping of 14 days duration or less.”
  • 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

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum size of principal dwellings in Greene County.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping outside specifically regulated recreational vehicle parks and campgrounds in Greene County.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy in Greene County.

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 Greene County, Virginia

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

Greene County scores 69/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: mixed durability signals and strong self-sufficiency basics: 45.9″/yr rainfall plus 69.9% wooded land. Watch-outs: more administrative friction around building and land use.

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

Greene County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Virginia Department of Health (VDH), local Environmental Health / Onsite Program. 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.

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

Living in an RV on your own land in Greene County is limited to specific cases: Occupancy of an individual recreational vehicle in a Greene County recreational vehicle park or campground. No individual unit may be continuously occupied for more than 60 days within one year. Parks and campgrounds must provide Health Department-approved water, sewage, trash, and sanitation facilities. Confirm with the county before relying on it.

How much does land cost in Greene County, Virginia?

Land in Greene County runs about $8,303 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Greene County?

Greene County gets about 45.9" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 2.8% of years.

How remote is Greene County?

A representative private-land location has about 22,561 people within a 30-minute drive and 4,395,032 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.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Greene County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How Greene compares in Virginia

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