King and Queen County, VA Building Permits & Zoning

King and Queen County, Virginia requires a building permit for residential construction, administered through the county's Building Inspection office under Virginia's statewide building code¹². The county also administers zoning and subdivision rules³. For land without public sewer, obtain Virginia Department of Health septic approval before the county issues the building permit⁴.

At a glance

Building permit: Required for residential construction¹
Zoning: Yes; county land use is governed by zoning and subdivision ordinances³
Septic permit: Required from the Virginia Department of Health where public sewer is unavailable⁵⁴
RV living: County rules for residential RV occupancy could not be confirmed; ask Planning and Zoning⁶
Tiny home: No countywide occupancy rule confirmed; zoning and building approval still matter⁶¹
Owner-builder: No permit exemption confirmed; ask Building Inspection before applying⁷
Septic soil suitability: Only 0.2% of soils rate without severe limits for a conventional drain field⁸
Property tax: 0.5% effective rate; median bill about $1,261 per year⁹¹⁰

Who to call

Building permits

King and Queen County Building Inspection

Building permits, inspections and code enforcement for King and Queen County

(804) 785-5975

[email protected]

242 Allens Circle, Suite L, P.O. Box 177, King and Queen C.H., VA 23085

Online permits →

Planning & zoning

King and Queen County Planning & Zoning Department

Zoning, subdivision, land-use review, land disturbance, wetlands and floodplain forms

(804) 785-5975 x2, option 1

[email protected]

242 Allens Circle, Suite L, P.O. Box 177, King and Queen C.H., VA 23085

Septic permits

King & Queen County Health Department

Local Virginia Department of Health contact for onsite sewage and private-well services

804-785-6154

167 Courthouse Landing Road, P.O. Box 8, King & Queen Courthouse, VA 23085

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 King and Queen County, Virginia?

Yes. Residential building construction in King and Queen County requires county permitting and inspections under Virginia's Uniform Statewide Building Code¹¹¹. The current statewide code is the 2021 Uniform Statewide Building Code, effective January 18, 2024¹². A qualifying farm building used primarily for farm purposes and not as a residence is exempt from the Building Code, although a farm structure in a floodplain remains subject to applicable flood-protection rules¹³. Ordinary residential construction should not be treated as agricultural merely because the parcel is rural. All permits require a final inspection, and the county may require additional inspections when a residential project has special conditions¹¹. A certificate of occupancy is required before occupying a regulated building¹⁴.

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

King and Queen County Building Inspection handles permitting, inspections and code enforcement from 242 Allens Circle, Suite L, King and Queen Court House, Virginia; call (804) 785-5975 or email [email protected]¹⁵. The county's IWorQ portal lets applicants submit projects, track progress and request inspections online¹⁵. Virginia requires a permit application to go to the building official before covered work begins, although special timing applies to emergency work¹⁶. Local permit fees can depend on square footage, volume, construction cost or another locally selected measure, and Virginia adds a code-academy levy equal to 2% of permit fees in most localities¹⁷. The county requires staged inspections for a new dwelling, with rough-in inspections completed before framing and a final inspection for every permit¹¹.

Does King and Queen County have zoning?

Yes. King and Queen County administers land-use policy through its Comprehensive Plan and its Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances³. Depending on the proposal, county review can include a zoning application, site plan, conditional-use approval or variance⁶. The Planning & Zoning Department is the practical first call for a parcel-specific use question; it can be reached at (804) 785-5975 x2, option 1¹⁸. Setbacks are not safely reduced to one countywide figure: plats for newly created parcels must show building setback lines in feet, while the applicable distance depends on the cited zoning provisions and special corner-lot rules¹⁹. One- and two-lot subdivisions may be reviewed by the Zoning Administrator, while other procedures can involve the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors²⁰.

How do septic permits work in King and Queen County?

For King and Queen County property without public sewer, the owner must obtain a Virginia Department of Health permit to construct a sewage disposal system before the county will issue a building permit⁴. An existing system needs health-department adequacy certification or a construction permit for required upgrades⁴. The local contact is the King & Queen County Health Department at 167 Courthouse Landing Road; call 804-785-6154²¹. Virginia requires written approval before a sewage system is constructed, operated, expanded or modified, and the statutory application fee is $75, subject to the stated waiver and refund provisions²². Only 0.2% of county soils rate without severe limits for a conventional drain field, so make the site evaluation an early purchase contingency and allow for a nonconventional design⁸. The county also inspects the septic or sewer-line connection before backfilling²³.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in King and Queen County?

We could not confirm a King and Queen County rule that generally allows residential RV occupancy or a tiny home as a permanent dwelling. Because the county administers zoning, ask the Planning & Zoning Department whether the proposed use is allowed in the parcel's district and what approvals apply⁶¹⁸. Virginia's rules for temporary stays in permitted campgrounds do not answer whether someone may live in an RV on private land; those campground rules limit temporary camping to 14 days or less under the specified permit framework²⁴. A tiny home intended as a dwelling must still clear county zoning and the building-permit process applicable to residential construction⁶¹. Manufactured homes have separate statewide protections and conditions, including rules tied to zoning district, conversion to real property and placement on an individual lot²⁵.

Building a home in King and Queen County: the steps, in order

Ask Planning & Zoning to confirm the parcel's allowed residential use, setbacks and any site-plan or land-use approvals³¹⁸.
Arrange the sewage-site review early; where public sewer is unavailable, obtain the Virginia Department of Health septic permit before the county building permit⁴.
If the entrance connects to a VDOT-maintained highway, obtain a VDOT land-use permit before constructing or modifying the entrance²⁶.
Submit the building application to King and Queen County Building Inspection through the county's permit portal or office¹⁵¹⁶.
Schedule the required county inspections in sequence; rough-ins must be complete before framing, the septic or sewer connection is checked before backfilling, and every permit receives a final inspection¹¹²³.
Obtain the certificate of occupancy before moving into the completed home¹⁴.

What should you check before buying land in King and Queen County?

Start with septic feasibility: only 0.2% of King and Queen County soils rate without severe limits for a conventional drain field, so a parcel can need a more complex system even when the land looks buildable⁸. Confirm the zoning district, permitted residential use and setbacks with Planning & Zoning, and remember that a land division can trigger health, wetlands, erosion, access, easement and private-road review²⁰¹⁸. Check flood status before designing, because Virginia allows the building official to require permits for otherwise exempt work in a special flood hazard area²⁷. For context, 74.2% of the county is wooded and 82.4% of its land has slopes of 15% or less²⁸²⁹. The effective property-tax rate is about 0.5%, and the median annual property-tax bill is about $1,261⁹¹⁰.

Watch-outs

Do not buy on the assumption that an RV or tiny home can be occupied year-round; the county rule could not be confirmed, so ask Planning & Zoning about the specific parcel¹⁸.
A septic permit or adequacy certification must be in hand before the county will issue the building permit for property without public sewer⁴.
A driveway or modified entrance connecting to a VDOT-maintained highway needs a VDOT land-use permit²⁶.

Sources

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.

How King and Queen County scores

Seclusion52100% ev.

Self-Sufficiency59100% ev.

Admin Boringness3990% ev.

Durability59100% ev.

Property Autonomy66100% ev.

Carry Cost82100% 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 →

$310kTypical home

0.5%Property tax

$3,460Land / acre

46.9"Annual rain

1.9% of yrsSevere drought

6.6 / yr (+6.2)Mid-century 100°F days

13.8 daysMid-century dry spell

2.29" (+5.7%)Mid-century 1-day rain

1.42×Wildfire change factor

100%Forward climate coverage

$1,344Home insurance / yr

1.9% / yrInsurance growth

0.98%Nonrenewal rate

county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis

7,186People within 30 min

5,348,918People within 2 hr

26,427Radius comparison (15 mi)

21.3People / sq mi

0%Federal land

82.4%Land at 15% slope or less

0.2%Septic soil without severe limits

355 acWorkable land screen

74.2%Wooded land

61 tonsBiomass / forest ac

58.4°FAvg temp

Answers from the rulebook for King and Queen County

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

King and Queen County rules

InspectionsRequired
Residential building construction in King and Queen County, with additional inspections possible for commercial projects or special residential conditions.
- The published list is the minimum for a new dwelling.
- Rough-in inspections must be completed before framing.
- All permits require a final inspection.
- Additional inspections may be required for special conditions.
“Inspections at various stages of work are required”
Mandatory Building Inspections - King and Queen County ↗Re-checked Sep 25, 2026
County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)
County land use in King and Queen County.
- The county administers land-use policies through its Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Ordinance, and Subdivision Ordinance.
- Specific uses may require zoning applications, site-plan review, conditional-use approval, variances, or other approvals.
“implemented in its Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances.”
Planning and Zoning - King and Queen County ↗Re-checked Sep 25, 2026
Local zoningPresent (with conditions)
County-administered zoning within King and Queen County.
- This claim addresses the county zoning authority; it does not establish separate municipal or town ordinances.
“administer and coordinate the land use policies of the county”
Planning and Zoning - King and Queen County ↗Re-checked Sep 25, 2026
SetbacksSpecified
Building setbacks shown on plats for newly created parcels in King and Queen County.
- The county page directs applicants to Zoning Ordinance Article 5, Section 3-102 and Article 6, Section 3-112C for corner lots.
- The excerpt does not state the actual setback distances.
setback measurement: must be shown in feet on the plat feet (Actual distance depends on the cited zoning provisions and corner-lot rules)
“Building setback lines must be shown/drawn”
Family Subdivisions and One & Two Lot Subdivisions - King and Queen County ↗Re-checked Sep 25, 2026
Septic inspectionRequired
Septic or sewer-line connections serving residential construction in King and Queen County.
- The inspection is required after the septic or sewer line is connected and before backfilling.
- The county page states that all permits require a final inspection.
“Required when septic/sewer line has been connected”
Mandatory Building Inspections - King and Queen County ↗Re-checked Sep 25, 2026
Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)
Subdivision and land-division review in King and Queen County.
- One- and two-lot subdivisions may be reviewed by the Zoning Administrator, while other procedures may involve the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors.
- Plat review may require health-department, zoning, wetlands, erosion-and-sediment, access, easement, and private-road conditions.
“Signature block for Zoning Administrator’s Approval”
Family Subdivisions and One & Two Lot Subdivisions - King and Queen County ↗Re-checked Sep 25, 2026
Building permitRequired
The county provides building inspection requirements, forms, and permit information through its Community Development office, enforcing the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.
King and Queen County - Planning and 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.”
Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
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.”
13VAC5-63-160. Section 116 Certificates of occupancy ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
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”
§ 15.2-2290. Uniform regulations for manufactured housing ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
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.”
§ 32.1-164. Powers and duties of Board; regulations; fees; onsite soil evaluators; letters in lieu of permits; inspections; civil penalty ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
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.”
12VAC5-610-240. Permits; general ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Required — Properties in King and Queen County not served by public sewer, and existing systems requiring upgrades.
  “the owner must obtain a permit to construct a sewage disposal system”
  Permits To Construct a Sewage Disposal System and/or Private Well ↗Re-checked Sep 25, 2026
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.”
Code of Virginia § 36-99. Provisions of Code; modifications ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
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.”
Land use permits ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
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.”
13VAC5-63-80. Section 108 Application for permit ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
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.”
Code of Virginia, Chapter 9. General Powers of Local Governments ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
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.”
13VAC5-63-70. Section 107 Fees ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
Permit processPublished (with conditions)
Construction, demolition, regulated installations, and related permit applications under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.
- A permit application must be made to the building official and a permit obtained before covered work begins.
- Emergency construction, alterations, or equipment replacement applications are due by the end of the first working day after work begins.
- The building official may authorize work to begin while an application or permit is pending.
- Applications may be submitted by mail and processed by mail unless the jurisdiction offers online processing or the applicant voluntarily chooses otherwise; an applicant may not be required to appear in person.
- The application form is supplied by the local building department and must include a general description and location of the proposed work and other information required by the building official.
- An application is abandoned six months after filing unless pursued in good faith or a permit is issued; the building official may grant extensions for justifiable cause.
“Application for a permit shall be made to the building official and a permit shall be obtained prior to the commencement of any of the following activities, except that applications for emergency construction, alterations, or equipment replacement shall be submitted by the end of the first working day that follows the day such work commences.”
13VAC5-63-80. Section 108 Application for permit ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
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.”
12VAC5-450 Rules and Regulations Governing Campgrounds ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
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.”
§ 15.2-2280. Zoning ordinances generally ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
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.”
§ 36-98. Board to promulgate Statewide Code; other codes and regulations superseded; exceptions ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026

Still unanswered

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

Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemptions in King and Queen County.
Zoning districts — Published zoning-district classifications for King and Queen County.
Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in King and Queen County.
Lot coverage — Lot coverage in King and Queen County.
Building height — Building height in King and Queen County.

6 more unanswered

Living in an RV
Camping on your land
Tiny homes
Accessory dwellings
Off-grid sanitation
Mandatory utility hookup

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.

Water rights & wells in King and Queen County

Whether a new home can legally get its own water here — the sub-state groundwater regime, from Virginia’s water agency.

Over-appropriated / declining

The aquifer here is over-appropriated and declining. A domestic well is usually still permit-exempt, but long-term supply is a genuine risk.

Household wellExempt — no permit or water right

Household wells are exempt from the groundwater withdrawal permit even inside a Groundwater Management Area, but a private well in a GWMA must be registered with DEQ within 30 days (Va. Code 62.1-258); a permit is triggered only at 300,000 gal/month.

Limit: < 300,000 gal/month (no withdrawal permit)

Virginia DEQ — Ground Water Withdrawal Permitting ↗

Eastern Virginia Groundwater Management Areapartial of county
DEQ has imposed mandatory withdrawal reductions on large Coastal Plain permittees because permitted demand exceeds sustainable aquifer yield (declining heads, land subsidence, saltwater-intrusion risk). Household wells (<300,000 gal/mo) are exempt but must be registered. The I-95-west counties (Fairfax, Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico, Prince William, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Caroline) are included only east of I-95.
Virginia DEQ / 9VAC25-600-20 ↗

Regulated-riparian state (large uses permitted). Groundwater rules change and basin boundaries follow the aquifer, not the county line — confirm current well and appropriation rules with the Virginia state water agency before you buy or drill.Groundwater governance as of Jul 2026, cited to each administering agency.

Living off-grid in King and Queen County, Virginia

Is King and Queen County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

King and Queen County scores 65/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and a stronger property-autonomy legal backdrop. Watch-outs: more administrative friction around building and land use.

Do you need a building permit in King and Queen County, Virginia?

King and Queen County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Virginia Department of Health. 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 King and Queen County, Virginia?

Land in King and Queen County runs about $3,460 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in King and Queen County?

King and Queen County gets about 46.9" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 1.9% of years. On water rights, King and Queen County lies in the Eastern Virginia Groundwater Management Area — DEQ has imposed mandatory withdrawal reductions on large Coastal Plain permittees because permitted demand exceeds sustainable aquifer yield (declining heads, land subsidence, saltwater-intrusion risk). Household wells (<300,000 gal/mo) are exempt but must be registered. The I-95-west counties (Fairfax, Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico, Prince William, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Caroline) are included only east of I-95..

How remote is King and Queen County?

A representative private-land location has about 7,186 people within a 30-minute drive and 5,348,918 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.

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in King and Queen County, Virginia

At a glance

Who to call

Do you need a building permit in King and Queen County, Virginia?

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

Does King and Queen County have zoning?

How do septic permits work in King and Queen County?

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in King and Queen County?

Building a home in King and Queen County: the steps, in order

What should you check before buying land in King and Queen County?

Watch-outs

Sources

King and Queen County in Virginia

How King and Queen County scores

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Parcel due diligence

Answers from the rulebook for King and Queen County

King and Queen County rules

Virginia rules that apply here

Still unanswered

Water rights & wells in King and Queen County

Living off-grid in King and Queen County, Virginia

Is King and Queen County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Do you need a building permit in King and Queen County, Virginia?

How much does land cost in King and Queen County, Virginia?

What is the water situation in King and Queen County?

How remote is King and Queen County?

How King and Queen compares in Virginia