Bolthole Index

Mathews County, Virginia

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

65Index Score / 100
#61 of 133 in Virginia

Mathews County, Virginia requires a building permit before constructing, enlarging, altering, moving, renovating or demolishing a building, and separate trade permits may also be needed1. The county administers zoning, so permissible uses and development density depend on the parcel's zoning district2. Septic and private-well approvals are handled through the Virginia Department of Health, including approval needed before the county's final building inspection34.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for new construction and many alterations; separate trade permits may apply1
Building code
2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, effective January 18, 20245
Zoning
County zoning applies; permitted uses and density vary by district26
Septic and wells
Virginia Department of Health approval is part of the building process34
Owner-builder
Allowed conditionally with an Owner's Affidavit identifying the state-law exemption claimed7
RV / tiny home living
County-specific residential occupancy rules were not confirmed; ask Planning, Zoning & Wetlands89
Inspections
Required at each phase of permitted construction10
Certificate of occupancy
Required before occupying or using the completed building4

Who to call

Building permits

Mathews County Building Department

Building applications, plan review, permits, inspections, building-code questions and county floodplain administration

804-725-7171

[email protected]

50 Brickbat Road, Suite 102, Mathews, VA 23109

Online permits →

Planning & zoning

Mathews County Planning, Zoning & Wetlands

Zoning, subdivisions, erosion and sediment rules, wetlands administration and long-range land-use planning

804-725-4034

P.O. Box 839, Mathews, VA 23109

Septic permits

Mathews County Health Department Environmental Health

Local Virginia Department of Health contact for environmental health, including onsite sewage and private-well questions

804-725-7131

536 Church Street, Mathews, VA 23109

Online permits →

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 Mathews County, Virginia?

Yes. Mathews County requires a building permit before a person or company erects, constructs, enlarges, alters, moves, converts, renovates, remodels, rehabilitates or demolishes a building or structure1. Separate building, plumbing, electrical and mechanical permits are required when those trades are part of the work, and inspections are required for each phase of construction10. The county applies the 2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, effective January 18, 20245. The published schedule sets a $50 minimum permit fee, adds a 2% state education surcharge, and prices new residential dwellings and several related structures at $0.12 per square foot11. Ordinary repairs and other code exceptions can differ from regulated construction, so describe the exact scope of work to the Building Department before starting112.

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

The Mathews County Building Department accepts permit applications, reviews construction documents and plans, issues permits and performs inspections12. The department says the preferred application method is to complete the fillable forms on its Building Applications and Forms page and email them to [email protected]12. The office is at 50 Brickbat Road, Suite 102, Mathews, Virginia, and its phone number is 804-725-717112. The same department administers the county Floodplain Management Ordinance and maintains the FEMA flood maps, making it the first call for both building-code and flood-zone questions12. Mathews County reviews the permit application and construction documents before issuing a permit, and the permit process also calls for the issued permit to be posted and inspections requested before work proceeds13.

Does Mathews County have zoning?

Yes. Mathews County's Planning, Zoning & Wetlands office administers and enforces the Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Ordinance, Erosion and Sediment Ordinance and wetlands program149. A parcel's zoning district controls which uses are allowed and its development density; changing the zoning-map designation can change both6. The reviewed county material does not provide one countywide numeric answer for minimum lot size, home size, setbacks, lot coverage or building height, because those details can depend on the district. Ask Planning, Zoning & Wetlands to identify the parcel's district and the standards that apply before choosing a house plan or siting an accessory structure29. The office can be reached at 804-725-4034, and its mailing address is P.O. Box 839, Mathews, Virginia 231099.

How do septic and well permits work in Mathews County?

Onsite sewage permitting in Mathews County is administered through the Virginia Department of Health and its Three Rivers Health District, rather than the county Building Department315. Virginia requires a written construction permit before a sewage system is built, expanded or modified and an operation permit for a newly constructed system16. The Mathews County Health Department's Environmental Health line is 804-725-7131 at 536 Church Street in Mathews17. Coordinate septic and private-well work early: the county requires VDH well and septic approval, or HRSD verification for a project in the sanitary sewer district, before the final building inspection418. Only 8.7% of county soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so a parcel-specific soil evaluation can materially affect system design and cost19.

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

We could not confirm a Mathews County rule that squarely answers long-term residential RV occupancy, temporary camping on private land or tiny-home occupancy. Mathews County does have zoning, and the zoning district changes which uses can occur on a parcel and at what development density26. Virginia's campground rules do not answer whether an owner may live in an RV on private land outside a regulated campground20. Before buying for an RV or tiny-home plan, ask Mathews County Planning, Zoning & Wetlands whether the intended dwelling type and occupancy are allowed in the parcel's district9. Any habitable structure still needs an approved sewage solution, and the county building process requires VDH well and septic approval or applicable sewer-district verification before final inspection418.

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

  1. Ask Planning, Zoning & Wetlands to confirm the parcel's zoning district, permitted residential use and applicable dimensional standards29.
  1. Start the VDH septic and private-well review early, because written authorization is required before septic construction and health approval is needed before the county's final inspection164.
  1. If the driveway connects to a VDOT-maintained highway, obtain the required VDOT entrance permit before constructing or modifying the entrance21.
  1. Submit the building application and construction documents to the Mathews County Building Department; separate mechanical, electrical and plumbing permits may be required1310.
  1. Post the issued permit and request inspections as each phase is ready, before covering the work1310.
  1. Complete the final inspection and supply any required VDH, HRSD or flood-zone documentation; obtain the certificate of occupancy before using the building4.

What should you check before buying land in Mathews County?

Confirm the parcel's zoning district and allowed use before relying on a listing description, because Mathews County zoning controls uses and development density6. Check flood status with the Building Department, which administers the county floodplain ordinance and maintains FEMA flood maps; a flood-zone project may need an elevation certificate before final inspection124. Septic feasibility deserves special attention because only 8.7% of county soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field19. The landscape is almost entirely gentle, with 99.3% at a 15% slope or less, but flat coastal terrain does not eliminate drainage or high-water-table concerns2219. Typical property tax is about 0.4% effectively, with a median annual bill near $1,475 and a typical home value around $357,653232425.

Watch-outs

  • A certificate of occupancy must be issued before a completed building is occupied or used, after final inspection and required health, sewer or flood documentation4.
  • An owner may act as their own contractor only conditionally: Mathews County requires an Owner's Affidavit identifying the exemption claimed under state law7.
  • We could not confirm county-specific rules for residential RV use, tiny-home occupancy, minimum dwelling size or district-specific setbacks; ask Planning, Zoning & Wetlands about the exact parcel and proposal98.

Sources

  1. Building Permit Fees, quoted and re-checked
  2. Planning, Zoning & Wetlands, quoted and re-checked
  3. Mathews County Code - Sewage Disposal Systems (2026 county census)
  4. The Permit Process - A Guide to Permitting, quoted and re-checked
  5. Building Official, quoted and re-checked
  6. Planning Commission, quoted and re-checked
  7. The Permit Process - A Guide to Permitting, quoted and re-checked
  8. Planning, Zoning & Wetlands (2026 county census)
  9. Mathews County Planning, Zoning & Wetlands (mathewscountyva.gov)
  10. Building Permit Fees, quoted and re-checked
  11. Building Permit Fees, quoted and re-checked
  12. Mathews County Building Department (mathewscountyva.gov)
  13. The Permit Process - A Guide to Permitting, quoted and re-checked
  14. Planning, Zoning & Wetlands, quoted and re-checked
  15. § 32.1-164. Powers and duties of Board; regulations; fees; onsite soil evaluators; letters in lieu of permits; inspections; civil penalty (Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. 12VAC5-610-240. Permits; general (Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. Mathews County Health Department Environmental Health (vdh.virginia.gov)
  18. The Permit Process - A Guide to Permitting, quoted and re-checked
  19. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  20. 12VAC5-450 Rules and Regulations Governing Campgrounds (Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. Land use permits (Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  25. Typical home value (Zillow): 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.

Found land here? Start a Property Hunt →

County locator

Mathews County in Virginia

65
County map
Mathews County highlighted among the Virginia counties · colored by Index score

How Mathews County scores

Seclusion40100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency6997% ev.
Admin Boringness3990% ev.
Durability71100% ev.
Property Autonomy66100% ev.
Carry Cost70100% 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 →

$358kTypical home
0.4%Property tax
$6,440Land / acre
48.1"Annual rain
1.1% of yrsSevere drought
2.7 / yr (+2.5)Mid-century 100°F days
12.8 daysMid-century dry spell
2.36" (+7.6%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.39×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,021Home insurance / yr
1.9% / yrInsurance growth
1.43%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
40,286People within 30 min
3,390,414People within 2 hr
36,977Radius comparison (15 mi)
99.1People / sq mi
0%Federal land
99.3%Land at 15% slope or less
8.7%Septic soil without severe limits
2,692 acWorkable land screen
54.8%Wooded land
92 tonsBiomass / forest ac
59.2°FAvg temp

Scout Mathews County

Camp here before you commitBook a few nights nearby on Hipcamp →Already own land here?Earn money hosting campers — get $100 when you become a Hipcamp host →

Some links are affiliate or referral links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you.

Property hunt

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Search live inventory elsewhere, then cost and vet each candidate here. No copied listings, account, or paid data feed.

View your full hunt →
ZillowLand & lotsRealtor.comLand listingsLandSearchRural & vacant land

Each button opens a current land search for Mathews County. Listing sites control their own results and filters.

Analyze a property
Add setup-cost allowances

Use rough quotes or placeholders. Blank fields count as $0.

Working estimate

—land + entered setup costs
Asking $ / acre
—
Setup allowance
—
All-in $ / acre
—

A planning estimate, not a valuation or contractor quote. The USDA benchmark includes farm land and buildings; it is context, not a parcel comp.

Before an offer

Parcel due diligence

0/8 checked

Saved properties and checklist progress stay on this device. Bolthole Index does not receive them.

Answers from the rulebook for Mathews County

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

Mathews County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction, alteration, movement, conversion, renovation, remodeling, rehabilitation, or demolition of buildings and structures in Mathews County.

    • Separate permits are required for building, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical work.
    • Ordinary repairs and other exceptions may be governed by the applicable USBC provisions.

    minimum permit fee: 50 USD · state education surcharge: 2 percent (of total permit fee)

    “Any person, firm or corporation shall not erect, construct, enlarge, alter, move, convert, renovate, remodel, rehabilitate or demolish any building or structure, or cause the same to be done, without first obtaining a building permit for such building.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Permitted construction in Mathews County.

    • Inspections must be called for or requested before work proceeds.
    • Typically one day's notice is required.
    • Inspections are required for each phase of construction.
    “Separate permits are required for building, plumbing, electrical and mechanical work. Inspections are required for each phase of construction.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Occupancy or use of a building or structure after construction or applicable final inspection in Mathews County.

    • A final inspection must be performed.
    • Virginia Department of Health approval for well and septic, or HRSD connection verification, must be submitted before final inspection.
    • For buildings in flood zones, an elevation certificate is required before final inspection.
    “A Certificate of Occupancy will be issued once a final inspection is performed and all of the above steps are completed. A certificate of occupancy must be issued prior to the occupancy or use of any building or structure.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    County zoning ordinance administration and enforcement in Mathews County.

    • Specific uses and dimensional requirements may vary by zoning district and may require zoning, conditional-use, variance, or rezoning approvals.
    “Zoning Map Amendments (rezonings) are changes to the zoning district map of the County. Changing the zoning district in which a parcel lies changes what uses can and cannot be conducted on that parcel and the development density of the parcel.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Mathews County zoning administered by the county Planning, Zoning and Wetlands Office.

    • The county page identifies county zoning administration; this claim does not extend to any separate municipal zoning authority.
    “Administration and enforcement of the Erosion and Sediment Ordinance, Subdivision Ordinance, Zoning Ordinance, and Wetlands Administration”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Mathews County zoning districts and zoning-map amendments.

    • The county states that zoning-map amendments change the zoning district in which a parcel lies and may change permissible uses and development density.
    • Specific district names and dimensional standards were not extracted from the opened official pages.
    “Zoning Map Amendments (rezonings) are changes to the zoning district map of the County. Changing the zoning district in which a parcel lies changes what uses can and cannot be conducted on that parcel and the development density of the parcel.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Building projects in Mathews County located in a sanitary sewer district.

    • HRSD approval or verification must be submitted when the project is in the sanitary sewer district.
    • The cited source does not establish a countywide mandatory public-water or public-sewer connection rule.
    “If the project is in the sanitary sewer district, HRSD approval or verification will need to be submitted.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision activity in Mathews County.

    • The county publishes separate subdivision applications and fee schedules; specific minor, major, family-transfer, and other requirements were not fully extracted here.

    minor subdivision fee: 100 USD (plus $15 per lot) · major subdivision fee: 500 USD (plus $25 per lot)

    “Subdivision Fees | $100 plus $15 per lot (Minor). $500 plus $25 per lot (Major)”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Mathews County building and planning/zoning permit fees.

    • Fees vary by permit type, square footage, estimated cost, acreage, and lot count.
    • The building-fee page states a 2% Virginia education surcharge and a $50 minimum fee for any permit.

    building permit minimum: 50 USD · residential construction: 0.12 USD per square foot (new dwelling or out building, additions, garages, manufactured homes, modular homes, decks, etc.) · commercial/non-residential construction: 0.2 USD per square foot (plus $50) · septic permit: 25 USD

    “State of Virginia education surcharge is 2% of total permit fee (for each permit). Minimum fee for any permit: $50.00”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building-permit process in Mathews County.

    • Submit permit applications and construction documents.
    • Separate permits are required for building, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing work.
    • Permits are reviewed before issuance; permits must be posted and inspections requested before work proceeds.
    • VDH well/septic approval or HRSD verification and flood-zone certificates may be required before final inspection.
    “After the Permit Application (s) and Construction Documents are received, they will be reviewed and a Permit will be issued (if the application and Construction Documents meet the requirements of the Uniform Statewide Building Code and the Mathews County Floodplain Management Ordinance).”

Virginia rules that apply here

  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    An owner performing work themselves or acting as their own contractor in Mathews County.

    • The owner must sign an Owner’s Affidavit.
    • The owner must identify the exemption claimed under state law.
    • The county source does not specify the substantive eligibility limits of the claimed exemption.
    “If an owner wishes to perform the work themselves or act as their own contractor, they must sign an Owner’s Affidavit (which can also be found on the website) and indicate what exemption they are claiming under state law.”
  • 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) — Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code as applied by Mathews County.
      “2021 Code Effective 1/18/2024 Virginia 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”
  • Who permits septicState (with conditions)

    Onsite sewage system permitting and CBPA pump-out oversight affecting Mathews County.

    • VDH manages and enforces CBPA-required OSS pump-outs in Mathews County effective July 1, 2023.
    • The county separately publishes a local septic permit fee and requires VDH approval in its building process.

    pump-out oversight effective date: 2023-07-01

    “Pursuant to Chapter 486 of the 2022 Virginia Acts of Assembly, VDH is responsible for management and enforcement of OSS pump-outs required by the CBPA within the following localities effective July 1, 2023: Accomack, Essex, Gloucester, King and Queen, King William, Lancaster, Mathews, Middlesex, Northampton, Northumberland, Richmond, and Westmoreland counties and the incorporated towns within those counties.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • 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.”
  • 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.”
  • 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.”
  • 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 dwelling size requirements in Mathews County.
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot-size requirements in Mathews County.
  • Setbacks — Setback requirements in Mathews County.
  • Lot coverage — Lot-coverage requirements in Mathews County.
  • Building height — Building-height requirements in Mathews County.
5 more unanswered
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • 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.

Water rights & wells in Mathews 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 Mathews County, Virginia

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

Mathews County scores 65/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: mixed durability signals and manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: more administrative friction around building and land use and about 40,286 people within a 30-minute drive.

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

Mathews County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Virginia Department of Health (Three Rivers Health District). 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 Mathews County, Virginia?

Land in Mathews County runs about $6,440 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Mathews County?

Mathews County gets about 48.1" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 1.1% of years. On water rights, Mathews 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 Mathews County?

A representative private-land location has about 40,286 people within a 30-minute drive and 3,390,414 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 Mathews County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Bolthole Index earns from qualifying purchases.

How Mathews compares in Virginia

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