Bolthole Index

Nottoway County, Virginia

Building permits, zoning and septic in the Town of Blackstone, Virginia

Building a home in the Town of Blackstone, Virginia requires town zoning approval followed by a building permit through Nottoway County.1 Blackstone administers its own zoning; private wastewater disposal also needs town approval and health-department permitting when applicable.234 Public sewer availability can make connection mandatory rather than leave septic as a free choice.5

At a glance

Building permit
County building permit after town zoning approval for covered work1
Zoning
Town of Blackstone administers zoning2
Sewer connection
Connection required when public sewer meets the ordinance’s proximity conditions5
Septic
Conditional; town construction approval and health-department permitting34
Residential lot area
R-2: 10,000 square feet plus 4,000 for each additional dwelling; septic may require more6
Owner-builder
Contractor-license exemption for a qualifying personal residence; building-code requirements remain7

Who to call

Planning & zoning

Town of Blackstone Zoning Administrator

Town zoning applications, district questions and special-exception inquiries

(434) 292-7251

100 W. Elm Street, Blackstone, VA 23824

Building permits

Nottoway County Building Permit Office

County building-permit applications and inspections, including projects in Blackstone after town zoning approval

434-645-8696

344 W. Courthouse Road, Crewe, VA 23930

Septic permits

Nottoway County Health Department

Local health-department contact for onsite sewage and private-well permitting

(434) 645-7595

207 West Courthouse Road Nottoway, VA 23955

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 11, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Do you need a building permit in the Town of Blackstone, VA?

A home project inside the Town of Blackstone needs the town’s zoning approval before the applicant submits that approval to Nottoway County for a building permit; the county applies that sequence to all jobs requiring a building permit.1 Virginia’s Uniform Statewide Building Code governs construction in Blackstone, while the town’s zoning approval addresses the proposed building, structure or use.89 A qualifying owner-builder exemption concerns contractor licensing and does not remove building-code obligations, building permits or inspections.7 Ask the county building office to identify the building-permit requirements for the specific work and the town Zoning Administrator to identify the zoning approval.110

Who handles building permits and zoning in the Town of Blackstone?

The Town of Blackstone Zoning Administrator is the municipal contact for zoning questions, and the town’s planning page links its zoning application, map and ordinance.1011 Nottoway County’s Building Permit Office handles the next building-permit application after town zoning approval, and building-permit cost depends on the project’s type and size.1 Request a project-specific fee estimate from that office rather than treating a zoning fee as the full construction cost.1 Septic and private-well permitting remain health-department matters through the Piedmont Health District’s Nottoway office; Blackstone also requires a town construction permit for covered private wastewater systems.123

Does the Town of Blackstone have zoning, lot-size rules and setbacks?

The Town of Blackstone administers its own zoning, including rezoning and special-exception review through the Planning Commission and Town Council.2 In Residential District R-2, the minimum lot area for a single permitted use is 10,000 square feet, plus 4,000 square feet for each additional dwelling; individual sewage disposal can require a greater area based on health-official review.6 R-3 single-family and two-family dwellings follow R-2 area, width and frontage regulations, while R-3 limits total building coverage to 50 percent.1314 Ask the town Zoning Administrator for the parcel’s district and applicable setbacks before choosing a building footprint.10

How do septic permits work inside the Town of Blackstone?

Blackstone allows septic tanks at the health officer’s discretion when connection to the town sewer is not practicable or possible.15 The town’s sewer rules require connection when a public sewer is within 150 feet under the applicable proximity provisions, with an exception for a qualifying private wastewater sewer and treatment facility.5 For a covered private wastewater system, the owner must obtain a written construction permit signed by the town manager before construction; the town permit and inspection fee is $50.3 Health-department permits are also required for new, modified, repaired or expanded onsite sewage systems, with licensed private-sector consultant work generally required.4 Establish sewer availability with the town before commissioning a septic design.515

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in the Town of Blackstone?

We could not confirm a general Blackstone rule allowing residential RV occupancy, temporary camping or tiny-home occupancy on private land; ask the town Zoning Administrator about the proposed use before buying a vehicle or dwelling.10 Manufactured housing has a separate rule: outside a manufactured-home park, Blackstone allows it in R-3 or as required by Virginia law, with a permanent foundation, an individual lot and other development standards.16 The town ordinance specifies a minimum width of 19 feet for manufactured housing outside a park.16 Do not treat those manufactured-home provisions as approval for an RV or a tiny home; request a use determination for the actual proposal.10

Building a home in the Town of Blackstone: what are the steps?

1. Take the proposed use and site layout to the town Zoning Administrator; the zoning application can require a scaled site plan, intended use, dwelling-unit count, grading approval and water/sewer information.11 2. Establish the sewer-connection requirement with Blackstone; if private wastewater disposal is applicable, obtain town construction approval and the required health-department septic approval.534 3. Submit town zoning approval to Nottoway County for the building-permit application before starting covered construction.117 4. Arrange required construction inspections with the building official, including final inspection, and obtain the applicable certificate of occupancy before moving in.1819 For property beyond town limits, use the Nottoway County guide for the county’s zoning answer; Blackstone’s zoning authority applies inside the town.20

Watch-outs

  • Blackstone zoning approval and the county building permit are separate approvals; town projects requiring a building permit must submit town zoning approval to the county.1
  • A Blackstone lot meeting the R-2 minimum area can still need more land for individual sewage disposal following health-official review.6
  • We could not confirm Blackstone’s general RV, tiny-home or accessory-dwelling occupancy rules; ask the town Zoning Administrator for a determination on the proposed use.10
  • Virginia’s building official may require a building permit for otherwise exempt work in a special flood hazard area; ask the county building office and town zoning office about the parcel before construction.21110

Sources

  1. Nottoway County Building Permit Office (nottoway.org)
  2. Planning & Zoning (Town of Blackstone), quoted and re-checked
  3. Sec. 62-198. Construction permit required (Town of Blackstone), quoted and re-checked
  4. Onsite Sewage & Water Program — Piedmont Health District, quoted and re-checked
  5. Sec. 62-127. Duty of owner to connect with town sewer (Town of Blackstone), quoted and re-checked
  6. Town of Blackstone, VA Zoning Ordinance (Town of Blackstone), quoted and re-checked
  7. § 54.1-1101. Exemptions; failure to obtain certificate of occupancy; penalties (Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  8. dpor.virginia.gov (Town of Blackstone), quoted and re-checked
  9. Town of Blackstone, VA Zoning Ordinance (Town of Blackstone), quoted and re-checked
  10. Town of Blackstone Zoning Administrator (townofblackstoneva.com)
  11. Town of Blackstone, VA Zoning Ordinance (Town of Blackstone), quoted and re-checked
  12. Onsite Sewage & Water Program — Piedmont Health District, quoted and re-checked
  13. townofblackstoneva.com (Town of Blackstone), quoted and re-checked
  14. townofblackstoneva.com (Town of Blackstone), quoted and re-checked
  15. Sec. 62-130. Use of septic tanks (Town of Blackstone), quoted and re-checked
  16. Town of Blackstone, VA Zoning Ordinance (Town of Blackstone), quoted and re-checked
  17. 13VAC5-63-80. Section 108 Application for permit (Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. 13VAC5-63-130. Section 113 Inspections (Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. 13VAC5-63-160. Section 116 Certificates of occupancy (Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. § 15.2-2280. Zoning ordinances generally (Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. 13VAC5-63-80. Section 108 Application for permit (Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

Written October 11, 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.

Answers from the rulebook for Town of Blackstone

Town of Blackstone’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction, reconstruction, moving, additions, or other allowance of a principal or accessory building or structure inside Blackstone town.

    • A zoning permit is not required for reconstruction of a conforming building or structure that does not involve a change in structure size and use.
    • A zoning permit application may require water/sewer compliance, grading permit, intended use, dwelling-unit count, scaled site plan, and other information.
    “No permitted principal or accessory building or structure or use of buildings, structures and uses permissible shall be constructed, reconstructed, moved, added to or otherwise allowed without a permit issued by the Zoning Administrator.”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Installation of on-site improvements governed by an approved town site development plan.

    • The ordinance states inspections are made during installation of on-site improvements by the administrator or designated representative.
    “Inspections shall be made during the installation of on-site improvements by the administrator or his designated representative”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Blackstone town; the town administers zoning through its Zoning Administrator and Planning Commission.

    • Re-zoning and special-exception matters are presented through the Planning Commission and Town Council.
    “The Zoning Administrator for the Town of Blackstone is Philip Vannoorbeeck.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Single permitted uses in Residential District R-2.

    • For permitted uses using individual sewage disposal systems, the required area must be approved by the health official and the zoning administrator may require a greater area if the health official considers it necessary.

    minimum lot area: >= 10000 square feet (plus 4,000 square feet for each additional dwelling) · additional dwelling lot area: per 4000 square feet (each additional dwelling)

    “the minimum lot area shall be ten thousand (10,000) square feet, plus four thousand (4,000) square feet for each additional dwelling.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Single-family and two-family dwellings in Residential District R-3.
      “Single-family and two-family dwellings shall conform with the area, width and frontage regulations of Residential District R-2.”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Buildings in Residential District R-3.

    maximum lot coverage of all buildings: <= 50 percent

    “Lot Coverage - Maximum lot coverage of all buildings shall be fifty (50) percent or less.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Single-family and two-family dwellings in Residential District R-3.

    • R-3 single-family and two-family dwellings conform to R-2 height regulations.
    “Single-family and two-family dwellings shall comply with regulations for Residential District R-2.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured housing inside Blackstone town.

    • Manufactured housing outside a manufactured-home park is allowed only in an R-3 district or as required by Virginia Code § 15.2-2290.
    • It must be on a permanent foundation and individual lot, meet equivalent site-built single-family development standards, face the public right-of-way, and be at least 19 feet wide.
    • Manufactured-home parks require planning commission and town council approval and have separate dimensional requirements.

    minimum width outside park: >= 19 feet

    “manufactured housing not located within a Manufactured Home Park shall be allowed only in an R-3 district or as required by Virginia Code Section 15.2-2290”
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    Private wastewater disposal inside Blackstone town.

    • The town manager signs the town construction permit.
    • Use of septic tanks is subject to the health officer's discretion and directions.
    • The Piedmont Health District lists the Nottoway County Health Department as a local office.
    “the use of septic tanks will be allowed in the discretion of the health officer”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction of a private wastewater disposal system inside Blackstone town when such a system is required under Sec. 62-197.

    • Written construction permit must be signed by the town manager before construction begins.
    • Application uses a town form and may require plans, specifications, and other wastewater-discharge information.
    • Permit and inspection fee is $50.00.

    permit and inspection fee: 50 USD

    “the owner shall first obtain a written construction permit signed by the town manager.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Private septic or other wastewater disposal inside Blackstone town where connection to the town sewer is not practicable or possible.

    • Private wastewater facilities are generally unlawful under the sewer-use division except as provided in that division.
    • Septic tanks may be allowed at the health officer's discretion and must follow the health officer's directions.
    “In cases where it is not practicable or possible to make connections with the town system of sewers, the use of septic tanks will be allowed in the discretion of the health officer”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Buildings and premises inside Blackstone town when a public wastewater sewer is within 150 feet.

    • Connection is at the owner's expense.
    • Connection must occur within 90 days after official notice under Sec. 62-184.
    • Sec. 62-184 has an exception for a qualifying privately constructed, owned, operated, and maintained wastewater sewer and treatment facility discharging directly to a natural outlet under applicable law.

    public sewer distance: <= 150 feet (within 150 feet of the property line) · connection deadline after official notice: 90 days

    “shall cause the building to be connected with the town sewer, provided that such building or premises is on or along the line of a public sewer within 150 feet thereof.”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Division of agricultural or woodland land inside Blackstone town when no living-quarters construction is involved.

    • The subdivision definition excludes a bona fide division or partition of agricultural or woodland land for agricultural or forestry purposes if no construction of a building or other structure to be used as living quarters is involved.
    • Other subdivision requirements may apply if the division does not meet that condition.
    “The term "to subdivide" shall not include a bona fide division or partition of agricultural or wood land for agricultural or forestry purposes”
  • Permit processPartial

    Town zoning-permit process inside Blackstone town.

    • Applications go to the Zoning Administrator on town-provided forms.
    • Required supporting materials can include water/sewer compliance, grading permit, intended use, dwelling-unit count, scaled site plan, and other information deemed pertinent.
    • Approved site plans expire after five years; deviations require written approval and major revisions require a new site plan.

    site-plan validity: 5 years (from final approval)

    “An application for a zoning permit shall be made to the zoning administrator on forms to be provided by the Zoning Administrator”

Rules another office applies inside Town of Blackstone

Town of Blackstone does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Construction inside Blackstone town under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, administered by local building officials.

    • The state code applies statewide; local officials administer it.
    “Building officials in each locality are responsible for administering the Uniform Statewide Building Code in Virginia.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of Blackstone or Nottoway County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemptions from building-permit or contractor requirements inside Blackstone town.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy for buildings inside Blackstone town.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Blackstone town.
  • Living in an RV — RV occupancy on private land inside Blackstone town outside specifically regulated floodplain situations.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Blackstone town.
5 more unanswered
  • Tiny homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Well permit
  • Driveway access
  • Short-term rentals

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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Town of Blackstone publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Nottoway County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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