Bolthole Index

Tazewell County, Virginia

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

The Town of Bluefield, Virginia requires a building permit before work subject to the building code begins, with applications handled through the town office.1 Bluefield administers its own zoning in Tazewell County; septic systems and private wells remain with the Virginia Department of Health through the Cumberland Plateau Health District.234 Sewer availability can require connection rather than a private septic system.5

At a glance

Building permits
Required before building-code-covered work; apply through the town1
Zoning
Town zoning applies inside town limits2
Septic permits
VDH construction permit required to install, modify or repair a septic tank or drainfield6
Sewer connection
Required for covered properties after notice of qualifying sewer availability5
Owner-builder
Conditional contractor-license exemption; building permits still required7
Private wells
VDH permits and inspections where public water is unavailable4
Floodplain
Special permit required for uses, activities and development in a floodplain8

Who to call

Building permits

Town of Bluefield Building Department

Town building-permit questions and building-code administration

276-322-4626 ext. 1014

[email protected]

112 Huffard Drive Bluefield, VA 24605

Zoning

Town of Bluefield Zoning Department

Zoning permits, site-plan review and erosion and sediment control

276-322-4626 ext. 1013

[email protected]

112 Huffard Drive Bluefield, VA 24605

Septic permits

Tazewell County Health Department (Cumberland Plateau Health District)

VDH onsite sewage and private-well permitting serving Bluefield

276-988-5585

253 Chamber Dr Tazewell, VA 24651

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 Bluefield 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 Bluefield, VA?

Bluefield requires a building permit and any other required approvals before an activity subject to the building code begins, except as otherwise provided by law.1 The Town of Bluefield handles building-permit applications inside town limits.1 Virginia’s Uniform Statewide Building Code governs new construction, additions and regulated work on existing buildings.9

An owner-builder contractor-licensing exemption does not waive Bluefield’s building-permit requirement.7 Bluefield’s building-permit fee schedule is set by Town Council; ask the Building Department for the current charge for your project.10

Who is the Town of Bluefield building department, and who handles zoning?

Contact the Town of Bluefield Building Department at 276-322-4626 ext. 1014 or [email protected] for building-permit questions.11 The town lists its address as 112 Huffard Drive Bluefield, VA 24605.11 Bluefield’s Zoning Department can be reached at 276-322-4626 ext. 1013 or [email protected].12

The Zoning Department issues zoning permits, reviews site plans and handles erosion and sediment control regulations.12 Septic systems and private wells follow a separate VDH approval path through the Cumberland Plateau Health District; a town building or zoning approval does not replace those approvals.364

Does the Town of Bluefield have zoning, lot-size and setback rules?

Bluefield administers its own zoning ordinance inside town limits.2 Bluefield’s zoning application calls for the zoning district, tax parcel information, proposed improvements, structure height and area, yards, setbacks, and floodplain or floodway status.13 Ask the Zoning Department to identify the parcel’s district and applicable dimensions before choosing a house footprint.1213

Bluefield regulates subdivisions, with lot sizes governed by its zoning chapter and possible increases where public water or sewer is unavailable.14 A septic subdivision also needs health-department and Bluefield Sanitary Board documentation, so a proposed lot split and its sanitation plan should be considered together.15

How do septic permits and sewer connections work inside the Town of Bluefield?

Installing, modifying or repairing a septic tank or dispersal drainfield in Bluefield requires a VDH construction permit.6 Contact the Tazewell County Health Department at 276-988-5585 for the local VDH office serving Bluefield.16

Bluefield requires covered commercial, industrial and residential properties abutting a street, alley or right-of-way with a qualifying gravity sewer to connect within 30 days after notice that sewer is available within 300 feet of the property line, subject to the qualifying private-treatment-facility exception.5 For subdivisions without sewer, the health department must confirm general septic suitability and approve individual lots, while the Bluefield Sanitary Board or its agent must state that sewer is not readily available and will not be extended.15

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

We could not confirm a general rule allowing residential RV occupancy, temporary private-property camping or tiny-home occupancy in Bluefield; ask the Town Zoning Department about the proposed dwelling and use before buying land for that purpose.12 Bluefield’s short-term-rental rule expressly prohibits outdoor camping or RV occupancy connected with a short-term rental; that restriction does not answer ordinary residential RV use on a separate parcel.17

A small dwelling still needs review under Bluefield’s zoning and the applicable building-code requirements.21 We could not confirm Bluefield’s current general accessory-dwelling allowance; ask the Zoning Department to review a detached cottage or second dwelling proposal.12

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

First, ask Bluefield’s Zoning Department to review the parcel’s district, proposed use, site plan, setbacks and floodplain status.1213 Next, resolve sewer availability and, where applicable, septic and private-well approvals with VDH.564 Submit the building application to the town and obtain required building approvals before covered work begins.1

Bluefield’s zoning permit requires work to begin within 180 days and remains valid for 1 year after work starts.13 Arrange applicable construction inspections and final inspection with the Building Official under Virginia’s statewide code.18 Obtain a certificate of occupancy before occupying a covered new home under the statewide code; ask the town about the local submission procedure.19

What should you check before buying land in the Town of Bluefield?

Check floodplain status with the Town Zoning Department before planning improvements: Bluefield requires a special permit for all uses, activities and development within a floodplain.128 Bluefield also restricts manufactured homes in floodplains to existing manufactured-home parks or subdivisions.8 A driveway entrance crossing a sidewalk, curb, gutter or drainage ditch needs Town Engineer approval and a written permit before construction.20

For a private well where public water is unavailable, VDH provides permits and inspections.4 For land outside Bluefield town limits, use the Tazewell County guide for the county’s building-permit authority; Bluefield’s town office handles work inside town limits.21

Watch-outs

  • Bluefield’s residential RV and tiny-home occupancy rules remain unconfirmed; ask the Town Zoning Department before treating a parcel as suitable for either use.12
  • Sewer availability can trigger mandatory connection for covered properties, so confirm service before planning septic.5
  • Virginia’s statewide code establishes applicable inspections and certificates of occupancy, but ask the Bluefield Building Department for its scheduling and application procedures.181911

Sources

  1. Code of Ordinances, Sec. 10-73, Permit required; fees (Town of Bluefield), quoted and re-checked
  2. Town of Bluefield Zoning Permit Application (Town of Bluefield), quoted and re-checked
  3. Contact Us - Cumberland Plateau Health District (Town of Bluefield), quoted and re-checked
  4. vdh.virginia.gov (Town of Bluefield), quoted and re-checked
  5. Code of Ordinances, Sec. 58-191, Connection to treatment works required (Town of Bluefield), quoted and re-checked
  6. Virginia Department of Health Environmental Health (Town of Bluefield), quoted and re-checked
  7. Building Inspections – Tazewell County, Virginia (Town of Bluefield), quoted and re-checked
  8. Code of Ordinances, Sec. 74-748, Floodplain development regulations (Town of Bluefield), quoted and re-checked
  9. Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) (Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Code of Ordinances, Sec. 10-73, Permit required; fees (Town of Bluefield), quoted and re-checked
  11. Town of Bluefield Building Department (bluefieldva.org)
  12. Town of Bluefield Zoning Department (bluefieldva.org)
  13. Town of Bluefield Zoning Permit Application (Town of Bluefield), quoted and re-checked
  14. Town of Bluefield Zoning Permit Application (Town of Bluefield), quoted and re-checked
  15. Code of Ordinances, Sec. 70-83, Septic tanks (Town of Bluefield), quoted and re-checked
  16. Tazewell County Health Department (Cumberland Plateau Health District) (vdh.virginia.gov)
  17. Code of Ordinances, Sec. 74-1069, Short-term rental restrictions (Town of Bluefield), 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. Code of Ordinances, Sec. 46-4, Sidewalks and private driveways (Town of Bluefield), quoted and re-checked
  21. Building Inspections – Tazewell County, Virginia, 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 Bluefield

Town of Bluefield’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Activities subject to the building code inside Bluefield town limits.

    • A building permit and any other required permits must be obtained before work begins.
    • The Tazewell County page states that permits for work in Bluefield are obtained through the Bluefield town office.
    “Except as otherwise provided by law, the issuance of a building permit and any other required permit(s) shall be required before any person, entity, or organization begins any activity subject to the building code.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Bluefield town limits; the Town administers its own zoning ordinance.

    • The Town's zoning permit application is subject to the Town of Bluefield Zoning Ordinance and other local ordinances.
    “This application is made subject to all local ordinances, including but not limited to: the Town of Bluefield Zoning Ordinance; Erosion and Sediment Control Ordinance; the Subdivision of Land Ordinance; the Stormwater Management Ordinance and state laws and statutes which are hereby agreed to by the exercise of this application.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Septic sanitation for subdivisions inside Bluefield town.

    • Subdivision approval without sanitary sewer requires written health-department confirmation that the area is satisfactory for septic tanks.
    • Individual lots must receive individual health-department approval.
    • The Bluefield Sanitary Board or its agent must state that sewer service is not readily available and will not be extended.
    “However, the agent shall not approve any subdivision where sanitary sewers are not provided unless the agent shall receive in writing from the health department a statement to the effect that the area contained in the subdivision is generally satisfactory for the installation of septic tanks, and that they will not so far as can be determined create hazards to public health, and that such approval by the agent is only the understanding that where septic tanks are to be installed these must be approved on an individual lot basis by the health department.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Commercial, industrial, and residential property inside Bluefield town abutting a street, alley, or right-of-way containing or potentially containing a gravity sewer connected to the BSB treatment works.

    • Connection is required within 30 days after notice that sewer is available within 300 feet of the property line.
    • The requirement does not apply to a person served by a qualifying privately constructed, owned, operated, and maintained sewer and treatment facility discharging to a natural outlet in compliance with applicable law.

    sewer availability distance: <= 300 feet from property line · connection deadline: 30 days after notice

    “The owner of any house, building or property which is used for commercial, industrial and/or residential purposes abutting on any street, alley or rights-of-way in which there is or may be located a gravity sewer connected to the treatment works of the BSB is required at the owner's expense to install suitable toilet facilities therein and to connect such facilities directly to the proper sewer in accordance with the provisions of this article within 30 days after notice that sewer is available within 300 feet of the property line.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision of land inside Bluefield town limits.

    • The Town zoning application identifies a Subdivision of Land Ordinance.
    • Lot sizes follow Chapter 74, with possible increases where public water or sewer is unavailable.
    • Septic subdivisions require health-department and Bluefield Sanitary Board documentation.
    “This application is made subject to all local ordinances, including but not limited to: the Town of Bluefield Zoning Ordinance; Erosion and Sediment Control Ordinance; the Subdivision of Land Ordinance; the Stormwater Management Ordinance and state laws and statutes which are hereby agreed to by the exercise of this application.”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    Private driveway entrances and sidewalk, curb, gutter, or drainage crossings inside Bluefield town limits.

    • An entrance crossing a sidewalk, curb, gutter, drainage ditch, or similar feature requires approval by the town engineer.
    • A written permit is required before constructing such an entrance.
    • Commercial entrances also require a town-engineer permit and must be maintained satisfactorily.
    “No such entrance shall be constructed until a written permit has been obtained from the town engineer.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    All uses, activities, and development within any floodplain area inside Bluefield town limits.

    • A special permit is required.
    • Development must comply with the floodplain article and all other applicable codes and ordinances, including the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.
    • The ordinance includes additional restrictions, including no manufactured homes in the floodplain except in an existing manufactured-home park or subdivision.
    “All uses, activities, and development occurring within any floodplain area shall be undertaken only upon the issuance of a special permit.”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Short-term rentals of single-family dwellings, mobile homes, or portions of owner-occupied single-family dwellings inside Bluefield town for periods under 30 days.

    • The dwelling or mobile home must be a legal permitted, conditional, or existing nonconforming use in the district.
    • Approved septic/public sewer and approved well/public water compliance must be shown before permit issuance.
    • Outdoor camping or RV occupancy is not permitted in connection with a short-term rental.
    • A $50 zoning permit and transient-occupancy-tax registration are required.
    • The Town may inspect the dwelling.

    rental period threshold: < 30 days · zoning permit fee: 50 USD

    “The owner of a property offered for short-term rental must register with the zoning department to obtain a $50.00 zoning permit. Once the zoning permit is obtained the owner of such property must register with the treasurer to collect and pay to the treasurer all applicable transient occupancy taxes as a condition of any permit issued by the town.”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Town building permits inside Bluefield town limits.

    • The building-permit fee schedule is set by Town Council.
    • The cited section does not state the current fee amount.
    “A fee payable to the town shall be required for the issuance of a building permit, and the fee schedule for such permit shall be set by the town council.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Zoning and building-permit processing inside Bluefield town limits.

    • The zoning application requires property/site information, zoning district, tax parcel information, proposed improvements, height, area, yards, setbacks, floodplain/floodway status, and supporting information where applicable.
    • The Town may require additional documentation and may inspect and monitor compliance.
    • The zoning permit must begin within 180 days and is valid for one year after work starts.

    work commencement deadline: <= 180 days (zoning permit) · zoning permit validity after start: 1 year

    “Work must begin within one hundred and eighty (180) days and the zoning permit is valid for one (1) year after start of work. The zoning permit is nontransferable.”

Rules another office applies inside Town of Bluefield

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

  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    Owner-performed construction in Bluefield town where Virginia contractor-licensing exemptions apply.

    • The official Tazewell page quotes an exemption for a person performing or supervising no more than one primary residence owned by that person for personal use during any 24-month period.
    • The exemption is a contractor-licensing exemption and does not eliminate building-permit requirements.

    primary residences: <= 1 residence (during any 24-month period)

    “Any person who performs or supervised the construction, removal, repair or improvement of no more than one primary residence owned by him and for his own use during any 24-month period.”
  • Who permits septicState

    Onsite sewage permitting and inspection inside Bluefield town, administered through VDH's Cumberland Plateau Health District serving Tazewell County.

    • The Cumberland Plateau Health District serves Tazewell County.
    “Proudly serving the counties of Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell, and Tazewell.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Installation, modification, or repair of onsite sewage systems inside Bluefield town where public sewer is unavailable or the work affects the system.

    • VDH construction permitting applies to onsite sewage systems.
    • Town subdivision rules additionally require health-department approval and written confirmation where sanitary sewers are not provided.
    “You need a VDH construction permit to install, modify, or repair a septic tank or dispersal drainfield.”
  • Well permitRequired

    Private wells inside Bluefield town where public water is unavailable.

    • VDH provides permits and inspections for private wells.
    • The cited VDH material does not establish a municipal water-connection requirement for every parcel.
    “Private Wells: The Cumberland Plateau and LENOWISCO Health Districts provide permits and inspections for onsite wastewater and private wells, to include sewage handling and disposal regulations.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Inspections — Building work inside Bluefield town limits.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of buildings inside Bluefield town limits.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage inside Bluefield town limits.
  • Living in an RV — Long-term or residential RV occupancy on private land inside Bluefield town limits.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Bluefield town limits.
3 more unanswered
  • Tiny homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Agricultural exemption

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 Bluefield publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Tazewell County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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