Bolthole Index

Westmoreland County, Virginia

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

63Index Score / 100
#73 of 133 in Virginia

Westmoreland County, Virginia requires a building permit before covered construction begins, and the county administers the statewide building code1. County zoning also governs land use and development2. For land outside a public sewer service area, Three Rivers Health District evaluates the soil and issues the required septic permit3.

At a glance

Building permit
Required before covered work begins1
Zoning
Yes; the county has base and overlay zoning districts24
Septic permit
Required outside public sewer areas through Three Rivers Health District Environmental Health53
Private well
Construction or abandonment requires a health-department permit6
RV living
Private-parcel residential use was not confirmed; ask Building & Zoning before relying on an RV7
Tiny home
No specific tiny-home occupancy rule was confirmed; normal building and zoning review still applies12
Owner-builder
No general exemption from building permits was confirmed8
Farm buildings
Qualifying nonresidential farm structures are exempt from the statewide building code, with important exceptions9

Who to call

Building permits

Westmoreland County Building & Zoning

Building permits and inspections, zoning, land-use review and online permit applications

804-493-0120

[email protected]

P.O. Box 1000 Montross, VA 22520

Online permits →

Septic permits

Virginia Department of Health, Three Rivers Health District — Westmoreland County Health Department

Local Environmental Health contact for onsite sewage and private-well permits

804-493-1235

18849 King’s Highway P.O. Box 303 Montross, VA 22520

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 Westmoreland County, Virginia?

Yes. Westmoreland County requires an approved building permit before covered work begins and administers the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code through its Building and Zoning Division1. Virginia's application rule covers regulated construction, demolition and installations, and requires the application to go to the building official before work starts10. The current statewide code is the 2021 edition, effective in 202411. Qualifying farm buildings used primarily for farming and not as residences are exempt from the building code, but the exemption has restaurant, floodplain and agritourism qualifications9. Do not assume an agricultural zoning label alone makes a proposed home or outbuilding permit-free; ask Building & Zoning how the exemption applies to the actual use7.

Who handles Westmoreland County building permits, and how do you reach the office?

Westmoreland County Building & Zoning is the permit office: call 804-493-0120, email [email protected] or write to P.O. Box 1000, Montross, VA 225207. Applications may be filed through the county's Citizens' Permit Portal, and the office sends an invoice after an online application is processed7. Principal structures and projects with large or sealed plans will most likely need in-person handling at the George D. English Sr. Building12. Building applications need enough plans and documents to show compliance, including parcel dimensions, scaled building locations, utilities and drainage, and a zoning permit is required whenever a building permit is required12. Permit fees follow the local schedule and may be based on construction size, volume, estimated cost or another suitable measure13.

Does Westmoreland County have zoning?

Yes. Westmoreland County has an adopted zoning ordinance governing land use and development, with published base districts, overlay districts, use tables and supplemental regulations24. County zoning jurisdiction applies to unincorporated territory, while incorporated municipalities control zoning inside their boundaries14. The Agricultural Conservation and Rural Conservation districts cap building height at 35 feet, except for agricultural structures and other stated height exceptions15. That height limit is district-specific, not a universal answer for every parcel15. We could not confirm a general minimum dwelling size or the applicable lot-coverage limits, so ask Building & Zoning for the parcel's district, permitted use, setbacks, coverage and any overlay before designing a house7.

How do septic and well permits work in Westmoreland County?

Outside Westmoreland County's public sewer service areas, Three Rivers Health District Environmental Health evaluates whether the soil can support a private septic system and issues the required permit3. Call the Westmoreland County Health Department's Environmental Health line at 804-493-1235 or visit 18849 King’s Highway, Montross, VA 2252016. A septic construction permit is valid for 18 months, does not transfer when ownership changes, and an operation permit is needed after installation and inspection before the certificate of occupancy3. Only 12% of mapped county soils rate as free of severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so make septic feasibility an early purchase contingency rather than assuming a conventional system will fit17. Private-well construction or abandonment also needs a health-department permit, inspection and required completion records; a drinking well must produce satisfactory bacteria-free sample results6.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Westmoreland County?

We could not confirm a Westmoreland County rule that allows full-time RV occupancy on an ordinary private parcel, so ask Building & Zoning at 804-493-0120 before buying land for that plan7. The county's reviewed camping rules govern campgrounds and travel-trailer parks, including limits on stays, but those rules do not establish permission to occupy one RV as a home on a private lot18. We also could not confirm a county definition for a tiny home or a general minimum principal-dwelling size; a site-built tiny house still faces the normal building-permit and zoning reviews12. A manufactured home has a separate statewide path tied to zoning district, conversion to real property, placement on an individual lot and other conditions19. Any residential plan outside public sewer service also needs an approved sanitation path through Environmental Health3.

What are the steps to build a home in Westmoreland County?

  1. Ask Building & Zoning to identify the parcel's zoning district, overlays, setbacks and permitted residential use72.
  2. Confirm public sewer availability; otherwise have Three Rivers Environmental Health evaluate the site and issue the septic construction permit203.
  3. Secure the private-well permit if the project will not use public water6.
  4. Submit zoning and building applications with the required plans through the portal or in person as the office directs127.
  5. Obtain a VDOT land-use permit if a new or modified entrance connects to a VDOT-maintained highway21.
  6. Request the applicable building inspections before work is concealed and pass the final inspection22.
  7. Complete the septic inspection and operation permit, then obtain the certificate of occupancy before moving in323.

What should you check before buying land in Westmoreland County?

Start with zoning and septic feasibility: Westmoreland County regulates land through base and overlay districts, while only 12% of mapped soils rate as free of severe limitations for a conventional drain field417. Check flood exposure before choosing a building site because flood-prone land cannot be subdivided for residential occupancy unless each lot contains a building site free from flood or other danger24. Confirm legal access because work on a VDOT right-of-way, including a private entrance, needs a state land-use permit21. Public water and sewer exist only in specified areas, so verify availability rather than assuming service reaches the parcel20. For carrying costs, the effective property-tax rate is about 0.6%, the median annual bill is about $1,506, and farmland value averages about $5,735 per acre252627.

Watch-outs

  • A septic construction permit lasts 18 months and does not transfer to a new owner, so verify permit status during a land sale3.
  • Only 12% of mapped soils rate as free of severe limitations for a conventional drain field; an approved site evaluation matters before committing to a house location173.
  • We could not confirm a private-parcel RV occupancy rule, a tiny-home rule, a general minimum dwelling size or a general owner-builder permit exemption; ask Building & Zoning before relying on any of those assumptions78.

Sources

  1. Westmoreland County Planning & Community Development (2026 county census)
  2. Westmoreland County Planning & Community Development (2026 county census)
  3. Water & Sewer, quoted and re-checked
  4. Codes & Ordinances, quoted and re-checked
  5. Water & Sewer, quoted and re-checked
  6. Environmental Health Services - Three Rivers Health District, quoted and re-checked
  7. Westmoreland County Building & Zoning (westmoreland-county.org)
  8. (2026 county census)
  9. Code of Virginia § 36-99. Provisions of Code; modifications (Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. 13VAC5-63-80. Section 108 Application for permit (Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) (Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. Building & Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  13. 13VAC5-63-70. Section 107 Fees (Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. § 15.2-2280. Zoning ordinances generally (Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. Article 2 Base District Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  16. Virginia Department of Health, Three Rivers Health District — Westmoreland County Health Department (vdh.virginia.gov)
  17. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  18. Article 4 Supplemental Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  19. § 15.2-2290. Uniform regulations for manufactured housing (Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. Water & Sewer, quoted and re-checked
  21. Land use permits (Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. 13VAC5-63-130. Section 113 Inspections (Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  23. 13VAC5-63-160. Section 116 Certificates of occupancy (Virginia statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  24. Westmoreland County Subdivision Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  25. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  26. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  27. Farmland value per acre (USDA census): 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

Westmoreland County in Virginia

63
County map
Westmoreland County highlighted among the Virginia counties · colored by Index score

How Westmoreland County scores

Seclusion40100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency61100% ev.
Admin Boringness3990% ev.
Durability68100% ev.
Property Autonomy66100% ev.
Carry Cost75100% 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 →

$316kTypical home
0.6%Property tax
$5,735Land / acre
45.2"Annual rain
1.9% of yrsSevere drought
7 / yr (+6.4)Mid-century 100°F days
13.2 daysMid-century dry spell
2.16" (+5.7%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.45×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,504Home insurance / yr
2.1% / yrInsurance growth
1.36%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
2,580,278People within 2 hr
37,494Radius comparison (15 mi)
82.9People / sq mi
0.5%Federal land
78.8%Land at 15% slope or less
12%Septic soil without severe limits
15,470 acWorkable land screen
59.9%Wooded land
72.4 tonsBiomass / forest ac
57.8°FAvg temp

Scout Westmoreland 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 Westmoreland 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 Westmoreland County

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

Westmoreland County rules

  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Westmoreland County zoning districts and overlay districts.

    • The county publishes Article 2 Base Districts and Article 3 Overlay Districts, along with a table of uses and supplemental regulations.
    “Article 2 - Base Districts (PDF) [...] Article 3 - Overlay Districts (PDF)”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Buildings in the Agricultural Conservation and Rural Conservation zoning districts.

    • The AC and RC districts limit building height to 35 feet, except for agricultural structures and other height exceptions provided in Article 1.

    maximum building height: <= 35 feet (agricultural structures and Article 1 height exceptions)

    “Thirty-five (35) feet, except for agricultural structures.”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Campgrounds and travel-trailer parks regulated by the Westmoreland County Zoning Ordinance.

    • Campgrounds and travel-trailer parks must be permitted in the applicable zoning district.
    • Tent campgrounds require at least ten acres, 100-foot setbacks, State and local health compliance, potable water, communal toilet and bathing facilities, and may not allow travel trailers or other residential vehicles.
    • Travel-trailer parks require at least ten acres, 100-foot perimeter setbacks, a paved state-maintained road with 200 feet of frontage, health compliance, and sanitary facilities.

    minimum tent-campground lot size: >= 10 acres · minimum travel-trailer-park lot size: >= 10 acres · maximum travel-trailer stay: <= 14 consecutive days

    “minimum lot size requirement shall be ten (10) acres.”
  • Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

    Onsite sewage and private-well regulation serving Westmoreland County through the Three Rivers Health District.

    • The local Health Department's Environmental Health Division handles the permit process; state and local health requirements also apply.
    “Three Rivers Health District-Environmental Health Services”
  • Septic permitRequired

    New private septic systems outside Westmoreland County public sewer service areas.

    • Three Rivers Health District Environmental Health Services must determine whether soil supports a septic system.
    • A Septic Permit from the Health Department's Environmental Health Division is required before installation.
    • Construction permits authorize construction at a certain location, are valid for 18 months, and do not transfer with a change in ownership.
    • An Operation Permit is needed after installation and inspection to receive a Certificate of Occupancy.

    construction permit validity: 18 months (does not transfer with a change in property ownership)

    “Construction Permits authorize the construction”
  • Well permitRequired

    Private wells in Westmoreland County administered through Three Rivers Health District.

    • Private well construction or abandonment requires a permit.
    • Before approval for use, the well must be inspected by the local Health Department; the Health Department must receive a GW-2 report; drinking wells require satisfactory bacteria-free water-sample results.
    • The fee is $300; replacing an older well may qualify for a refund after the abandonment report is received.

    private well construction or abandonment permit fee: 300 USD (replacement-well refund available when the older-well abandonment report is received)

    “Private well construction or abandonment permit”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Properties in Westmoreland County public water and sewer service areas, including specified areas served by the County and the Towns of Montross and Colonial Beach.

    • Public water and sewer are available only in specified areas.
    • Outside public sewer areas, a private septic system is required.
    • For a new sewer connection, the applicant must confirm availability, submit a Sewer Request Form and $35 application fee per parcel, pay connection fees, obtain a building permit before construction, use a licensed engineer for installation and inspection, and obtain final approval before activation.

    sewer request application fee: 35 USD per parcel (connection fees also apply)

    “application fee ($35.00) for each parcel.”
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    Residential subdivision development on land subject to flooding.

    • Flood-prone land may not be subdivided for residential occupancy unless each lot contains sufficient land for a building site free from flood or other danger.
    • The ordinance also addresses uses that may increase danger to health, life, or property or aggravate erosion or flood hazard.
    “land subject to flooding shall not be subdivided”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    County building and zoning permit applications.

    • Applications may be submitted through the Citizens' Permit Portal.
    • Applications for principal structures and projects requiring large or sealed plans will most likely need to be handled in person.
    • Building-permit applications require plans and documents sufficient to determine compliance, including parcel dimensions, scale drawings, building locations, utilities, drainage, and the applicable fee.
    • A zoning permit is required whenever a building permit is required.
    “Permit applications may be submitted online”
  • Building permitRequired

    County Building and Zoning Division administers building permits and enforces the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code; an approved permit from the building official is required before covered work begins.

    Westmoreland County Planning & Community Development ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

  • County-wide zoningPresent

    County has a Building and Zoning Division and an adopted Zoning Ordinance governing land use and development.

    Westmoreland County Planning & Community Development ↗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.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Construction or permits subject to the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, with inspections administered by the applicable local building official or approved inspection agency.

    • The building official must conduct the listed minimum inspections when applicable to the construction or permit.
    • The minimum inspections include footings, foundations, preparatory concrete work, structural members and fasteners before concealment, electrical/mechanical/plumbing systems before concealment, energy-conservation materials before concealment, and final inspection.
    • Where construction cost is less than $2,500, an inspection may be waived at the inspecting authority's discretion.
    • The permit holder must provide ladders, scaffolding, or test equipment necessary for a requested inspection and must notify the building official when an inspection stage is reached.
    • Approved third-party inspection reports may be accepted under the building official's written policy.
    • A final inspection is required upon completion of construction for which a permit was issued.

    construction cost threshold for discretionary inspection waiver: < 2500 USD (inspection may be waived at the discretion of the inspecting authority)

    “The following minimum inspections shall be conducted by the building official when applicable to the construction or permit:”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

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

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

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

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

    Placement and occupancy of manufactured homes in Virginia localities that adopt and enforce zoning ordinances.

    • In agricultural zoning districts, or similarly classified districts where agricultural, horticultural, or forest uses are dominant and site-built housing is allowed, placement of manufactured homes must be permitted.
    • In other zoning districts where site-built housing is allowed, the manufactured home must be converted to real property under § 46.2-653.1, have its certificate of occupancy issued within five years following the manufacture date on the data plate, and be placed on an individual lot.
    • Localities may adopt uniform standards applying to all residential structures in the zoning district, but those standards may not exclude manufactured housing compliant with the Virginia Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Law.
    • Restrictive covenants may continue to impose obligations.
    • Local zoning and land-use controls that do not affect construction or installation remain in force; site preparation, utility connections, skirting, and maintenance must meet the Uniform Statewide Building Code.

    certificate of occupancy deadline from manufacture date: <= 5 years (date listed on the home's data plate) · placement requirement: individual lots

    “the placement of manufactured homes shall be permitted for manufactured homes that are (i) converted to real property in accordance with § 46.2-653.1”
  • 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.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision of land and its development in every Virginia locality.

    • The governing body of every locality must adopt the ordinance; the resulting subdivision controls are administered through the applicable locality's ordinance.
    “The governing body of every locality shall adopt an ordinance to assure the orderly subdivision of land and its development.”
  • 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.”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Residential dwelling use as a short-term rental in Virginia.

    • Existing local authority to regulate short-term rentals through general land-use and zoning authority is preserved.
    • A locality may adopt a registration ordinance, and a registration ordinance may impose a penalty up to $500 per violation for an operator required to register.
    • A locality may limit a lessee or sublessee to one short-term rental within the locality.
    • For a residential dwelling also legally occupied by the property owner as the primary residence, a local ordinance enacted after December 31, 2023, or a later amendment, may not require a special exception, special use, or conditional use permit for short-term rental use.
    • Private contracts, condominium instruments, common-interest-community declarations, cooperative instruments, and property-owners-association declarations are not superseded.

    registration penalty: <= 500 USD per violation (Only where a locality adopts a registry ordinance and the operator is required to register.) · owner-occupied primary residence special-use permit prohibition date: > 2023-12-31 (Applies to local ordinances enacted after this date or subsequent amendments.)

    “Except as provided in this section, nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit, limit, or otherwise supersede existing local authority to regulate the short-term rental of property through general land use and zoning authority.”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Virginia counties adopting and administering zoning ordinances over unincorporated territory statewide.

    • The zoning power is exercised by county governing bodies through ordinance.
    • County zoning jurisdiction covers unincorporated territory; incorporated areas are under municipal jurisdiction.
    • The statute permits regulation of land uses, structures, dimensional standards, open spaces, and excavation or mining, including residential and flood-plain uses.
    “For the purpose of zoning, the governing body of a county shall have jurisdiction over all the unincorporated territory in the county, and the governing body of a municipality shall have jurisdiction over the incorporated area of the municipality.”
  • county building authorityGeneral

    Virginia counties administering and enforcing the Uniform Statewide Building Code and issuing building permits for construction, including residential construction, in county jurisdiction.

    • Virginia's building code is a Uniform Statewide Building Code adopted by the State Board; it supersedes county building codes and regulations.
    • The county's role is local administration and enforcement through a local building department, not independent adoption of a conflicting county building code.
    • A county without a building department or local board of Building Code appeals must enter an agreement with another county, municipality, agency, or approved state agency for enforcement and appeals.
    • A town with a population of less than 3,500 may elect to administer and enforce the Building Code; if it does not, the county administers and enforces the Code for that town.
    • Buildings may be inspected before completion and are not deemed compliant until approved by the inspecting authority; inspections under $2,500 construction cost may be waived at the inspecting authority's discretion.
    • Building permit and enforcement fees may be levied by the local governing body.
    • Farm buildings and structures are exempt from the Building Code except for a farm building or portion operated as a licensed restaurant; farm buildings in flood plains or mudslide-prone areas remain subject to applicable flood-proofing or mudslide regulations.

    small-town population threshold: < 3500 people (The town may elect to administer and enforce the Building Code; otherwise the county administers it for the town.) · inspection-waiver construction cost threshold: < 2500 USD (The inspecting authority may waive inspection at its discretion.)

    “Enforcement of the provisions of the Building Code for construction and rehabilitation shall be the responsibility of the local building department. [...] Whenever a county or a municipality does not have such a building department or board of Building Code appeals, the local governing body shall enter into an agreement with the local governing body of another county or municipality or with some other agency, or a state agency approved by the Department for such enforcement and appeals resulting therefrom.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemptions from building-permit or contractor requirements.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in Westmoreland County zoning districts.
  • Lot coverage — Lot-coverage requirements in Westmoreland County zoning districts.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy in Westmoreland County.
  • Off-grid sanitation — Off-grid sanitation systems in Westmoreland County.

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Water rights & wells in Westmoreland 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 Westmoreland County, Virginia

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

Westmoreland County scores 63/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and mixed durability signals. Watch-outs: more administrative friction around building and land use and about 37,494 people within 15 miles.

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

Westmoreland 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 (Environmental 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 Westmoreland County, Virginia?

Land in Westmoreland County runs about $5,735 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Westmoreland County?

Westmoreland County gets about 45.2" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 1.9% of years. On water rights, Westmoreland 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 Westmoreland County?

A typical private-land location has about 37,494 people within 15 miles and 12,232,669 within 100 miles. These radius catchments are the published fallback where road routing is unavailable.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Westmoreland 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 Westmoreland compares in Virginia

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