Building Permit Information


Planning a new home remodeling project or repairing an appliance?   Do you need a permit? The following information might help you decide.

This page has been prepared as a guide for homeowners. It lists several jobs that a homeowner might undertake himself and indicates whether permits or plans (drawings) are required by the Big Stone Gap Building Department.

A homeowner occupying his own dwelling may perform all ordinary repairs and construction work on the dwelling. Ordinary repairs do not require a permit. Jobs listed as requiring a permit may be performed only after securing a permit.

Where a permit or the filing of plans is required, the requirement is a matter of the state law. Its purpose is to protect you, your family and your neighbors from the effects of repairs or additions which violate building codes and could cause fire or other hazards to life and property.

Please Note:  This information is provided as a guide only.   Please contact the Big Stone Gap Building Official at 276-523-0115 ext 104 if you have any questions.
Abbreviation Key:
B--Building P--Plumbing E--Electrical M--Mechanical N--Not Required

I -- ACCESSORY BUILDINGS

PERMITS

 PLANS
Build storage shed more than 150 sq. ft.. B N
Erect storage shed 150 sq. ft. or less N N
Build storage shed attached to carport B B
Erect farm building N N

 

2--HOME IMPROVEMENT & REPAIR PROJECTS

PERMITS

 PLANS
Install exterior siding

N

N
Paint

N

N
Replacing Roof. (Shingles, tin, steele only)

N

N
Patching Roof 

N

N
Putting Up Storm Windows

N

N
Install Rugs

N

N
Install Insulation

N

N
Repairing & Lining Closets

N

N
Panel Interior Walls Without Any Partitions

N

N
Put Up Partitions and Finish Rec Room

B

N
Install Prefabricated Fireplace

M

M
Build Masonry Chimneys for Stove

B

B
Build Masonry Fireplace

B

B
Construct An Entranceway Into a Basement

B

B
Construct, Dig or Enlarge a Basement Under Existing Dwelling

B

B
Minor Porch Repairs'

N

N
Build Patio on Grade

N

N
Put Up Canvas Patio Cover

N

N
Build Above Grade Patio

B

B
Build Patio Covers

B

B
Screen In an Existing Porch (if roofed)

N

N
Enclose Carport

B

B
Build or Replace Porch or Deck

B

B
Repair Steps

N

N
Relocate Stairs

B

B
Install Attic Pull-down Stairs

B

B
Build Dormers

B

B
Lay a Hardwood or Asphalt Tile Floor On A Sub Floor

N

N
Install Kitchen Cabinets

N

N
Fill In Space Between Kitchen Cabinets and Ceiling

N

N

 

2--HOME IMPROVEMENT & REPAIR PROJECTS--Plumbing

PERMITS

 PLANS
Install New Sink

P

N
Install Toilet Where Plumbing Is Roughed-in

P

N
Repair Leak In Water Closet

N

N
Replace Water Closet

P

N
Replace Water Faucet

N

N
Install Sump Pump

EP

N
Install Cleanout in Building Sewer

P

N
Thaw Frozen Pipes

N

N
Unplug a Sewer

N

N
Repair Leak in Outside Underground Water Pipe

P

N
Repair Leak in Gas Pipe

P

N
Repair Leak in Water Pipe

N

N

 

2--HOME IMPROVEMENT & REPAIR PROJECTS--Electrical

PERMITS

 PLANS
Replace Switch Plates

N

N
Replace Outlet Plates

N

N
Replace Junction Box Covers

N

N
Replace Electrical Wiring

E

N
Relocating Switches

E

N
Relocating Outlets

E

N
Relocating Lighting Fixtures

E

N
Relocating Sub Panels

E

N
Relocating Service Changes or Changing Services

E

N
Installing Smoke Detectors (permanently wired in)

E

N
Installing Smoke Detectors (battery operated)

N

N
Installing Smoke Detectors (plug-in)

N

N
Replace Switches

N

N
Replace Outlets

N

N
Replace Light Fixtures with same style fixture & equivalent wattage

N

N
Replace Light Fixtures with different style fixture and/or more wattage

E

N
Replace Circuit Breakers (plug type only)

N

N
Replace Fuses

N

N

 

3--APPLIANCES-REPAIRS

PERMITS

 PLANS
Repair Dishwasher (not portable)

N

N
Repair Garbage Disposal N N
Repair Electric Range N N
Repair Oven N N
Repair Water Heater N N
Repair Garbage Compactors

N

N
Repair Air Conditioning (compressor replacement)

EM

N
Repair Heat Pump (compressor replacement)

EM

N
Repair Well Water Pump

N

N
Repair Humidifier

N

N
Repair Boiler (welding of)

M

N
Repair Warm Air Heating Equipment (gas, oil, etc.-heat exchanges)

M

M
Repair Portable Heating Appliance

N

N
Repair Portable Ventilating Equipment

N

N
Repair Portable Cooling Unit N N
Repair Electronic Air Cleaner N N
Repair Attic Fan N N
Repair Oil Furnace N N
Repair Gas Furnace N N
Repair Electric Furnace N N

 

4--APPLIANCES--INSTALLATION

PERMITS

 PLANS
Install Dishwasher (not portable)

EP

N
Install Garbage Disposal

EP

N
Install Electric Range

E

N
Install Gas Range

P

N
Install Oven (electrical)

E

N
Install Oven (gas)

P

N
Install Water Heater (electric)

EP

N
Install Water Heater (gas)

P

N
Install Garbage Compactors

E

N
Install Electric Air Conditioning

EM

N
Install Gas Air Conditioning

PM

N
Install Heat Pump

EM

N
Install Well Water Pump

E

N
Install Humidifier

EP

N

 

5--MISCELLANEOUS

PERMITS

 PLANS
Build Retaining Walls More Than 2 Feet High B B
Build Retaining Walls Less Than 2 Feet High N N
Construct Non-Masonry Fence N N
Build Brick or Block Privacy Wall B B
Construct Elevated Tennis Court B B
Construct Tennis Court on Grade N N
Construct Outdoor Barbecue N N
Install Outdoor Gas Barbecue P N
Demolish Buildings Not Connected to public sewer B N
Demolish Buildings Connected to public sewer BP N
Install Swimming Pool BEP B
Erect Trellis or Grape Arbor N N
Install Solar Heating System (no fee required) MBEP N
Erect Freestanding Radio or TV Antenna Over 20 Feet B B
Erect Freestanding Flagpole N N