The Roofing Book

Permitting Authorities / Halifax County - Building Code Enforcement

Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Halifax County, VA?

Adopted code

Halifax County - Building Code Enforcement

The building code office of Halifax County, Virginia, at the County offices in the Town of Halifax. It issues building and trade permits and enforces the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. The County's building permit application lets the applicant mark the job as in Halifax County, the Town of Halifax or the Town of South Boston, with "(Zoning Permit Included)" beside each town.

Roof code checklist: Halifax County, VA

ItemAnswerCode citeSourceVerified
Permit to replace a roofNot published
Repair permit thresholdPublished2021-virginia-construction-code.pdf2026-09-26
Layer limit / roof-overNot published
Deck & sheathingPublishedR803law.lis.virginia.gov2026-09-26
Drip edgeNot published
Ice & water shieldNot published
Mid-roof inspectionNot published
Impact-resistant (Class 4) roofingNolaw.lis.virginia.gov2026-09-26
Wind design criteriaNot published
Adopted codePublishedSec. 310.6.1law.lis.virginia.gov2026-09-26
Contractor license / registrationYeslaw.lis.virginia.gov2026-09-26
Sales & use taxPublishedtax.virginia.gov2026-09-26

Each row comes from the sourced record on this page; full wording is in the table below. "Not published" means no official source for that item was found when the record was last verified.

Jurisdiction
Halifax County, Virginia
Jurisdiction type
county
Address
1050 Mary Bethune Street, Halifax, VA 24558
Contact
  • url: https://www.halifaxcountyva.gov/174/Building-Code-Enforcement
  • phone: 434-476-3300
Contractor registration required
Required
Registration details
  • state_level: Virginia licenses contractors through the Board for Contractors. Va. Code 54.1-1100, as amended by 2025 Acts ch. 127: "'Class C contractors' perform or manage construction, removal, repair, or improvements when (i) the total value referred to in a single contract or project is over $1,000 but less than $30,000, or (ii) the total value of all such construction, removal, repair, or improvements undertaken by such person within any 12-month period is less than $250,000." Classes A and B cover larger contracts. Roofing is licensed under the Roofing Contracting (ROC) specialty, defined in 18VAC50-22-30 as "the service that provides for the installation, repair, removal, or improvement of materials common to the industry that form a watertight, weather resistant surface for roofs and decks", which also says "The CBC and RBC classifications and the HIC and CIC specialties also provide for this function." Va. Code 54.1-1101 A lists who the chapter does not apply to, including "7. Any person who performs or supervises 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"; this record does not decide whether any reader falls within an exemption. Va. Code 54.1-1111 A requires a permit applicant to furnish "satisfactory proof to such official or authority that he is duly licensed or certified under the terms of this chapter to carry out or superintend the same, or (ii) file a written statement that he is not subject to licensure or certification as a contractor or subcontractor pursuant to this chapter."
  • county_level: Halifax County's Building Permit Application asks for each contractor's "VA Contr. License #" and "Bus. Lic. #", and carries an "OWNERS AFFIDAVIT (COMPLETE IF APPLICANT IS NOT LICENSED CONTRACTOR)": "I affirm that I am the owner of the property described in this application and that I am familiar with the prerequisites of Section 54.1-111 of the Code of Virginia, as amended, and I am not subject to licensure as a contractor or subcontractor. I am also aware that it is a VIOLATION of State Law to hire or award a contract to an unlicensed contractor." The affidavit "MUST BE NOTARIZED IF OWNER DOES NOT PRESENT IN PERSON". A change of contractor on an open permit goes on the County's Contractor Change Form, which asks for the new contractor's license number and needs building official approval. Separately, the County levies a business license tax on contractors (County Code Sec. 20-530: "Every person engaged in contracting and subcontracting ... shall pay for the privilege an annual fee" and an "annual license tax of $50.00 plus $0.11 per $100.00 of gross receipts in excess of $200,000.00"), and Sec. 20-532 lists "Roofing and tinning" among contracting trades; that is a business license, not a contractor credential. The County sets no roofing licence, bond or registration of its own.
Permit process note
Virginia Construction Code Section 108.2 (2021 USBC), item 14.5: "Replacement of an unlimited amount of roof covering or siding in Group R-3, R-4 or R-5 provided the building or structure is not in an area where the nominal design wind speed is greater than 100 miles per hour (44.7 meters per second) and replacement of 100 square feet (9.29 m2) or less of roof covering in all groups and all wind zones." Item 14.6: "Replacement of 256 square feet (23.78 m2) or less of roof decking in Group R-3, R-4 or R-5 unless the decking to be replaced was required at the time or original construction to be fire-retardant-treated or protected in some other way to form a fire-rated wall termination." Exceptions: "1. Application for a permit may be required by the building official for the installation of replacement siding, roofing and windows in buildings within a historic district designated by a locality pursuant to Section 15.2-2306 of the Code of Virginia." "2. Application for a permit may be required by the building official for any items exempted in this section which are located in a special flood hazard area." An owner may still ask for a permit: "when an owner or an owner's agent requests that a permit be issued for any of the following, then a permit shall be issued and any related inspections shall be required." Halifax County's codified text: County Code Sec. 8-5(a)(1) states that a permit "shall be issued by the building official before any of the following actions" may be commenced, including "Constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, or demolishing a building or structure", with an exception for "Ordinary repairs, as defined in section 8-2". Sec. 8-2 states "Ordinary repairs that do not involve any violation of the USBC shall be exempt from building permit requirements" and says "The term "ordinary repairs" shall mean the replacement of the following materials with like materials", listing "Roofing when not exceeding 100 square feet of roof area". The County's list names roofing only up to 100 square feet, a narrower line than item 14.5's unlimited replacement of roof covering on a house outside the areas the item's wind condition excludes; the County publishes no design wind speed and no statement on whether a house reroof needs a permit, so this record does not say whether an ordinary reroof of a house needs a permit in Halifax County, and a roofer should ask the County's Building Code Enforcement office before starting. Sec. 8-5(f) states that starting work before a required permit "shall result in a permit fee payment equivalent to two times the fee required"; the County's residential fee schedule lists "Starting work without permit(maximum $250.00 fine portion)" at "double fee" with a $75.00 minimum, and has no roofing line. Applications use the County's Building Permit Application Form, filed at the Building Code Enforcement office, 1050 Mary Bethune Street, Halifax (mailing address P.O. Box 699, Halifax, VA 24558), by fax to 434-476-3384, or by email to the permit staff named on the form; phone 434-476-3300. The office's page states "PLEASE ALLOW A MINIMUM OF 10 BUSINESS DAYS FOR BUILDING PERMITS TO BE PROCESSED." and "Permit Applications will not be processed after 4:30 pm".
Adopted code
The 2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC, 13VAC5-63), effective January 18, 2024, applies in Halifax County. For detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses, Virginia Construction Code Section 310.6.1 applies "The provisions of the IRC for detached one-family and two-family dwellings and townhouses as amended by VCC Section 310.8, also referred to as the Virginia Residential Code (VRC)"; work on existing buildings falls under the Virginia Existing Building Code (USBC Part II). Va. Code 36-98 provides that the USBC "shall supersede the building codes and regulations of the counties, municipalities and other political subdivisions and state agencies". Halifax County Code Sec. 8-1 states that the USBC "shall control all matters concerning the design, construction, alteration, addition, enlargement, repair, removal, demolition, conversion, use, location, occupancy and maintenance of all buildings and structures in the county", without naming an edition. The County's Building Code Enforcement page, read on September 26, 2026, states "Halifax County enforces the current version of the Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) of Virginia (2018)." The 2018 edition it names was replaced statewide by the 2021 edition on January 18, 2024; the same page links to the state's codes under the label "2021 Current Codes". As read on September 26, 2026, a 2024 edition of the USBC is in rulemaking and has not been adopted.
Impact-resistant roofing
Not required — Neither the 2021 Virginia Residential Code amendments (Virginia Construction Code Section 310.8, 13VAC5-63) nor Halifax County's own building provisions (County Code Chapter 8, Buildings and Building Regulations) contain a UL 2218 or Class 4 impact rating requirement for roof coverings, and the County's building permit application, fee schedules and building code page add none; no such requirement appears in the state code or in the County's code.
Repair permit threshold
Virginia Construction Code Section 108.2 (2021 USBC), item 14.5: "Replacement of an unlimited amount of roof covering or siding in Group R-3, R-4 or R-5 provided the building or structure is not in an area where the nominal design wind speed is greater than 100 miles per hour (44.7 meters per second) and replacement of 100 square feet (9.29 m2) or less of roof covering in all groups and all wind zones." Item 14.6: "Replacement of 256 square feet (23.78 m2) or less of roof decking in Group R-3, R-4 or R-5 unless the decking to be replaced was required at the time or original construction to be fire-retardant-treated or protected in some other way to form a fire-rated wall termination." Exceptions: "1. Application for a permit may be required by the building official for the installation of replacement siding, roofing and windows in buildings within a historic district designated by a locality pursuant to Section 15.2-2306 of the Code of Virginia." "2. Application for a permit may be required by the building official for any items exempted in this section which are located in a special flood hazard area." An owner may still ask for a permit: "when an owner or an owner's agent requests that a permit be issued for any of the following, then a permit shall be issued and any related inspections shall be required." Halifax County's codified text: County Code Sec. 8-5(a)(1) states that a permit "shall be issued by the building official before any of the following actions" may be commenced, including "Constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, or demolishing a building or structure", with an exception for "Ordinary repairs, as defined in section 8-2". Sec. 8-2 states "Ordinary repairs that do not involve any violation of the USBC shall be exempt from building permit requirements" and says "The term "ordinary repairs" shall mean the replacement of the following materials with like materials", listing "Roofing when not exceeding 100 square feet of roof area". The County's list names roofing only up to 100 square feet, a narrower line than item 14.5's unlimited replacement of roof covering on a house outside the areas the item's wind condition excludes; the County publishes no design wind speed and no statement on whether a house reroof needs a permit, so this record does not say whether an ordinary reroof of a house needs a permit in Halifax County, and a roofer should ask the County's Building Code Enforcement office before starting. Replacing more than 256 square feet of decking needs a permit. Starting permit work without a required permit costs double the permit fee: Sec. 8-5(f) states it "shall result in a permit fee payment equivalent to two times the fee required", and the County's residential fee schedule (July 1, 2017) lists "Starting work without permit(maximum $250.00 fine portion)" at "double fee" with a $75.00 minimum. That fee schedule has no roofing line.
Deck & sheathing requirements
Halifax County enforces the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code and has no technical building code of its own. Virginia's residential amendments (Virginia Construction Code Section 310.8) make no change to the roof sheathing provisions of the IRC (Section R803), so those provisions apply as the model code states them; Halifax County Code Chapter 8 adds nothing on roof decking. For permits, see the 256 square foot decking line in the permit threshold.
Sales & use tax
6.3% general sales and use tax in Halifax County, per Virginia Tax's "Sales and Use Tax Rates by Locality" workbook, "January 1, 2026 - Present" block (Halifax, code 51083, General Sales 0.063). It is made up of the 4.3% state rate (Va. Code 58.1-603), the County's 1% local sales tax (County Code Sec. 20-68: "A local general retail sales tax at the rate of one percent to provide revenue for the general fund for the county is hereby levied.") and an additional 1% for schools (County Code Sec. 20-70: "an additional general retail sales tax, at a rate of one percent, to provide revenue solely for the construction or renovation of schools", which "shall expire on June 30, 2050"), levied under Va. Code 58.1-605.1. Under 23VAC10-210-410, "the law treats every contractor as the user or consumer of all tangible personal property furnished to the contractor or by the contractor in connection with real property construction, reconstruction, installation, repair, and similar contracts" and a contractor "does not pass the sales or use tax on to anyone else as a tax". A roofer pays the tax on materials when buying them, whether the job is a repair or a replacement; the rate above is the roofer's cost basis on materials, not a tax charged to the homeowner.

More roof permit pages in Virginia

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Hail reports near the center of Halifax County, VA

Reports, last 24 months
0
Largest, last 24 months
None
Most recent
None in 24 months
Reports, last 5 years
5
5 most recent reports, last 5 years
DateHail sizeDistance
Jul 3, 20231.00 in7 mi E
Jun 16, 20231.00 in4 mi SE
May 6, 20221.00 in10 mi S
May 3, 20221.00 in3 mi SSE
May 1, 20221.00 in5 mi WSW

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database and daily storm reports (reports since the start of the current year are preliminary), within 10 miles of the center of Halifax County, VA. Data through Sep 30, 2026. A report is an observation, not a damage record.

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Sources

Roofing questions: Halifax County, VA

When does a roof repair need a permit in Halifax County, VA?

Virginia Construction Code Section 108.2 (2021 USBC), item 14.5: "Replacement of an unlimited amount of roof covering or siding in Group R-3, R-4 or R-5 provided the building or structure is not in an area where the nominal design wind speed is greater than 100 miles per hour (44.7 meters per second) and replacement of 100 square feet (9.29 m2) or less of roof covering in all groups and all wind zones." Item 14.6: "Replacement of 256 square feet (23.78 m2) or less of roof decking in Group R-3, R-4 or R-5 unless the decking to be replaced was required at the time or original construction to be fire-retardant-treated or protected in some other way to form a fire-rated wall termination." Exceptions: "1. Application for a permit may be required by the building official for the installation of replacement siding, roofing and windows in buildings within a historic district designated by a locality pursuant to Section 15.2-2306 of the Code of Virginia." "2. Application for a permit may be required by the building official for any items exempted in this section which are located in a special flood hazard area." An owner may still ask for a permit: "when an owner or an owner's agent requests that a permit be issued for any of the following, then a permit shall be issued and any related inspections shall be required." Halifax County's codified text: County Code Sec. 8-5(a)(1) states that a permit "shall be issued by the building official before any of the following actions" may be commenced, including "Constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, or demolishing a building or structure", with an exception for "Ordinary repairs, as defined in section 8-2". Sec. 8-2 states "Ordinary repairs that do not involve any violation of the USBC shall be exempt from building permit requirements" and says "The term "ordinary repairs" shall mean the replacement of the following materials with like materials", listing "Roofing when not exceeding 100 square feet of roof area". The County's list names roofing only up to 100 square feet, a narrower line than item 14.5's unlimited replacement of roof covering on a house outside the areas the item's wind condition excludes; the County publishes no design wind speed and no statement on whether a house reroof needs a permit, so this record does not say whether an ordinary reroof of a house needs a permit in Halifax County, and a roofer should ask the County's Building Code Enforcement office before starting. Replacing more than 256 square feet of decking needs a permit. Starting permit work without a required permit costs double the permit fee: Sec. 8-5(f) states it "shall result in a permit fee payment equivalent to two times the fee required", and the County's residential fee schedule (July 1, 2017) lists "Starting work without permit(maximum $250.00 fine portion)" at "double fee" with a $75.00 minimum. That fee schedule has no roofing line.

Do roofing contractors need a license or registration in Halifax County, VA?

Yes.

What building code does Halifax County, VA use?

The 2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC, 13VAC5-63), effective January 18, 2024, applies in Halifax County. For detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses, Virginia Construction Code Section 310.6.1 applies "The provisions of the IRC for detached one-family and two-family dwellings and townhouses as amended by VCC Section 310.8, also referred to as the Virginia Residential Code (VRC)"; work on existing buildings falls under the Virginia Existing Building Code (USBC Part II). Va. Code 36-98 provides that the USBC "shall supersede the building codes and regulations of the counties, municipalities and other political subdivisions and state agencies". Halifax County Code Sec. 8-1 states that the USBC "shall control all matters concerning the design, construction, alteration, addition, enlargement, repair, removal, demolition, conversion, use, location, occupancy and maintenance of all buildings and structures in the county", without naming an edition. The County's Building Code Enforcement page, read on September 26, 2026, states "Halifax County enforces the current version of the Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) of Virginia (2018)." The 2018 edition it names was replaced statewide by the 2021 edition on January 18, 2024; the same page links to the state's codes under the label "2021 Current Codes". As read on September 26, 2026, a 2024 edition of the USBC is in rulemaking and has not been adopted.