Permits for Midlothian come from Chesterfield County Building Inspection, 804-751-4990, through the ELM portal. Zoning questions go to Planning, 804-748-1050.
Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. Rules and contacts come from Chesterfield County’s Building Inspection and Planning departments.
Midlothian has no town government, so every permit and zoning decision is made by Chesterfield County. Building permits come from the county’s Building Inspection department; zoning, rezoning and site plans go through the Planning Department, the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors. Both offices are at 9800 Government Center Parkway in Chesterfield.
Who to call
- Building permits and inspections: 804-751-4990
- Zoning and planning: 804-748-1050, planning@chesterfield.gov
- Code complaints (Community Enhancement): 804-748-1500
- Apply online: ELM citizen access portal
Apply online
The county’s Enterprise Land Management (ELM) portal handles permits, zoning applications, utility connections and code enforcement, 24 hours a day. Through it you can:
- apply for permits and pay fees
- request inspections up to five business days ahead
- cancel an inspection by 11:59 p.m. the day before
- look up plan review and inspection results
Fees are listed in the county’s residential fee schedule (PDF). The county takes cash, check and major credit cards.
What needs a permit
The county’s residential permits page says a permit is required before you build, enlarge, alter or demolish a structure. Common projects that need one:
- building, adding to or structurally repairing a deck, porch, steps or ramp
- a tool shed 257 square feet or larger
- finishing an attic, basement or room over a garage
- turning a deck or porch into a sunroom
- a pool, hot tub or spa over 150 square feet, 5,000 gallons and 24 inches deep
- new heating and air equipment (a like-for-like electric heat pump swap is exempt)
- most gas appliance work, including water heaters, furnaces and gas logs
What does not
The county lists work on single-family homes that needs no permit, though it must still meet code:
- replacing porch or deck flooring and handrails (structural parts need a permit)
- a shed, playhouse or similar building of 256 square feet or less
- a fence, unless it is a pool barrier (check your subdivision covenants)
- landscaping retaining walls holding back less than 36 inches of soil
After the permit is issued
The permit must be posted on site, readable from the street, until the work is done. The stamped plans must be on site for every inspection. Permits stay valid for six months from the last activity; reinstating an expired permit costs $57. Refunds are possible in writing if no inspection has happened, minus 25% of the fee or $57 for a residential permit, whichever is greater.
The county posts daily and monthly permit reports if you want to see what is being built near you.
Zoning and rezoning
Before you file, call Planning at 804-748-1050 to talk to a planner. The county’s zoning process page lays out the steps:
- A pre-application meeting with a case manager.
- An online application through ELM.
- Review by the county and state Technical Review Committee.
- A community meeting, if the district planning commissioner calls one.
- A Planning Commission public hearing and recommendation.
- A Board of Supervisors public hearing and decision.
The county estimates the process takes at least four months. Before each hearing, the case is advertised in a local newspaper 21 days ahead, a sign goes up on the property 21 days ahead, and neighbors are mailed a notice at least 15 days ahead.
To see what is zoned where, use the county’s zoning and development map and the pending planning cases map.
Who decides, and when they meet
| Body | When and where |
|---|---|
| Planning Commission | Normally the third Tuesday, 6 p.m., Public Meeting Room, 10001 Iron Bridge Road |
| Board of Zoning Appeals | First Wednesday, noon, same room |
| Board of Supervisors | Zoning cases monthly; agendas on the county’s CivicClerk portal |
The Planning Commission has five members, one per district. Midlothian’s commissioner is Frank Petroski, the vice chair, 804-496-1582, petroskif@chesterfield.gov. The Board of Zoning Appeals, appointed by the Circuit Court, hears variances and special exceptions; its Midlothian District member is P. Thomas DiStanislao, 804-807-7380.
You can comment on a case in person at the hearing or with the county’s online public comment form.
A big hearing this week
The Planning Commission holds its public hearing on PlanMod, the rewrite of the county’s comprehensive plan, on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, according to the Planning Department. The comprehensive plan guides future land use and zoning decisions across the county, including Midlothian. The draft is on the county’s PlanMod page.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Who issues building permits in Midlothian, Virginia?
Chesterfield County Building Inspection, at 9800 Government Center Parkway in Chesterfield. Apply online through the county’s Enterprise Land Management (ELM) portal or call 804-751-4990.
Do I need a permit for a fence in Chesterfield County?
Not usually. The county says a fence needs a building permit only if it serves as a swimming pool barrier. Check your subdivision covenants, which may have their own rules.
Do I need a permit for a shed in Chesterfield County?
A shed or playhouse of 256 square feet or less does not need a building permit. A tool shed 257 square feet or larger does.
When does the Chesterfield Planning Commission meet?
At least once a month, normally the third Tuesday, at 6 p.m. in the Public Meeting Room at 10001 Iron Bridge Road in Chesterfield.
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