Do I Need a Permit to Build a Dock in Virginia?

Who reviews your project

Since September 1, 2025, you submit the JPA through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ online Regulatory Request System, which serves as the central point of receipt for all of Virginia — a role VMRC held until a federal mandate moved it. From there the application is distributed for concurrent review by VMRC’s Habitat Management division for encroachment on state-owned subaqueous land, your local wetlands board for tidal wetlands and beach impacts, Virginia DEQ for water quality, and the Corps itself for federal navigable-waters jurisdiction.

Source: USACE Norfolk District, Notice of Change in Joint Permit Application Submission Process (effective September 1, 2025)

Timeline and fees

A simple, unprotested project can move through review in a matter of weeks. Anything requiring a public hearing or affecting wetlands takes longer, often two months or more. Local wetlands-board fees run from $230 in Virginia Beach up to $520 in Poquoson, and the state subaqueous permit fee runs $25 for projects costing $10,000 or less and $100 above that. Add the project drawings — and a sealed survey where one is required — and most homeowners should budget roughly $300 to $2,000 all-in for permitting. These costs are separate from and in addition to your contractor’s construction price, and are typically billed at cost.