Community Development

The City of Harrisonburg hosts pre-application meetings for rezonings, special use permits, major subdivisions (preliminary plats), street/alley closings, and engineered comprehensive site plans twice a month for property owners, developers, engineers, attorneys, etc. to meet with city departments.

An online tool from Harrisonburg’s Department of Community Development is available to help individuals as they obtain certain permits from the City.

Allowable signage is calculated differently depending on the zoning district where the sign is to be displayed.

Residents who meet requirements of City Code Section 15-2-24 may apply for a permit to keep chickens within Harrisonburg city limits.

To operate a business from your home, you must apply for a Home Occupation Permit and a Business License.

Individuals interested in operating a business must complete the Zoning & Building Form before applying for your Business License with the Commissioner of Revenue.

General Requirements, Terms & Conditions to Keep Urban Honeybees in Harrisonburg.

Subdividing property is the division of a lot, tract or parcel of land into two or more lots, tracts or parcels, any of which are less than five acres in area for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of sale or of building development.

The City of Harrisonburg Comprehensive Plan presents a vision of what kind of community the City would like to be in the future and identifies steps to move toward that vision