Building Permits applications are reviewed, and, if approved, issued by City staff. No work may begin until the permit is issued. Additional permits, such as trade permits, may be required prior to beginning the work.

How to Apply for a Permit

Online: Submit applications, track and pay for permits online via the LAMA Permit Portal. If you are a contractor and need a registration code, call the Department of Community Development at 540-432-7700 or email permits@harrisonburgva.gov. See the LAMA Guide for more information.

Via email: Permit forms are available below. Permit applications may be emailed to permits@harrisonburgva.gov.

In person: Visit us at Community Development, 409 S Main St, 2nd Floor, Harrisonburg, VA 22801, or call 540-432-7700.

If you have any questions or need further information, please call 540-432-7700 or email us at permits@harrisonburgva.gov. 

Before Submitting a Building Permit

Design Criteria

The City of Harrisonburg enforces the

Roof live load is 30 pounds per square foot minimum, non-reduced.

Roof dead load is 10 pounds per square foot, non-reduced.

Note: These are minimum design loads.  Loads exceeding these minimums shall require a registered design professional to address the actual loads.

Ultimate wind speed is 115 mph, frost depth is 24 inches, seismic category is B, and the ground snow load is to be calculated in accordance with ASCE 7-22 as stated in §1608.2 of the Virginia Construction Code (VCC) as this jurisdiction is in a case study area.

Submitting a Permit without a Contractor

The Code of Virginia, Title 54.1, Chapter 11, requires an owner/developer to be licensed as a
Virginia Class A, B, or C contractor unless the applicable exceptions are met. The code defines
an owner/developer as any person who performs or supervises the construction, removal,
repair or improvement of any building or structure permanently annexed to real property
owned, controlled or leased when the total value of all such improvements to any single parcel
of land is $1000 or more.

The following excerpts are from the Code of Virginia §54.1-1101 concerning owners of
properties doing their own work and exemption from contractor license requirements.

  • 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;
  • Any person who performs or supervises the construction, removal, repair or
    improvement of a house upon his own real property as a bona fide gift to a member of
    his immediate family provided such member lives in the house. For purposes of this
    section, "immediate family" includes one's mother, father, son, daughter, brother,
    sister, grandchild, grandparent, mother-in-law and father-in-law;
  • Any person who performs or supervises the repair or improvement of industrial or
    manufacturing facilities, or a commercial or retail building, for his own use;
  • Any person who performs or supervises the repair or improvement of residential
    dwelling units owned by him that are subject to the Virginia Residential Landlord and
    Tenant Act (§ 55.1-1200 et seq.);

The applicant should understand that when acting as their own contractor, liability, damages,
and all other responsibilities ultimately fall on them. They are also responsible for knowledge of
the code requirements, corrections to plans resulting from the plan review process, corrections
of violations found resulting from required inspections and obtention of certificate(s) of
occupancy when applicable.

It should also be understood that when an applicant constructs, or re-models their own
residence, they are required to reside in that same structure for a period of not less than 24
months.

A person or business, such as a LLC, performing alterations or house flipping that involves work
requiring a permit are required to be licensed as a contractor.

Second Kitchen Installations

The City of Harrisonburg Zoning Ordinance does not prohibit the installation of a secondary kitchen within a single-family dwelling; it does, however, limit the use of the secondary kitchen. A second kitchen cannot be rented or leased as part of a second dwelling unit or efficiency apartment within the dwelling. The second kitchen shall only be used by a member of the family residing at the property and the dwelling shall remain accessible and free flowing, throughout; not enclosed as a separate unit. It is understood that installation of a second kitchen that is occupied and used as a second dwelling unit or efficiency apartment within the structure is a violation of the Zoning ordinance and punishable as a misdemeanor. Applicants interested in installing a second kitchen must complete an affidavit acknowledging that that the second kitchen is only for the use and convenience of the members of the family residing at the property.

[280KB] Affidavit for the Installation of a Second Kitchen within a Single-Family Dwelling

[188KB] Declaración jurada para instalar una segunda cocina en una vivienda unifamiliar

Building Permit Application Checklist

Pre-approvals from City departments are required. A completed Building Permit Application Checklist must be submitted with each Building Permit Application. Building application forms are linked above.

Asbestos Questionnaire

The Asbestos Questionnaire is required to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Code of Virginia and the most recently adopted edition of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. It must be completed for all permit applications for existing buildings and structures, such as building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fire protection, and sign permits. It is not required for new free-standing buildings or structures.

If applicable, a copy of the Certificate of Asbestos Inspection.  All structures built prior to January 1, 1985, must submit an asbestos inspection certificate for buildings being renovated or demolished.  For exemptions, view the Virginia Construction Code, Part 1 Section 110.3. For information regarding asbestos abatement please visit the Building Permit page.

Submitting a Building Permit

Required Information on Building Permit Application

  1. The owner's complete name, present mailing address, and phone number.
  2. The contractor's complete name, present mailing address, phone number, copy of state class "A", "B", or "C" contractor's registration, and city business license number.
  3. The appropriate fee, based on total value- including labor and materials for building, plumbing electrical and mechanical work. Checks should be made payable to the City of Harrisonburg.

An Impervious Square Footage Form is required for all building and demolition permits.

Once an application has been submitted, it is forwarded to the Planning, Zoning and Engineering Divisions for review for compliance with zoning requirements and any site plans issues. It is then returned to the Building Inspections Division for final review, approval and issuance of the building permit.

Site Plan

The site plan must include:

  1. A north indicator.
  2. The actual dimensions of the lot, drawn to a scale of 1"=20' and drawn to the actual bearings of the lot.
  3. The actual location and dimensions of any existing structures on the lot.
  4. The actual location and dimensions of any structures being erected.
  5. The actual dimensional front, side, and rear yard setbacks from the lot lines to the structure, including but not limited to covered porches, decks, stairwells, etc. Information on minimum setback requirements are available in the City's Zoning Ordinance
  6. . If questions, contact the Planning & Zoning Division at 540-432-7700.
  7. The actual square footage of the lot.
  8. All required off-street parking. See Zoning Ordinance Section 10-3-30, Off-Street Parking for requirements. If questions, contact the Planning & Zoning Division at 540-432-7700.

Building Plans

  1. A floor plan for each floor drawn to 1/4" scale.
  2. A typical wall or specific wall section drawn to scale.
  3. At least two elevations of the structure drawn to scale.
  4. All drawings shall show the overall dimensions of the structure, the internal dimensions of each room located within the structure, and the dimensional height of the structure.
  5. All rooms on the floor plans shall be labeled as to their use, e.g., bedroom, kitchen, etc.
  6. All bathrooms and kitchens shall show the location of all fixtures and appliances to be installed.
  7. All doors, windows, and stairways shall be sized on the drawings.

Seal Required

An architect's and/or engineer's seal is required on all drawings for assembly, educational, high hazard, institutional, apartment, hotel-motel and dormitory uses regardless of size. Other uses not listed above may require an architect's and/or engineer's seal depending on the square footage and/or height of the structure.

Supplemental Plans

Supplemental plans may be required. Such supplemental plans would include, but not be limited to: Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fire Sprinkler Systems, and other supplemental plans as may be deemed necessary by the Building Inspection Office.

Permit Issuance

Posting of Permit

The building permit shall be displayed on the outside of the building or premises, where it is plainly visible from the street, and shall not be removed until the building or renovation is complete and ready for occupancy.

Inspection Information

Required inspections:

  1. Building: Footers, slab, foundation, framing, insulation, drywall, chimney, firewall, fire separation wall, final and others as necessary.
  2. Plumbing: Under slab, rough-in, service lines, final and others as necessary
  3. Electrical: Under slab, rough-in, final and others as necessary
  4. Mechanical: Under slab, rough-in, gas lines, gas fireplaces or logs, final and others as necessary

All listed inspections shall be scheduled by the contractor, owner, or owner's authorized agent. The permit number, address, and type of inspection to be made must be given to the Permit Technician in order to schedule an inspection. 

Certificate of Occupancy

Once the final building inspection has been completed and approved, a Certificate of Occupancy shall be issued prior to any occupancy.

Additional Permits

  1. In addition to the building permit, separate permits are required for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work.
  2. For commercial work, a sign permit is required for the installation of any sign. (See procedure for obtaining a sign permit.)
  3. If desiring to do so, the owner may do the work if the proper permit has been obtained, and all required inspections are requested and performed.
  4. When submitting supplemental drawings for fire suppression systems, four (4) sets of drawings and four (4) sets of calculations are required.

Demolition, electrical, fire suppression system, mechanical, plumbing, roofing, and other permits related to construction can be found on the Permit Directory page. 

A full list of fees can be found on the Fees Directory page.

Related Pages
Community Development