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Open Houses

  • Wednesday, October 21, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Harrisonburg Public Works Building, 320 East Mosby Road
  • Monday, October 26, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Lucy F. Simms Continuing Education Center, 620 Simms Avenue

Vision Statement

The City of Harrisonburg has a zoning ordinance, and we’re working on updating it. Through the Zoning Ordinance Update Project, we are seeking to make Harrisonburg’s zoning ordinance clearer, more consistent, and easier to use. Doing this will give both the community and City Council a better foundation for ongoing policy discussions, which are often focused on meeting a variety of housing needs, strengthening economic activity in our business centers and neighborhoods, and protecting the environment – all priorities that were established in the Harrisonburg City Council 2045 Vision Plan. 

Right now, the Zoning Ordinance Update Project is focused on improving organization, updating language + definitions, streamlining procedures, and creating a new set of zoning districts + a zoning map that better reflects development patterns in Harrisonburg. It also proposes changes to things like zoning districts and the zoning map, setback and residential lot area requirements, land uses, development processes, and commercial parking requirements, along with other community-driven ideas. We want your feedback on all of the proposed changes! 

An updated zoning ordinance also sets the stage for the next update of our Comprehensive Plan. Our Comprehensive Plan accomplishes two things: 1. It outlines the type of community we want to become, and 2. It guides City staff's decisions on how to get there. The Comprehensive Plan is/will also be based on public input regarding development, growth, preservation, and other important zoning-related topics. Once the zoning ordinance is clearer, more consistent, and easier to use, the update to the Comprehensive Plan can focus on the future. This will also be a community-driven project.

Public Engagement & Your Input

Community members are encouraged to attend one, or both, of the public engagement meetings being held on October 21 and 26 about this project. At those meetings, community members will be able to visit booths focused on different key topics included in the Zoning Ordinance Update ("What Is Zoning?", "Zoning Districts & Maps", "What Else is Proposed to Change", and "Future Plans"), collect handouts to review that explain proposed changes, and speak with City staff members about proposed changes to ask questions or provide their feedback. 

Some of the items and handouts to be featured at these meetings will include:

Table 1 - What Is Zoning?

Table 2 - Zoning Districts & Zoning Map

Table 3 - What Else Is Proposed To Change?

Survey & Other Ways To Engage

In addition to public meetings, community members with questions are encouraged to visit Community Development on the second floor of Harrisonburg City Hall to speak with a staff member during business hours or to pick up a Zoning Ordinance Update Project yard sign to place in their yard to encourage neighbors to take part in this process. 

In addition to completing this survey, or as an alternative to it, comments may be emailed to CDPlanning@harrisonburgva.gov, dropped off, or mailed to the Department of Community Development, City Hall 2nd Floor, 409 South Main Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22801. 

More Information

Presentation to City Council on the Zoning Ordinance Update Project - May 12, 2026

Presentation to Planning Commission on the Zoning Ordinance Update Project - May 13, 2026

Planning Commission Work Sessions

Zoning Ordinance Update Project News Release

Contact Us

Questions? Contact the Planning & Zoning Division at CDPlanning@HarrisonburgVA.gov or call 540-432-7700.

Related Pages
Community Development