How much does a building permit cost in Harrisonburg, VA?

The minimum permit fee is $60 for most building and trade permits; selected residential new-construction trade permits start at $54; commercial swimming pool permits start at $180. Fees are calculated as: $60 for the first $2,000 of valuation plus $6 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, plus a nonrefundable 2% state levy. Additional flat or unit-based fees apply for gas service, plumbing fixtures, and other items. Plumbing for single-family dwellings, townhouses, and apartment units uses a flat inclusive fee structure by type and count.. Plan check fee: Preliminary plan review fee starts at $120. Comprehensive site plan review fees are $300 plus $25 per acre for nonresidential and $400 plus $10 per dwelling unit for residential. Erosion control plan review is $300 plus $50 per additional acre..

How do I apply for a building permit in Harrisonburg, VA?

1. Confirm the project type and determine whether zoning, floodplain, engineering, Public Works, Public Utilities, or Fire review is triggered. The city's building permit checklist states permits will not be reviewed until the checklist is completed and any triggered department review is added. 2. Create a LAMA account and register, or prepare a fillable PDF application for email or in-person filing. Contractors and developers should request a registration code from Community Development so existing credentials and records attach to the account. 3. Submit the permit application with required plans, site plan, supporting forms, and contractor information through LAMA, by email to permits@harrisonburgva.gov, or in person at Community Development at 409 South Main Street. 4. A permit technician performs completeness review. Staff will process complete applications and contact the applicant if more information or clarification is needed. 5. For building permits, the application is forwarded to Planning and Zoning for zoning review and then returned to Building Inspections for final review, approval, and issuance. 6. Pay fees after approval. LAMA allows online payment and permit download; cash, check, or money order is also accepted in person. 7. Post the permit placard on site and schedule required inspections through LAMA or by contacting Community Development.

What work is exempt from building permits in Harrisonburg, VA?

The following work is generally exempt: Sheds under 257 square feet that do not have more than one floor and are not used for car storage; Roofing shingle replacement on single-family homes, duplexes, and townhouses; Tents or air-supported structures of 900 square feet or less, including connected areas with common egress or entrance, when occupant load is 50 or fewer; Pools under 150 square feet of surface area, under 5,000 gallons, and not capable of holding more than 24 inches of water depth (barrier requirements still apply); Testing of backflow devices (no permit required). Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm with Community Development before proceeding.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Harrisonburg, VA?

Inspections can be scheduled via: LAMA Permit Portal, Community Development, 409 South Main Street.

City Building Permits

Harrisonburg, VA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Virginia City of Harrisonburg Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Harrisonburg is an independent city under Virginia law and is not administered by Rockingham County. Community Development is the primary citywide permit issuer for building permits, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, fire suppression, elevator, solar, sign, zoning-administered permits, engineered comprehensive site plans, and land disturbing permits within Harrisonburg city limits. Separate permit pathways exist through the Department of Public Works for work within the public right-of-way, and through the Harrisonburg Fire Department for storage tank permits.

Department: City of Harrisonburg Department of Community Development
Address: 409 South Main Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Phone: 540-432-7700
Email: permits@harrisonburgva.gov
Website: https://www.harrisonburgva.gov/permits

Online Permit Portal

Open LAMA Permit Portal

Platform: LAMA • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only

Additional resources:

Application Process

Confirm the project type and determine whether zoning, floodplain, engineering, Public Works, Public Utilities, or Fire review is triggered. The city's building permit checklist states permits will not be reviewed until the checklist is completed and any triggered department review is added.
Create a LAMA account and register, or prepare a fillable PDF application for email or in-person filing. Contractors and developers should request a registration code from Community Development so existing credentials and records attach to the account.
Submit the permit application with required plans, site plan, supporting forms, and contractor information through LAMA, by email to permits@harrisonburgva.gov, or in person at Community Development at 409 South Main Street.
A permit technician performs completeness review. Staff will process complete applications and contact the applicant if more information or clarification is needed.
For building permits, the application is forwarded to Planning and Zoning for zoning review and then returned to Building Inspections for final review, approval, and issuance.
Pay fees after approval. LAMA allows online payment and permit download; cash, check, or money order is also accepted in person.
Post the permit placard on site and schedule required inspections through LAMA or by contacting Community Development.

Typical processing time: General building permits: allow at least 7 days. Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits submitted before 3:00 p.m. are often issued the same day. Backflow permits are normally issued within 2 days. Mechanical permits involving tank installation may take up to 2 weeks. Comprehensive site plan review target is 21 calendar days after acceptance, with an 8-day cursory review and 5-working-day turnaround for minor-revision resubmittals.

Source: City of Harrisonburg Department of Community Development

General Requirements

Building permits are required for new construction, alterations, additions, demolitions, accessory buildings, swimming pools, roofing work (except limited shingle replacement on 1-family, duplex, and townhouse dwellings), solar systems, tents above exemption thresholds, and similar work that improves or upgrades property in the city. Trade permits are required for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work, usually in addition to the building permit. Sign permits are required prior to displaying signage. Engineered comprehensive site plans and land disturbing permits may also be required based on project scope, grading, stormwater, fire protection, utilities, floodplain, and site-development triggers.

Required Documents

Completed permit application
Owner and contractor contact information
Virginia DPOR contractor registration number
Harrisonburg business license number
Project valuation
Site plan (when applicable)
Drawings and specifications (when required by project complexity)
Building permit checklist
Building Permit Impervious Square Footage Form (for building and demolition permits)

Permit validity: Building and demolition permits are void if work has not commenced within or is suspended for 6 months from the issue date. Electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and backflow permits likewise become void after 6 months of noncommencement or suspension.
Building code: Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code administered locally. The 2021 Virginia codes became effective January 18, 2024, including the 2021 Virginia Construction Code and 2020 NEC references.
Owner-builder: An applicant acting as their own contractor assumes all liability, damages, and responsibilities for the work, code knowledge, plan review corrections, inspection corrections, and obtaining certificates of occupancy. Owner-builders constructing or remodeling their own residence are required to reside in that structure for at least 24 months. Trade permit pages note owners may do the work if they obtain the proper permit, request inspections, and satisfy fees and requirements.
Contractor requirements: Contractors must present a valid Virginia DPOR contractor registration (Class A, B, or C as applicable) and a current Harrisonburg business license. Both the DPOR registration number and business license number are required on building and trade permit applications.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: $60 for most building and trade permits; selected residential new-construction trade permits start at $54; commercial swimming pool permits start at $180
Plan check fee: Preliminary plan review fee starts at $120. Comprehensive site plan review fees are $300 plus $25 per acre for nonresidential and $400 plus $10 per dwelling unit for residential. Erosion control plan review is $300 plus $50 per additional acre.
Permit fee formula: $60 for the first $2,000 of valuation plus $6 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, plus a nonrefundable 2% state levy. Additional flat or unit-based fees apply for gas service, plumbing fixtures, and other items. Plumbing for single-family dwellings, townhouses, and apartment units uses a flat inclusive fee structure by type and count.
Reinspection fee: $50 per reinspection
Payment note: Cash, check, and money order are accepted in person or by mail at Community Development. Certain permits can be paid online through LAMA. Visa, MasterCard, and Discover are accepted online with a 3.5% convenience fee. The city warns it will never solicit wire transfer or other electronic payment outside the portal.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Sheds under 257 square feet that do not have more than one floor and are not used for car storage
Roofing shingle replacement on single-family homes, duplexes, and townhouses
Tents or air-supported structures of 900 square feet or less, including connected areas with common egress or entrance, when occupant load is 50 or fewer
Pools under 150 square feet of surface area, under 5,000 gallons, and not capable of holding more than 24 inches of water depth (barrier requirements still apply)
Testing of backflow devices (no permit required)

Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm with Community Development before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

LAMA Permit Portal (online)
Community Development, 409 South Main Street (in-person)

Inspection hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: Inspection sequence varies by project type. For pools: footers/slab, electrical bonding/rough/final, and plumbing slab/service/final. For electrical permits: temporary service, under slab, trench, rough-in, permanent service, and final. For mechanical permits: under slab, trench, rough-in, and final. For plumbing permits: under slab, rough-in, service lines, and final. Final electrical and final plumbing approvals must precede final building inspection scheduling where applicable.

Additional Resources

Building code: Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code administered locally. The 2021 Virginia codes became effective January 18, 2024, including the 2021 Virginia Construction Code and 2020 NEC references.
Verify contractor license: Virginia DPOR Board for Contractors
Zoning information: View zoning info
Planning and Zoning
Site development
Sign regulations
Submit a site plan
Contact Community Development
GIS mapping
Building permit checklist PDF
Public Access Permit (work in ROW) — Public Works
Storage tank permit — Harrisonburg Fire Department
Virginia DHCD code books
License lookup guide: Virginia Contractor License Requirements
Contract template: Virginia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
Virginia hub: Virginia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the City of Harrisonburg Department of Community Development before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Harrisonburg Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Harrisonburg, VA?: Building permits are required for new construction, alterations, additions, demolitions, accessory buildings, swimming pools, roofing work (except limited shingle replacement on 1-family, duplex, and townhouse dwellings), solar systems, tents above exemption thresholds, and similar work that improves or upgrades property in the city. Trade permits are required for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work, usually in addition to the building permit. Sign permits are required prior to displaying signage. Engineered comprehensive site plans and land disturbing permits may also be required based on project scope, grading, stormwater, fire protection, utilities, floodplain, and site-development triggers.
How much does a building permit cost in Harrisonburg, VA?: The minimum permit fee is $60 for most building and trade permits; selected residential new-construction trade permits start at $54; commercial swimming pool permits start at $180. Fees are calculated as: $60 for the first $2,000 of valuation plus $6 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof, plus a nonrefundable 2% state levy. Additional flat or unit-based fees apply for gas service, plumbing fixtures, and other items. Plumbing for single-family dwellings, townhouses, and apartment units uses a flat inclusive fee structure by type and count.. Plan check fee: Preliminary plan review fee starts at $120. Comprehensive site plan review fees are $300 plus $25 per acre for nonresidential and $400 plus $10 per dwelling unit for residential. Erosion control plan review is $300 plus $50 per additional acre..
How do I apply for a building permit in Harrisonburg, VA?: 1. Confirm the project type and determine whether zoning, floodplain, engineering, Public Works, Public Utilities, or Fire review is triggered. The city's building permit checklist states permits will not be reviewed until the checklist is completed and any triggered department review is added. 2. Create a LAMA account and register, or prepare a fillable PDF application for email or in-person filing. Contractors and developers should request a registration code from Community Development so existing credentials and records attach to the account. 3. Submit the permit application with required plans, site plan, supporting forms, and contractor information through LAMA, by email to permits@harrisonburgva.gov, or in person at Community Development at 409 South Main Street. 4. A permit technician performs completeness review. Staff will process complete applications and contact the applicant if more information or clarification is needed. 5. For building permits, the application is forwarded to Planning and Zoning for zoning review and then returned to Building Inspections for final review, approval, and issuance. 6. Pay fees after approval. LAMA allows online payment and permit download; cash, check, or money order is also accepted in person. 7. Post the permit placard on site and schedule required inspections through LAMA or by contacting Community Development.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Harrisonburg, VA?: Typical processing time is General building permits: allow at least 7 days. Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits submitted before 3:00 p.m. are often issued the same day. Backflow permits are normally issued within 2 days. Mechanical permits involving tank installation may take up to 2 weeks. Comprehensive site plan review target is 21 calendar days after acceptance, with an 8-day cursory review and 5-working-day turnaround for minor-revision resubmittals..
What work is exempt from building permits in Harrisonburg, VA?: The following work is generally exempt: Sheds under 257 square feet that do not have more than one floor and are not used for car storage; Roofing shingle replacement on single-family homes, duplexes, and townhouses; Tents or air-supported structures of 900 square feet or less, including connected areas with common egress or entrance, when occupant load is 50 or fewer; Pools under 150 square feet of surface area, under 5,000 gallons, and not capable of holding more than 24 inches of water depth (barrier requirements still apply); Testing of backflow devices (no permit required). Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm with Community Development before proceeding.
How do I schedule a building inspection in Harrisonburg, VA?: Inspections can be scheduled via: LAMA Permit Portal, Community Development, 409 South Main Street.

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.