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

The minimum permit fee is Building permit starting at $60; accessory structures starting at $60; demolition starting at $60; electrical residential new construction starting at $54; certificate of occupancy for existing buildings starting at $90. Fees are calculated as: Fee schedules vary by permit type with starting amounts. See city fee directory for current rates.. Plan check fee: Preliminary plan review fees listed separately; examples include comprehensive site plan non-residential at $300 plus $25 per acre, and residential at $400 plus $10 per dwelling unit..

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

1. Register for the LAMA portal. Contractors should request a registration code from Community Development at 540-432-7700 before registering. 2. Apply online through LAMA, or email fillable PDF applications to permits@harrisonburgva.gov, or file in person at Community Development, 409 S. Main Street. 3. Upload required forms, plans, and supporting documents for the specific permit type. 4. Staff reviews the submittal and requests corrections or additional information if needed. 5. Once approved, pay online or in person. The permit can then be downloaded and printed from the LAMA portal. 6. Post the permit on site and schedule required inspections through the LAMA portal or by calling Community Development.

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

The following work is generally exempt: Sheds under 257 square feet, with one floor and not used for car storage; Small pools not over 150 square feet, under 5,000 gallons, and not over 24 inches deep (pool barrier rules still apply); Replacement of shingles on single-family homes, duplexes, or town homes (no roofing permit required); Tents or air-supported structures 900 square feet or less with an occupant load of 50 or fewer. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. City pages direct applicants to current Virginia code provisions for additional building-code exemptions. Confirm with the City of Harrisonburg Department of Community Development before proceeding.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: LAMA Permit Portal (Your Items > Schedule Inspection), 540-432-7700 (Community Development).

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 Rockingham County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Independent city, legally separate from Rockingham County. The City of Harrisonburg issues its own building permits and performs its own inspections for all properties within city limits. Rockingham County building-permit administration does not apply inside the city.

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

Online Permit Portal

Open LAMA Permit Portal

Platform: LAMA • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online or in-person

Additional resources:

Application Process

Register for the LAMA portal. Contractors should request a registration code from Community Development at 540-432-7700 before registering.
Apply online through LAMA, or email fillable PDF applications to permits@harrisonburgva.gov, or file in person at Community Development, 409 S. Main Street.
Upload required forms, plans, and supporting documents for the specific permit type.
Staff reviews the submittal and requests corrections or additional information if needed.
Once approved, pay online or in person. The permit can then be downloaded and printed from the LAMA portal.
Post the permit on site and schedule required inspections through the LAMA portal or by calling Community Development.

Typical processing time: Allow at least 7 days for permit processing on applications that route through planning/zoning and building review. Simple permits may be processed faster.

Source: City of Harrisonburg Department of Community Development, Building Inspections Division

General Requirements

A building permit is required for new construction, alterations, additions, demolitions, accessory buildings, pools, and other construction improving property within city limits. Trade permits are required separately for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work.

Required Documents

Permit application for the applicable permit type
Construction plans (requirements vary by permit type)
Site plan (see city site-plan requirements)
Impervious-square-footage form (where applicable)
Asbestos questionnaire or abatement certificate (where applicable)
Contractor information and DPOR license number
City of Harrisonburg business license (for contractors)

Permit validity: Permits are void if work has not commenced within 6 months of the issue date, or if work is suspended for 6 months.
Building code: Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, most current edition as adopted by the state; city materials reference the 2021 Virginia Residential Code and 2021 Virginia Construction Code
Owner-builder: No city-specific owner-builder exception summary was found on city public pages. Confirm owner-performed work requirements directly with Community Development.
Contractor requirements: Contractors must hold a valid Virginia DPOR license appropriate to the work specialty and a current City of Harrisonburg business license.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: Building permit starting at $60; accessory structures starting at $60; demolition starting at $60; electrical residential new construction starting at $54; certificate of occupancy for existing buildings starting at $90
Plan check fee: Preliminary plan review fees listed separately; examples include comprehensive site plan non-residential at $300 plus $25 per acre, and residential at $400 plus $10 per dwelling unit.
Permit fee formula: Fee schedules vary by permit type with starting amounts. See city fee directory for current rates.
Payment note: LAMA accepts Visa, MasterCard, and Discover with a 3.5% convenience fee. Cash, check, and money order are accepted in person.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Sheds under 257 square feet, with one floor and not used for car storage
Small pools not over 150 square feet, under 5,000 gallons, and not over 24 inches deep (pool barrier rules still apply)
Replacement of shingles on single-family homes, duplexes, or town homes (no roofing permit required)
Tents or air-supported structures 900 square feet or less with an occupant load of 50 or fewer

Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. City pages direct applicants to current Virginia code provisions for additional building-code exemptions. Confirm with the City of Harrisonburg Department of Community Development before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

LAMA Permit Portal (Your Items > Schedule Inspection) (online)
540-432-7700 (Community Development) (phone)

Typical inspection sequence: Inspection sequence varies by permit type. Pool permits require building footers/slab/final, electrical bonding rough/final, and plumbing slab/service/final. Tent permits require final erection/anchoring/fire and trade inspections as applicable. Confirm required inspections for your permit type with Community Development.

Additional Resources

Building code: Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, most current edition as adopted by the state; city materials reference the 2021 Virginia Residential Code and 2021 Virginia Construction Code
Verify contractor license: Virginia DPOR License Lookup
Zoning information: View zoning info
Building Permit Information
Permit Directory
Fee Schedule
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, Building Inspections Division before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Harrisonburg Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Harrisonburg, VA?: A building permit is required for new construction, alterations, additions, demolitions, accessory buildings, pools, and other construction improving property within city limits. Trade permits are required separately for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work.
How much does a building permit cost in Harrisonburg, VA?: The minimum permit fee is Building permit starting at $60; accessory structures starting at $60; demolition starting at $60; electrical residential new construction starting at $54; certificate of occupancy for existing buildings starting at $90. Fees are calculated as: Fee schedules vary by permit type with starting amounts. See city fee directory for current rates.. Plan check fee: Preliminary plan review fees listed separately; examples include comprehensive site plan non-residential at $300 plus $25 per acre, and residential at $400 plus $10 per dwelling unit..
How do I apply for a building permit in Harrisonburg, VA?: 1. Register for the LAMA portal. Contractors should request a registration code from Community Development at 540-432-7700 before registering. 2. Apply online through LAMA, or email fillable PDF applications to permits@harrisonburgva.gov, or file in person at Community Development, 409 S. Main Street. 3. Upload required forms, plans, and supporting documents for the specific permit type. 4. Staff reviews the submittal and requests corrections or additional information if needed. 5. Once approved, pay online or in person. The permit can then be downloaded and printed from the LAMA portal. 6. Post the permit on site and schedule required inspections through the LAMA portal or by calling Community Development.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Harrisonburg, VA?: Typical processing time is Allow at least 7 days for permit processing on applications that route through planning/zoning and building review. Simple permits may be processed faster..
What work is exempt from building permits in Harrisonburg, VA?: The following work is generally exempt: Sheds under 257 square feet, with one floor and not used for car storage; Small pools not over 150 square feet, under 5,000 gallons, and not over 24 inches deep (pool barrier rules still apply); Replacement of shingles on single-family homes, duplexes, or town homes (no roofing permit required); Tents or air-supported structures 900 square feet or less with an occupant load of 50 or fewer. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. City pages direct applicants to current Virginia code provisions for additional building-code exemptions. Confirm with the City of Harrisonburg Department of Community Development before proceeding.
How do I schedule a building inspection in Harrisonburg, VA?: Inspections can be scheduled via: LAMA Permit Portal (Your Items > Schedule Inspection), 540-432-7700 (Community Development).

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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.