Harrisonburg, VA — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

City of Harrisonburg Department of Community Development, Building Inspections Division

Street address

409 S. Main Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22801

Phone

540-432-7700

permits@harrisonburgva.gov

Coverage

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.

Online portal

LAMA Permit Portal

LAMA

Website

Department website

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Harrisonburg

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.

Scope of work

Permit?

Sheds under 257 square feet, with one floor and not used for car storage

Exempt

Small pools not over 150 square feet, under 5,000 gallons, and not over 24 inches deep (pool barrier rules still apply)

Exempt

Replacement of shingles on single-family homes, duplexes, or town homes (no roofing permit required)

Exempt

Tents or air-supported structures 900 square feet or less with an occupant load of 50 or fewer

Exempt

Exempt Sheds under 257 square feet, with one floor and not used for car storage
Exempt Small pools not over 150 square feet, under 5,000 gallons, and not over 24 inches deep (pool barrier rules still apply)
Exempt Replacement of shingles on single-family homes, duplexes, or town homes (no roofing permit required)
Exempt 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.

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)

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
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.
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.

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

§ 03

Application process

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

01

Register for the LAMA portal. Contractors should request a registration code from Community Development at 540-432-7700 before registering.
02

Apply online through LAMA, or email fillable PDF applications to permits@harrisonburgva.gov, or file in person at Community Development, 409 S. Main Street.
03

Upload required forms, plans, and supporting documents for the specific permit type.
04

Staff reviews the submittal and requests corrections or additional information if needed.
05

Once approved, pay online or in person. The permit can then be downloaded and printed from the LAMA portal.
06

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 ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Harrisonburg building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

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.

LAMA accepts Visa, MasterCard, and Discover with a 3.5% convenience fee. Cash, check, and money order are accepted in person.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

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

Typical 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.

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

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Harrisonburg permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Harrisonburg, VA? ▸

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

Building permit fees in Harrisonburg, VA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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..

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

To apply for a building permit in Harrisonburg, VA, follow these steps: 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.

04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Harrisonburg, VA? ▸

Building permit processing times in Harrisonburg, VA typically run Allow at least 7 days for permit processing on applications that route through planning/zoning and building review. Simple permits may be processed faster.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

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

Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

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

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Harrisonburg, VA via: LAMA Permit Portal (Your Items > Schedule Inspection), 540-432-7700 (Community Development).

last verified April 2026 source City of Harrisonburg Department of Community Development, Building Inspections Division ↗ entry id permits/virginia/rockingham/harrisonburg

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Harrisonburg Department of Community Development, Building Inspections Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

City of Harrisonburg

Other jurisdictions in Rockingham County.