New Homes in Rockingham

What is required to build a new home in Rockingham County?

• Deed or letter of permission from property owner
  • Deed Book / Page Number / Date Recorder
• VDOT entrance permit or letter stating existing entrance is sufficient
• Health Department permit for new well and / or septic
  • Or Health Department permit stating that your existing system will serve new permit. (Dwelling, Addition, etc.)
  • If the property will be connected to County water / sewer, receipt is needed showing paid connection fees prior to obtaining a building permit
• Sketch / drawing showing setbacks to all property lines
  • If the property is within town limits, then zoning approval is needed from the town before application for building permit can started
• Set of working building plans which shall include the following:
  • Plans to 1/4 inch scale
  • All elevations showing maximum grade
  • A foundation plan with pier and footer size, type of foundation wall, with required reinforcements, girder system and supports, including size
  • Floor plan with all rooms labeled, including the size of each room. Door and window schedule: label egress and tempered glass, where needed
  • Type of floor system: engineered floor systems, floor truss, I-joist, etc. Conventional frame: lumber or other roof systems, include roof view for conventional roof system. Design for a 30-pound live load on roof system, plus all dead loads
  • Type of roof system: engineered roof truss or I-joist. Conventional frame: lumber or other roof systems, include roof view for conventional roof system. Design for a 30-pound live load on roof system, plus all dead loads
  • A wall section to match house plans: begin with footer and include foundation wall, floors, frame walls above foundation and roof system. Include inside wall coverings (i.e. wallboard/paneling), all insulation, outside wall coverings, foundation coatings, drain tile, etc
  • Engineering is required on all steel I-beams, lam beams, fletch beams, etc., support posts and footers, suspended concrete floors, concrete slabs on more than 24 inches of clean, stone fill, or no more than 8 inches of dirt fill. Engineering may be required on areas of house construction when the design has unusual loading conditions. Include engineering with plans at time of permit application
  • Note: Most copyrighted plans require a letter from the company to make changes. Include this letter with the plans, verifying all required sections of plans to meet Code
• List of licensed contractors doing work:
  • Building
  • Electric
  • Plumbing
  • Mechanical
  • Mechanics Lien Agent
• Name of electric company
  • What will your permanent electrical amperage / service be? 200 or 400
  • Will you need a temporary power pole?