Understanding UGA and UDA
As Rockingham County continues to experience economic growth, long-standing planning strategies help guide where and how development takes place. Two key tools—the Urban Growth Area (UGA) and the Urban Development Area (UDA)—work together to establish clear boundaries for future residential, commercial, and industrial growth, which helps to preserve and protect agricultural land.
The Urban Growth Area (UGA) is the broader boundary that generally surrounds the County’s seven incorporated towns—Timberville, Broadway, Mt. Crawford, Bridgewater, Elkton, Grottoes, and Dayton—and the City of Harrisonburg. The purpose of an Urban Growth Area is to create a clear distinction between urban and rural land uses and to support the long-term preservation of the County’s rural character. Growth within these areas is intended to occur in a phased manner, over many years. To support this planned development pattern, it is critical that new development within the UGA occurs on public water and sewer and follows Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND) principles.
Within the UGA, the Stone Spring Urban Development Area (UDA) serves as a targeted growth area. Generally located south east of the City of Harrisonburg, this area is supported by established infrastructure and guided by a plan – the Stone Spring Urban Development Area Plan - that promotes compact, efficient development patterns. In simple terms, the UGA identifies the general area where growth can occur over time, while the UDA pinpoints where that growth should be more concentrated and compact around current infrastructure—helping balance economic development with the preservation of rural and agricultural land.
Jobs and Housing
As new and expanding businesses bring jobs to the area, there is a corresponding need for housing that supports employees and their families. Planning within the UDA helps ensure that a variety of housing options - such as apartments, townhomes, duplexes, and single-family dwellings - are located near infrastructure, services, and employment centers. This coordinated approach strengthens the local economy while helping residents live closer to where they work, shop, and access community resources.
Designing for Connection and Preservation
All development within the County must meet the requirements within the zoning ordinance and must not contradict the guidelines within the Comprehensive Plan. Within the Urban Development Area (UDA), projects must also follow the additional design principles outlined in the Stone Spring Urban Development Area Plan. Some notable principles include buildings to be placed closer to the street, parking located behind buildings, higher-density, mixed-use development, and strong connectivity in multiple directions to support future road connection as land is developed.
By focusing growth within clearly defined areas and requiring thoughtful design, the County can accommodate new development while reducing pressure on rural land and protecting valuable agricultural resources.
The UDA Development Tracker and Award Recognition
To make this planning process more transparent, Rockingham County offers the UDA Development Tracker, an interactive online mapping tool available through the county’s GIS portal. Residents can view rezonings, special use permits, and site plans in one centralized location and zoom into specific projects to see their status and plans. This technology reflects the county’s commitment to provide helpful information to the public.
The Development Tracker received recognition from the Virginia Association of Counties in 2024 for innovation in local government, highlighting its role in advancing transparency and service to residents.
Find the Development Tracker
To explore current development activity, visit the county website and select the GIS option from the main menu. From there, choose the UDA Development Tracker to navigate projects happening across Rockingham County and learn more about how growth is being guided. The Department of Community Development welcomes additional questions that may not be featured within the Tracker.