FAQs • Rockingham County, VA • CivicEngage

How do I apply for a special use permit?: Individuals should meet with the zoning administrator prior to having a special use agency review meeting to determine if their use qualifies. If so, individuals are required to fill out an agency review meeting worksheet. After hearing comments from all agencies, if applicant chooses to move forward with a special use permit, a special use permit application needs to be completed along with the required sketch and 550.00 review fee. At this point a second meeting with the zoning administrator is advised to go over the application before submittal. This application then goes to a public hearing before the Board of Supervisors for a determination if the use should be approved or denied. This process normally takes about 3 months from the date the application is submitted.

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Community Development - Building Permits

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1. How do I apply for a building permit?: Residents in Rockingham County may apply for a building permit by visiting our county office located at:
20 E. Gay St.
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22802

2. How do I schedule inspections?: Call our County office at (540) 564-3030 to speak with a permit specialist who will assist you in scheduling your inspection. Note: Inspections must be called in the by 12:00 pm the day before in order to have your inspection scheduled the next day.

3. What type of inspections will take place once my permit is issued and I have begun construction?

Inspections of the following will take place:

Footer inspection with reinforcement installed, as well as bulkheads, if required (rebar must be elevated 3’ inches off the bottom of the footer)

Underfloor plumbing before pouring concrete floor

Foundation inspection (4-inch leach bed pipe covered with gravel and silt paper) prior to backfilling (stone must be at least 6 inches above the pipe and 12 inches out from the edge of footings)

Plumbing rough-in

Mechanical rough-in

Electrical rough-in

Framing inspection (only done after all plumbing, mechanical, and electrical rough-ins)

Insulation inspection

Mechanical final

Electrical final

Building and plumbing final

4. How do I list myself as my own contractor?: If the property that you are applying for your permit is your primary residence, and you have not listed yourself as a contractor on any other property for 2 years, then you are eligible to list yourself as a contractor (general, electrical, mechanical, plumbing) on your permit. To do so, fill out an Affidavit and have it notarized to be brought in at the time of application. Rockingham County Community Development does have public notaries within its department, however their availability is not always guaranteed.

5. How can I view my property on the County’s map and obtain information such as: Acreage, Zoning, & Floodplain?: Visit Rockingham County’s GIS website to view your land plot, and obtain the above information and more. View the GIS page.

6. My property is located in the floodplain, can I still build in this area?: If you are located in the floodplain, you will be required to obtain an engineering certificate stating that your property is out of the floodplain. If you are under the floodplain elevation, architect/engineered designs will be required on your footers before you may proceed with the building permit application.

7. My property is < 1 Acre and I am building an enclosed addition to my property, will I need a foundation survey?: Yes, foundation surveys are required on parcels one acre or less in size. The foundation survey is required after your permit has been approved and the footers have been inspected and received a passed inspection. The foundation survey must be dated after the approved footer inspection.

8. How do I obtain a business license?: - Rockingham County does not require a business license, however you should contact the Zoning Administrator at (540) 564-3030, to determine if you may need a home occupation permit, special use permit or site plan. The Commissioner of Revenue’s Office should also be contacted to determine if there are any other licenses or approvals one would need from their office. Their number is (540) 564-3067. To obtain more information on professional licenses, please visit the Dept. of Professional and Occupational Regulations

9. What is a home occupation permit, and do I need one?: Residents living in Rockingham County that operate a business within their home and qualify for a Home Occupation need to apply for a Home Occupation permit. If the occupation requires a special use within the designated district then residents are required to apply for a Special Use Permit. The fee to apply for a Home Occupation permit is $50.00 and is valid for three years.

10. How do I apply for a special use permit?: Individuals should meet with the zoning administrator prior to having a special use agency review meeting to determine if their use qualifies. If so, individuals are required to fill out an agency review meeting worksheet. After hearing comments from all agencies, if applicant chooses to move forward with a special use permit, a special use permit application needs to be completed along with the required sketch and 550.00 review fee. At this point a second meeting with the zoning administrator is advised to go over the application before submittal. This application then goes to a public hearing before the Board of Supervisors for a determination if the use should be approved or denied. This process normally takes about 3 months from the date the application is submitted.

11. How do I apply for a poultry house?: Individuals interested in constructing poultry houses should make an appointment to meet with the zoning administrator to see if their property qualifies for poultry houses. If the property qualifies, they will be given an application to complete along with a checklist of items that need to be completed. These items will include surveying work to determine setbacks from property lines and dwellings, engineering work to determine litter storage site, approval from VDOT for the entrance, notarized consent of adjoining landowners if setbacks are to be reduced, nutrient management plan, and erosion and sediment control bond. When all of the items on the checklist have been completed, the application along with all the required paperwork should be brought back to the zoning administrator for review. When all paperwork has been submitted and if all requirements are met, a building permit for the poultry houses can be obtained (this is a farm building permit and requires no inspections).

12. Do I need a permit for open air burning?: Yes, a permit is required for all open air burning. The Rockingham County Fire Prevention Code prohibits the open burning of household trash, construction debris, rubber tires, asphalt shingles, plastics, rubber, vinyl, plywood, treated lumber, OSB, or similar items.
A Violation of any provision of the Rockingham County Fire Prevention Code is a Class 1 Misdemeanor, punishable by confinement in jail for not more than twelve months and a fine. Fires must be attended at all times and completely extinguished before leaving.

Rockingham County Fire Marshals Office
20 East Gay St.
Harrisonburg, Va 22802
(540) 564-3175

13. How do I apply for my well and septic permits?: To apply for well and septic permits, please visit the health department located on the corner of Community Street and Elizabeth Street at 110 North Mason Street. Contact: (540) 574-5200.

14. Where do I place my building permit?: Building Permit shall be posted on the site so that it is clearly visible to the inspector.
Following the footer inspection, a temporary structure address number shall be posted so that it is clearly visible from the road.

15. Do I need a building permit?: The following document contains information pertaining to (a) When applications are required and (b) Exemptions from application for permits per the Virginia Construction Code. View Virginia Code Section 108.