The Blue Ridge Health District’s (BRHD) Office of Environmental Health (EH) works to protect and improve public health by preventing, minimizing and eliminating exposure to biological, chemical or physical hazards through a variety of educational and regulatory activities, including permitting and inspecting businesses and public facilities. Environmental Health Specialists (EHSs) also investigate reports of public health and safety risks throughout the district including residential, commercial and industrial areas. Applications to operate any facility permitted by BRHD or to apply to install a private sewage system or well will need to be submitted to the local EH office where the facility will be located. This could include the City of Charlottesville/Albemarle County office on Rose Hill Drive, or the county EH office of either Louisa, Nelson, Greene, or Fluvanna.
Inspections and Permits
Blue Ridge Health District’s Office of Environmental Health enforces State regulations based on federal guidelines by permitting and inspecting businesses and public facilities as well as the construction and installation of private sewage systems and wells.
Environmental Health Specialists (EHSs) are highly trained public health professionals with science-based college degrees. The EHS training program takes at least 18 months to complete. They conduct inspections to ensure the work conforms with state codes, review and approve plans, then issue permits to operate. These inspectors also investigate reports and complaints of public health and safety environmental hazards anywhere in the district in residential, commercial and industrial areas.
Depending on the scope of the project and permit type, inspections from the list below will be conducted by the Environmental Health Specialist (EHS).
- Restaurants and Catering Facilities
- Hotels and Bed and Breakfasts, Campgrounds, Summer Camps, and Migrant Labor Camps
- Private sewage systems and well installations
Most of the inspections will be conducted without scheduling or prior notice. However, there are certain projects that require the applicant to schedule inspections.
How to Contact Us:
Charlottesville/Albemarle Health Department
1138 Rose Hill Drive
Charlottesville, VA 22903
434-972-6219
CAHDEH@vdh.virginia.gov
Fluvanna County Health Department
Route 15, County Office Building
PO Box 136
132 Main Street
Palmyra, VA 22963
434-591-1965
FluvannaEH@vdh.virginia.gov
Greene County Health Department
50 Stanard Street
PO Box 38
Stanardsville, VA 22973
434-985-2262
GreeneEH@vdh.virginia.gov
Louisa County Health Department
101 Woolfolk Avenue
Suite 203
Louisa, VA 23093
540-967-3707
LouisaEH@vdh.virginia.gov
Nelson County Health Department
4038 Thomas Nelson Highway
Arrington, VA, 22922
434-263-4297
NelsonEH@vdh.virginia.gov
The Blue Ridge Health District Food Team EHS’s issue permits to owners and operators of food establishments in the District who prepare and serve food for immediate consumption. They review plans, issue permits to operate and conduct routine inspections of permitted facilities in the City of Charlottesville, and the counties of Albemarle, Greene, Nelson, Fluvanna and Louisa. The goal is to ensure food is safely prepared and served to the public throughout the health district.
The Department reviews food establishment plans and conducts pre-opening inspections for newly permitted facilities; inspects and permits more than 900 permitted food establishments, including restaurants, mobile units, public schools, day care centers, nursing homes, and hospital kitchens; inspects and permits temporary food establishments at events such as fairs and festivals; responds to citizen complaints and inquiries; investigates all foodborne illness outbreaks to determine the source and to minimize the spread of disease; provides food safety information; and holds food safety workshops.
Applying for Foodservice Permits to Operate
Food Safety Inspection Types
View Actual Foodservice Facility Inspection Reports
Food Safety at Home
Food Packaging Operations Permitted by the Virginia Department of Agriculture
The Blue Ridge Health District staff issues, permits, conducts inspections and investigates consumer complaint for general sanitation, pest infestations and health/safety hazards of hotels, bed and breakfast facilities, campgrounds and summer camps (overnight only). The permits for all of these facilities are known as "tourist establishments." You will need to apply to the EH Office in the locality where the establishment will be located be it in the City of Charlottesville, or in the county of Greene, Nelson, Fluvanna, or Louisa.
- Hotels and Bed and Breakfasts
- Campgrounds
- Summer Camps
- Swimming Pools at Tourist Establishments
- Migrant Labor Camps
- Quick Access to Applications
- Home Well and Sewage Information
- Well/Septic Construction Permit Application process
- Safe Adequate and Proper (SAP) Application process
- Well Testing Information
- Operation Permit for Well/Septic
- Operation and Maintenance of Existing Onsite Sewage Systems
- Resources and Other Information
- Quick Access to Applications
Rabies is a deadly, but preventable, disease caused by a virus that infects the central nervous system. The rabies virus (RABV) is only present in the saliva and nervous system tissue of infected animals, and is spread through direct contact with an infected animal’s saliva or central nervous system tissue, most often through bites and scratches from the infected animal. RABV can also spread through contact of the virus through the eyes, mouth, or nose.
- What Should You Do if Your Pet is Bitten
- What is Considered an Exposure
- Report Animal Bites or Rabid Animals
- What Happens If My Pet Bites a Human
- Rabies in Animals
- Information for Veterinarians
- Prevent Exposure
- Rabies Resources
- Quick Access to Applications
Water Quality and Advisories
Environmental Pollution Response
- Hazardous Waste Spills
- Outdoor Air Quality
- Indoor Air Quality
Insects that Carry Disease
Other Pests
General Requests for Inspections:
To request an inspection for a facility permitted by the Virginia Department of Education (DOE), Department of Social Services (DSS), or Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) facility such as a Daycare or other Residential facility, please fill out the appropriate form and submit via email to the locality where the facility is located.
For facility based in City of Charlottesville or Albemarle County
For facility based in Louisa, Fluvanna, Greene, or Nelson County