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 (EHS’s) also investigate reports of public health and safety risks anywhere in 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).
- Food Safety
- Lodging facility pools, campgrounds, summer camps, childcare, and institutional facilities
- 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
Fluvanna County Health Department
Route 15, County Office Building
PO Box 136
132 Main Street
Palmyra, VA 22963
434-591-1965
Greene County Health Department
50 Stanard Street
PO Box 38
Stanardsville, VA 22973
434-985-2262
Louisa County Health Department
101 Woolfolk Avenue
Suite 203
Louisa, VA 23093
540-967-3707
Nelson County Health Department
4038 Thomas Nelson Highway
Arrington, VA, 22922
434-263-4297
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
Foodservice 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) (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.
Request for Inspection
- Department of Social Services
- General Request for Inspection
Report a Complaint
- Food Safety
- Private Well and Sewage Disposal (Septic) Systems
- Tourist/Lodging Facilities
- Public Water Supplies
- Recreational Water
- Harmful Algal Blooms
Illegal Dumping of Water and Other Wastes
Air Quality
Indoor Air
Mold and Mildew
Insects that Carry Disease
- Mosquitos
- Ticks
Other Pests
- Rats
- Cockroaches
- Bed Bugs
Department of Social Services - need form
General Requests for Inspections - need form