State: Virginia

Virginia – Final regulations for the 2018 code change cycle
May 6, 2021

The Virginia Board of Housing and Community Development approved the final regulations for the 2018 code change cycle at their meeting on December 14, 2020. The 2018 Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), Statewide Fire Prevention Code (SFPC), Industrialized Building Safety Regulations (IBSR), and Amusement Device Regulations (VADR) will go into effect on July 1, 2021. These regulations include the adoption of the 2017 National Electrical Code (NEC). Please also note that the “grace period” for construction under the 2018 codes will last one (1) year, or until June 30, 2022. The confirmed effective date, state amendment information, and other details of the 2018 Virginia Codes have been published in Volume 37, Issue 14 of the Virginia Register.

More details can be found on cdpVA. If you have any questions about the code update process or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact DHCD’s State Building Codes Office at sbco@dhcd.virginia.gov or at (804) 371-7150.

Contact: Bryan Holland, Bryan.Holland@nema.org

The Virginia 2018 Code Development Cycle is moving forward
March 25, 2020
Please find the following notification as received from NEMA. The Virginia 2018 Code Development Cycle is moving forward in accordance with the approved schedule. Due to restrictions on public gatherings and to help slow the spread of COVID-19, the Division of Building and Fire Regulations will not be conducting in-person meetings until further notice. Scheduled workgroup and sub-workgroup meeting dates have not changed, but all of these meetings will be held remotely online. Please visit the notification for additional information.

(more…)

Important Dates ENERGY STAR Tax Credit
January 31, 2020

As you may be aware, late last year Congress extended the $1,000 tax credit for each ENERGY STAR home completed through 2020 and made the credit retroactive to include homes completed in 2018 and 2019. During this period, we launched Version 2 of the ENERGY STAR requirements. SBRA is currently developing program rules that will apply to Version 2 homes. We will post information as it becomes available.  (more…)

Virginia Commonwealth Code update
February 26, 2019

The Commonwealth of Virginia has announced the start of the 2018 Virginia Codes update process. New this cycle is a requirement for a resiliency impact statement for each proposal in accordance with Governor Northam’s Executive Order 24. The cdpVA automated online system will again be utilized to allow stakeholders to create code change proposals and to access additional information about the 2018 Virginia Code update process. The cdpVA system went active on February 18, 2019 and is now accepting proposal submittals. 
(more…)

Virginia final Regulations for 2015 USBC, VADR and IBSR
September 12, 2018

The final regulations for the 2015 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), 2015 Virginia Amusement Device Regulations (VADR), and the 2015 Virginia Industrialized Building Safety Regulations (IBSR) have been approved by the Virginia Board of Housing and Community Development with an effective date of September 4, 2018. (more…)

Virginia Adoption of New Building Codes and Regulations
July 24, 2018

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Effective September 4, 2018 the state will adopt a new edition of the Virginia Uniform Building Code (USBC). The USBC will incorporate by reference the 2015 International Building Codes and the whole family of the 2015 International Codes with Virginia Amendments. A new edition of the Virginia Industrialized Building Safety Regulations (IBSR) will also be adopted. The IBSR will provide a grace (more…)

Habitable Attic Egress Requirements
July 3, 2018

Please be aware of the definition and egress requirements of a habitable attic as it relates to dwellings built from the 2012 IRC. The 2009 and 2015 IRC verbiage is similar and still applicable. Attics that meet the size and ceiling height criteria of the “Habitable Attic” definition in Chapter 2 are considered habitable. This is applicable to finished and unfinished spaces. Habitable attics require a vertical access and emergency escape and rescue opening. Vertical access can be a fixed internal stair, ramp, or exterior stair. (more…)

Virginia Final Statewide Building Codes 2015 Edition
May 28, 2018

As received from NEMA, the final regulations for the 2015 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), 2015 Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (SFPC), 2015 Virginia Amusement Device Regulations (VADR), and the 2015 Virginia Industrialized Building Safety Regulations (IBSR) have been published in the Virginia Register. Please note, this will effect Industrialized (Modular) Residential and Commercial Buildings. Changes include (13VAC5-91-160) updates the referenced model codes and standards (more…)