Codes and Regulations

Virginia’s state building codes and regulations are promulgated and regulated by the DHCD. Codes and regulations are adopted by the Board of Housing and Community Development and periodic amendments are utilized to update codes and incorporate new reference standards.

Virginia Building and Fire Regulations

Virginia’s state building codes and regulations are administered through the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), and its associated standards and regulations for industrialized or modular buildings, manufactured homes and amusement devices.

Virginia Code Collections

Effective January 18, 2024, Virginia adopted the 2021 I-codes as referenced in the Virginia Construction Part 1 and the 2021 Statewide Fire Prevention Code; and the 2020 National Electrical Code.

Code Development

The Virginia Building Codes are updated through the code development process. Virginia is a leader in building and fire code development, and stakeholder input is vital to Virginia’s code development process. Participation is encouraged and remote participation is made possible through cdpVA.

Informational Documents and Publications

For all technical memos and bulletins related to the Virginia Building and Fire Regulations, click here.

Virginia Amusement Device Regulations (VADR)

The Virginia Amusement Device Regulations (VADR) prescribes uniform statewide regulations to be complied with for the construction, maintenance, inspection, and operation of amusement devices, whether mobile or affixed to a site.

State Building Code Technical Review Board (SBCTRB)

The State Building Code Technical Review Board (SBCTRB) consists of 14 citizens appointed by the Governor to ensure Virginia’s building code is administered fairly and well-understood by the citizens of Virginia.

JACK A. PROCTOR VIRGINIA BUILDING CODE ACADEMY

The Jack A. Proctor Virginia Building Code Academy (VBCA) delivers administrative and technical code training programs for mandated certification requirements for over 3,500 statewide professional certifications in various code enforcement disciplines including code official, inspection and plan review.

About Virginia Building Code Academy

Learn more about VBCA, including information on Jack A. Proctor and other helpful resources.

Earn, Maintain or Verify a Certification

Find information and resources for earning a DHCD certification, maintaining a DHCD certification through continuing education and code change training and verifying an individual’s DHCD certification status

Live Classroom Training and Registration

Learn about classroom training offered by the Code Academy for both in-person and live virtual courses, including course registration, tuition and fees, eligibility details, and access to many other helpful resources.

Self-Paced Online Training

Learn about and access online self-paced training resources available through the Code Academy Learning Center.

Levy Invoice

The statewide levy (currently at 2 percent) upon all local permit fees issued in accordance with Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC) is collected to support operations and programs of Virginia Building Code Academy for training and certification of local code enforcement personnel.

MANUFACTURED HOUSING (MH)

Manufactured homes, sometimes referred to as HUD code homes, are built, in a factory, on a permanent chassis, are transportable in one or more sections, are used as single family dwellings and may be sited with or without a permanent foundation.

Manufactured Housing Overview

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) regulates Virginia’s manufactured housing industry through the Virginia Manufactured Home Safety Regulations (MHSR) and the Virginia Manufactured Housing Licensing and Transaction Recovery Fund Regulations (MHLTRFR).

Manufactured Housing Licenses

The Code of Virginia directs the Virginia Manufactured Housing Board to promulgate necessary regulations to carry out the provisions for licensing in the manufactured housing industry. The licenses in the program are required for manufactured housing manufacturers, dealers, brokers, and salespeople. For more information about licensing click here.

File a Complaint

To file a complaint, fill out the consumer complaint form.

Manufactured Housing Board

The Code of Virginia directs the Virginia Manufactured Housing Board to promulgate necessary regulations to carry out the provisions for licensing in the manufactured housing industry. The licenses in the program are required for manufactured housing manufacturers, dealers, brokers, and salespeople. The regulations include warranty requirements, consumer complaint resolution procedures, restrictions on advertising practices, and provisions for dealer/manufacturer sales agreements. As provided for in the Code of Virginia, the regulations also establish a Transaction Recovery Fund and the administrative procedures to carry out this consumer protection program, including procedures for filing claims, hearings or conferences, payment of claims for damages, and possible disciplinary actions against license holders in the program. The Board is authorized to make case decisions to carry out the provisions of this program.

INDUSTRIALIZED BUILDINGS

The Board of Housing and Community Development at the Department of Housing and Community Development promulgates regulations for industrialized buildings (IB), often referred to as modular buildings, through the Industrialized Building Safety Regulations (IBSR).

Industrialized Building Overview

The IBSR provides for the administration and enforcement of uniform statewide standards and includes the model codes and standards the IBs must meet. IBs are built in a factory and may contain concealed components, such as structural systems, wiring, plumbing and mechanical ductwork to mention a few.

Industrialized Building Seals

All industrialized building must meet requirements in order to receive the Virginia registration seal. Request a seal through the online system.

CAAs

The SBCO approves third-party Compliance Assurance Agencies (CAA) to review designs, inspect construction and certify the buildings through the application of a Virginia Registration Seal.

File a Complaint

To file a complaint, fill out the consumer complaint form.

Outreach Efforts

Find out more about outreach efforts by DHCD’s Division of Building and Fire Regulations.

Code Officials Directory

Find your local building official, fire official or property maintenance official for localities in Virginia.

Building Safety Month

Building Safety Month (BSM) is a public awareness campaign celebrated by jurisdictions worldwide during the month of May to help individuals, families and businesses understand what it takes to create safe and sustainable structures. Check out how DHCD celebrates Building Safety Month.