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.
In an effort to provide updates, resources and guidance to building departments, contractors and all stakeholders, DHCD is developing a page for information related to frequently asked questions, contact information for local building departments and best practices, ideas and suggestions as we all try to keep our communities operating as normally as possible during this unprecedented COVID-19 situation.
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.
Effective July 1, 2021, Virginia adopted the 2018 I-codes as referenced in the Virginia Construction Code Part 1 and the 2018 Statewide Fire Prevention Code; and the 2017 National Electrical Code.
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.
For all technical memos and bulletins related to the Virginia Building and Fire Regulations, click here.
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.
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.
Learn more about VBCA, including information on Jack A. Proctor and other helpful resources.
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
Learn about classroom training offered by the VBCA, including course registration, tuition and fees, eligibility details and access many other helpful resources.
Learn about and access code change training and other continuing education opportunities available online through the Commonwealth of Virginia Learning Center (COVLC).
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 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.
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).
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.
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.
