Who enforces each one, what edition applies, and what changes next. 9 of 9 state-level topic areas checked against primary sources. OSHA state plan: Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) Program, Virginia Department of Labor and Industry.
| Area | In force | Authority | Next |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire | 2021 Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (SFPC, 13VAC5-52), incorporating the 2021 IFC with Virginia amendments; effective Jan 18, 2024Applies to existing structures and premises; equipment and safeguards approved at construction must be maintained. IFC Chapter 1 and appendices not adopted; IFC Chapter 11 deleted, so retrofit mandates sit in VEBC Chapter 11. SourceChecked on the source | Local fire officials where the locality has adopted SFPC enforcement (optional, full or partial); State Fire Marshal enforces where localities do not (Code of Va. 27-98); Board of Housing and Community Development adopts | 2024 SFPC target Oct 20272024 SFPC/USBC cycle: no proposed stage found; DHCD 2024 cycle page (read Oct 21, 2026) lists an Apr 30, 2026 memo and May 11, 2026 Board meeting on code change proposals but no publication schedule; Apr 1, 2025 target of Nov 2026 proposed publication not confirmed |
| Building | 2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC, 13VAC5-63): Part I VCC (2021 IBC), Part II VEBC (2021 IEBC), Part III VMC (2021 IPMC); effective Jan 18, 2024References 2021 IPC, IMC, IFGC, IECC, IRC and 2020 NFPA 70. Emergency regulation effective May 29, 2025 allows NFPA 13R sprinklers in Group R-2 with roof under 45 ft and R-3 up to 60 ft. SourceChecked on the source | Local building departments enforce Part I (mandatory, Code of Va. 36-105; localities without one must contract); VMC (Part III) enforcement optional for localities; Board of Housing and Community Development adopts, DHCD State Building Codes Office administers | 2024 USBC target Oct 2027USBC update (13VAC5-63, 2024 model codes): Virginia Register NOIRA (published Jun 2, 2025, comment to Dec 2, 2025) gives no proposed-stage date; DHCD pages (read Oct 21, 2026) list none; emergency NFPA 13R regulation effective May 29, 2025 expires Nov 28, 2026, Town Hall notice shows no extension |
| Elevators | USBC: VCC (IBC Ch. 30) for new installations; VMC Sec. 606.1 (13VAC5-63-540) requires maintenance to ASME A17.1; ASME edition not confirmedAnnual periodic inspections of all elevators and escalators (localities may require every six months); periodic tests at ASME A17.1 Appendix N intervals, witnessed by the code official; current certificate displayed in the car, in the building office or at an approved posted location. SourceChecked on the source | Local building departments must inspect and enforce the code for elevators, escalators and related conveyances (Code of Va. 36-105; single- and two-family homes and townhouses exempt); inspections by the code official, an approved agency or local certified elevator inspectors | In forceIn force (13VAC5-63-540 re-read Oct 22, 2026, last amended eff. Jan 18, 2024); ASME A17.1 edition year not named in the section; annual periodic inspection, locality may require six-month |
| Boilers | Boiler and Pressure Vessel Safety Act (Code of Va. Title 40.1, Ch. 3.1) + Regulations 16VAC25-50 (current inspection-frequency text effective Nov 1, 2018)16VAC25-50-30: power boilers annual internal and external; heating boilers every two years; pressure vessels every two years (internal if subject to corrosion, otherwise external); owner-user vessels on agreed intervals; commissioner may permit variations on documented service conditions. SourceChecked on the source | Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI) boiler and pressure vessel program issues certificates; inspections by insurance-company special inspectors, contract fee inspectors or owner-user inspectors (DOLI does not do routine inspections) | In forceIn force; 16VAC25-50-30 re-read Oct 18, 2026 (history note eff. Nov 1, 2018); no pending amendment seen on the section |
| Pools | 12VAC5-460 Regulations Governing Tourist Establishment Swimming Pools and Other Public Pools (last amended eff. Oct 17, 2019) + 12VAC5-462 water-quality posting rules; Code of Va. 32.1-248.1 as amended 2026 c. 53 (HB222)12VAC5-460 governs design, disinfection, filtration, records and lifeguards for pools at tourist establishments such as hotels. Amended 32.1-248.1 requires Board of Health rules for public-use pools and water recreation facilities; structure design stays under USBC. SourceChecked on the source | Virginia Department of Health with local health departments (tourist-establishment permits and inspections); State Board of Health adopts rules | Rule repeal and replace pendingNOIRA (Action 7113) to repeal and replace 12VAC5-460 and 12VAC5-462 with 12VAC5-461: Governor's review completed Oct 20, 2026; Virginia Register publication scheduled Nov 16, 2026 (Vol. 43, Issue 7); comment forum Nov 16 to Dec 16, 2026 (Town Hall stage page read Oct 26, 2026). No proposed text yet; current rules stay in force |
| Lodging | 12VAC5-431 Sanitary Regulations for Hotels (VDH lodging permit for facilities renting more than two rooms) + Code of Va. 35.1-15.1 human-trafficking training (2022 c. 751)Rule 12VAC5-431-420 requires hotels to comply with the SFPC. Guest-facing, management and room-access staff need approved trafficking training within six months of hire, then every two years; VDH checks records at routine inspections since Jul 1, 2023. SourceChecked on the source | Virginia Department of Health; local health departments issue lodging permits and inspect; DCJS provides the free course and approves alternatives | Rule revision in drafting12VAC5-431 revision workgroup status could not be confirmed on the primary page (VDH page returned 404); 12VAC5-431-420 still cites the SFPC as 13VAC5-51 |
| Workplace | Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) Program, OSHA-approved State Plan administered by the Virginia Department of Labor and IndustryCovers private-sector employers and state and local government workers; initial approval Sep 28, 1976, final 18(e) approval Nov 30, 1988. Federal OSHA keeps maritime/shipyards, federal enclaves and military facilities, and federal employees. SourceChecked on the source | Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (VOSH); federal OSHA for excluded sectors | In force |
| Retrofit | VEBC Chapter 11 Retrofit requirements (13VAC5-63-435.5), statewide: hotels and motels had to have automatic sprinklers by Sep 1, 1997 and smoke alarms per the 1990 USBC, regardless of construction dateSprinklers in hotels and motels were due Sep 1, 1997 under the 1990 USBC, regardless of construction date; smoke alarms also apply under that edition (dates not listed on the page). Hearing-impaired alarms available on request in hotels of 35+ units. Other categories were not re-read. SourceChecked on the source | Local building departments enforce the Section 1101 retrofits (VEBC Sec. 103.3); fire officials enforce ongoing maintenance under the SFPC | In forceHotel sprinkler deadline passed; 13VAC5-63-435.5 re-read Oct 15, 2026 (eff. Jan 18, 2024); no new statewide retrofit mandate seen |
| Environmental | Federal EPA baseline (SPCC, Tier II, HFC, RICE, asbestos NESHAP, 40 CFR 280) plus Virginia layer: DEQ UST notice (9VAC25-580-70) and AST registration (9VAC25-91-100); air-permit exemptions (9VAC5-80-1105); DOLI asbestos notice; VPDES overflow reporting (9VAC25-31-190); VMC annual backflow testingUST notice within 30 days of use; ASTs over 660 gallons or facilities over 1,320 gallons register within 30 days, renewed every five years. Exempt: gas boilers under 50 MMBtu/hr, oil under 10; emergency diesel generators under 1,125 kW aggregate, 500 hours/year. Asbestos notice 20 days ahead. Permitted overflows: phone within 24 hours, written in five days. SourceChecked on the source | Virginia DEQ (tanks, air permits, VPDES); Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (asbestos notification); local building officials (VMC backflow testing) and waterworks owners; U.S. EPA (federal) | In forceHFC leak-repair rule in force since Jan 1, 2026; next Tier II filing March 1, 2027; automatic leak detection for existing 1,500 lb+ commercial refrigeration by Jan 1, 2027; 9VAC5-80-1105 re-read Oct 22, 2026 (last amended eff. Jul 30, 2025), exemption thresholds unchanged |
What our record said before and after each change, with the date and the official source. A change to the record is not by itself a change in the law: an edition, a date or a source may have been corrected or made more precise. Confirm the current text with the authority.
2021 Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (SFPC, 13VAC5-52), incorporating the 2021 IFC with Virginia amendments; effective Jan 18, 2024. Applies to existing structures and premises; equipment and safeguards approved at construction must be maintained. IFC Chapter 1 and appendices not adopted; IFC Chapter 11 deleted, so retrofit mandates sit in VEBC Chapter 11. Enforced by: Local fire officials where the locality has adopted SFPC enforcement (optional, full or partial); State Fire Marshal enforces where localities do not (Code of Va. 27-98); Board of Housing and Community Development adopts.
2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC, 13VAC5-63): Part I VCC (2021 IBC), Part II VEBC (2021 IEBC), Part III VMC (2021 IPMC); effective Jan 18, 2024. References 2021 IPC, IMC, IFGC, IECC, IRC and 2020 NFPA 70. Emergency regulation effective May 29, 2025 allows NFPA 13R sprinklers in Group R-2 with roof under 45 ft and R-3 up to 60 ft. Enforced by: Local building departments enforce Part I (mandatory, Code of Va. 36-105; localities without one must contract); VMC (Part III) enforcement optional for localities; Board of Housing and Community Development adopts, DHCD State Building Codes Office administers.
Elevators: Local building departments must inspect and enforce the code for elevators, escalators and related conveyances (Code of Va. 36-105; single- and two-family homes and townhouses exempt); inspections by the code official, an approved agency or local certified elevator inspectors (USBC: VCC (IBC Ch. 30) for new installations; VMC Sec. 606.1 (13VAC5-63-540) requires maintenance to ASME A17.1; ASME edition not confirmed). Boilers: Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI) boiler and pressure vessel program issues certificates; inspections by insurance-company special inspectors, contract fee inspectors or owner-user inspectors (DOLI does not do routine inspections) (Boiler and Pressure Vessel Safety Act (Code of Va. Title 40.1, Ch. 3.1) + Regulations 16VAC25-50 (current inspection-frequency text effective Nov 1, 2018)).
Virginia runs an OSHA-approved state plan: Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) Program, Virginia Department of Labor and Industry. The state agency enforces workplace safety rules for most private employers.
Fire: 2024 SFPC target Oct 2027 (2024 SFPC/USBC cycle: no proposed stage found; DHCD 2024 cycle page (read Oct 21, 2026) lists an Apr 30, 2026 memo and May 11, 2026 Board meeting on code change); Building: 2024 USBC target Oct 2027 (USBC update (13VAC5-63, 2024 model codes): Virginia Register NOIRA (published Jun 2, 2025, comment to Dec 2, 2025) gives no proposed-stage date; DHCD pages (rea); Nov 16, 2026: Virginia Register scheduled to publish the Notice of Intended Regulatory Action to repeal and replace the tourist-establishment and public pool rules (12VAC5-460, 12VAC5-462) with a new chapter 12VAC5-461; the public comment forum opens the same day; Nov 28, 2026: Expiry of the USBC emergency regulation (eff. May 29, 2025) allowing NFPA 13R sprinklers in certain R-2 and R-3 buildings; Town Hall action 6750 (read Oct 31, 2026) says it 'expires on 11/28/2026'; no extension or permanent replacement shown.
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