Virginia · Building code

The building code in force in Virginia now.

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. 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. Verified on the primary source, re-checked weekly.

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Building code in Virginia

Verified on the source
In force

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.

Source: primary document

Who enforces it

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

Statewide layer. County and city amendments sit on top; the building view resolves them from your ZIP.

What changes next

2024 USBC target Oct 2027

2024 USBC targeted to take effect Oct 2027 (day not set) per DHCD schedule; one-year 2021/2024 transition with mandatory compliance Oct 2028 is REPORTED (trade association, Aug 2026)

Dated items

Next 24 months
Nov 1, 2026
TARGET MONTH, day not set: proposed 2024 USBC and SFPC regulations published in the Virginia Register, opening a 60-day comment period (Nov-Dec 2026) with a public hearing in Jan 2027Board of Housing and Community Development / DHCD State Building Codes Office
Dated
Nov 28, 2026
End of the 18-month period of the USBC emergency regulation (13VAC5-63-240, eff. May 29, 2025) allowing NFPA 13R sprinklers in R-2 buildings with roofs under 45 ft and R-3 up to 60 ft, unless extended or made permanentBoard of Housing and Community Development
Dated
Oct 1, 2027
TARGET MONTH, day not set: 2024 USBC (VCC, VEBC, VMC) and 2024 SFPC take effect; a one-year transition allowing 2021 or 2024 codes, with mandatory compliance Oct 2028, is reported by a trade associationBoard of Housing and Community Development; enforced by local building and fire officials
Dated

Questions about the building code in Virginia

Which building code applies in Virginia today?

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.

Who enforces the building code in Virginia?

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.

What changes next for the building code in Virginia?

2024 USBC target Oct 2027. 2024 USBC targeted to take effect Oct 2027 (day not set) per DHCD schedule; one-year 2021/2024 transition with mandatory compliance Oct 2028 is REPORTED (trade association, Aug 2026)

Other areas in Virginia

Everything in force in Virginia

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