Building Energy Code

June 18, 2023

Summary

NOTE: Much of the information presented in this summary is drawn from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Building Energy Codes Program and the Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP). For more detailed information about building energy codes, visit the DOE and BCAP web sites.

The Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) is a statewide minimum requirement that local jurisdictions cannot amend. The code is applicable to all new buildings in the commonwealth. The Board of Housing and Community Development (a Governor-appointed board) has authority to adopt changes to the USBC. The process is very similar to the federal regulatory process. The Board of Housing and Community Development may adopt whatever provision it deems necessary. Enforcement of the USBC is handled by local building department through plan reviews and inspections.

Effective July 14, 2014, the Virginia Board of Housing and Community Development updated the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) to coincide with the 2012 editions of the International Code Council model codes. The 2012 Virginia Codes incorporate the customized text of the Virginia administrative and technical amendments within the base text of the ICC model codes.

Effective July 1, 2021, the Virginia Board of Housing and Community Development adopts and amended the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) to coincide with the 2018 IECC model codes for commercial and residential buildings,

Program Overview

Implementing Sector:	State
Category:	Regulatory Policy
State:	Virginia
Incentive Type:	Building Energy Code
Web Site:	https://www.energycodes.gov/status/states/virginia
Administrator:
Start Date:
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies:	Comprehensive Measures/Whole Building
Residential Code:	2018 IECC with amendments, mandatory statewide; enforcement is the responsibility of the local government's building inspections department. Can use REScheck as compliance tools.
Commercial Code:	2018 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2016 with amendments, mandatory statewide; enforcement is the responsibility of the local government's building inspections department. Can use COMcheck as compliance tools.
Code Change Cycle:	Three-year review cycle concurrent with the publications of new editions of the model codes. Most recent code effective July 1, 2021.

Contact

Name:	VA Building Code Information
Organization:	Energy Saver Home Plus Program
Address:	501 N. 2nd St., The Jackson Center Richmond VA 23219-1321
Phone:	(804) 371-7160

This information is sourced from DSIRE; the most comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies that support renewables and energy efficiency in the United States. Established in 1995, DSIRE is operated by the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center at N.C. State University.