Land Development Services
12055 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, Virginia 22035
703-324-1780, TTY 711
October 30, 2006
06-20
Building Code Adoption and Plan Retention
Adoption of the 2003 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code
The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development adopted the 2003 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) on November 16, 2005. Since that date, and for the last year, applicants for permits were able to choose the current code cycle provisions or the provisions of the code being superseded. Effective November 17, 2006, all permit and plans applications must be submitted under the 2003 USBC.
The 2003 USBC (PDF) adopts and incorporates by reference the following codes:
- 2003 International Building Code
- 2003 International Residential Code
- 2003 International Mechanical Code
- 2003 International Plumbing Code
- 2003 International Fuel Gas Code
- 2003 International Energy Conservation Code
- 2002 National Electrical Code.
- 2000 ASME A17.1, with 2002 and 2003 Addenda, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators
You may purchase these codes at the Maps and Publications Office, on the first floor of the Government Center at 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, telephone 703-324-2974, TTY 711.
Out-of-date Construction Documents
Beginning February 1, 2007, Fairfax County Building Plan Review will be discarding plans in its possession that meet all of the following criteria:
- Commercial and residential plans reviewed and/or approved under previous editions of the USBC including the 2000 edition,
- Plans not referenced by an issued permit, and
- Plans that have had no building plan review activity for six months.
If we have plans that you wish to retain, you have until January 31, 2007 to retrieve them. The applicant will be responsible for any outstanding fees associated with these plans. Building Plan Review takes no responsibility for plans that were discarded after February 1, 2007 and are later requested for retrieval by the customer.
Please note: Issued permits that have had no construction, plan review or inspection activity for more than six months, will expire. In order to proceed with construction, a new plan submission will be required under the 2003 Uniform Statewide Building Code.
If you have any questions, please contact Building Plan Review via e-mail or by telephone at 703-222-0114, TTY 711.