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TextDPWES Letters to Industry
Land Development Services
12055 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, Virginia 22035
703-324-1780, TTY 711
April 8, 2008
08-04
Adoption of the 2006 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code
On May 1, 2008, the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development will adopt the 2006 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. The technical provisions of the 2006 USBC reference the codes listed below and include specific Virginia amendments.
- 2006 International Building Code
- 2006 International Residential Code
- 2006 International Existing Building Code
- 2006 International Mechanical Code
- 2006 International Fuel Gas Code
- 2006 International Plumbing Code
- 2005 National Electrical Code
- 2006 International Energy Conservation Code
- 2006 International Property Maintenance Code
From May 1, 2008 until April 30, 2009, permit applicants may choose to use the technical provisions of the 2003 or 2006 USBC. Mixing provisions between the two editions of the code is prohibited. Beginning May 1, 2009, all applications and plans must meet the 2006 USBC.
The preliminary version of the USBC, as printed in the Virginia Register, is available online in Word format. The final version of the administrative provisions will be included as Chapter 1 of a Virginia version of the IBC to be printed by the International Code Council. However, the administrative provisions will still be available as a stand alone document. Virginia versions of all the codes listed above (except the NEC) will incorporate the Virginia amendments and will also be available through the ICC. More information on the codes and how to purchase them will be posted on the Building Codes and Standards page of the Fairfax County Website when available.
County wide masterfile plans designed under the 2003 USBC will no longer be valid after May 1, 2009. New masterfile plans designed under the 2006 USBC must be submitted and new permits must be obtained prior to that date for all active models. Updating 2003 masterfiles to a 2006 version will not be permitted.
The Townhouse and Detached Single Family Dwelling Cover Sheet has changed to accommodate the 2006 USBC. The new cover sheet is now available online. The use of this cover sheet is mandatory for all plan submissions under the 2006 code.
The 2006 USBC has made sweeping changes to the wall bracing provisions of the International Residential Code. A companion document, entitled "Wind Bracing," outlines the new provisions and is available online. Announcements regarding training opportunities will be made in the coming months. The new wall bracing section requires bracing to be identified on the plans. This is to include the location of all designated braced wall lines and all braced wall panels. The identification of all braced wall panels shall note their length and bracing methods. Plans which do not include this information will not be approved.
Beginning May 1, 2008, all plan submissions subsequent to a failed plan review must include a letter from the designer(s) answering all plan review comments. Plans will not be accepted by the plan review intake staff otherwise. Plan review comments can be found on the FIDO Web site.
For more information, please contact Building Plan Review by e-mail or by telephone at 703-222-0114, TTY 711.
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