Indoor Heating – With morning frost becoming more common, you may be interested in the minimum indoor heating requirements. Here is a summary of what the Virginia Maintenance Code requires.

• Living in apartments or leased residential condominiums:
  • Heat must be provided and able to keep a minimum temperature of 68°F in rooms like bedrooms and living rooms, from October 15th to May 1st.
  • If the outside temperature drops below 17°F, a heating system operating without noticeable mechanical defects is compliant, even if the system is not able to keep a minimum of 68°F.
• Working indoors such as in office buildings:
  • Must be heated to at least 65°F from October 1st to April 15th, except for processing, storage, and operation areas that require cooling or special temperature conditions.
• Space heaters can’t be the only source of heat. Before using space heaters, please obtain safety information by visiting FairfaxCounty.gov and searching “space heaters.”
• If you are concerned about potential violations:
  • First, always ask your landlord or property management to address the issue.
  • If unresolved, please contact the Department of Code Compliance (DCC) – information below.

How does DCC enforce?

• DCC Investigators will visit the property and take a room temperature measurement to determine if a violation is present. If there is a violation, a Notice of Violation (NOV) is issued directing the property owner to resolve the violation.
• The NOV provides the owner with a specific timeline to come into compliance.
• DCC Investigators reinspect the property after the provided time to comply has expired, to determine whether the violation has been resolved.
• Failure to comply with the NOV can result in the County taking legal action, such as seeking civil penalties or a court order to resolve the violation.

DCC accepts complaints and concerns about potential violations on the DCC website, or by telephone at 703-324-1300, TTY 711.