Land Development Services

Land Development Services Alert:

CONTACT INFORMATION: Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Friday, 9:15 a.m. - 4 p.m. Please note that visitors may not be added to in-person queues past 3:45 p.m.

703-222-0801 TTY 711

LandDevelopmentServices@fairfaxcounty.gov

12055 Government Center Pkwy
Fairfax, VA 22035

Bill Hicks
Director

Building Code and Construction Type History

Evolution of Construction Types

Code Name	Editions	NC* Protected	NC* Protected	NC* Protected	NC* Protected	NC* Unprotected	NC/C* Protected	NC/C* Unprotected	NC/C* Heavy Timber	Combustible Protected	Combustible Unprotected
ICC International Building Code	2000 - Present	IA	IA	IB	IIA	IIB	IIIA	IIIB	IV	VA	VB
BOCA National Building Code	1984 - 1996	1A	1B	2A	2B	2C	3A	3B	4	5A	5B
BOCA Basic Building Code	1960 - 1981	1A	1B	2A	2B	2C	3B	3C	3A	4A	5B

* NC = Noncombustible
** C = Combustible

USBC Adoption and Referenced Codes

Edition	Effective Date	BOCA Building Code	BOCA Mechanical Code	BOCA Plumbing Code	National Electrical Code	CABO Model Energy Code	CABO One- and Two- Family Dwelling Code	International Building Code	International Mechanical Code	International Plumbing Code	International Fuel-Gas Code	International Residential Code	International Energy Conservation Code	International Swimming Pool and Spa Code
1973	4/1/1973	1970*	1970	1970*	1971		1971
1975**	2/7/1976	1975	1975	1975	1975		1975
1978**	8/1/1978	1978	1978	1978	1978		1975
1981	7/16/1982	1981	1981	1981	1981	1977	1979*
1984	4/1/1986	1984	1984	1984	1984	1983	1983*
1987	3/1/1988	1987	1987	1987	1987	1986	1986*
1990	3/1/1991	1990	1990	1990	1990	1989	1989*
1993	4/1/1994	1993	1993	1993	1993	1993	1992*
1996	4/15/1997	1996			1996	1995	1995		1996	1995*
2000	10/1/2003				1999			2000	2000	2000	2000	2000	2000
2003	11/16/2005				2002			2003	2003	2003	2003	2003	2003
2006	5/1/2008				2005			2006	2006	2006	2006	2006	2006
2009	3/1/2011				2008			2009	2009	2009	2009	2009	2009
2012	7/14/2014				2011			2012	2012	2012	2012	2012	2012	2012
2015	9/4/2018				2014			2015	2015	2015	2015	2015	2015	2015
2018	7/21/2021				2017			2018	2018	2018	2018	2018	2018	2018

* with following year(s) amendments
** supplement to the 1973 USBC