Building Codes
Fairfax County is required to enforce the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) and the Statewide Fire Prevention Code (SFPC). Both codes are administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development and reference the 2012 International Codes as published by the International Code Council. Fairfax County Land Development Service’s Building Division has been awarded the highest achievable rating for building code effectiveness under the current Virginia USBC. Read more.
The 2015 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code becomes effective on September 4, 2018. Over the next year, permit applications may be made using the technical provisions of either the 2012 or 2015 code. The available regulations are listed below.
- 2015 Virginia Construction Code
- 2015 Virginia Existing Building Code
- 2015 Virginia Maintenance Code
- 2015 Virginia Amusement Device Regulations
- 2015 Virginia Certifications Standards
- 2015 Virginia Industrialized Building Safety Regulations
- 2015 Building and Related Laws Package
The full 2015 codes will be provided on this webpage when available.
Statewide Codes
- 2012 Virginia Construction Code (IBC) | USBC, Part I
- 2009 Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities (ICC/ANSI A117.1)
- 2012 Virginia Residential Code (IRC)
- 2012 Virginia Energy Conservation Code
- 2012 Virginia Mechanical Code (IMC)
- 2012 Virginia Plumbing Code (IPC)
- 2012 Virginia Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)
- 2011 National Electrical Code | www.nfpa.org
- 2012 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code
- 2012 Virginia Rehabilitation Code (IBC) | USBC, Part II
- 2012 Virginia Maintenance Code (IBC) | USBC, Part III
- 2012 Virginia Fire Prevention Code (IFC)
- 2012 Virginia Industrialized Building Safety Regulations
- 2012 Virginia Amusement Device Regulations
- 2012 Related Laws Package
- County publications
County Code
- Chapter 61, Building Provision
- Chapter 62, Fire Prevention Code
- Chapter 65, Plumbing and Gas Provisions
- Chapter 67.1, Sanitary Sewers and Sewage Disposal
- Chapter 71, Expedited Building Plan Review
- Chapter 109.1, Solid Waste Management
- Chapter 112, Zoning Ordinance
- Appendix Q, Land Development Services Fee Schedule
Local Design Load Criteria
The following load criteria are based on Chapter 16 of the Virginia Construction Code, the 2010 ASCE-7 and Chapter 3 of the 2012 Virginia Residential Code.
| Type | Criteria | ||
| Ground snow load | 25 psf | 1.25 kN/m2 | |
| Wind: | |||
|
Basic |
90 mph |
40 m/s |
|
| Frost depth |
24 in.
|
600 mm
|
|
| Earthquake spectral response acceleration | at short periods: 0.129 at 1 second period: 0.053 |
||
| Residential Seismic Design Category | B | ||
| Weathering probability for concrete | severe | ||
| Termite infestation probability | moderate to heavy | ||
| Decay probability | slight to moderate | ||
| Ice shield underlayment required | yes | ||
| Flood hazards (date of entry into National Flood Insurance Program) | 3/5/1990 | ||
| Winter Design Temperature | 17°F | -9°C | |
| Air freezing index | <=1500°F | <=815°C | |
| Mean annual temperature | 50°F | 10°C | |
Site Development Codes
The code for land development is administered by Fairfax County's Department of Land Development Services. The codes regulating site development are generated from federal, state and county laws, regulations, resolutions and policies, as well as specific standards from the Virginia Department of Transportation.
Public Facilities Manual
Technical Bulletins
County Code
- Chapter 2, Property Under County Control
- Chapter 101, Subdivision Provisions
- Chapter 102, Streets and Sidewalks
- Chapter 104, Erosion and Sediment Control
- Chapter 107, Problem Soils
- Chapter 112, Zoning Ordinance
- Chapter 117, Expedited Land Development Review
- Chapter 118, Chesapeake Bay Preservation
- Chapter 119, Grass or Lawn Area
- Chapter 122, Tree Conservation Ordinance
- Chapter 124, Stormwater Management Ordinance
- Appendix Q, Land Development Services Fee Schedule
- Proposed and recently adopted amendments
