Codes and Standards

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.

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 Ultimate (Vult)	90 mph 115 mph	40 m/s 51 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

• Public Facilities Manual
• Proposed and recently adopted amendments

Technical Bulletins

• 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

State Roads and Manuals

• Virginia Department of Transportation