Building Development Division

2018 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code

Introduction

The 2018 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC) went into effect on July 1, 2021. As of July 1, 2022, all Prince William County construction permit applications must be compliant with the 2018 VUSBC.

In review of the newly adopted 2018 version of the VUSBC, and the upcoming July 1 mandatory deadline, here are the top 10 residential changes from the 2018 Virginia Residential Code, that will be the most impactful to industry:

1. Roof-mounted Solar Systems; (VRC) sections R 324.4 & 6, as well as R 905 for underlayment

• Consolidates and provides prescriptive access, escape, and structural requirements into one section.
• For more in-depth information on Residential Solar System Installations, visit: https://www.pwcva.gov/residentialsolar

2. Decks: a complete reorganization; section R 507

• Reorganized for ease of use and additional provisions are added to simplify the prescriptive construction of a deck.
• For more in-depth information on building decks, visit: https://www.pwcva.gov/department/building-development-division/residential-deck

3. Accessory Dwelling Units; sections R 202, 302.3, 311.1, 314.7, 315.5 & 1602.2

• Provides for a fully compliant dwelling unit to be accessory to a primary unit by sharing at least 1 component of all dwelling unit requirements.
• If a unit can be considered accessory to the primary, then the fire separation assembly specified in 302.3 is not required.

4. Tiny Houses; section R 333

• Provides for alternative prescriptive construction option/requirements for houses 400 square feet or less – Note Appendix Q.
• For more information on Tiny Houses, visit: https://www.pwcva.gov/bdd/tinyhouses

5. Combination Waste and Vent Systems; section P 3111

• Food waste disposers are now permitted to connect to a combination waste and vent system.

6. Sprinkler incentive: Common walls; section R 302.2.2 and Structural Independence; section R 302.2.6.

• Permits water-filled sprinkler piping to penetrate common walls separating townhomes.
• Townhomes not required to be structurally independent if protected with sprinkler systems in accordance with P2904, NFPA 13, NFPA 13R, or NFPA 13D.

7. Maximum Stair Rise Between Landings; section R 311.7.3

• The maximum rise has increased by 4 inches, from 147 to 151 inches.

8. Veneer Anchorage Through Insulation; section R 703.8.4.

• Allows brick ties to be fastened through insulated sheathing into wood structural panels (WSP).

9. Air Test on PEX Piping; sections P 2101.10 & 2503.7

• For hydronic and water supply PEX pipe, air and gas pressure tests are now permitted when specified by manufacturers literature.

10. Arc-fault circuit interrupters; section E 3902.16

• Now required throughout the dwelling for all 15- and 20-amp 120V outlets, except where GFCI protection is provided.

Instructions

Access the free, read only version of the Virginia Building Code Regulations here: 2018 code books. Access the entire 2018 Virginia Residential Code here: https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/VRC2018P1