This article is from HBAV's historical archive. Some formatting may differ from current articles.
The Virginia Board of Housing and Community Development (BHCD) has officially started the 2024 Code Development Cycle, a multi-year process to update Virginia’s Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC). The Code Development Cycle is the industry’s opportunity to shape Virginia’s next building code by submitting code change proposals, attending code hearings and providing public comment, and offering technical expertise to the Home Builders Association of Virginia’s (HBAV) advocacy team.
Your input matters. Fill out our new survey to share how you’d like to be involved in HBAV’s code change efforts. You can sign up to stay informed, lend your expertise, and support our advocacy work.
“The code development process allows the housing industry to advocate practical code changes that reflect modern building science, maintain safety and quality standards, and improve efficiency, while ensuring more Virginians are not priced out of the housing market,” said Andrew Clark, vice president of government affairs for HBAV. “Stakeholder participation is critical, and we encourage builders and remodelers throughout Virginia to get involved now.”
The current proposal submission deadline is Oct. 8, 2025, though early submissions are strongly encouraged to allow more time for review and engagement. All proposals must be submitted through the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) online platform, cdpVA.
Want to help shape Virginia’s next building code?
Here’s how you can engage in the code development process:
- Fill out the HBAV Survey: The form can be found here and completed in less than a minute
- Track Proposals on cdpVA: Create an account at cdpVA to review code proposals, track meeting schedules, and receive other updates
- Submit Public Comments: Use cdpVA to share your support or concerns on any proposal. Your input helps shape the final code
- Submit a Code Change Proposal: Submit a code change proposal via cdpVA. The deadline to submit proposals is October 8, 2025
- Attend Code Hearings in Richmond: Code hearings will be held in Richmond from June to October 2025 to review proposed changes. HBAV members are encouraged to attend and offer technical expertise on proposals affecting the housing industry
- Engage with HBA of Virginia: Join our code review calls, receive proposal summaries, and send input directly to [email protected]
About the Code Development Process
The Virginia USBC is a state regulation governing the design, construction, renovation, and maintenance of buildings in the Commonwealth. Its purpose is to ensure buildings are safe, healthy, and accessible by setting minimum requirements for structural systems; mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems; heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems; and other aspects of residential buildings.
The Virginia Board of Housing and Community Development (BHCD) updates Virginia’s building code every three years. This process involves various public and private stakeholders, including the Home Builders Association of Virginia, the Virginia Association for Commercial Real Estate, the American Institute of Architects, the Virginia Building and Code Officials Association (VBCOA), local building officials, fire services professionals, energy efficiency organizations, building material companies, and several state and federal agencies.
To learn more about the process and HBAV’s work, visit our Resource Hub.