Virginia mechanical, plumbing, fuel gas & energy codes
Virginia's Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), set by the Board of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), is a mandatory statewide code. All localities must enforce it. The current edition is the 2021 USBC.
Quick answer: Virginia currently uses the 2021 IMC for mechanical work and the 2021 IPC for plumbing (see sources and dates below). A2L status: Allowed: Virginia amended the 2021 VMC for A2Ls
Adopted codes
Mechanical
2021
IMC
- Adopted as
- 2021 Virginia Mechanical Code (part of the 2021 USBC)
- Effective
- 2024-01-18
- Source
- Virginia DHCD – Codes
- Last checked
- 2026-10-29 verified
- Notes
- With Virginia amendments.
Plumbing
2021
IPC
- Adopted as
- 2021 Virginia Plumbing Code (part of the 2021 USBC)
- Effective
- 2024-01-18
- Source
- Virginia DHCD – Codes
- Last checked
- 2026-10-29 verified
- Notes
- With Virginia amendments.
Fuel Gas
2021
IFGC
- Adopted as
- 2021 Virginia Fuel Gas Code (part of the 2021 USBC)
- Effective
- 2024-01-18
- Source
- Virginia DHCD – Codes
- Last checked
- 2026-10-29 verified
- Notes
- With Virginia amendments.
Energy
Residential: 2021 IECC; Commercial: 2021 IECC & ASHRAE 90.1-2019
IECC / ASHRAE 90.1
- Adopted as
- State energy code (per U.S. DOE BECP)
- Effective
- Res 2024-01-18; Com 2024-01-18
- Source
- U.S. DOE Building Energy Codes Program – Virginia
- Last checked
- 2026-10-29 verified
- Notes
- Virginia Energy Conservation Code, with state amendments.
A2L refrigerants in Virginia
In its 2021 cycle, Virginia added A2L changes to the 2021 Virginia Mechanical Code (effective Jan 18, 2024). It added referenced standards for A2L, A2, A3 and B1 equipment, required high-probability comfort systems to use Group A1 or A2L refrigerant, and limited A3/B3 to labs and industrial occupancies. It also removed the ventilation-activation provisions for A2L machinery rooms.
Source: https://dhcd.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/DocX/bhcd/book-6-final.pdf · Last checked 2026-10-29 verified
Local amendments & things to watch
- All 167 local governments must adopt and enforce the USBC. Localities can also adopt the Property Maintenance Code, which is within the statewide code's scope. verified source
- The 2024 USBC is in development. DHCD is working from 2024 I-Code base documents, and the effective date isn't verified yet. unverified source