Building Development Division

In review of the 2021 VUSBC and the upcoming mandatory deadline, here is what we feel to be the top 10 most impactful changes for commercial construction.

1. VCC Adopted ASCE 7-22 for Design – VCC Chapter 35
      Refer to Policy: Ground Snow Load (Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code 2021)

• Virginia is one of the first states in the Country to adopt this updated standard for design loads for buildings and other structures.
• All plans submitted under the 2021 VUSBC code year will need to use this standard for design loads. >

2. NFPA 13R Sprinkler Systems - VCC 903.3.1.2

• Only allows NFPA 13R sprinkler systems to be installed in Group R occupancies where the structure is four stories or fewer above grade plane;
• the floor level of the highest story is 30 feet (9144 mm) or less above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access; or
• The floor level of the lowest story is 30 feet (9144 mm) or less below the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.
• The previous height allowance was 60 feet above grade plane.

• The 2024 IBC increases the height allowance for group R-2 occupancies to 45 feet. Code modifications may be considered to allow the use of the 2024 IBC requirements for group R-2 and R-3 occupancies, if correctly submitted.

3. Puzzle Rooms - VCC 202 & 411.5

• Puzzle rooms are now defined and regulated by code under “special amusement areas” and have specific exiting requirements.

4. Intermodal Shipping Containers - VCC 3115

• The code now allows for and regulates the repurposing of intermodal shipping containers as buildings or structures or additions to buildings or structures.

5. Large Equipment - NEC 110.26 (C)(2)

• New language now takes the combined ampere rating or combined width of service grouped disconnecting means to categorize this as “large equipment”, which incorporates specific egress requirements.

6. Surge Protection for Dwelling Units (services) - NEC 230.67

• Code now requires all services supplying dwelling units to be provided with a surge-protective device (SPD), to be integral or immediately adjacent to the service equipment.

7. New Methods Allowed for Tempered Water - VPC 607.1.2

• Code has added 3 additional new allowable standards for tempering water:
  • A thermostatic mixing valve conforming to ASSE 1017;
  • A water heater conforming to ASSE 1082; and
  • A water heater conforming to ASSE 1084.

8. Island and Peninsular Countertop Workspace Receptacles - NEC 210.52(C)(2) (a/b)

• Island and peninsular countertop workspace receptacles have been combined into one section and spacing is now measured by square footage.
• At least one receptacle outlet shall be provided for the first 9 square feet, or fraction thereof, of countertop workspace.
•  A receptacle outlet shall be provided for every additional 18 square feet, or fraction thereof, of countertop workspace.
• At least one receptacle outlet shall be located within 24 inches of the outer end of a peninsular countertop or worksurface.

9. Thermal Envelope Certificate - VECC 401.3 New Section

• A permanent thermal envelope certificate shall be completed by an approved party and shall be posted on a wall in the space where the space conditioning equipment is located, a utility room or other approved location. A copy of the certificate shall also be included in the construction files for the project. The certificate shall include the following:

• R-values of insulation installed in or on ceilings, roofs, walls, foundations and slabs, basement walls, crawl space walls and floors and ducts outside conditioned spaces;
• U-factors and solar heat gain coefficients (SHGC) of fenestrations; and
• Results from any building envelope air leakage testing performed on the building.

10. Maximum Number of Disconnects - NEC 230.71 (B)

• Code no longer allows more than one service disconnecting means in the same panelboard or enclosure.
• The previous allowance for 6 disconnects in the same enclosure is no longer allowed. Must be separate enclosures.

In review of the 2021 VUSBC and the upcoming mandatory deadline, here is what we feel to be the top 10 most impactful changes for residential construction.

1. Emergency Disconnects - Section E3601.8

• Requires each one- and two-family dwelling (including townhomes) to be equipped with an emergency disconnect to be one of the following:

• • Service disconnects marked as follows: EMERGENCY DISCONNECT, SERVICE DISCONNECT.
  • Meter disconnect switches that have a short-circuit current rating equal to or greater than the available fault current and all metal housings and service enclosures are grounded in accordance with Section E3908.7 and bonded in accordance with Section 3609. A meter disconnect switch shall be capable of interrupting the load served and shall be marked as follows: EMERGENCY DISCONNECT, METER DISCONNECT, NOT SERVICE EQUIPMENT.
  • Other listed disconnect switches or circuit breakers on the supply side of each service disconnect that are suitable for use as service equipment and marked as follows: EMERGENCY DISCONNECT, NOT SERVICE EQUIPMENT.

• This will not apply to exact replacements.

2. Surge Protection - E3606.5

• All services supplying one- and two-family dwelling units shall be provided with a surge protective device (SPD).
• The SPD shall be an integral part of the service equipment or shall be located immediately adjacent thereto.

3. Basement Receptacles - E3902.5

• Requires all 125-volt through 250-volt receptacles installed in basements and supplied by single-phase branch circuits rated 150 volts or less to ground (regardless of ampere rating) to have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel.

4. Attic Insulation - N1102.1.3
      Refer to: Countywide Code Modification to allow use of 2024 International Residential Code, R49 Insulation

• The minimum required attic insulation has now changed from R-49 – R60.

5. Island and Peninsular Countertop Receptacles - E3901.4.2

• Island and peninsular countertop receptacles have now been combined into one section.
• At least one receptacle outlet shall be provided for the first 9 square feet (0.84 m2), or fraction thereof, of the countertop or work surface.
• A receptacle outlet shall be provided for every additional 18 square feet (1.7 m2), or fraction thereof, of the countertop or work surface.
• At least one receptacle outlet shall be located within 2 feet (600 mm) of the outer end of a peninsular countertop or work surface.

6. Interior and Exterior Lighting Controls

• Interior Lighting Controls N1104.2 - Permanently installed interior lighting fixtures shall be controlled with a dimmer, an occupant sensor control or another control that is installed or built into the fixture, except; bathrooms, hallways, exterior lights and lighting designed for safety or security.
• Exterior Lighting Controls N1104.3 - Where the total permanently installed exterior lighting power is greater than 30 watts, the permanently installed exterior lighting shall comply with the following:

• Lighting shall be controlled by a manual on and off switch that permits automatic shut-off actions;
• Lighting shall be automatically shut off when daylight is present and satisfies the lighting needs; and
• Controls that override automatic shut-off actions shall not be allowed unless the override automatically returns automatic control to its normal operation within 24 hours.

7. Duct Testing - N1103.3.5

• No longer exempts ducts entirely within the energy envelope from being tested.
• Section N1103.3.6 provides for a leakage rate of less than or equal to 8.0 (CFM) for ducts and air handlers entirely within the energy envelope.

8. Hot Water Line Length - P2905.3

• The developed length of hot water piping, from the source of the hot water to the fixtures that require hot water, shall not exceed 100 feet.

9. Energy Efficiency - Chapter 11

• Requires several changes in layout, specific system requirements, additional testing requirements and added compliance options:
  • N1101.13.1 (R401.2.1) Prescriptive Compliance Option.
  • N1101.13.2 (R401.2.2) Total Building Performance Option.
  • N1101.13.3 (R401.2.3) Energy Rating Index Option.
  • N1101.13.4 (R401.2.4) Tropical Climate Region Option.
  • N1101.13.5 (R401.2.5) Additional Energy Efficiency.

10. Solar Energy

• R324.6.2 - Ridge setbacks, section simplified; Not less than an 18-inch (457 mm) clear setback is required on both sides of a horizontal ridge.
• Design change from ASCE 7-16 to ASCE 7-22.
• NEC 230.46 - Splice and Tapped conductors - Insulation piercing taps are now required to be listed for use “on line side of service equipment.”
• R328 - Energy storage systems expanded.

ePortal is used for application of the submission of your project documents and payments. If you are a new user, you must first sign up for the ePortal by clicking on “Login or Register” or click here. You will enter your email address and receive an email to complete registration. Please be aware registration must be approved by county staff after you submit which may not be instant. Please allow time for processing the ePortal request prior to needing to submit.    

To avoid delays in your project, please ensure all items meet the requirements outlined in the ePlan Guide. 

Building Development Forms

Customer ePlan Guide

Policies & Procedures

Question: Where do I find help with code interpretations?

Answer: The Virginia State Technical Review Board issues code interpretations. Contact the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development or call (804) 371-7000.

Question: Where do I find the interpretations issued by the Building Official?

Answer: The Prince William County Building Official issues interpretations to clarify the technical requirements of the VUSBC, which can be found here.

Question: Are there Interpretation Manuals for the International Codes?

Answer: The International Code Council publishes Interpretation Manuals for the International Codes. Contact 1-888-422-7233.

Question: Have more questions? Visit our Contact Center.

Building Code Interpretations

International Code Council

Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development

Virginia State Technical Review Board