County Earns High Marks for Building Code Enforcement

Prince William County’s Department of Development Services, Building Development Division, recently received high marks on the Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule, or BCEGS. The grading schedule is administered by the Insurance Services Office, or ISO, which provides data and analytics to insurance underwriters.  

Prince William County earned a commercial score of 89.47 and a residential score of 84.81, both surpassing last year’s results and significantly higher than the Virginia state averages of 78.87 and 74.21. This year’s achievement highlights the county’s ongoing commitment to strong building code enforcement and public safety, reinforcing confidence in the quality and safety of construction across the community. 

BCEGS evaluates jurisdictions on factors such as staff training, building inspections and plan review. Staff training ensures code enforcement personnel are equipped with specialized technical knowledge, process training and administrative expertise across all building functions. Construction inspections provide field verification at multiple stages of a project to ensure compliance with the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. Plan reviews safeguard building safety by evaluating project designs for compliance before permits are issued. 

“While BCEGS is not a regulatory or compliance tool, it recognizes the overall effectiveness of a jurisdiction’s building code enforcement program and the support it receives from local leadership,” said Director of Development Services Mandi Spina. “These high marks matter because they reflect the investments we’ve made to ensure that building safety remains paramount.” 

“This recognition reflects Prince William County’s commitment to ensuring safe, high-quality development for our residents and businesses,” said County Executive Chris Shorter. “Strong building codes and effective enforcement not only protect public safety but also strengthen confidence in our community as a great place to live, work and invest.”