Virginia

Residential

Virginia’s current mandatory statewide residential code is the 2006 IECC.
The Virginia Board of Housing and Community Development met on July 27 to consider the recommendations of the Codes and Standards Subcommittee, which included proposals approved unanimously by the Committee that would update the state’s energy code to reference the 2009 IECC.  The Board voted 9-2 in favor of adopting the recommendations.  

Commercial

Virginia’s mandatory statewide residential code is the 2006 IECC. The Virginia Board of Housing and Community Development met on July 27 to consider the recommendations of the Codes and Standards Subcommittee, which included proposals approved unanimously by the Committee that would update the state’s energy code to reference the 2009 IECC.  The Board voted 9-2 in favor of adopting the recommendations.

The Virginia Board of Housing and Community Development (a Governor-appointed board) has the authority to adopt changes to the Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), and the adoption process for modifications may take up to twelve months. All meetings of the board and its three committees are open to the public, and there is a public comment session at the beginning of each business meeting to allow the public to address the board on any issue. The board generally meets monthly. Meeting dates and times are posted to the Department of Housing and Community Development website and the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall website.  View the Virginia DHCD Calendar of Events for more information about these meetings.


The General Assembly also promulgates requirements for the USBC, but these requirements apply only to state buildings. The scope of these provisions includes items such as asbestos removal and minimum temperature settings that are not addressed in the USBC.

Residential

Compliance for non state buildings is demonstrated through plan review and inspection at the local level. REScheck may be utilized to demonstrate compliance.

The Director of the Virginia Department of General Services, acting through the Division of Engineering and Buildings, acts as the code official for state buildings. This office performs plan reviews and construction inspections for all state buildings.

Commercial

Compliance for non-state buildings is demonstrated through plan review and inspection at the local level. REScheck may be utilized to demonstrate compliance.

The Division of Engineering and Buildings act as the code official for all state buildings and performs plan reviews and construction inspections.

State Wide Program:
Virginia.
Executive Order 82, "Greening of State Government"

Program Description:
All state agencies and institutions constructing state-owned facilities over 5,000 gross ft2 in size, and renovations of such buildings valued at 50% of the assessed building value, shall be designed and constructed consistent with energy performance standards at least as stringent as LEED Silver or Green Globes 2 Globes Standards, agencies and institutions are instructed to purchase or lease Energy Star-rated appliances and equipment, if Energy Star is available for the category of equipment/appliance.  
 
In addition, the order instructs the Commonwealth to encourage the private sector to adopt energy-efficient building standards by giving preference when leasing facilities for state use to facilities meeting LEED Silver or Green Globes Two Globes standards.

Energy Standard:
Commercial LEED certification:  below is summarized from LEED NC, details vary according to certification program.
Mandatory: minimum 10% compliance beyond ASHRAE 90.1-2007, or use of NBI's Core Performance or one of ASHRAE's Advanced Energy Design Guidelines. LEED options include: optimize energy performance, on-site renewable energy, enhanced commissioning, enhanced refrigerant management, measurement & verification, and green power.     
Residential: mandatory prerequisite, Energy Star certification and refrigerant charge test, options include exceptional energy performance, efficient hot water distribution, pipe insulation, and appropriate HVAC refrigerants.

City Wide Program:
Alexandria, Virginia.
Green Building Policy, 2009

Program Description:
The Alexandria City Green Building Policy requires all new municipal buildings to achieve LEED Silver certification as well as all new commercial buildings. The policy also requires all new residential buildings to be LEED Certified through LEED for Homes, or use the 2008 ICC/NAHB program.

Energy Standard:
Residential LEED H Option: Mandatory prerequisite, Energy Star certification and Refrigerant Charge test, Options include Exceptional Energy Performance, Efficient Hot Water Distribution, Pipe Insulation, and Appropriate HVAC Refrigerants
LEED for Homes:  Mandatory prerequisites: Energy Star certification and Refrigerant Charge test Options: exceptional energy performance, efficient hot water distribution, pipe insulation, and appropriate HVAC refrigerants.      
ICC/NAHB Residential Standard Energy Efficiency: Minimum Performance Path: Exceed 2006 IECC by 15% plus two points.  Minimum Prescriptive Path: 30 points from Section 703, including 2 from 704.  
Point options include:  Percent improvement of Envelope UA, points depend on percentage above code, insulation graded I or II by third-party inspection, exterior mass walls, third-party verification of an enhanced insulation and installation checklist, enhanced fenestration specifications, increased HVAC efficiencies, Energy Star lighting and appliances, south facing window overhangs, solar hot water, ductless heating and cooling, whole house leakage from 5-1 ACH50, etc.  Most point values for the above categories are based on climate zone.  Most categories also have specifications for additions and remodels.     
Commercial LEED certification:  below is summarized from LEED NC, details vary according to certification program.
Mandatory: minimum 10% compliance beyond ASHRAE 90.1-2007, or use of NBI's Core Performance or one of ASHRAE's Advanced Energy Design Guidelines. LEED options include: optimize energy performance, on-site renewable energy, enhanced commissioning, enhanced refrigerant management, measurement & verification, and green power.

County Wide Program:
Arlington County, Virginia.
Green Building Density Incentive Policy for Site Plans, 2009 and Green Building Fund

Program Description:
The Arlington County Green Building Density Incentive Policy applies to special exception site plan requests for bonus density and/or height.   The program uses the LEED rating system as a standard for measuring each project. The FAR bonus depends on the level of LEED Certification and building type (commercial, high-rise residential). The County established a Green Building Fund; builders that do not commit to a LEED rating contribute to the Fund. The contribution is calculated at a rate of $0.045 per square foot. (This calculation is based on the fees assessed by the USGBC for registration and evaluation of a formal LEED application.) The Green Building Fund is used to provide education and outreach to developers and the community on green building issues. If a project receives LEED certification from the USGBC, the Fund contribution is refunded upon receipt of the final LEED certification.

Energy Standard:
Commercial LEED Certification:  below is summarized from LEED NC, details vary according to certification program. Mandatory: minimum 10% compliance beyond ASHRAE 90.1-2007, or use of NBI's Core Performance or one of ASHRAE's Advanced Energy Design Guidelines. LEED options include: optimize energy performance, on-site renewable energy, enhanced commissioning, enhanced refrigerant management, measurement & verification, and green power.

City Wide Program:
Fairfax, Virginia.
Municipal Building Standards, 2008

Program Description:
New municipal buildings or major renovations 10,000 ft2 or larger must achieve LEED Silver.  

Energy Standard:
Commercial LEED Certification:  below is summarized from LEED NC, details vary according to certification program. Mandatory: minimum 10% compliance beyond ASHRAE 90.1-2007, or use of NBI's Core Performance or one of ASHRAE's Advanced Energy Design Guidelines. LEED options include: optimize energy performance, on-site renewable energy, enhanced commissioning, enhanced refrigerant management, measurement & verification, and green power.


City Wide Program:
Richmond, Virginia.
Resolution, 2009

Program Description:
All new construction and major renovations of municipal buildings exceeding 10,000 gross ft2 must achieve LEED Silver certification.

Energy Standard:
Commercial LEED Certification:  below is summarized from LEED NC, details vary according to certification program. Mandatory: minimum 10% compliance beyond ASHRAE 90.1-2007, or use of NBI's Core Performance or one of ASHRAE's Advanced Energy Design Guidelines. LEED options include: optimize energy performance, on-site renewable energy, enhanced commissioning, enhanced refrigerant management, measurement & verification, and green power.