Uniform Statewide Building Code; stakeholder group to evaluate temperature regulation.

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not specify the exact changes that will be made to the building code or how recommendations from the advisory group will be implemented.

Building Code Temperature Regulation Review

This bill directs the Board of Housing and Community Development to form a stakeholder advisory group that will evaluate changes to the Uniform Statewide Building Code related to temperature regulation in apartment buildings.

What This Bill Does

• Directs the Board of Housing and Community Development to convene a stakeholder advisory group to evaluate changes to the Uniform Statewide Building Code addressing temperature regulation.
• The advisory group includes representatives from tenant advocacy groups, landlords, residential real estate professionals, public health experts, and other interested stakeholders.
• Requires the advisory group to submit their findings and recommendations by November 1, 2026.

Who It Names or Affects

• The Board of Housing and Community Development
• Owners and operators of apartment buildings that rent or lease units
• Tenant advocacy groups, landlords, residential real estate professionals, public health experts

Terms To Know

Uniform Statewide Building Code

A set of rules for building construction and maintenance in Virginia.

Stakeholder advisory group

A group made up of people who have an interest or stake in a particular issue, such as tenants, landlords, real estate professionals, and public health experts.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify what changes will be made to the building code.
• It is unclear how the recommendations from the advisory group will be implemented after November 1, 2026.

Official Summary Text

Board of Housing and Community Development; Uniform Statewide Building Code; stakeholder group to evaluate temperature regulation.
Directs the Board of Housing and Community Development to convene a stakeholder advisory group to evaluate changes to the Uniform Statewide Building Code addressing temperature regulation. The stakeholder group shall submit its findings and recommendations to the Board and to the Chairs of the House Committee on General Laws and the Senate Committee on General Laws and Technology no later than November 1, 2026.

Current Bill Text

A BILL to direct the Board of Housing and Community Development to convene a stakeholder advisory group to evaluate changes to the Uniform Statewide Building Code addressing temperature regulation.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.
§ 1.
That the Board of Housing and Community Development (the Board) shall convene a stakeholder advisory group to evaluate changes to Chapter 6 of the Uniform Statewide Building Code, 13VAC5-
63-540
of the Virginia Administrative Code, to address temperature regulation, including a requirement that every owner and operator of a Group R-2 apartment building that rents, leases, or lets one or more dwelling units, rooming units, or guestrooms on terms, either express or implied, shall (i) furnish cooling to the occupants thereof during the period from May 1 to October 15 to maintain a temperature of not more than 77 degrees Fahrenheit in all habitable rooms and (ii) furnish heat to the occupants thereof during the period from October 15 to May 1 to maintain a temperature of not less than 68 degrees Fahrenheit in all habitable rooms. Such advisory group shall include representatives of tenant advocacy groups, landlords, representatives of residential real estate, public health professionals, and other interested stakeholders. The advisory group shall submit its findings and recommendations to the Board and to the Chair
s
of the House Committee on General Laws and the Senate Committee on General Laws and Technology no later than November 1, 202
6
.