Virginia Administrative Code › Title 13 - HOUSING › Agency 5 - DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT › Chapter 63 - VIRGINIA UNIFORM STATEWIDE BUILDING CODE › Part II - Existing Buildings › Section 13VAC5-63-410 - Section 102 Purpose and scope

Current through Register Vol. 40, No. 24, July 15, 2024
A. Section 102.1 Purpose. In accordance with
				  §
										36-99.01 of the Code of Virginia,
				  the General Assembly of Virginia has declared that (i) there is an urgent need
				  to improve the housing conditions of low and moderate income individuals and
				  families, many of whom live in substandard housing, particularly in the older
				  cities of the Commonwealth; (ii) there are large numbers of older residential
				  buildings in the Commonwealth, both occupied and vacant that are in urgent need
				  of rehabilitation and must be rehabilitated if the state's citizens are to be
				  housed in decent, sound, and sanitary conditions; and (iii) the application of
				  those building code requirements currently in force to housing rehabilitation
				  has sometimes led to the imposition of costly and time-consuming requirements
				  that result in a significant reduction in the amount of rehabilitation activity
				  taking place.
The General Assembly further declares that (i) there is an
					 urgent need to improve the existing condition of many of the Commonwealth's
					 stock of commercial properties, particularly in older cities; (ii) there are
					 large numbers of older commercial buildings in the Commonwealth, both occupied
					 and vacant, that are in urgent need of rehabilitation and that must be
					 rehabilitated if the citizens of the Commonwealth are to be provided with
					 decent, sound, and sanitary work spaces; and (iii) the application of the
					 existing building code to such rehabilitation has sometimes led to the
					 imposition of costly and time-consuming requirements that result in a
					 significant reduction in the amount of rehabilitation activity taking
					 place.
B. Section 102.2
				  Scope. The provisions of this code shall govern construction and rehabilitation
				  activities in existing buildings and structures.
C. 102.2.1 Group I-2 or I-3 applicability. A
				  change of occupancy to Group I-2 or I-3 from another occupancy classification
				  shall comply with the provisions of the VCC as required for new construction,
				  not Chapter 7 of this code. All other provisions of the VEBC, including change
				  of occupancy within an existing Group I-2 or I-3 classification, are applicable
				  to Group I-2 or I-3.
D. 102.2.2
				  Reconstruction, alteration, or repair in Group R-5 occupancies. Compliance with
				  this section shall be an acceptable alternative to compliance with this code at
				  the discretion of the owner or owner's agent. The VCC may be used for the
				  reconstruction, alteration, or repair of Group R-5 buildings or structures
				  subject to the following criteria:
1. Any
				  reconstruction, alteration, or repair shall not adversely affect the
				  performance of the building or structure or cause the building or structure to
				  become unsafe or lower existing levels of health and safety.
2. Parts of the building or structure not
				  being reconstructed, altered, or repaired shall not be required to comply with
				  the requirements of the VCC applicable to newly constructed buildings or
				  structures.
3. The installation of
				  material, equipment, or both that is neither required nor prohibited shall only
				  be required to comply with the provisions of the VCC relating to the safe
				  installation of such material or equipment.
4. Material, equipment, or both may be
				  replaced in the same location with material or equipment of a similar kind or
				  capacity.
5. In accordance with
				  §
											36-99.2 of the Code of Virginia,
				  installation or replacement of glass shall comply with Section R308 or Chapter
				  24 of the VCC.
Exceptions:
1. This
				  section shall not be construed to permit noncompliance with any applicable
				  flood load or flood-resistant construction requirements of the VCC.
2. Reconstructed decks, balconies, porches,
				  and similar structures located 30 inches (762 mm) or more above grade shall
				  meet the current code provisions for structural loading capacity, connections,
				  and structural attachment. This requirement excludes the configuration and
				  height of handrails and guardrails.
3. Repair or replacement of smoke alarms
				  shall be with devices listed in accordance with UL217 and that are no more than
				  10 years from the date of manufacture. Battery-only powered devices shall be
				  powered by a 10-year sealed battery.