The following is a guide for construction design parameters and code editions.
| TYPE | CODE/EDITION | STATE AMENDMENTS | EFFECTIVE DATE * |
| Commercial Building Code | Virginia Construction Code/2018 | YES | 7/1/2021 |
| Residential Building, Energy, Mechanical, Plumbing, Electrical and Gas Code | Virginia Residential Code/2018 | YES | 7/1/2021 |
| Existing Building Code | Virginia Existing Building Code/2018 | YES | 7/1/2021 |
| Electrical Code | NFPA National Electrical Code/2017 | YES | 7/1/2021 |
| Commercial Mechanical Code | Virginia Mechanical Code/2018 Virginia Fuel Gas Code/2018 | YES | 7/1/2021 |
| Commercial Plumbing & Gas Code | Virginia Plumbing Code/2018 Virginia Fuel Gas Code/2018 | YES | 7/1/2021 |
| Fire Alarm Code | NFPA-72/16 | YES | 7/1/2021 |
| Sprinkler Code | NFPA-13/16 | YES | 7/1/2021 |
| Accessibility | Virginia Building Code/2018 ICC/ANSI A117.1/2009 | YES | 7/1/2021 |
| Energy Conservation (Commercial Buildings) | Virginia Energy Conservation Code/2018 | YES | 7/1/2021 |
| Property Maintenance Code | Virginia Property Maintenance Code/2018 | YES | 7/1/2021 |
| RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION DESIGN PARAMETERS | ||||||||||
| Subject To Damage From | ||||||||||
| Ground Snow Load | Wind Speed | Seismic Design Category | Weathering | Frost Line | Termite | Winter Design Temp | Ice Shield Underlayment Required |
Flood Hazards | Air Freezing Index | Mean Annual Temp |
| 25 psf | 115 mph | B | Severe | 24″ | Moderate to Heavy | 17°F | YES | FIRM-2013 | 250 | 55°F |
| COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION DESIGN PARAMETERS | |||||||
| Spectral Response Acceleration | Weathering | Frost Line | |||||
| Ground Snow Load | Vult Wind Speed Category I Buildings | Vult Wind Speed Category II Buildings | Vult Wind Speed Category III & IV Buildings | Ss %g | S1 %g | ||
| 25 psf | 105 mph | 115 mph | 120 mph | 16% | 5% | Severe | 24″ |
*Until July 1, 2022, the applicant for a permit could choose whether to comply with the provisions of the current code or the provisions of the 2015 code.