RESOURCES
Helpful Resources for Planning and Building Your Home
Planning a custom home, addition, renovation, or accessory building involves more than developing a floor plan. Property information, zoning requirements, building codes, permits, utilities, site conditions, and construction decisions can all influence what is possible.
This collection brings together trusted code, permitting, and property resources to help homeowners better understand and prepare for the residential design and building process.
Virginia Building Codes
Use these official statewide references to identify the code that may apply to your project, then confirm the enforced edition, applicable amendments, and local interpretations.
2021 Virginia Residential Code
Browse ICC's integrated Virginia residential code online at no charge; premium tools and printing require a subscription.
Read the residential code ALTERATIONS + ADDITIONS2021 Virginia Existing Building Code
Requirements for repairs, alterations, additions, and changes involving existing buildings.
View the existing building code STATE CODE LIBRARYVirginia Code Amendments & Archives
Find official Virginia amendments, related regulations, and current or previous code-cycle documents.
Explore Virginia code resourcesLocal Building Departments
Use these official local government pages to find permit applications, plan-review requirements, inspection procedures, current fees, submission portals, and department contacts for your jurisdiction.
Property & Site Resources
Use these official resources to research flood hazards, soils, environmental areas, wells and septic systems, roadway requirements, and underground utilities that may affect a project.
FEMA Flood Maps
Search official flood-hazard maps and related property information.
Open Flood Map Service CenterWells & Septic Systems
Virginia Department of Health information for private wells and onsite sewage systems.
Visit VDH Environmental HealthEntrances & Right-of-Way
VDOT land-use permit information for entrances and work within state-maintained rights-of-way.
View VDOT land-use permitsVirginia 811
Request marking of public underground utilities before excavation or digging.
Visit Virginia 811Soils & Site Conditions
Review preliminary soil classifications, drainage characteristics, slopes, and potential development limitations.
Explore the Web Soil SurveyWetlands & Environmental Areas
Review preliminary information about wetlands, streams, Chesapeake Bay areas, and other environmental conditions.
Explore Virginia environmental mapsLocal GIS, Zoning & Parcel Maps
Use official local mapping tools to review preliminary parcel information, zoning, environmental overlays, development conditions, and other property data for your jurisdiction.