Notice is hereby given in accordance with § 2.2-4007.01 of the Code of Virginia that the Board of Housing and Community Development intends to consider amending 13VAC5-21, Virginia Certification Standards. The purpose of the proposed action is to update the regulation to coordinate with the building and fire regulations of the department that are being updated to reference the newest available nationally recognized model codes and standards. Since the national codes are so comprehensive in their scope, the agency will accept comment on all provisions of the regulation to insure compatibility with the latest codes.

The agency is seeking comments on the intended regulatory action, including but not limited to (i) ideas to assist in the development of a proposal, (ii) the costs and benefits of the alternatives stated in this background document or other alternatives, and (iii) potential impacts of the regulation. The agency is also seeking information on impacts on small businesses as defined in § 2.2-4007.1 of the Code of Virginia. Information may include (i) projected reporting, recordkeeping, and other administrative costs; (ii) probable effect of the regulation on affected small businesses; and (iii) description of less intrusive or costly alternative methods of achieving the purpose of the regulation.

Anyone wishing to submit written comments may do so at the public hearing or by mail, email, or fax to Steve Calhoun, 600 East Main Street, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23219-1321, (804) 371-7015, fax number: (804) 371-7092, email address: steve.calhoun@dhcd.virginia.gov. Written comments must include the name and address of the commenter. In order to be considered, comments must be received by the last day of the public comment period.

In addition, the agency is seeking information on (i) the continued need for the regulation; (ii) the complexity of the regulation; (iii) the extent to the which the regulation overlaps, duplicates, or conflicts with federal or state law or regulation; and (iv) the length of time since the regulation has been evaluated or the degree to which technology, economic conditions, or other factors have changed in the area affected by the regulation.

A public hearing will be held and notice of the hearing may be found on the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall website (http://www.townhall.virginia.gov) and on the Commonwealth Calendar website (http://www.virginia.gov/cmsportal3/cgi-bin/calendar.cgi). Both oral and written comments may be submitted at that time.

Statutory Authority: § 36-137 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Comment Deadline: December 19, 2012.

Agency Contact: Stephen W. Calhoun, Regulatory Coordinator, Department of Housing and Community Development, Main Street Center, 600 East Main Street, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23219, telephone (804) 371-7000, FAX (804) 371-7090, TTY (804) 371-7089, or email steve.calhoun@dhcd.virginia.gov.