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 13VAC5-63, Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. The purpose of the proposed action is to lower to 77° Fahrenheit the required cooling temperature as provided in the Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC). Currently, the Virginia Maintenance Code (VMC), a part of the USBC, requires that when cooling is provided to tenants of certain multifamily buildings, it must be provided to a temperature of at least 80° Fahrenheit. The current threshold has been identified as a public health concern in multiple localities that adopt the VMC.

The agency intends to hold a public hearing on the proposed action after publication in the Virginia Register.

Statutory Authority: § 36-98 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Comment Deadline: July 10, 2019.

Agency Contact: Kyle Flanders, Senior Policy Analyst, Department of Housing and Community Development, Main Street Centre, 600 East Main Street, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23219, telephone (804) 786-6761, FAX (804) 371-7090, TTY (804) 371-7089, or email kyle.flanders@dhcd.virginia.gov.