Alexandria, VA Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Core duty
- Keep buildings ratproof and rat-free
- Ratproofing deadline
- At least 15 days after notice
- Eradication deadline
- At least 5 days after notice
- Bird feeder height
- Elevated 18 inches minimum
- General penalty
- Up to $100 fine per day
- Enforcing official
- City code official
Summary
City Code Sec. 11-6-2 requires every building in Alexandria to be ratproofed, kept free of rats, and maintained in a ratproof and rat-free condition, with owners obligated to repair any break in ratproofing on their own initiative. Removing ratproofing without restoring it, or cutting new unsealed openings, is unlawful under the same section.
(a)All buildings in the city shall be ratproofed, freed of rats, and maintained in a ratproof and rat-free condition. Rat harborages and conditions favoring the harborage of rats shall be eliminated.(b)The owners of all ratproof buildings shall maintain the premises in a ratproof condition and repair all breaks or leaks that may occur in the ratproofing without a specific notice from the director of public health.(c)It shall be unlawful for the owner, occupant, contractor, public utility company, plumber, any repairman, or any other person to remove and fail to restore in like condition the ratproofing from any building for any purpose, or to make any new openings that are not closed or sealed against the entrance of rats.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 156 | Zoning: Supplement 103).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 6 of Title 11, 'Rat Control,' places the burden of keeping a building ratproof squarely on the owner. Sec. 11-6-2 declares that all buildings in the city 'shall be ratproofed, freed of rats, and maintained in a ratproof and rat-free condition,' and requires owners to eliminate rat harborages and repair any breach in ratproofing without waiting for a city notice. Sec. 11-6-7 extends the duty to new work, making it unlawful to construct, repair or remodel a building in a way that fails to keep it ratproof.
Related sections address conditions that attract rats: Sec. 11-6-8 requires pet and animal food stored in the city to be kept in rat-free, ratproof containers; Sec. 11-6-9 requires bird feeders to be elevated at least 18 inches with feed kept off the ground; Sec. 11-6-11 makes it unlawful to let garbage, rubbish or trash accumulate so as to afford rats food or harborage; and Sec. 11-6-12 requires stacked lumber, bricks and similar materials to sit on racks elevated at least six inches off the ground.
The code official, who administers Chapter 34 of the Uniform Statewide Building Code for the city, may inspect any building for evidence of infestation or inadequate ratproofing under Sec. 11-6-3, and can issue a written notice requiring ratproofing or eradication within a deadline no shorter than 15 days for ratproofing under Sec. 11-6-4 or five days for eradication under Sec. 11-6-5. Where a public health emergency from rat infestation exists, Sec. 11-6-15 authorizes the code official to abate the infestation without prior notice to the owner or occupant.
Violations & Fines
Failing to ratproof a building within the deadline set in a code official's written notice, no shorter than 15 days, is punishable under Sec. 1-1-7 of the City Code. Separately, Sec. 11-6-18 makes it unlawful for any person to fail, neglect or refuse to comply with any provision of the rat control chapter, with a fine of up to $100 per violation and each day of continued noncompliance a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for ratproofing a building in Alexandria?
What happens if the code official finds a rat infestation?
How high must bird feeders be to comply with the rat code?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Alexandria
Compare Alexandria to another location·View the Virginia public health rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.