Arlington County, VA Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)

Section 29-3 adopts the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, Volume II, Building Maintenance Code, current edition, as Arlington County's habitability standard, with copies on file at the Community Inspections Offices. " Section 29-4 turns that standard into an occupancy precondition: no owner or other person may occupy or lease a dwelling or dwelling unit to another unless it and the premises comply with Chapter 29 and all other applicable County and Commonwealth laws, and the owner is responsible for compliance unless the chapter specifies otherwise.

Section 29-8 acknowledges the chapter sets "minimal thermal standards," which the County Manager can only suspend during a declared energy shortage emergency, following a public hearing, for no more than 60 days at a time (renewable) or, in an immediate-safety emergency, 15 days. Enforcement runs through § 29-7: the County Manager or a designee inspects on complaint or systematic program, may petition a court for entry if refused, and can declare a public emergency and order abatement or razing where an unsafe or unsanitary condition presents an imminent threat to life or property.