Hampton, VA Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)
Key Facts
- Standard source
- City Code § 9-231
- Applies in
- Designated inspection districts
- No smoke detector
- Disqualifying violation
- No hot water/toilet
- Disqualifying violation
- Underlying code
- Virginia Maintenance Code
Summary
Hampton defines specific 'disqualifying violations', failed electrical, plumbing, heating, structural and fire-safety conditions, that make a rental dwelling unit unfit for occupancy under its rental inspection ordinance.
"Conditions which immediately affect safe, decent and sanitary living conditions of persons occupying a residential rental dwelling unit" include items that violate fire safety; lack of or poor condition of sanitary facilities; absence of adequate heating systems or equipment; items which affect the safe operation of electrical and mechanical systems; items which affect structural integrity of the building and/or the ability of the building envelope to keep out weather...
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 31 | Zoning: Supplement 20).
Full Breakdown
Hampton City Code § 9-231, part of the rental inspection ordinance adopted by Ord. No. 13-0020 in 2013, defines the conditions that make a rental unit fail habitability review. Structural failures in the foundation, roof or exterior walls, unsafe or missing electrical outlets and wiring, a missing smoke detector, no working toilet or tub, no hot water, inadequate heating equipment, and blocked exits are each individually listed as 'disqualifying violations.' These are drawn from the Virginia Maintenance Code (Part III of the state building code) but Hampton's ordinance turns them into a specific checklist the Department of Community Development uses to decide whether a rental unit inside a designated inspection district gets a certificate of compliance.
Violations & Fines
A unit with any listed disqualifying violation cannot receive the certificate of compliance required for lawful rental occupancy in an inspection district until the condition is corrected and re-inspected.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a Hampton rental 'unfit' under this ordinance?
Does this habitability standard apply to every Hampton rental?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hampton
Compare Hampton to another location·View the Virginia rental property rules overview
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