Newport News, VA Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies in
- designated rental inspection districts
- Certificate term
- 12 months (48 if no violations)
- Occupancy bar
- no tenant without valid certificate
- Enforcement
- department of codes compliance
Summary
Newport News requires owners of residential rental units inside a designated rental inspection district to pass a codes-compliance inspection and hold a valid certificate of compliance before anyone may occupy the unit as a tenant.
(a) The owner of each residential rental dwelling unit located in an inspection district shall obtain and permit an initial inspection and subsequent inspections of such residential rental dwelling unit... (e) Unless a current certificate or temporary certificate of compliance is in force for a residential rental dwelling unit... no owner of such unit shall permit any person to occupy such unit as a tenant or otherwise.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 81).
Full Breakdown
Under the Chapter 13 rental inspection article, owners in a mapped inspection district must let the codes compliance department inspect the unit; units with no disqualifying violations get a 48-month certificate, others a 12-month certificate after fixes are noted. No owner may let anyone occupy the unit as a tenant unless a current certificate or temporary certificate of compliance is in force, and violations of the article carry the penalties set out in § 13-2.
Violations & Fines
Occupying or renting a unit without a valid certificate of compliance violates the article; the department can revoke a certificate, issue a notice of violation, and the owner faces penalties under § 13-2 (up to $2,500 per offense, each day separate).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent out a unit in an inspection district without an inspection?
What happens if violations are found?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Newport News
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