Virginia Adopts Modular Building Standards

The regulations could help lower the cost of off-site housing production.

1 minute read

January 4, 2024, 7:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Tan modular building with white swinging barn/garage door being transported on freeway with yellow "Oversize Load" banner across back.

K.A / Adobe Stock

The Commonwealth of Virginia adopted a suite of building codes developed by the International Code Council that are designed to streamline regulations around modular construction and make off-site building of housing units more affordable and efficient.

According to a press release published in Informed Infrastructure, “The Code Council and the Modular Building Institute (MBI) developed ICC/MBI Standard 1200-2021: Standard for Off-Site Construction: Planning, Design, Fabrication, and Assembly and ICC/MBI Standard 1205-2021: Standard for Off-Site Construction: Inspection and Regulatory Compliance in order to provide best practices based on existing off-site construction programs and support consistency and efficiency in how off-site construction is approved and inspected.”

Advocates of modular construction say the approach can play an important role in reducing the nationwide housing shortage and providing affordable housing units at lower cost in a shorter time frame.

Wednesday, January 3, 2024 in Informed Infrastructure

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

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