Arlington County, VA HVAC permit requirements

2021 Virginia Residential Code (2021 IRC as amended by VCC Section 310.8 of the 2021 Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, 13VAC5-63), effective January 18, 2024. Per Va. Code § 36-98 (quoted on Town Hall), the USBC 'supersedes the building codes and regulations of the counties'.

2021 Virginia Energy Conservation Code (2021 IECC as amended by VCC 1301.1.1.1) and VRC Chapter 11 (N1101-N1111 as amended in VCC 310.8). Amendments include an amended N1103.7/R403.7 sizing section, N1103.1.3 heat pump as primary heat source, VA-specific frame wall R-value/U-factor tables for CZ 3A/4A/5A, and existing buildings sent to the VEBC.

VRC M1401.3 amended (VCC item 82): 'Heating and cooling equipment and appliances shall be sized in accordance with ACCA Manual S or other approved sizing methodologies based on building loads calculated in accordance with ACCA Manual J or other approved heating and cooling calculation methodologies.' The exception lifts only the Manual S capacity limit, for (1) multi-stage/VRF equipment whose range covers the calculated loads, (2) cases where no unit meets total and sensible gains and the next larger standard size is specified, (3) the lowest-capacity unit a manufacturer offers. N1103.7 (R403.7) is amended the same way (item 76). Arlington's residential permit requirements list under 'ISD Mechanical': 'Manual J, D, or S (N1103.6, and M1401.3). Heating and cooling system must comply with the energy code by verifying location and square footage.' Arlington also publishes Manual J design criteria (Table R301.2(1), Jan 2024): 39°N, winter 99% DB 20°F, summer 1% DB 92°F, indoor 70°F/75°F, HTD 53°F, CTD 17°F, coincident WB 75°F, daily range M.

IRC 2021 M1601.1 is kept without Virginia amendment; the VCC amends only references to M1601.1.1 and M1602.2. Its text: 'Duct systems ... shall be installed in accordance with the provisions of this section and ACCA Manual D, the appliance manufacturer's installation instructions or other approved methods.' Arlington's residential requirements list 'Manual J, D, or S' under ISD Mechanical.

Arlington: a mechanical permit is required for 'adding, removing or relocating' furnaces, air-conditioning, ventilation, exhaust, refrigeration systems, duct work, etc. 'Replacement of these elements of the same type, size and location do not require a permit, unless its equipment is fueled by gas' (gas equipment goes under a Plumbing/Gas permit). Statewide, VCC 108.2 item 14.4 exempts from permit 'Replacement of mechanical appliances provided such equipment is not fueled by gas or oil' in R-3, R-4, R-5 (and R-2 serving a single dwelling unit), but notes this 'shall not be construed to exempt such activities from other applicable requirements of this code.' No source says whether a load calc is required for a changeout.

The 2021 VECC / VRC Chapter 11 keeps the IECC structure: prescriptive (R401.2.1 / N1101.2.1), total building performance alternative, and Energy Rating Index (R406 / N1106). VA amends R406.3.2 (on-site renewables with ERI). No Arlington-specific compliance path guidance was found.

Apply through Permit Arlington. Mechanical plans or location plans are required for equipment on roofs, parking garages or exterior locations. Land disturbance needs disturbance-area plans. Chimney Vent Certification forms are required for fuel-burning appliances. Residential plan review lists 'Manual J, D, or S (N1103.6, and M1401.3)' under ISD Mechanical for new houses, additions and interior alterations. A Mechanical Plan Review Waiver (owner certification) is available 'ONLY to the Alterations and Additions Proposed to one and two Family Dwellings'; under it 'all design specifications shall be available on the job site at the time of inspection for the Inspector to review.'

DHCD 2024 Code Development Cycle is underway to convert the 2021 USBC to the 2024 I-codes. The Town Hall action 'Review and Update of the USBC' is at 'NOIRA Stage complete. Comment period ended 12/02/2025'. The BHCD met May 11, 2026 to 'consider code change proposals and base documents for the 2024 Code Development Cycle proposed regulations.' No proposed-stage publication and no 2026-2027 effective date for the 2024 USBC were found in official sources.

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