VIRGINIA BEACH — Warmer weather means residents will be outdoors, spending time on their porches and decks, and cooling off in swimming pools.
In an effort to ensure that residents stay safe while relaxing, the Virginia Beach Code Enforcement Division has issued a few reminders.
“While we do not encounter many deck violations, we encourage proactive maintenance and evaluation by licensed professionals to ensure decks are safe,” said Wells Freed, housing code administrator for the city. “Rental tenants who have a concern regarding a deck on a property they rent should contact the property owner or management company first and request that the deck be evaluated.”
If the property owner or management company fails to cooperate, he said, they may contact code enforcement and an inspector will investigate to determine if any code violations exist.
If violations are found, the inspector will notify the property owner to make repairs within a specified timeframe.
Freed said the city adopts the Virginia Maintenance Code, which requires that all decks are maintained structurally sound, in good repair, with proper anchorage, and capable of supporting the imposed loads.
The Virginia Residential Construction Code includes specific requirement for the construction of decks and the permitting requirements for making repairs to existing decks.
A link to these requirements, which are enforced by the Permits and Inspections Division of the Planning and Community Development Department, is available on online.
The VMC also requires that all swimming pools and swimming pool barriers are installed and properly maintained.
“From a building code standpoint, ensuring a code compliant pool barrier is installed and properly maintained at all times is the most important safety tip,” Freed said. “It reduces the potential for a child to gain entry to the pool and drown. Second is to ensure the swimming pool structure is in good repair and the filtration system is functioning properly. A neglected or stagnant swimming pool can be considered a health/safety hazard and a public nuisance as it can result in insect breeding.”
Freed said code enforcement inspectors patrol their assigned zones for code violations from the public right-of-way. This includes violations pertaining to decks and swimming pools.
However, inspectors cannot enter upon private property without permission, and in most cases, decks and swimming pools are not visible from the public right-of-way. They are often in the rear of the property, behind fencing.
Inspectors do respond to complaints and will perform inspections from adjacent properties when accompanied by the resident.
