Cal. Civ. Code § 13VAC5-63-524
Chapter 4 Light, ventilation, and occupancy limitations.
Operative Text
A. Delete the following sections from Chapter 4 of the IPMC: 1. Section 401.2 Responsibility. 2. Section 401.3 Alternative devices. 3. Section 402.2 Common halls and stairways. 4. Section 402.3 Other spaces. 5. Section 403.2 Bathrooms and toilet rooms. 6. Section 403.5 Clothes dryer exhaust. B. Change the following sections in Chapter 4 of the IPMC to read: 1. Section 401.1 Scope. The provisions of this chapter shall govern the maintenance of structures for light, ventilation, and space for occupancy. 2. Section 402.1 Natural or artificial light. Every habitable space, hallway, stairway, bathroom, and other spaces shall be maintained to provide natural or artificial light to the extent required or provided in accordance with the applicable building code. 3. Section 403.1 Natural or mechanical ventilation. Every habitable space, hallway, stairway, bathroom, and other spaces shall be maintained to provide natural or mechanical ventilation to the extent required by the applicable building code. 4. Section 403.4 Process ventilation. Local exhaust systems required by the applicable building code or that are provided that exhaust injurious, toxic, irritating, or noxious fumes, gases, dusts, or mists to the exterior of a building shall be maintained to prevent compromising the required ventilation system. C. Add the following section to Chapter 4 of the IPMC: Section 404.05 Limitation of application of section. The provisions of Section 404 that address construction aspects of occupancy limitations shall apply only to the extent that such requirements were part of the applicable building code. Operational requirements such as the use of rooms or minimum areas per occupant are part of this code only to the extent that they do not require alterations to be made to a building.
Section 13VAC5-63-524 modifies Virginia's adoption of the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) by deleting several default IPMC provisions and substituting Virginia-specific language governing light, ventilation, and occupancy in maintained structures. Under the revised rules, lighting and ventilation standards in habitable spaces, hallways, stairways, and bathrooms are tied to whatever the applicable Virginia building code requires or provided, rather than to the IPMC's own independent thresholds. The provision also limits how occupancy rules in Section 404 apply: construction-related occupancy requirements only apply if they were already part of the applicable building code, and operational requirements—such as minimum space per occupant—cannot force structural alterations to an existing building.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under 13VAC5-63-524 generally ensure that lighting and ventilation in all habitable spaces, hallways, stairways, and bathrooms meet the standards set by the applicable Virginia building code, since that code—not the deleted IPMC sections—now defines the benchmark. Compliant operators also maintain any local exhaust systems that remove hazardous fumes, gases, dusts, or mists, keeping those systems functional so they do not undermine required ventilation. When evaluating occupancy limitations under Section 404, operators typically confirm whether a given requirement was part of the original applicable building code before treating it as enforceable, and they note that operational occupancy rules cannot compel structural alterations to an existing building.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in Virginia properties covered by 13VAC5-63-524 have a right to adequate natural or artificial light and natural or mechanical ventilation in their habitable spaces, hallways, stairways, and bathrooms, measured against the applicable building code standard. If lighting, ventilation, or exhaust systems appear to be inadequately maintained, tenants may raise a violation of this provision as a defense in relevant proceedings or file a complaint with the local building or housing inspection authority that enforces the Virginia Maintenance Code. Consulting a tenant-rights organization familiar with Virginia's property maintenance regulations can help clarify which specific building code standards apply and what remedies may be available under 13VAC5-63-524.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 22, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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