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Virginia Administrative Code
Title 12. Health
Agency 5. Department of Health
Chapter 371. Regulations for the Licensure of Nursing Facilities
8/18/2026

12VAC5-371-410. Architectural drawings and specifications.

A. All construction of new buildings and all additions, renovations, or alterations of existing buildings for occupancy as a nursing facility shall conform to state and local codes, zoning ordinances, and the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (13VAC5-63).

In addition, nursing facilities shall be designed and constructed consistent with Parts 1 and 2 and Chapter 3.1 of Part 3 of the Guidelines for Design and Construction of Residential Health, Care, and Support Facilities, 2022 Edition (The Facility Guidelines Institute ), as amended by the August 2022 Errata for Guidelines for Design and Construction of Residential Health, Care, and Support Facilities, 2022 Edition (The Facilities Guidelines Institute).

B. Architectural drawings and specifications for all new construction or for additions, alterations, or renovations to any existing building shall be dated, stamped with professional seal, and signed by the architect. The architect shall certify that the drawings and specifications were prepared to conform to the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code and to be consistent with Parts 1 and 2 and Chapter 3.1 of Part 3 of the Guidelines for Design and Construction of Residential Health, Care, and Support Facilities, 2022 edition (The Facility Guidelines Institute), as amended by the August 2022 Errata for Guidelines for Design and Construction of Residential Health, Care, and Support Facilities, 2022 Edition (The Facilities Guidelines Institute).

C. Additional approval may include a Certificate of Public Need.

D. Upon completion of the construction, the nursing facility shall maintain a complete set of legible "as-built" drawings showing all construction, fixed equipment, and mechanical and electrical systems, as installed or built.

Statutory Authority

§§ 32.1-12, 32.1-127, and 32.1-127.001 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 13, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1997; amended, Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 7, eff. January 11, 2006; Volume 23, Issue 10, eff. March 1, 2007; Volume 26, Issue 22, eff. August 4, 2010; Volume 37, Issue 14, eff. March 31, 2021; Volume 42, Issue 23, eff. August 13, 2026.

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