Residential Rental Inspection Program

The Rental Inspection Program is designed to ensure safe and decent rental housing for Buena Vista residents and to prevent blight in our neighborhoods. There are two key components:

• Registration of residential rental dwelling units

• Periodic inspection of units for compliance with the Virginia Maintenance Code

Participation in the Program is mandatory for residential rental units located within one of the three districts currently designated, and optional for units elsewhere in the City. A rental inspection certificate is evidence that the dwelling unit meets basic health and safety building code standards. The Program and the Virginia Maintenance Code are separate from the City’s zoning code. Building codes generally address health and safety concerns, while zoning generally addresses neighborhood and community well-being. A rental inspection certificate does not mean that a property complies with the zoning code. Compliance with the Rental Inspection Program and compliance with the zoning code are handled separately.

For the complete guide to the program, click here.