{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/55.1-1221.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/55.1-1221.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/55.1-1221.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/55.1-1221.html"}],"law_id":62652,"edition_id":1,"section_id":62652,"structure_id":14444,"section_number":"55.1-1221","catch_line":"Landlord to provide locks and peepholes","history":"1977, c. 464, \u00a7 55-248.13:1; 1988, c. 500; 2017, c. 730; 2019, c. 712.","full_text":"The governing body of any locality may require by ordinance that any landlord who rents five or more dwelling units in any one multifamily building shall install:\n\n1\n\nDead-bolt locks that meet the requirements of the Uniform Statewide Building Code (§ 36-97 et seq.) for new multifamily construction and peepholes in any exterior swinging entrance door to any such unit; however, any door having a glass panel shall not require a peephole;2\n\nManufacturer’s locks that meet the requirements of the Uniform Statewide Building Code (§ 36-97 et seq.) and removable metal pins or charlie bars in accordance with the Uniform Statewide Building Code on exterior sliding glass doors located in a building at any level designated in the ordinance; and3\n\nLocking devices that meet the requirements of the Uniform Statewide Building Code (§ 36-97 et seq.) on all exterior windows.\n\t\t\tAny ordinance adopted pursuant to this section shall further provide that any landlord subject to the ordinance shall have a reasonable time as determined by the governing body in which to comply with the requirements of the ordinance.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":228430,"text":"The governing body of any locality may require by ordinance that any landlord who rents five or more dwelling units in any one multifamily building shall install:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":228431,"text":"Dead-bolt locks that meet the requirements of the Uniform Statewide Building Code (§ 36-97 et seq.) for new multifamily construction and peepholes in any exterior swinging entrance door to any such unit; however, any door having a glass panel shall not require a peephole;","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":228432,"text":"Manufacturer’s locks that meet the requirements of the Uniform Statewide Building Code (§ 36-97 et seq.) and removable metal pins or charlie bars in accordance with the Uniform Statewide Building Code on exterior sliding glass doors located in a building at any level designated in the ordinance; and","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":228433,"text":"Locking devices that meet the requirements of the Uniform Statewide Building Code (§ 36-97 et seq.) on all exterior windows.\n\t\t\tAny ordinance adopted pursuant to this section shall further provide that any landlord subject to the ordinance shall have a reasonable time as determined by the governing body in which to comply with the requirements of the ordinance.","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14444,"edition_id":1,"name":"Landlord Obligations","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14100,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:48:10","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:48:10","permalink":{"id":245957,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14444,"identifier":"2","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/2","url":"\/55.1\/III\/12\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14100,"edition_id":1,"name":"Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act","identifier":"12","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13073,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:53","permalink":{"id":245885,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14100,"identifier":"12","token":"55.1\/III\/12","url":"\/55.1\/III\/12\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13073,"edition_id":1,"name":"Rental Conveyances","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12707,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:14","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:14","permalink":{"id":245883,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13073,"identifier":"III","token":"55.1\/III","url":"\/55.1\/III\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12707,"edition_id":1,"name":"Property and Conveyances","identifier":"55.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":244769,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12707,"identifier":"55.1","token":"55.1","url":"\/55.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":63685,"structure_id":14444,"section_number":"55.1-1214","catch_line":"Inspection of dwelling unit; report","url":"\/55.1-1214\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/2\/55.1-1214","metadata":false},{"id":55818,"structure_id":14444,"section_number":"55.1-1215","catch_line":"Disclosure of mold in dwelling units","url":"\/55.1-1215\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/2\/55.1-1215","metadata":false},{"id":69542,"structure_id":14444,"section_number":"55.1-1216","catch_line":"Disclosure of sale of premises","url":"\/55.1-1216\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/2\/55.1-1216","metadata":false},{"id":83364,"structure_id":14444,"section_number":"55.1-1217","catch_line":"Required disclosures for properties located adjacent to a military air installation; remedy for nondisclosure","url":"\/55.1-1217\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/2\/55.1-1217","metadata":false},{"id":74874,"structure_id":14444,"section_number":"55.1-1218","catch_line":"Required disclosures for properties with defective drywall; remedy for nondisclosure","url":"\/55.1-1218\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/2\/55.1-1218","metadata":false},{"id":68821,"structure_id":14444,"section_number":"55.1-1219","catch_line":"Required disclosures for property previously used to manufacture methamphetamine; remedy for nondisclosure","url":"\/55.1-1219\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/2\/55.1-1219","metadata":false},{"id":74964,"structure_id":14444,"section_number":"55.1-1220","catch_line":"Landlord to maintain fit premises","url":"\/55.1-1220\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/2\/55.1-1220","metadata":false},{"id":62652,"structure_id":14444,"section_number":"55.1-1221","catch_line":"Landlord to provide locks and peepholes","url":"\/55.1-1221\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/2\/55.1-1221","metadata":false},{"id":74610,"structure_id":14444,"section_number":"55.1-1222","catch_line":"Access of tenant to cable, satellite, and other television facilities","url":"\/55.1-1222\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/2\/55.1-1222","metadata":false},{"id":62503,"structure_id":14444,"section_number":"55.1-1223","catch_line":"Notice to tenants for insecticide or pesticide use","url":"\/55.1-1223\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/2\/55.1-1223","metadata":false},{"id":84720,"structure_id":14444,"section_number":"55.1-1224","catch_line":"Limitation of liability","url":"\/55.1-1224\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/2\/55.1-1224","metadata":false},{"id":56454,"structure_id":14444,"section_number":"55.1-1225","catch_line":"Tenancy at will; effect of notice of change of terms or provisions of tenancy","url":"\/55.1-1225\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/2\/55.1-1225","metadata":false},{"id":55889,"structure_id":14444,"section_number":"55.1-1226","catch_line":"Security deposits","url":"\/55.1-1226\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/2\/55.1-1226","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":74964,"structure_id":14444,"section_number":"55.1-1220","catch_line":"Landlord to maintain fit premises","url":"\/55.1-1220\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/2\/55.1-1220","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":74610,"structure_id":14444,"section_number":"55.1-1222","catch_line":"Access of tenant to cable, satellite, and other television facilities","url":"\/55.1-1222\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/2\/55.1-1222","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/55.1-1221\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1977. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 464 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1977 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 3 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1988, chapter 500; in 2017, chapter 730<\/a>; in 2019, chapter 712<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":78167,"section_number":"36-97","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/36-97\/"}],"permalink":{"id":245987,"object_type":"law","relational_id":62652,"identifier":"55.1-1221","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/2\/55.1-1221","url":"\/55.1-1221\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/55.1-1221\/","token":"55.1\/III\/12\/2\/55.1-1221","dublin_core":{"Title":"Landlord to provide locks and peepholes","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 55.1-1221","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

The governing body of any locality may require by ordinance<\/span> that any landlord<\/span> who rents<\/span> five or more dwelling units<\/span> in any one multifamily building shall install:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Dead-bolt locks that meet the requirements of the Uniform Statewide Building Code (§ 36-97<\/a> et seq.) for new multifamily construction and peepholes in any exterior swinging entrance door to any such unit; however, any door having a glass panel<\/span> shall not require a peephole; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Manufacturer’s locks that meet the requirements of the Uniform Statewide Building Code (§ 36-97<\/a> et seq.) and removable metal pins or charlie bars in accordance with the Uniform Statewide Building Code on exterior sliding glass doors located in a building at any level designated in the ordinance<\/span>; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Locking devices that meet the requirements of the Uniform Statewide Building Code (§ 36-97<\/a> et seq.) on all exterior windows.\n\t\t\tAny ordinance<\/span> adopted pursuant to this section shall further provide that any landlord<\/span> subject to the ordinance<\/span> shall have a reasonable time as determined by the governing body in which to comply with the requirements of the ordinance<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nLANDLORD TO PROVIDE LOCKS AND PEEPHOLES (\u00a7 55.1-1221)\n\nThe governing body of any locality may require by ordinance that any landlord\nwho rents five or more dwelling units in any one multifamily building shall\ninstall:\n\n1. Dead-bolt locks that meet the requirements of the Uniform Statewide Building\nCode (§ 36-97 et seq.) for new multifamily construction and peepholes in\nany exterior swinging entrance door to any such unit; however, any door having a\nglass panel shall not require a peephole;\n\n2. Manufacturer’s locks that meet the requirements of the Uniform\nStatewide Building Code (§ 36-97 et seq.) and removable metal pins or\ncharlie bars in accordance with the Uniform Statewide Building Code on exterior\nsliding glass doors located in a building at any level designated in the\nordinance; and\n\n3. Locking devices that meet the requirements of the Uniform Statewide Building\nCode (§ 36-97 et seq.) on all exterior windows.\n\t\t\tAny ordinance adopted pursuant to this section shall further provide that any\nlandlord subject to the ordinance shall have a reasonable time as determined by\nthe governing body in which to comply with the requirements of the ordinance.\n\nHISTORY: 1977, c. 464, \u00a7 55-248.13:1; 1988, c. 500; 2017, c. 730; 2019, c. 712.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}