Building Safety Month

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

Building Safety Month

WHEREAS, safeguarding the health, safety, and welfare of citizens of the Commonwealth is the fundamental responsibility of all building safety professionals in Virginia; and

WHEREAS, building safety is realized through the steadfast devotion and dedication of the Commonwealth's first preventers-building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and fire prevention regulators-along with the design community and construction industry, who work together to ensure safe buildings; and

WHEREAS, Virginia's building safety professionals create and influence the built environment through consensus-driven development and implementation of the highest quality codes; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth's efforts to maintain high-quality construction that is safe, structurally sound, and uses sustainable construction methods and emerging technologies - ensures structures throughout Virginia are durable, reliable, and built for the future; and

WHEREAS, Building Safety Month is sponsored by the International Code Council and is supported statewide by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development and the Virginia Department of Fire Programs to promote public awareness about the essential role of first preventers and building safety professionals; and

WHEREAS, the theme for Building Safety Month, "Built to Last," emphasizes simple actions homeowners can take to improve in-home safety, highlights building safety professionals and their roles, encourages community preparedness, and underscores the importance of accessibility in design and construction; and

WHEREAS, Building Safety Month encourages citizen engagement in actions that ensure the places we live, learn, work, worship, and play are safe and recognizes countless lives have been saved through the implementation of safety codes; and

WHEREAS, in observance of Building Safety Month, Virginians are encouraged to commit to improving building safety at home and in their communities and to acknowledge the essential services provided by Virginia's building safety community in protecting lives and property; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Abigail D. Spanberger, Governor, do hereby recognize May 2026 as BUILDING SAFETY MONTH in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all citizens.