• Too many people in a residence creates safety issues and overstresses community infrastructure like schools, roads/traffic and water/sewer systems

• State and County Codes have specific criteria for what can be called "over occupancy."

• Property Code Enforcement in PWC's Neighborhood Services Division is responsible for enforcing
  occupancy and overcrowding regulations. 

   

What is Residential Overcrowding?

The Uniform Statewide Building Code, The Virginia Maintenance Code, and the Prince William County Code govern occupancy issues in residences and instances of potential overcrowding.  There are specific definitions in the code for what does and does not signify "overcrowding in a home,"  Generally, the codes state that:

• A residence is not overcrowded if it consists of one (1) person or two (2) or more persons related by blood or marriage with any number of offspring, foster children, step children or adopted children subject to the maximum occupancy limitations (see the chart below) and not to exceed two (2) roomers or boarders; or

• It is also not considered overcrowding in the code if a residence consists of two (2) single parents or guardians with their dependent children including offspring, foster children, step children or adopted children living and cooking together as a single housekeeping unit; or

• A residence is not vercrowded if it consists of a group of not more than three (3) persons not necessarily related by blood or marriage living and cooking together as a single housekeeping unit. 

Why Overcrowding Matters 

1. One (1) person or two (2) or more persons related by blood or marriage with any number of offspring, foster children, step children or adopted children subject to the maximum occupancy limitations (below) and not to exceed two (2) roomers or boarders; or
2. Two (2) single parents or guardians with their dependent children including offspring, foster children, step children or adopted children living and cooking together as a single housekeeping unit; or
3. A group of not more than three (3) persons not necessarily related by blood or marriage living and cooking together as a single housekeeping unit.

 

The maximum occupancy of a single family dwelling is calculated from the total finished area of the home (plus finished basement area) as it is listed in the County's residential property record card.

 

For a dwelling with a total finished area	Number of adult occupants
of up to 1000 square feet	3
from 1001 to 1500 square feet	4
from 1501 to 2000 square feet	5
from 2001 to 2500 square feet	6
from 2501 to 3000 square feet	7
from 3001 to 3500 square feet	8
from 3501 to 4000 square feet	9
over 4000 square feet	10

 

Additionally the Uniform Statewide Building Code requires that sleeping areas designated for one person are at minimum 70 square feet and two or more persons require 50 square feet minimum per person. There are other requirements for living and dining space, location of bathrooms etc. Contact Property Code Enforcement at 703-792-7018 for more detail and explanation.

If you have observed a situation that is in violation of the provisions of the Code (above) please consider filing a complaint. Call Neighborhood Services at 703-792-7018 or use the online form. You will be contacted to provide additional information that will help Property Code Inspectors in their investigation.

Neighborhood Services offers additional information about overcrowding and Common Code Violations that deteriorate neighborhoods.  You can call us at 703-792-7018 or email nsd@pwcgov.org to request these materials.