Virginia Administrative Code Title 9 - ENVIRONMENT
Here’s a comprehensive overview of Virginia Administrative Code – Title 9: Environment:
🌿 Title 9 Summary
Title 9 governs environmental protection in Virginia, administered by five key agencies:
Agency 5: State Air Pollution Control Board
Agency 10: Chesapeake Bay Local Assistance Board (Abolished)
Agency 15: Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
Agency 20: Virginia Waste Management Board
Agency 25: State Water Control Board (law.lis.virginia.gov)
📌 Agency & Chapter Breakdown
Agency 5 – Air Pollution Control Board
Establishes rules on air quality, emission standards, permitting, monitoring, and enforcement (Ch. 5–540) (law.cornell.edu).
Agency 15 – Department of Environmental Quality
Serves as the umbrella body overseeing air, water, and waste programs. Key chapters:
Ch. 11: Public participation procedures (law.cornell.edu)
Ch. 20: Environmental Impact Assessment guidelines (notably oil/gas operations in Tidewater VA) (law.lis.virginia.gov)
DEQ manages state-level reviews and citizen feedback, consolidating functions from multiple boards (law.lis.virginia.gov).
Agency 20 – Waste Management Board
Regulates solid/hazardous waste, recycling, tire disposal, voluntary remediation, medical waste transport, litter laws, and formerly mercury-switch rules (some chapters repealed) (law.lis.virginia.gov).
Agency 25 – State Water Control Board
Covers water quality and control through numerous chapters, including:
Ch. 11 & 31–32: VPDES and pollution abatement permits
Ch. 40: Chesapeake Bay watershed regulations
Ch. 71, 91, 101: Sewage, oil storage, tank vessel rules
Ch. 630: Nutrient & poultry waste management (law.lis.virginia.gov)
Ch. 690: Virginia Water Protection general permit for development/mining impacts (law.lis.virginia.gov)
Ch. 875: Erosion and stormwater management standards (effective July 2024) (law.lis.virginia.gov)
🧭 Key Functional Themes
Theme
Focus Areas
Air Pollution
Emissions control, air quality permits, and board enforcements
Water Protection
Pollution permits, Chesapeake Bay safeguards, stormwater/erosion control
Waste Management
Solid/hazardous waste disposal, recycling incentives, remediation policies
Public Involvement
Stakeholder participation in DEQ’s regulatory processes
Environmental Review
EIS for oil/gas, regulatory conformity under NEPA/SEPA
✅ Practical Implications
Businesses: Must secure air, water, waste, and stormwater permits when operating in VA.
Developers & Landowners: Must comply with water protection, erosion, and stormwater rules—especially in Chesapeake Bay zones.
Citizens: Can participate in rulemaking, access permit information, and submit environmental comments.
🔗 Access & Updates
The official VA Administrative Code (LIS) site carries Title 9 with detailed sections and effective dates (archive.epa.gov, law.lis.virginia.gov).
Agencies update regulations quarterly; for instance, Chapter 875’s stormwater updates became effective 6/29/2025 (law.lis.virginia.gov).
Justia and Casetext provide searchable copies, though always verify with official LIS sources (casetext.com).
🧭 Next Steps
Let me know if you'd like:
Full text or section breakdowns for specific chapters (e.g. 9VAC25‑875 erosion, 9VAC15‑20 EIA).
Clarification of legal authority, statutory cross-references, or permit forms.
Details on recent updates or effective dates for new regulations.
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