Print This  |  Close Window
  • A to Z Directory
  • Employment
  • About the City
    • Awards and Accomplishments
    • City & State Symbols
    • Demographics
    • History
    • Military
    • Sister Cities
    • Weather
  • Contact
    • Email
    • Directory
    • VB311
    • Online Assistance
  • Online Assistance
  • Translate
    • العربية • Arabic
    • 中文 简体 • Chinese
    • 中文 繁体 • Chinese
    • Nederland • Dutch
    • Français • French
    • Deutsch • German
    • Ελλάς • Greek
    • Italiano • Italian
    • 日本語 • Japanese
    • 한국어 • Korean
    • Português • Portuguese
    • Español • Spanish
  • News
  • Media
  • Maps
Home
Residents
  • Animals & Pets »
    Animals & Pets
    • Adoptions, Shelters & Licensing
    • Animal Control
    • Dog-Friendly Parks & Beaches
    • Rabid Animals
  • Arts & Entertainment »
    Arts & Entertainment
    • Public Art
  • Courts & Jury Duty »
  • Emergency Preparedness »
    Emergency Preparedness
    • Disaster Supplies
    • Emergency Contacts
    • Emergency Planning
    • Emergency Shelters
    • Evacuation
    • Protecting Your Property
    • Weathering Storms at Home
    • VBAlert
  • Environment »
    Environment
    • Compost & Waste Disposal
    • Energy Saving Tips
    • Planting Trees
  • Homes & Neighborhoods »
    Homes & Neighborhoods
    • Building & Construction
    • Code Enforcement
    • Home Buyers
    • Home Buying Tips
    • Home Owners
    • Neighbors Helping Neighbors
    • Permits & Inspections
    • Real Estate Assessments
    • Renters & Landlords
    • Trash & Recycling
    • Water & Sewer
    • View more from Homes & Neighborhoods »
  • Human Services
  • Learning »
    Learning
    • 4-H
    • Colleges, Universities & Trade Schools
    • Homework Help
    • Libraries
    • Local History
    • Master Gardeners
    • Public Schools
  • Maps
  • Public Schools
  • Public Safety »
    Public Safety
    • 9-1-1
    • Commonwealth's Attorney
    • Crime Prevention
    • Crime Solvers
    • Crime Statistics
    • Emergency Medical Services
    • Emergency Preparedness
    • Fire
    • Fire Code Permits
    • Police
  • Sports & Recreation »
    Sports & Recreation
    • Beaches
    • Bike Safety Is a Two-Way Street
    • Dog-friendly Parks & Beaches
    • Fishing
    • Golf
    • Parks & Trails
    • Recreation Centers
    • Sports & Leagues
    • Swimming
  • Transportation & Parking »
    Transportation & Parking
    • Hampton Roads Transit (HRT)
    • Moving & Hauling Permits
    • Parking Management
    • Traffic
  • Volunteer
  • Voting »
    Voting
    • History and Education
    • Kids and Parent Corner
    • Poll Sites - Representatives
    • 2012 VA Republican Primary
    • Election Official Information
Business
  • Business License »
    Business License
    • Business License FAQ
    • Documents & Forms
    • Fee Calculator
    • Obtaining a License
  • Business Tax Information »
    Business Tax Information
    • Business Property
    • Business Property FAQ
    • Rates & Due Dates
    • Tax Appeal Process
  • Development & Land Use »
    Development & Land Use
    • Area Plans, Studies, Guidelines
    • Businesses Near N.A.S. Oceana
    • Comprehensive Plan
    • Development Services Center
    • Economic Development
    • Land & Development Management
    • Planning
    • Strategic Growth Areas
    • Zoning
  • Doing Business with the City »
    Doing Business with the City
    • Bids & RFPs
    • Economic Development
    • Minority Business Council
    • Surplus Vehicles
    • Vendor Information
  • Economic Development
  • Environment (Going Green) »
    Environment (Going Green)
    • Environmental Crimes
    • Environment & Sustainability Office
    • Green Building
    • Tax Rate Program for Energy-Efficient Buildings
    • Virginia Beach Green
  • Maps
  • Parking Permits
  • Starting a Business »
    Starting a Business
    • Business and Investments
    • Business Property
    • Business Tax Rates & Due Dates
    • Home Based Business
    • Small Business Resources
    • Obtaining a Business License
Visitors
  • Official Tourism Site for Virginia Beach
  • Arts & Entertainment »
    Arts & Entertainment
    • Attractions
    • Cultural Affairs
    • Events & Entertainment
    • Museums
    • Performing Arts
    • Venues
  • Meetings & Conventions
  • Sports & Recreation »
    Sports & Recreation
    • Beaches
    • Golf
    • Kayaking
    • Parks & Trails
    • Recreation Centers
    • Virginia Beach Sportsplex
  • Special Events »
  • Transportation & Parking »
    Transportation & Parking
    • Getting to Virginia Beach
    • Hampton Roads Transit
    • Resort Area Parking
  • Trip Planner
Government
  • Boards & Commissions »
  • City Budget  »
  • City Council & Mayor
  • City Officials
  • Codes & Ordinances »
  • Courts & Jury Duty »
  • Departments »
    Departments
    • Agriculture »
    • Budget & Management Services »
    • City Attorney »
    • City Auditor's Office »
    • City Clerk »
    • City Manager »
    • City Treasurer »
    • Commissioner of the Revenue »
    • Commonwealth's Attorney »
    • Communications & Information Technology »
    • Convention & Visitors Bureau »
    • View more from Departments »
  • Offices »
    Offices
    • Environment and Sustainability Office »
    • Office of Volunteer Resources »
    • Youth Opportunities Office »
    • Virginia Beach Green »
Services
  • Business »
    Business
    • Business License
    • Business Tax Appeal
    • Home-based Business
  • Animals & Pets »
    Animals & Pets
    • Adoption & Care Center
    • Animal Control
  • Employment »
    Employment
    • City Jobs
    • Volunteer for EMS
    • Volunteer for Fire Dept
    • Volunteer Resources
  • Permits »
    Permits
    • Search for a Permit
  • Library »
  • Maps
  • Online Payments »
  • Parking Management
  • Public Schools
  • Recreation, Entertainment & Event Planning »
  • Registration & Applications »
  • Report a Problem »
  • Service Requests »
    Service Requests
    • Flood Zone Determination
    • Mosquito Control & Spraying
    • Services for those with Special Needs
  • State/Federal Services »
  • Animal Licenses
  • Ask The Library
  • Animal Licenses

 Finding Suggestions

You are here:
Home › Government › Codes & Ordinances
  • Government
    • Boards & Commissions
    • City Budget
    • City Council & Mayor
    • City Officials
    • Codes & Ordinances
    • Courts & Jury Duty
    • Departments»
      • Agriculture»
        • Agriculture Fact Sheets
        • Agriculture Newsletters
        • Did You Know...
        • Excellence in Agriculture
        • Local Farm Produce
        • Divisions, Programs, and Services
      • Budget & Management Services»
        • Tax Assessment Data
        • Contact the Budget Office
        • Community and Regional Organization Grants
        • Benchmarks and Comparisons
        • City Budget & Budget Archives
        • Cable Franchise Fee Information
      • City Attorney
      • City Auditor's Office»
        • Meet the City Auditor
        • Audit Committee
        • Mission and Responsibilities
        • Reporting Fraud, Waste and Abuse
        • Peer Review
        • Single Audit
        • Audit Reports
      • City Clerk»
        • City Council
        • Appointed Agencies
        • Mayor
        • Passports
        • Agenda and Document Archive
        • Sister Cities Association of Virginia Beach
      • City Manager»
        • City Manager's Friday Package
        • City Manager's Update
        • Form of Government
        • Intergovernmental Relations
        • Mission and Values
        • City Holidays
        • Virginia Beach 50th Anniversary
        • James K. Spore
        • Cindy A. Curtis - Deputy City Manager
        • Dave L. Hansen - Deputy City Manager
        • Robert S. Herbert - Deputy City Manager
        • Shared Services Initiative
      • City Treasurer»
        • Payment Options
        • Taxes and Other Collections
        • Licenses and Permits
        • Document Library
        • Hours, Locations, and Departmental Contacts
        • Contact John
      • Commissioner of the Revenue»
        • What's New
        • Commissioner's Office - Contact Us
        • Audit
        • Business License
        • Business Property
        • DMV Select
        • Do I Qualify for Tax Relief or Exemptions?
        • Documents and Forms
        • Frequently Asked Questions
        • Hours, Location, Maps & Directions
        • Investigations
        • Local Vehicle Registration (LVR)
        • Personal Property
        • State Income
        • Tax Rates and Due Dates
        • Tax Relief
      • Commonwealth's Attorney»
        • About Us
        • Commonwealth's Attorney Biographical Sketch
      • Communications & Information Technology»
        • Awards and Recognition
        • Center for GIS
        • City Page
        • Multimedia Services/VBTV
        • VBgov.com
        • Vendor Information
        • Volunteer
      • Convention & Visitors Bureau»
        • Convention Center
        • Visitor Information Center
        • Gift of Tourism
        • About Us
      • Courts»
        • General Information
        • Circuit Court
        • Circuit Court Clerks Office
        • General District Court
        • Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court
        • Court Services Unit (CSU)
        • Virginia's Judicial System Website
        • Virginia Beach Magistrate Office
      • Cultural Affairs Office»
        • Public Art
        • Arts Economic Impact
        • Arts Commission
        • Grants and Resources
        • Cultural Community
        • Venues
        • Frequently Asked Questions
        • History of Percent for the Arts
      • Economic Development
      • Emergency Communications & Citizen Services»
        • Citizen Services: VB311
        • Emergency Communications: VB911
        • Information for Vendors
        • VBAlert
      • Emergency Medical Services»
        • Executive Officers
        • Administration
        • Operations
        • Training
        • Support Services
        • Lifeguard
        • Air Medical Ambulance
        • Members Section
      • Finance»
        • About Finance
        • Accounting and Reporting
        • Accounts Payable
        • Administration
        • Debt Administration
        • Payroll
        • Purchasing
        • Risk Management
        • Minority Business Council
      • Fire Department»
        • The History of the Virginia Beach Fire Department
        • Fire Administration
        • Operations Branch
        • Office Of Resource Management
        • Fire Marshal's Office
        • Emergency Management
        • Training Center
        • Virginia Beach CERT
        • Life Safety Education
        • Fire Stations
        • Career Employment Opportunities
        • Volunteer Employment Opportunities
        • On The Job - The Official VBFD Newsletter
      • Housing & Neighborhood Preservation»
        • Code Enforcement
        • Renters & Landlords
        • Homeowners
        • Home Buyers
        • Homeless Families & Individuals
        • Fair Housing
        • Doing Business with DHNP
        • Housing Boards, Committees & Partners
        • News & Information Resources
        • About Us
      • Human Resources»
        • Employment
        • Diversity Management & Equal Employment Opportunity
        • Military Personnel
        • Volunteer Opportunities
        • Investigation Review Panel (IRP)
        • Virginia Beach Safety Council
        • Human Rights Commission
        • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Human Services»
        • Contact Us
        • About Human Services
        • Resident Services
        • For Providers
        • Document Library
      • Libraries»
        • Books & More
        • Downloadables
        • Programs & Classes
        • News & Events
        • Research
        • Services
        • Locations
        • About Us
        • Support the library
      • Media & Communications Group»
        • Contacts
        • Hot Topics
        • Newsroom
        • State of the City
      • Museums & Historic Resources
      • Parks & Recreation»
        • Recreation Centers
        • Parks & Trails
        • Beach & Boat Facilities
        • Out-of-School Time
        • Sports & Leagues
        • Swimming
        • Fitness & Wellness
        • Special Events
        • Outdoor & Environmental
        • Patrons with Disabilities
        • Design & Development
        • Landscape Management
        • Course Registration
        • About Us
      • Planning»
        • About Us
        • Boards, Commissions & Committees
        • 2009 Comprehensive Plan
        • Document Library - Plans, Studies & Guidelines
        • Codes, Standards & Ordinances
        • Land Development Processes and Resources
        • Permits & Inspections
        • Transportation Planning
        • Zoning Administration
      • Police»
        • Contact Us
        • Chief's Office
        • Investigative Division
        • Operations Division
        • Professional Standards Division
        • Support Division
        • Animal Control
        • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Public Utilities»
        • Customer Service
        • Engineering & Construction
        • Regulatory Programs
        • Health & Safety Compliance
        • Water Conservation
        • Hot Topics
        • Fun For Kids
        • About Us
      • Public Works»
        • Waste Management
        • Roadways
        • Storm Water
        • Energy
        • Coastal
        • Buildings
        • Real Estate
        • Traffic
        • Report A Problem Center
        • Request A Service Center
        • Request for Proposals
        • Specifications & Standards
        • Contracts
        • Bicycle Safety
      • Real Estate Assessor»
        • Assessment Process
        • Tax Information
        • Tax Relief & Incentives
        • Assessor's Annual Reports
        • Applications & Forms Center
        • Office Information
        • Tax Assessment Data
      • Sheriff
      • Strategic Growth Area»
        • About Us
        • 8 Strategic Growth Areas
        • Projects
        • Resort Management
        • Parking Management
      • Voter Registrar»
        • Voter Registration
        • Elections
        • History and Education
        • Election Official Information
        • Electoral Board & Voter Registrar
        • Poll Sites & Representatives
        • Contact Us
        • Forms & Documents
        • Voter ID Requirements in Virginia
        • June 11, 2013 Republican Party Primary Election Sample Ballot
        • June 11, 2013 Democratic Party Primary Election Sample Ballot
    • Offices»
      • Environment and Sustainability Office»
        • Contact Us
        • What We Do
        • Who We Work With
        • Boards and Teams
        • Beach Vitex
        • Parking Amendments
        • Integrated Site Design Guide
        • Oyster Restoration
        • Sustainability Plan
        • Stewardship Awards
        • Stewardship Awards Application
        • Watersheds
        • Waterfront Construction
        • Watershed-Friendly Presentations
        • Historic Kempsville
        • FAQ
        • North Landing River Study
      • Office of Volunteer Resources»
        • Go Green! Virginia Beach
        • Meet Our Volunteers
        • Neighbors Helping Neighbors
        • Virginia Beach Volunteer Recognition Garden
        • Volunteer Application
        • Volunteer Opportunities
        • Volunteer VICnet Login
        • Why Volunteer?
      • Youth Opportunities Office»
        • Green Run Youth Leaders
        • Mayor's Youth Leaders in Action
        • Project Green Teens
        • Summer Youth Employment Program
      • Virginia Beach Green»
        • Accomplishments
        • Land Management
        • Resource Conservation
        • Energy
        • Transportation
        • Open Space Green Infrastructure
        • Urban Forestry
        • 2012 Hampton Roads Sustainable Living Expo

Codes & Ordinances

Page Content

Looking for specific City regulations or ordinances? Click here to access the online Virginia Beach City Code.

This link will open a new window to the Municipal Code Corporation (MCC) website where our online City Code is maintained. The left frame lists the chapters and appendices in the City Code. Click the + signs to expand the list or click the title to go to that location in the Code. You can also use the Search feature to find sections of the Code pertaining to a particular subject.

The following Development Ordinances are listed as appendices to the City Code:

  • Appendix A - Zoning Ordinance
    • Appendix 1 - Oceanfront Resort District Form-Based Code 
  • Appendix B - Subdivision Regulations
  • Appendix C - Site Plan Ordinance
  • Appendix D - Stormwater Management
  • Appendix E - Tree Planting, Preservation and Replacement
  • Appendix F - Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Ordinance
  • Appendix G - Southern Watersheds Management Ordinance
  • Appendix H - Storm Sewer System Discharge Ordinance
  • Appendix I - Airport Noise Attenuation and Safety Ordinance
  • Appendix J - Agricultural Reserve Program

Amendments to the City Code are usually included within two months of approval by City Council. Recent amendments are listed on the Recent City Code Amendments page. Paper and electronic copies of the Virginia Beach City Code and Development Ordinances are available for purchase from the Municipal Code Corporation (MCC) website or by contacting MCC at the address, phone number, or email below:

Municipal Code Corporation
P.O. Box 2235
Tallahassee, FL 32316-2235
Email: info@municode.com
Phone: (850) 576-3171
Fax: (850) 575-8852​

Contact Information

Planning, Design & Development

Direct: (757) 385-1100 | Email: fun@VBgov.com

  • Share
    • FacebookFacebook
    • TwitterTwitter
    • Linked inLinked in
    • del.icio.usdel.icio.us
    • Digg itDigg it
    • MySpaceMySpace
    • StumbleuponStumbleupon
    • GoogleGoogle
    • RedditReddit
    • More...More Shares
  • Email
  • Print
  • ↑↓
    Text Size
Services Search
Find services quickly and easily.

 Finding Suggestions

City Sites Network
Online Assistance
Online Assistance is currently...
Contact the City

Land Line: 311
Mobile: (757) 385-3111
Email: vb311@vbgov.com

 VBgov.com

Contact  |  Departments  |  Site Map  |  Employees  |  Calendar  |  Website Policy  |  ADA

© 2011 City of Virginia Beach. All rights reserved.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Flickr
  • YouTube
  • Email Newsletters
  • Surveys
  • RSS Feeds