Document Library - Plans, Studies & Guidelines

In addition to the Comprehensive Plan, there are several area and corridor plans and studies that are used to guide and manage the future physical growth of specified areas in the City.

There are also several publications available from the City that describe various types of design guidelines for development. Some of these apply to a certain area; others apply to a certain type of development; and others address a certain aspect of all developments.

Most of these plans, studies and guidelines are adopted by City Council to be a part of, or an amendment to the City of Virginia Beach 2009 Comprehensive Plan; as such, they are interpreted to be official City Council policy. Those documents adopted by City Council by reference as part of or as an amendment to the 2009 Comprehensive Plan are indicated by an asterisk *.

To open a document, click on the PDF  icon. ​Some documents that have additional information are hyperlinked to a web page.  For those documents, click on the hyperlinked title to learn more.  

Bayfront / Shore Drive​
Beach Management Plan (April 2002)*​
Shore Drive Corridor Design Guidelines (March 28, 2002)*​
Shore Drive Corridor Plan (March 28, 2000)*
Shore Drive Corridor Plan Appendices (March 28, 2000)​*
Bayfront (Shore Drive Corridor) Study (May 23, 1997)

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Comprehensive Plans​ 2009 Comprehensive Plan​ Policy Document 2009 Comprehensive Plan​ Technical Report​ 2009 Comprehensive Plan​ Reference Handbook (including Agenda for Future Action and Documents Adopted by Reference)​ 2003 Comprehensive Plan Policy Document​ 2003 Comprehensive Plan​​ Technical Report 1997 Comprehensive Plan ​Policy Document​ 1997 Comprehensive Plan Technical Report ​​ 1991 Comprehensive Plan​ 1985 Comprehensive Plan​ 1979 Comprehensive Plan​   ​Kempsville Historic Kempsville Area Master Plan (January 24, 2006)*​   ​Oceana Interfacility Traffic Area and Vicinity Master Plan (Princess Anne Special Economic Growth Area) (January 25, 2011)* ​APZ-1/Clear Zone Master Plan (April 1, 2008)* ​Hampton Roads Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) (May 10, 2005)* Air Installation Compatible Use Zones (AICUZ) Information​   ​ ​Oceanfront ​Resort Area Strategic Action Plan (December 2, 2008)* ​ ​Infill Development Guidelines for Shadowlawn (December 8, 2009)* ​ ​Beach Management Plan (April 2002)* ​ Laskin Road Phase I Corridor Plan (June 27, 2000)* ​ Oceanfront Resort District Design Guidelines (July 10, 2012)* ​ ​Oceanfront Resort District Form-Based Code (July 10, 2012) Virginia Aquarium & Owls Creek Area Plan (December 6. 2011)* Old Beach District Design Guidelines (December 20, 2005)*     ​​ Pembroke / Town Center / Central Business District​ ​ ​Pembroke Strategic Growth Area Implementation Plan (November 10, 2009)* ​ ​Central Business District Urban Guidelines (February 4, 2004)     ​Princess Anne Commons/ Transition Area ​Interfacility Traffic Area and Vicinity Master Plan (Princess Anne Special Economic Growth Area) (January 25, 2011)* ​Princess Anne Corridor Study (July 11, 2000) ​Princess Anne Commons Design Guidelines (January 25, 2002) ​Transition Area Design Guidelines (February 23, 2003)* ​Municipal Center Master Plan (April 1997)*   ​ ​Pungo / Blackwater/ Rural Area ​ ​​​Rural Area and Rural Area Management Plan - 2009 Comprehensive Plan Policy Document​ ​ ​​2009 Comprehensive Plan Reference Handbook - Special Area Development Guidelines - Rural Development ​ ​2009 Comprehensive Plan Reference Handbook - Special Area Development Guidelines - ​Pungo ​ ​​Pungo Crossing Report by Urban Land Institute (June 16, 2006)​ ​ ​​Southern Watershed Area Management Plan (2001)* ​ ​ ​ ​Multiple Benefits Conservation Plan (July 2001) ​  ​Strategic Plan for Agriculture in Chesapeake and Virginia Beac​h (March 30, 2001) ​ ​ Southern Watershed Rural Area Preservation Plan (September 30, 2001) ​  ​Conservation Plan for Southern Watershed Area (February 2001) ​​ ​Agricultural Reserve Progr​am Fact Sheet Fiscal Year (July 2010 – June 2011)   ​   ​​ ​​Strategic Growth Areas ​ ​Northampton Boulevard Corridor Strategic Action Plan (Burton Station) (January 27, 2009)*​ ​ ​Centerville Strategic Growth Area Master Plan (March 26, 2013)* ​ ​Hilltop Strategic Growth Area Master Plan (August 28, 2012)* ​ ​Lynnhaven Strategic Growth Area Master Plan (April 24, 2012)* ​ ​Newtown Strategic Growth Area Master Plan (July 6, 2010)* ​ ​Pembroke Strategic Growth Area Implementation Plan (November 10, 2009)* ​ ​Resort Area Strategic Action Plan (December 2, 2008)* ​ ​Rosemont Strategic Growth Area Master Plan (September 13, 2011)* Citywide​ Bikeways and Trails Plan (February 15, 2011)* ​Virginia Beach Outdoors Plan (2008)* ​Consolidated Strategy and Plan for Housing and Community Development Programs (July 1, 2010)* ​Southeastern Parkway & Greenbelt Location Study (2005) ​Mixed Use Development Guidelines (October 21, 2004)* ​Parking Structure Design Guidelines (December 8, 2009)* ​Landscaping Guide (April 26, 2011) ​Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) (January 20, 2000) ​Public Facilities General Aesthetic Guidelines (June 2000)* ​Retail Establishments and Shopping Centers Ordinance Guidelines (2002)* Senior Housing Facility Development Guidelines (1999) ​Virginia Beach Historic Resources Management Plan (1994)   ​​​