Welcome to the Virginia Beach Comprehensive Plan Update Web page, where you’ll find useful information about this long-range planning tool and ways to actively participate in our update process.  The Comprehensive Plan, required by state law and adopted by City Council, is the official land use planning guide for Virginia Beach and is used to help channel growth, protect neighborhoods, improve our economy, help manage our limited resources and, ultimately, advance the overall quality of life for citizens.

The last two plans, one adopted in 1997 and the other in 2003, received the highest award from the Virginia Chapter of the American Planning Association for a professional planning document.

Last fall, the city held 12 public open houses to learn what planning issues and goals were most important on the minds of our citizens.  We also met with a wide range of stakeholder groups to gather information of interest to them.  After carefully considering all comments, a final draft of the Comprehensive Plan is complete and ready for your review.   This Plan includes a:

• Policy Document that embodies the key planning recommendations affecting land use, neighborhood preservation, transportation systems, natural resources and economic vitality, among other topics. 
• Technical Report that includes a wealth of data and information on a wide range of planning elements.  
• Reference Handbook, a new entry that includes information on community design, a list of other plans and studies adopted as part of the comprehensive plan by reference and an Agenda for Future Action to be used to help advance certain policies of the Comp Plan.
• Princess Anne Corridor Study that has been amended and updated to reflect current realities in this area.

You can access the final draft of the updated Comprehensive Plan by clicking on the links above or listed under Related Pages to the right.  It is also available at any Virginia Beach Public Library location, or at the Department of Planning and Community Development, 2405 Courthouse Drive, Room 115.

Public Review Process

Three informal public information meetings have been scheduled to provide opportunities for citizens to review content of the Plan, discuss planning matters with city staff and learn about the next steps as we move closer to final adoption. 

Please join us at any of these meetings, which are scheduled from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m:

Thursday, October 22
Bayside Recreation Center
4500 First Court Road

Monday, October 26
Virginia Beach Convention Center
1000 19th Street

Thursday, October 29
Creeds Elementary School
920 Princess Anne Road

If you have questions or comments about the Comprehensive Plan, please contact the Department of Planning at 385-4621 or e-mail cpupdate@vbgov.com.

Thank you for your interest in this update to the Virginia Beach Comprehensive Plan. It truly reflects our community vision and collectively, It’s Our Future!