Codes & Ordinances
Users can search specific city regulations and ordinances online through Virginia Beach City Code.
City Charter Posting
The posting of the City Charter on municode.com is a convenience to the public. The Virginia Legislative Information Service (LIS) posts the City Charter and in the event of a discrepancy between the posting of the City Charter, the version posted by the LIS controls.
​​​​​Through the online Virginia Beach City Code, users can search specific city regulations and ordinances. The 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
Recent Amendments
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Amendments to the City Code are typically incorporated within two months of approval by the City Council. The recent amendments are maintained on this page for six months.
Date
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Description
Date
Nov. 12, 2024
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Added: § 17-7
Description
An ordinance to add city code section 17-7 pertaining to nighttime use of city libraries.
Date
Nov. 12, 2024
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Added: § 17-7
Description
An ordinance to add city code section 17-7 pertaining to nighttime use of city libraries.
Date
Oct. 15, 2024
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Added: § 17-7
Description
An ordinance to add city code section 17-7 pertaining to nighttime use of city libraries.
Date
Oct. 15, 2024
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended: § 6-27 6 7 Sections Added: §§ 6-34, and -35
Description
An ordinance to amend Chapter 6, Article I of the city code, pertaining to obstructing the waterways and contaminating the waterways.
Date
Sept.17, 2024
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Added: § 21-307
Description
An ordinance to add section 21-307 to the city code to authorize enforcement of parking regulations in facilities owned by the city of virginia beach development authority and to set a fee for removal of a vehicle immobilization device.
Date
Sept. 17, 2024
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Repealed: Chapter 30, Article III & Section Added: Appendix D
Description
An ordinance repealing chapter 30, article iii, erosion and sediment control and tree protection and appendix d, stormwater management and adopting and reordaining appendix d, erosion and stormwater management.
Date
Sept. 3, 2024
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended: § 21-230
Description
An ordinance to amend section 21-230 of the city code pertaining to traffic calming via maximum speed limits in certain residential districts; penalty.
Date
Aug. 22, 2024
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended: § 5-401
Description
An ordinance to amend section 5-401 of the city code pertaining to fees for the impoundment of animals and to appropriate funds
Date
July 2, 2024
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended: § 106 of the City Zoning Ordinance
Description
An ordinance to amend Section 106 of the City Zoning Ordinance pertaining to notices of publication.
Date
July 2, 2024
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended: § 110 of the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Ordinance
Description
An ordinance to amend Section 110 of Appendix F, Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area ordinance pertaining to notices of publication.
Date
June 18, 2024
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Sections Amended: 35-158; 35-161 through 35-169
Description
An ordinance to amend the title of article VII of chapter 35 and sections 35-158 and 35-161 through 35169 regarding the transient occupancy tax.
Date
June 18, 2024
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Sections Amended: 35-252 and 18-104.1; Sections Repealed: 18-59 and 18-60
Description
An ordinance to amend the title of article XII of chapter 35 and sections 35-252 and 18-104.1 and to repeal sections 18-59 and 18-60 of the City Code regarding taxes upon businesses that rent tangible personal property.
Date
June 18, 2024
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Sections Amended: §§ 37-71, 37-72 and 37-6 72.1
Description
An ordinance to amend sections 37-71, 37-72 and 37-72.1 of the City Code pertaining to backflow prevention devices
Date
June 18, 2024
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section amended: § 33-113.3
Description
An ordinance to add section 33-113.3 to the City Code pertaining to waterway encroachments in special service districts.
Paper and electronic copies of the Virginia Beach City Code and Development Ordinances are available for purchase from the Municipal Code Corporation website or by contacting MCC:
Municipal Code Corporation
P.O. Box 2235Tallahassee, FL 32316-2235
Email: info@municode.com
Phone: (850) 576-3171 | Fax: (850) 575-8852​​
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