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
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.
Date
May 21, 2024
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended: §103 of the City Zoning Ordinance
Description
An ordinance to amend section 103 of the City Zoning Ordinance pertaining to the granting of modification by the zoning administrator.
Date
May 21, 2024
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended: §1906 of the City Zoning Ordinance
Description
An ordinance to amend section 1906 of the City Zoning Ordinance pertaining to the composition of the Old Beach Design Review Committee.
Date
May 21, 2024
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Sections Amended: §§ 201 and 206 of the City Zoning Ordinance
Description
An ordinance to amend sections 201 and 206 of the City Zoning Ordinance pertaining to the placement of stormwater facilities.
Date
May 21, 2024
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section amended: § 111; section added: § 209.8
Description
An ordinance to amend section 111 of the City Zoning Ordinance and add section 209.8 to the City Zoning Ordinance pertaining to permanent cosmetic tattooing.
Date
May 14, 2024
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended: § 35-182
Description
An ordinance to amend section 35-182 of the City Code to change the dedication for the Tourism Investment Program (TIP) fund and to dedicate a portion of the amusement tax to funding for arts and culture
Date
May 14, 2024
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Sections Amended: §§ 35-6; 35-6.1; 35-9; & 35-37
Description
An ordinance to amend sections 35-6, 35-6.1, 35-9 and 35-37 of the City Code related to the date penalties and interest are imposed upon delinquent real estate and personal property tax bills and/or installments
Date
May 14, 2024
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended: §§ 35.3-12
Description
An ordinance to amend City Code section 35.3-12 to extend the sunset provision for the Gills Cove Area Special Services District
Date
May 14, 2024
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended: §§ 31-39
Description
An ordinance to amend section 31-39 of the City Code regarding the waste collection fee to increase the waste collection fee for such services commencing July 1, 2024
Date
May 14, 2024
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended: §§ 35-64 and 35-67
Description
An ordinance to amend sections 35-64 and 35-67 of the City Code pertaining to the exemption or deferral of real estate taxes for elderly or disabled persons
Date
May 7, 2024
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended: § 10-1
Description
An ordinance to amend section 10-1 of the City Code to provide for the location of the central absentee precinct for the June and November 2024 elections
Date
April 16, 2024
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended: § 21-230
Description
An ordinance to amend Section 21-230 of the city code pertaining to traffic calming
Date
April 16, 2024
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended: § 111 of the City Zoning Ordinance
Description
An ordinance to amend section 111 of the city zoning ordinance pertaining to the definition of terms
Date
March 19, 2024
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Sections Amended: § § 23-2.1, 23-17, and 23-18.1
Description
An ordinance to amend sections 23-2.1, 23-17, and 23-18.1 of the city code pertaining to curfews and other restrictions and regulations during civil commotion
Date
March 5, 2024
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended: § 2-3.1
Description
An ordinance (1) to amend City Code Section 2-3.1 pertaining to the attendance policy for board and commission members; and (2) to amend the final report to City Council of the citizens committee on boards and commissions.
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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