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.
By adopting the recommendations of the Governor, SB681 and HB187 are effective immediately. Â These bills update the text of the City Charter to reflect the 10-1 Election System that was approved by referendum. Â It may take a few weeks for the LIS and municode.com to be updated to reflect this change.
​​​​​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
March 3, 2026
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Sections amended: § 2-3.1
Description
An Ordinance to amend City Code Section 2-3.1 pertaining to Boards and Commissions generally.
Date
Feb. 17, 2026
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Sections amended: § 21-230
Description
An Ordinance to amend Section 21-230 of the City Code pertaining to traffic calming.
Date
Feb. 17, 2026
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Sections amended: § 23-2
Description
An ordinance to amend Section 23-2 of the city code pertaining to curfew for unaccompanied minors.
Date
Jan. 20, 2026
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section/s amended: § 10-1 and § 10-1.2
Description
An Ordinance to the City Code to change the polling locations for precincts and to relocate the office of the Voter Registrar.
Date
Jan. 20, 2026
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section amended: §21-405, 21-407 Section Added: 21-407.1
Description
An Ordinance to amend sections of the City Code and add section pertaining to charges for towing and storage of vehicles.
Date
Jan. 6, 2026
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section amended: § 2-105
Description
An Ordinance to Amend Section 2-105 of the City Code pertaining to re-employment.
Date
Jan. 6, 2026
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section amended: § 2-85
Description
An Ordinance to Amend Section 2-85 of the City Code pertaining to leave carryover.
Date
Dec. 9, 2025
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section amended: § 21-322 Section repealed: § 21-323
Description
An Ordinance to Amend Section 21-322 and Repeal Section 21-323 of the City Code Pertaining to Metered Parking
Date
Dec. 9, 2025
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Sections amended: § 21-230
Description
An Ordinance to Amend Section 21-230 of the City Code Pertaining to Traffic Calming
Date
Dec. 9, 2025
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Sections amended: City Zoning Ordinance § 105
Description
An Ordinance to Amend Section 105 of the City Zoning Ordinance Pertaining to Nonconformities
Date
Oct. 21, 2025
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Sections amended: §§ 7-1, 7-10, and 7-59.1
Description
An ordinance to amend sections pertaining to wheeled devices for vehicles in the resort area
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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