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
-
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
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 1 Section 2-3.1 pertaining to the 2 attendance policy for board and 3 commission members; and (2) to amend the 4 final report to city council of the 5 citizens committee on boards and 6 commissions
Date
Dec. 12, 2023
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Sections Amended: §§ 237 and 901
Description
An ordinance to amend sections 237 and 901 of the City Zoning Ordinance pertaining to mini-warehouses
Date
Dec. 12, 2023
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended: § 1804 of the City Zoning Ordinance
Description
An ordinance to amend Section 1804 of the City Zoning Ordinance pertaining to discretionary development applications
Date
Dec. 6, 2023
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Sections Repealed: §§ 6-41 Through 6-60
Description
An ordinance to repeal Article II of Chapter 6 of the City Code pertaining to the port of Virginia Beach Advisory Commission
Date
Dec. 6, 2023
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Repealed: § 2-452
Description
An ordinance to repeal Section 2-452 of the City Code pertaining to the military liaison commission
Date
Dec. 6, 2023
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended: § 2-451
Description
An ordinance to amend Section 2-451 of the City Code pertaining to boards and commissions
Date
Dec. 6, 2023
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended: § 2-5
Description
An ordinance to amend Section 2-5 of the City Code pertaining to the members of the Historic Preservation Commission
Date
Nov. 21, 2023
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended: § 38-9
Description
An ordinance to add Section 38-9 to 1 the City Code to prohibit weapons at 2 the Housing Resource Center
Date
Nov. 21, 2023
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended: § 21-502
Description
An ordinance to amend Section 21-502 of 1 the City Code pertaining to penalty for 2 violation of weight limits
Date
Oct. 17, 2023
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended: § 35.3-10
Description
An ordinance to amend City Code Section 35.3-10 1 to extend the sunset provision for the 2 Chesopeian Colony Area Dredging Special 3 Service District
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​​
-
Appointive Agencies Independent Citizen Review Board (ICRB) Health Services Advisory Board Appointed Officials City Council Codes & Ordinances Departments & Divisions Local Election Districts Mayor's Office Mayor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities Mayor's Commission on Aging Mayor's Veterans Committee Mayor's Alternative Energy Taskforce Mayor's State of the City Address 2024 State of the City 2023 State of the City 2022 State of the City 2021 State of the City 2020 State of the City 2019 State of the City Process Improvement Steering Committee Speaker & Document Requests Open Data Portal Public Meetings Volunteer Resources