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
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
Date
Sept. 16, 2025
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Add and extend: Article III, Division 5 of Chapter 21
Description
An Ordinance to Add the Ocean Hills Neighborhood to and Extend the Sunset Date of Article III, Division 5 of Chapter 21 of the City Code Pertaining to Residential Permit Parking in the Historic Cavalier Shores Neighborhood
Date
Sept. 16, 2025
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended: §2404
Description
An Ordinance to Amend Section 2404 of the City Zoning Ordinance Pertaining to Western Campus Overlay District
Date
Sept. 16, 2025
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended: §§ 1.3, 4.3, 4.10, 6.1, 6.3 and 6.7
Description
An Ordinance to Amend Section 1.3, 4.3, 4.10, 6.1, 6.3 and 6.7 of the Floodplain Ordinance Pertaining to Functionally Dependent Uses, Residential Construction Requirements and Grandfathering
Date
Sept. 2, 2025
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended: 35-64
Description
An Ordinance to Amend Section 35-64 of The City Code Regarding General Prerequisites for Elderly and Disabled Tax Relief
Date
Aug. 19, 2025
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended: § 10-1
Description
An Ordinance to amend the City Code to change the polling location for precinct 0093
Date
Aug. 19, 2025
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended: Appendix F, Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Ordinance
Description
An Ordinance to Amend Appendix F of The City Code – Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Ordinance
Date
Aug. 12, 2025
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended: § 21-230
Description
An Ordinance to amend Section 21-230 of the City Code pertaining to traffic calming
Date
Aug. 12, 2025
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 appeal period for notice of violation.
Date
Aug. 12, 2025
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended: Site Plan Ordinance §§ 1, 3, 4 and 7
Description
An Ordinance to amend the City Code APPENDIX C, site plan ordinance, to update references to the state code and the erosion and stormwater management ordinance
Date
Aug. 12, 2025
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended:§ 104
Description
An Ordinance to amend the amend Section 104 of City Code of the Zoning Ordinance pertaining to civil penalties
Date
Aug. 12, 2025
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended:§§ 12-41, 12-43, 12- 6 43.1, AND 12-49.1
Description
An Ordinance to amend the amend Sections 12-41, 12-43, 12-43 and 12-49.1 of City Code pertaining to the Fire Prevention Code
Date
Aug .12, 2025
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended:§§ 3.2, 3.3, 5.5, and 8.1 of the 7 Subdivision Regulations
Description
An Ordinance to amend the City Code APPENDIX B, subdivision regulations, to update references to the state code and the erosion and stormwater management ordinance
Date
Aug. 12, 2025
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended:§ 104
Description
An Ordinance to amend Section 104 of The City Zoning Ordinance pertaining to short term rental violations.
Date
Aug. 12, 2025
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended:§ 2-385
Description
An Ordinance to amend City Code Section 2-385 pertaining to the application fee for annual short term rental permits
Date
Aug. 12, 2025
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended:§ 241.2
Description
An Ordinance to amend Section 241.2 of the City Zoning Ordinance pertaining to short term rentals
Date
June 17, 2025
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended:§ 2-214.3
Description
An Ordinance to amend City Code Section 2-214.3 providing for the adoption of sections of the Virginia Public Procurement Act
Date
May 20, 2025
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended:§ 21-202
Description
An ordinance to add section 21-202 to the City Code to prohibit through trucks on Twin Mills Road and to require signage of such prohibition on Twin Mills Road
Date
May 13, 2025
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended: Chapter 18 Article IV. § 18-300 through 18-305
Description
An ordinance to add Article IV to Chapter 18 of the City Code to provide for pleasure boat license fees
Date
May 13, 2025
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended:§2-101
Description
An ordinance to amend section 2-101 of the City Code pertaining to definition of “full time employee”
Date
May 13, 2025
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended:§ 2-421
Description
An ordinance to amend section 2-421 of the City Code pertaining to the department of emergency medical services
Date
May 13, 2025
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended:§ 2-426
Description
An ordinance to add a section to the City Code pertaining to charging for ambulance services
Date
May 13, 2025
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended:§ 2-83
Description
An ordinance to amend section 2-83 of the City Code pertaining to holidays
Date
May 13, 2025
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended:§ 2-385
Description
An ordinance to amend section 2-385 of the city code pertaining to the establishment of a short term rental zoning
Date
May 13, 2025
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended: § 32.5-2
Description
An ordinance to amend the City Code pertaining to the equivalent residential unit (eru) fee
Date
May 13, 2025
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended: § 35-137
Description
An ordinance to amend the City Code pertaining to tax on meals
Date
May 13, 2025
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 13, 2025
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended: § 2-322
Description
An Ordinance to add Section 2-322 to the City Code establishing a division of community justice within the Department of Human Services
Date
May 6, 2025
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended: § 5-301 through 5-304
Description
An Ordinance to amend sections 5-301 through 5-304 to the City Code Pertaining to pet licensing
Date
April 15, 2025
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended: § 201
Description
An Ordinance to amend Section 201 of the City Zoning Ordinance pertaining to yards
Date
April 15, 2025
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended: § 8-31.1
Description
An Ordinance to delete City Code Section 8-31.1 pertaining to fences and walls
Date
March 18, 2025
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended: § 2-6
Description
An Ordinance to Amend Section 2-6 of the City Code Pertaining to the Resort Advisory Commission
Date
March 18, 2025
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended: § 6-162
Description
An Ordinance to Amend Section 6-162 of the City Code Pertaining to the Membership of the Beaches and Waterways Advisory Commission
Date
March 18, 2025
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended: § 16-54
Description
An Ordinance to Amend Section 16-54 of the City Code Pertaining to the Housing Advisory Board
Date
March 18, 2025
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended: § 2-122
Description
An Ordinance to Amend Section 2-122 of the City Code Pertaining to the Deferred Compensation Board
Date
March 18, 2025
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended: § 2-469
Description
An Ordinance to Amend City Code Section 2-469 Pertaining To Membership of the Audit Committee
Date
March 4, 2025
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended: § 10-1
Description
An Ordinance To Amend Section 10-1 Of The City Code To Change The Polling Location For Precinct 0016 And To Request A Waiver To Administer A Split Precinct For Precinct 0069
Date
March 4, 2025
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended: § 34-70
Description
An Ordinance To Amend Section 34-70 Of The City Code Pertaining To Variances From The Lifeguard Requirement For Certain Condominium Pools
Date
Feb. 4, 2025
Ordinance Amendment
Code
Section Amended: 2-90
Description
An Ordinance To Amend City Code Section 2-90 Providing Restrictions On Certain Political Activities By City Employees
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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