Virginia Beach, VA Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Sanctuary area
- North/west of North Landing Rd corridor
- Protected
- All birds except starlings
- Hunting exception
- Game birds with § 38-3 permit
- Penalty
- Class 4 misdemeanor
- Enforced by
- Animal control and police
Summary
Virginia Beach designates a bird sanctuary across the rural northern and Sandbridge-area landscape, making it unlawful to kill or injure birds or destroy their nests and eggs there, except starlings.
It shall be unlawful for any person to kill or injure any bird or to destroy the nests or eggs of any bird, except starlings, in the bird sanctuary established by section 5-600; provided that such restrictions shall not prevent the lawful hunting of game birds under authority of a permit issued pursuant to the provisions of section 38-3 of this Code.(b)The provisions of this section shall not be applicable to any federal, state or local government animal or fowl management agency agents acting within the scope of their lawful duties and as permitted under the provisions of the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. (Ord. No. 3072, 3-24-09; Ord. No. 3084, 5-26-09)
Secs. 5-603—5-699. - Reserved.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 170 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 5-600 establishes a bird sanctuary covering the area north and west of North Landing Road, Indian River Road, New Bridge Road and Sandbridge Road, plus land north of False Cape State Park -- largely the rural and Sandbridge portions of the city. Within that zone, § 5-602 bars killing or injuring any bird or destroying nests or eggs, with two exceptions: starlings are unprotected, and lawful game-bird hunting under a § 38-3 permit is allowed. Federal, state and local wildlife-management agents acting under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act are also exempt. Animal control and police enforce the chapter; violations default to a Class 4 misdemeanor under § 5-100.
Violations & Fines
Killing or injuring a protected bird, or destroying its nest or eggs, inside the sanctuary is a Class 4 misdemeanor under City Code § 5-100, enforced by animal control and police.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the bird sanctuary cover all of Virginia Beach?
Can I hunt game birds inside the sanctuary?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Virginia Beach
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