Virginia Beach, VA Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Virginia Beach does not maintain any breed-specific legislation (BSL), meaning pit bulls, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Dobermans, and other commonly restricted breeds are legal to own in the city. Virginia state law under VA Code §3.2-6540 explicitly prohibits localities from adopting breed-specific ordinances: 'No canine or canine crossbreed shall be found to be a dangerous dog or vicious dog solely because it is a particular breed.' Instead, Virginia Beach enforces behavior-based dangerous dog laws. Under VA Code §3.2-6540, a dog can be declared 'dangerous' if it bites, attacks, or inflicts injury on a person or companion animal, or kills a companion animal. A 'vicious dog' designation applies when a dog kills a person, inflicts serious injury, or continues to exhibit dangerous behavior after being declared dangerous. Owners of declared dangerous dogs must: register the animal with Animal Control within 45 days and annually thereafter (fee approximately $150), obtain a dangerous dog tag, maintain liability insurance of at least $100,000, confine the dog in a secure enclosure (6-foot fence or locked kennel), muzzle and leash the dog in public, and post warning signs. Vicious dogs may be ordered euthanized by the court. Animal Control investigates bite incidents and petitions the General District Court for dangerous/vicious declarations. Rabies vaccination is mandatory for all dogs 4 months and older under VA Code §3.2-6521. While city law does not restrict breeds, private entities can: landlords may refuse to rent to owners of certain breeds, HOAs may prohibit breeds in covenants, and homeowners/renters insurance companies commonly exclude coverage for pit bulls, Rottweilers, and similar breeds. Military housing on Oceana Naval Air Station, JEB Little Creek-Fort Story, and Dam Neck Annex follows DoD policy which restricts pit bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans, Chows, and wolf hybrids.