Virginia Beach limits dogs to four per household in most residential zones unless the property qualifies as agricultural or the owner obtains a kennel license through Planning and Animal Control.
Under Virginia Beach City Code Chapter 5 and the City Zoning Ordinance, residential lots are generally limited to four dogs over four months old per household. Cats are not numerically capped citywide but excessive numbers may trigger nuisance or hoarding investigations. Properties zoned agricultural (AG-1, AG-2) and rural Pungo or Sandbridge parcels may keep additional dogs without a kennel license. Anyone operating a kennel, breeding facility, or boarding operation must apply for a kennel license through Animal Control with annual inspections. Multi-pet households should check their HOA covenants since many subdivisions impose stricter limits.
Exceeding four dogs without a kennel license is a Class 4 misdemeanor with fines up to $250 per dog. Repeat violations can result in animal seizure and license revocation.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach City Code Sec. 23-69 caps sound entering another residential dwelling at 55 dBA between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., and 65 dBA between 7:00 a.m....
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach's zoning and property maintenance codes do not restrict residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays at single-family homes. Po...
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach has no specific City ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. The principal restrictions come from HOA and condo covenant...
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach has no citywide ordinance restricting residential holiday lights at single-family homes. Restrictions arise principally from HOA and condo cov...
Virginia Beach, VA
Outdoor kitchens in Virginia Beach require separate trade permits from Permits and Inspections: building permit for structural elements, mechanical permit fo...
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach has no specific ordinance regulating residential offset smokers, pellet grills, or wood-fired pizza ovens at single-family homes. Multi-unit b...
See how Virginia Beach's pet limits rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.