How Virginia Beach Handles Animal Ordinances: A Practical Guide

Virginia Beach maintains 196 local ordinances across all categories, and 13 of those deal specifically with animal ordinances. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Virginia Beach falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Wildlife Feeding

Virginia state law prohibits feeding bears year-round and deer from September 1 through the first Saturday in January under Virginia Code §29.1-521.2 and DWR regulation 4VAC15-40-285. Virginia Beach also discourages feeding of other wildlife including raccoons, foxes, and feral cats that can become public nuisances. Feeding waterfowl at city parks and beaches is generally discouraged and may be prohibited at specific sites. Violations of state wildlife feeding laws are Class 3 misdemeanors with fines up to $500. Bird feeders for songbirds are permitted but should be managed to avoid attracting bears.

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Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Virginia Beach code enforcement](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title29.1/chapter5/section29.1-521.2/) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.

Livestock

Livestock in Virginia Beach is restricted to Agricultural zoning districts AG-1 and AG-2, covering the rural southern portion of the city (Pungo, Blackwater, Creeds areas below the Green Line). Cattle, horses, goats, sheep, swine, and similar animals require minimum lot sizes (typically 1 acre or more) with stocking density limits. Manure management, fencing, and setbacks from property lines are regulated. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) oversees livestock health under Virginia Code Title 3.2. Animal cruelty laws under VA Code §3.2-5506 apply to all livestock.

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Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Virginia Beach code enforcement](https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/animals.shtml) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.

Exotic Pets

Virginia Beach prohibits most exotic and wild animals as pets under City Code and Virginia state law. Virginia Code §29.1-521 and §3.2-6571 restrict possession of dangerous wildlife including large cats, bears, primates, wolves, venomous reptiles, and most non-native wildlife. Native wildlife generally cannot be possessed without a permit from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR). Small exotic pets like ferrets, hedgehogs, sugar gliders, most parrots, and non-venomous reptiles are generally allowed. Rabies vaccination requirements apply to ferrets.

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Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Virginia Beach code enforcement](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title3.2/chapter65/section3.2-6571/) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.

This is one of the stricter rules in Virginia Beach's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Chickens & Livestock

Virginia Beach permits backyard chickens in most residential zones with restrictions on flock size, coop setbacks, and roosters. Typically 4-6 hens are allowed on standard residential lots with no roosters permitted due to noise. Livestock (cattle, horses, goats, sheep, pigs) are generally restricted to Agricultural districts (AG-1, AG-2) which cover the rural southern portion of the city. Coops must be set back from property lines, maintained sanitarily, and secured against predators. Enforcement is by Animal Control at (757) 385-4444.

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Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Virginia Beach code enforcement](https://library.municode.com/va/virginia_beach/codes/code_of_ordinances) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.

Animal Hoarding

Virginia Beach enforces state animal cruelty law against hoarding, where someone keeps more animals than they can humanely care for, leading to suffering, neglect, or unsanitary conditions citywide.

Key details: Governing law: VA Code 3.2-6570. Enforcer: VB Animal Control. Misdemeanor fine: Up to $2,500. Felony threshold: Torture or death.

First convictions are Class 1 misdemeanors with fines up to $2,500 and up to 12 months jail. Aggravated cases involving torture or death become Class 6 felonies.

This is one of the stricter rules in Virginia Beach's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Cat Rules

Virginia Beach requires rabies vaccination for cats over four months but does not mandate licensing or leashing. Free-roaming cats are allowed, though trespassing complaints can prompt animal control responses.

Key details: Rabies vaccine age: Four months minimum. Leash law for cats: Not required. TNR program: City partners participate. Vaccine penalty: Class 4 misdemeanor.

Failure to vaccinate is a Class 4 misdemeanor with fines up to $250. Impound fees start around $25 per day plus reclaim charges at the adoption center.

Microchipping

Virginia Beach does not require pet microchipping, but the Animal Care and Adoption Center microchips all adopted pets and strongly recommends voluntary chipping for any cat or dog citywide.

Key details: Microchipping mandate: Not required citywide. Adopted pets: Chipped at center. Stray hold: Seven days minimum. Scanner use: All intakes scanned.

No penalties exist for failing to microchip. Owners of unchipped strays may face longer reclaim times, additional boarding fees, and potential adoption to new families after the seven-day hold expires.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Virginia Beach gives residents more flexibility on microchipping.

Pet Limits

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.

Key details: Dog limit: Four per household. Cat limit: None codified. Kennel license: Required above limit. Agricultural zones: Higher limits allowed.

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.

Coyote Management

Coyotes are established in Virginia Beach, particularly near Pungo, Back Bay, and First Landing State Park. The city follows Virginia DWR guidance, focusing on hazing, secure trash, and limited lethal removal.

Key details: State classification: Nuisance species. Discharge in city: Generally prohibited. Lead agency: Virginia DWR. Hazing recommended: Make loud noise.

Illegal discharge of firearms in city limits is a Class 1 misdemeanor with fines up to $2,500 and possible jail time. Feeding coyotes can prompt nuisance citations under Chapter 5.

Veterinary Clinic Zoning

Veterinary clinics in Virginia Beach are permitted in B-1, B-2, B-3, and B-4 business districts under the City Zoning Ordinance, with overnight boarding triggering additional kennel-style review and noise standards.

Key details: By-right zones: B-1 through B-4. Boarding overlap: Conditional use permit. State oversight: VA Board of Vet Med. Medical waste: HRSD rules apply.

Operating a clinic in a non-permitted zone draws cease-and-desist orders and fines up to $1,000 per day. State Board of Veterinary Medicine can suspend or revoke practitioner licenses for unlicensed facilities.

Beekeeping

Virginia Beach permits beekeeping in residential zones under Virginia state apiary law (VA Code §3.2-4400 through §3.2-4419). Beekeepers must register apiaries with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) State Apiarist. The city generally follows state law without imposing hive number limits, though setbacks from property lines (typically 10-25 feet) and requirements for water sources and flyway barriers are common best practices. Managed honey bees are protected — localities cannot prohibit residential beekeeping under Virginia law. HOA restrictions may still apply.

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Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Virginia Beach code enforcement](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title3.2/chapter44/) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.

Virginia Beach is more permissive than most cities when it comes to beekeeping. That said, there are still limits.

Breed Restrictions

Virginia Beach does not have breed-specific legislation (BSL). No dog breeds are banned or restricted by breed alone. However, Virginia Beach enforces dangerous dog and vicious dog laws under Virginia Code §3.2-6540 and §3.2-6540.01, where any dog of any breed can be declared dangerous or vicious based on behavior. Owners of declared dangerous dogs must register the animal, carry liability insurance, use secure enclosures, and muzzle the dog in public. Landlords, HOAs, and insurance companies may impose their own breed restrictions independent of city law.

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Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Virginia Beach code enforcement](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title3.2/chapter65/section3.2-6540/) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.

Virginia Beach is more permissive than most cities when it comes to breed restrictions. That said, there are still limits.

Dog Leash Laws

Virginia Beach City Code requires dogs to be on a leash no longer than 6 feet when on public property, including streets, sidewalks, parks, and the oceanfront boardwalk. Dogs are prohibited from the Resort Area beaches (2nd to 42nd Streets) from Memorial Day through Labor Day between 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM. Off-leash activity is only permitted in designated dog parks (Red Wing Park, Woodstock Park, Bayville Farms Park, and others). Violations carry fines starting at $50 plus Animal Control fees. Leash law enforcement is handled by Animal Control at (757) 385-4444.

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The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Virginia Beach gives residents more room on animal ordinances. 3 of the 13 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

Keep in mind that Virginia Beach can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.