Landscaping Rules in Virginia Beach, VA: What Residents Actually Need to Know
If you live in Virginia Beach or are thinking about moving there, landscaping rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Virginia Beach has 8 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of landscaping rules, and some of them might surprise you.
Tree Trimming
Virginia Beach regulates tree trimming on public right-of-way and in Chesapeake Bay Preservation Areas. Trimming of street trees in city right-of-way requires permission from the city arborist. On private property, trimming is generally allowed except where trees are protected by subdivision regulations, CBPA buffer rules, or tree preservation requirements of an approved site plan. Trees overhanging neighbors' property can be trimmed to the property line under Virginia common law. Call 811 (Miss Utility) before any work involving digging around roots. Dominion Energy handles trimming near power lines.
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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.virginiabeach.gov/departments/parks-recreation) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
Water Restrictions
Virginia Beach Public Utilities supplies potable water under a long-term contract with Lake Gaston and the City of Norfolk. Mandatory outdoor watering restrictions are triggered by drought declarations from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, not by standing year-round schedules. During a declared drought watch, warning, or emergency, outdoor irrigation is limited to specific days and hours, and non-essential uses such as street washing and ornamental fountains may be curtailed. Violations carry civil penalties under City Code Chapter 37.
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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.virginiabeach.gov/departments/public-utilities) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
Grass Height Limits
Virginia Beach City Code requires grass and weeds on developed residential and commercial properties to be maintained at 12 inches or less. Violations generate a written notice from Code Enforcement, followed by city mowing at the owner's expense plus administrative fees if not corrected within 7-15 days. Typical mowing cost recovery is $250-$500 per occurrence plus a lien on the property for unpaid balances. Natural areas, Chesapeake Bay buffer zones, and agricultural land are generally exempt from the height limit.
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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.virginiabeach.gov/departments/planning/code-enforcement) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
Weed Ordinances
Virginia Beach City Code Chapter 23 authorizes enforcement against weeds, grass, and other foreign growth exceeding 12 inches on residential lots. Property owners receive written notice and typically 7 to 15 days to abate. Non-compliance results in city-contracted cutting with costs placed as a lien on the property. Given proximity to Back Bay wildlife refuge and coastal habitats, exceptions apply to natural dunes, conservation easements, and wetlands protected under the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act.
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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.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Virginia Beach requires permits for tree removal in Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Resource Protection Areas (RPA), on public right-of-way, and within tree preservation areas designated on approved site plans. Single-family homeowners outside protected areas generally do not need permits for removal of trees on their own property. Trees over 20 inches diameter, heritage trees, and trees protected by HOA covenants may have additional restrictions. Replacement tree requirements often apply when removal is permitted in regulated areas. Contact Planning at (757) 385-4621.
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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.virginiabeach.gov/departments/planning) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
Native Plants
Virginia Beach encourages native coastal plain species through the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Ordinance and the city's Landscape Guide. Required buffer and riparian plantings within Resource Protection Areas and new development landscape plans must use species appropriate to the Virginia Coastal Plain. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation maintain the state invasive plant list; listed invasive species like English ivy and Bradford pear are discouraged or prohibited in public projects.
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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.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/nativeplants) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
Artificial Turf
Artificial turf is permitted in Virginia Beach on private residential and commercial property and is treated as an impervious or semi-impervious surface under the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act. Large installations may require stormwater review, and turf is generally prohibited within Resource Protection Area buffers where natural vegetation is mandated. HOAs in master-planned communities may impose stricter rules, and any turf with infill must meet state lead-content limits.
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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/zoning_ordinance) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
Rainwater Harvesting
Rainwater harvesting is legal and encouraged in Virginia Beach. Rain barrels and small cisterns used for outdoor irrigation require no permit. Systems plumbed into a building, used for indoor non-potable uses like toilet flushing, or serving potable uses must comply with the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code and Virginia Plumbing Code, which adopt provisions from the International Plumbing Code Chapter 13. Backflow prevention is required where harvested water connects to plumbing served by VBPU.
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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.dhcd.virginia.gov/vusbc) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
The rules around rainwater harvesting in Virginia Beach lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.
The Bottom Line
Virginia Beach's landscaping rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Virginia Beach is broadly strict or permissive.
All of the above reflects Virginia Beach's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.