Parking Rules in Virginia Beach, VA

If you live in Virginia Beach or are thinking about moving there, parking rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Virginia Beach has 10 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of parking rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Commercial & Oversized Vehicles

Virginia Beach bans commercial vehicles over 20 feet long, 7 feet tall, or one ton from parking in residential and apartment zoning districts, with a narrow exception for one smaller vehicle on an owner-occupied lot.

Key details: Height limit: 7 feet. Length limit: 20 feet. Weight limit: 1 ton. Zone covered: residential/apartment districts. Penalty: Class 3 misdemeanor.

Violating the residential parking ban is a Class 3 misdemeanor, punishable under Virginia law by a fine up to $500; code enforcement can also seek a court injunction against repeat violations.

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.

Loading Zones

Curb spaces marked as loading zones in Virginia Beach are reserved strictly for actively loading or unloading materials or passengers: parking there for any other purpose, even briefly, is a City Code violation.

Key details: Governing section: City Code § 21-309. Who sets zones: Director of Public Works. Delivery vehicle ID: 3-inch lettering both sides. Base fine (14 days): $35, doubles to $70.

Violations are cited under the general Division 1 parking penalty, City Code § 21-312: $35 if paid within 14 days, rising to $70 after 14 days, plus up to a $50 supplementary fine for failing to respond within 30 days.

RV & Boat Parking

Virginia Beach requires recreational equipment, boats, RVs, campers, trailers, stored on residential lots to sit behind the front building plane or fully enclosed, with driveway loading capped at 24 hours and street parking limited to three hours.

Key details: Governing section: City Code § 16-41.2. Yard storage rule: Behind front building plane only. Driveway loading limit: 24 hours maximum. Street parking limit: 3 hours maximum. Penalty: Class 3 misdemeanor.

Violating the storage, driveway, or street-parking limits is a Class 3 misdemeanor; the code enforcement administrator may also seek a court injunction to stop a continuing violation.

Driveway Rules

Virginia Beach requires all off-street parking areas, including single-family driveways, to be paved in concrete, asphalt, or another material approved by the Planning Director: grass, dirt, or gravel driveways don't qualify without approval.

Key details: Governing section: CZO § 203(b)(5), General standards. Required surface: Concrete, asphalt, or approved material. Approval authority: Planning Director approves alternative materials. Applies to: All off-street parking, including driveways. First-offense penalty: Misdemeanor, fine up to $1,000.

Zoning administrator enforcement; violating the CZO is a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 for a first offense, escalating to $1,500 and $2,000 for continued noncompliance (§ 104(a)).

Preferential Parking Districts

Virginia Beach designates residential permit parking areas near meter-regulated zones; overnight parking from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. requires a valid permit or guest pass under City Code § 21-353.

Key details: Restricted hours: 6:00 p.m.–6:00 a.m.. Eligibility distance: Within 1/2 mile of meter zone. First fine: $70; late fine $140. Guest passes: Up to 72 hours. Enforcement: Towing authorized.

Parking without a permit during restricted hours draws a $70 fine ($140 if unpaid within 14 days); vehicles may also be towed at a law enforcement officer's direction.

Compared to other cities, Virginia Beach takes a harder line on preferential parking districts. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Towing & Impound Rights

Virginia Beach writes its own towing price list instead of leaning on the Virginia default. A non-consent tow of a vehicle rated 10,000 pounds or less is capped at $211.00, the first 24 hours of storage cost nothing, storage after that runs $63.00 per 24 hours, and an owner who walks up before the truck drives off pays a drop fee of no more than $25.00.

Key details: Basic tow cap, 10,000 lbs or less: $211.00, inclusive of dolly use, with no mileage or add-on fees. Heavier classes: $369.00 for 10,001 to 17,999 lbs; $606.00 at 18,000 lbs or more. Drop fee if you return before the tow: $25.00 maximum under Sec. 21-405(a); $50.00 for a police directed impound tow. Free storage: First 24 hours free, then $63.00 per 24 hours for a vehicle at 10,000 lbs or less. Notification deadline: Tow service must call 3-1-1 or 385-3111 within 30 minutes of removal.

Section 21-402 makes any violation of the Division unlawful and a Class 1 misdemeanor, and each day a continuing violation occurs counts as a separate violation. Charging any amount above the caps in section 21-407 or 21-407.1 is itself a listed prohibited act under section 21-410(12), as is failing to give the required receipt with its Survey and Comment Form notice, failing to make that form available at retrieval, holding a vehicle more than two hours, blocking a driver who arrives before hookup, moving a car to an intermediate storage location, providing false information to a police dispatcher, waiting for work by parking on public property, cruising the streets to solicit tows, and operating a wrecker that is not insured as required by section 18-55.1. Towing from a lot that is not signed as section 21-403 requires is unlawful, and a tow from private property without the written authorization described in section 21-403.1, identifying the vehicle by make, model and color and signed by the property owner or agent, is likewise barred. Failing to keep the operator log, omitting a true entry, or refusing to surrender it to an officer on request is unlawful under section 21-409. Complaints go to the Virginia Beach Police Department, and the Towing Advisory Board's Survey and Comment Form is the city's own feedback channel.

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.

EV Charging

Virginia Beach permits residential Level 1 and Level 2 EV chargers as accessory electrical installations under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. An electrical permit is required for any hardwired charger over 50 amps. New commercial and multifamily construction must install EV-capable conduit for a percentage of parking spaces under USBC 2021 Appendix F. Public charging stations are growing at city-owned garages and Dominion Energy participating sites. Blocking a marked EV charging stall without charging is a $50 violation.

Key details: Permit/License: Electrical permit required for Level 2 chargers. Measurement: USBC Appendix F: 5% EV-capable stalls in new multifamily/commercial. Authority: Va. Code 55.1-1962 protects condo owners right to install. Fees: ICE vehicle in EV stall: $50 fine. Measurement: Dominion SCIP & NEVI funding expanding public stations.

Abandoned Vehicles

Under Va. Code section 46.2-1200 and Virginia Beach City Code Chapter 21, a vehicle is considered abandoned if left on public property for more than 48 hours without a current registration or in a condition indicating no intent to reclaim, or on private property without the owner's consent for 10 days. Inoperable vehicles stored in residential yards must be shielded from view or kept inside a structure. The city can tow abandoned vehicles after a 48-hour warning tag and assess storage fees. Unpaid tow and storage costs become a lien on the title.

Key details: Hours/Times: Abandoned on public property: 48-hour tag then tow. Requirements: Inoperable on private property: 1 max, must be screened. Va. Code: Va. Code section 46.2-1200 sets statewide definitions. City Code: VB City Code section 23-58: Class 4 misdemeanor up to $250. Hours/Times: Unclaimed vehicles auctioned after 30 days.

Compared to other cities, Virginia Beach takes a harder line on abandoned vehicles. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Street Parking Limits

Virginia Beach bans parking in front of driveways, on the left side of two-way streets, and in fire lanes or crosswalks; violators face fines starting at $35 per hour under City Code § 21-303.

Key details: Governing section: City Code § 21-303. Standard fine: $35/hr, doubling after 14 days. Fire-lane fine: $50 per hour. Wrong-way parking: Left side of two-way street banned. Enforcement: Police and appointed city parking staff.

Fines are $35 per hour for most violations under subsection (a), doubling to $70 if unpaid within 14 days; fire-lane violations run $50 per hour, and vehicles blocking traffic can be cited or towed.

Overnight Parking

In areas designated for residential permit parking, Virginia Beach bans overnight on-street parking from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. without a valid resident permit or displayed guest pass.

Key details: Restricted hours: 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.. Where it applies: Only designated residential permit parking areas. Penalty: $70 within 14 days, $140 after. Enforcement: Vehicles may be towed.

First offense costs $70 if paid within 14 days, $140 after; unpaid citations add a $50 court fine. Vehicles parked in violation may also be towed.

The Bottom Line

Virginia Beach is tougher than many cities when it comes to parking rules. Out of the 10 rules covered here, 4 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Virginia Beach, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

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.