Virginia Beach regulates building heights through the zoning ordinance and AICUZ overlay for military compatibility. Heights range from 35 feet in single-family residential to higher limits in commercial zones, with NAS Oceana height restrictions limiting many areas.
Single-family residential zones limit buildings to 35 feet. Multi-family and commercial districts have higher limits. The AICUZ overlay for NAS Oceana imposes height restrictions across much of the city to protect military flight operations — these may be more restrictive than zoning limits. The oceanfront resort area has specific height standards. FAA Part 77 surfaces also apply near NAS Oceana. Height is measured from average grade to the highest point.
Exceeding height limits results in stop-work orders. AICUZ violations may affect military compatibility determinations and future development rights.
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 structure height limits rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.