Environmental Rules in Newport News, VA (2026)
5 verified environmental rules for Newport News, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Newport News levies an annual stormwater management service charge on every developed parcel citywide, billed twice a year based on property type and impervious area.
Newport News Stormwater Management Service Charge
Some RestrictionsNewport News City Code § 37.1-13
For the fiscal year beginning on July 1, 1993 and ending on June 30, 1994 and for each and every fiscal year thereafter there shall be and hereby is levied an annual stormwater management service charge on all developed property in the City of Newport News.(b)For the purposes of determining the service charge, all properties in the city are classified into one (1) or more of the following class...
Erosion Control
Newport News requires an erosion and sediment control plan for regulated land-disturbing activity, protecting trees, limiting clearing, and fencing off root zones before construction begins.
Newport News Erosion & Sediment Control Rules
Some RestrictionsNewport News City Code § 37.1-35.2
One (1) temporary point of access no greater than twenty-five (25) feet in width shall be allowed for site clearance. ... Existing trees that are four (4) inches in diameter at four and one-half (4.5) feet above existing grade shall be preserved outside the limits of land disturbance. ... suitable protective barriers, such as fencing, shall be erected five (5) feet outside of the dripline of an...
Flood Zones
Newport News requires a zoning permit for any use, activity, or development within the city's flood hazard overlay district, including manufactured home placement, before work can begin in a mapped floodplain.
Newport News Floodplain Development Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsNewport News City Code § 45-3115(a)(1)
All uses, activities, and development occurring within any floodplain district, including placement of manufactured homes, shall be undertaken only upon the issuance of a zoning permit. Such development shall be undertaken only in strict compliance with the provisions of this division and with other applicable codes and ordinances, as amended, such as the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Cod...
Boat Dock Permits
A noncommercial pier, boathouse, or boat shelter in Newport News wetlands doesn't need a Wetlands Board permit as long as it's built on pilings that don't block tidal flow or alter the marsh; any other wetlands construction needs board approval first.
Newport News Wetlands Boat Dock Rules
Some RestrictionsNewport News City Code § 44-3(1)
The following uses of and activities in wetlands are authorized if otherwise permitted by law: (1)The construction and maintenance of noncommercial catwalks, piers, boathouses, boat shelters, fences, duckblinds, wildlife management shelters, footbridges, observation decks and shelters and other similar structures, provided that such structures are so constructed on pilings as to permit the reas...
Flood Elevation Requirements
Newport News requires new and substantially improved homes in mapped flood zones to elevate their lowest floor at least 2 feet above the base flood elevation -- the city's local freeboard requirement above FEMA's minimum.
Newport News Base Flood Elevation Freeboard Rule
Significant RestrictionsNewport News City Code § 45-3115(c)(1)
New construction or substantial improvement of any residential structure (including manufactured homes) in zones AE, AO, and A with detailed base flood elevations shall at a minimum have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to two (2) feet above the base flood level.