Environmental Rules in Norfolk, VA (2026)
5 verified environmental rules for Norfolk, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Norfolk bans dumping filth, construction debris, gasoline, antifreeze, industrial wash water or even chlorinated pool water into any storm drain, ditch or gutter under Code § 41.1-4. The Department of Public Works enforces the rule, and every violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor, with each day of contamination charged as a separate offense.
Norfolk Stormwater System Pollution Ban
Some RestrictionsNorfolk Code of Ordinances § 41.1-4
(a)It shall be unlawful for any person to put, throw, place or deposit, or allow to be put, thrown, placed or deposited, any filth, animal or vegetable matter, chips, compost, construction debris, shavings, or any other substance or pollutant whether solid or liquid in the stormwater system or place or dispose of such material or substance in an area which drains into the stormwater system.(b)I...
Erosion Control
Norfolk requires a land-disturbing activity permit before any construction site disturbs more than 2,500 square feet under Chapter 15. The city reviews a submitted erosion and sediment control plan within 30 days, and violators face a Class 1 misdemeanor plus a civil penalty of up to $2,000 per violation.
Norfolk Erosion and Sediment Control Permit
Significant RestrictionsNorfolk Code of Ordinances §§ 15-7, 15-14
Sec. 15-7. - Engaging in land-disturbing activity without a permit prohibited. Except as provided herein, it shall be unlawful for any person to engage in any land-disturbing activity until he has submitted an erosion and sediment control plan to the appropriate city official designated in section 15-8, such plan has been reviewed and approved, a land-disturbing activity permit has been issued,...
Flood Zones
Norfolk reviews every subdivision plat against FEMA's flood insurance study to see if the tract sits in a designated floodplain district, and the building official makes the first call on those boundaries. Utilities, drainage and street design in flood districts must meet five specific engineering standards under City Code § 42.5-7(e).
Norfolk Floodplain Development Review Rules
Some RestrictionsNorfolk Code of Ordinances § 42.5-7(e)
All plats will be reviewed to determine if the tract is located in the floodplain districts as delineated in the current flood insurance study for the city prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and to determine whether such subdivision proposals will be reasonably safe from flooding. Initial interpretations of these boundaries shall be made by the building official. Should a dispu...
Boat Dock Permits
Building a pier, wharf or bulkhead in Norfolk's tidal wetlands needs a permit from the Norfolk Wetlands Board under Sec. 49-6, unless it is a noncommercial catwalk, pier, boathouse or similar structure built on pilings that preserves tidal flow, exempted by Sec. 49-3(1). The Bureau of Environmental Services processes applications; violations are a Class 1 misdemeanor under Sec. 49-16.
Norfolk Wetlands Board Dock Permits
Some RestrictionsNorfolk Code of Ordinances §§ 49-3(1), 49-6(a)
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
Larger Norfolk subdivisions in a floodplain district must submit base flood elevation data with their plat. The threshold is more than 50 lots or larger than 5 acres, whichever is smaller, under City Code § 42.5-7(e).
Norfolk Base Flood Elevation Data Rule
Some RestrictionsNorfolk Code of Ordinances § 42.5-7(e)
If a subdivision proposal is in a designated floodplain district, any such proposal shall be reviewed to assure that all such proposals are consistent with the need to minimize flood damage within the district. In addition, all such subdivision proposals with more than fifty (50) lots or larger than five (5) acres, whichever is less, shall include within such proposals base flood elevation data...