Public Conduct in Norfolk, VA (2026)
7 verified public conduct rules for Norfolk, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Public Urination
Norfolk makes it a Class 3 misdemeanor to urinate or defecate on any public street, alley, sidewalk, park, beach, or other place the public gathers or can access, unless a restroom or other facility built for that purpose is used. City Code § 29-16.1 applies citywide with no age, time, or context exception.
Norfolk Public Urination and Defecation Ban
Some RestrictionsNorfolk Code of Ordinances § 29-16.1
It shall be unlawful for any person to urinate or defecate on any public street, alley, sidewalk, park, beach or other public place or area where the public gathers or has access, other than in facilities designed for such purpose. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor. (Ord. No. 31,457, § 1, 12-8-81; Ord. No. 40,456, § 1, 8-28-01...
Skateboarding Rules
Norfolk bans skateboards and roller skates outright in city parks and on pedestrian malls under §§ 30-40 and 31-19, and restricts them on streets and posted sidewalks under § 25-632. Riders may use streets or highways only where play is not prohibited or in areas the city manager designates, and must yield to pedestrians on any sidewalk where skating is allowed.
Norfolk Skateboarding and Roller-Skate Rules
Significant RestrictionsNorfolk Code of Ordinances § 25-632
(1)No person shall play on any street or highway, other than upon the sidewalk thereof if not otherwise prohibited. Except in such areas as may be specifically designated for that purpose by the city manager, no person shall use on a street or highway where play is prohibited roller skates, roller blades, skateboards, or toys or other devices on wheels or runners, except for bicycles, mopeds an...
Loud Party Ordinance
Norfolk treats a loud gathering of two or more people between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. as a per se noise violation under Sec. 26-6(a)(6) if it's plainly audible inside a neighbor's enclosed dwelling, or 50 feet away in a residential area. Whoever controls the property can be held liable if the host can't be identified.
Norfolk Loud Party Noise Rule
Some RestrictionsNorfolk Code of Ordinances § 26-6(a)(6)
(6)Social gatherings and parties. Allowing any noise between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. generated from a gathering of two (2) or more people that is plainly audible (i) inside the confines of another person's enclosed dwelling unit; or (ii) in a residential area, at fifty (50) or more feet from the gathering.
Loitering Rules
Norfolk makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor to loiter or prowl in a place, time, or manner unusual for law-abiding people under circumstances creating a reasonable alarm for the safety of persons or property. City Code Sec. 29-73 requires officers to give a person a chance to explain before arrest, protecting anyone with an innocent reason for being present.
Norfolk Loitering and Prowling Ordinance
Some RestrictionsNorfolk Code of Ordinances § 29-73
(a)It shall be unlawful for any person to loiter or prowl in a place, at a time, or in a manner not usual for law-abiding individuals under circumstances that warrant a justifiable and reasonable alarm or immediate concern for the safety of persons or property in the vicinity.(b)Among the circumstances which may be considered in determining whether such alarm or concern is warranted is the fact...
Outdoor Smoking Restrictions
Norfolk bans smoking inside every restaurant, but the law carves out a genuine outdoor exception: a patio, deck or sidewalk seating area is exempt as long as it isn't enclosed by screened walls, roll-up doors, windows or other seasonal enclosures. Indoor public places from schools to retail stores also face smoking limits.
Norfolk Restaurant Patio Smoking Exemption
Some RestrictionsNorfolk Code of Ordinances § 39.5-4(a)-(b)(2)
(a)Smoking shall be prohibited in any restaurant.(b)Notwithstanding the prohibition set forth in subsection (a), above, a proprietor may permit smoking in the following places, provided that certain requirements are met:(1)Any place where food is prepared or stored for distribution to persons of the same or a related business operation for service to the public at some other location, such as p...
Jaywalking
Norfolk pedestrians must cross streets at intersections or marked crosswalks whenever possible under City Code § 25-626. Crossing between intersections when a crosswalk exists is not automatically excused, and diagonal crossing is allowed only when all traffic has been halted by signals or an officer. Violators face a $25 to $100 fine per offense under § 25-633.
Norfolk Jaywalking and Crossing Rules
Some RestrictionsNorfolk Code of Ordinances § 25-626
(1)When crossing highways or streets, pedestrians shall not carelessly or maliciously interfere with the orderly passage of vehicles. They shall cross, wherever possible, only at intersections or marked crosswalks. Where intersections of streets contain no marked crosswalks, pedestrians shall not be guilty of negligence as a matter of law for crossing at any such intersection or between interse...
Public Alcohol Use
Norfolk Code § 29-17 makes public intoxication a Class 4 misdemeanor, rising to a Class 3 misdemeanor on a third conviction within one year, and separately bans carrying an open beer or wine container in public parks, playgrounds, and streets. The city manager can waive the open-container ban for a specific special-events permit.
Norfolk Public Intoxication and Open Container Law
Significant RestrictionsNorfolk Code of Ordinances § 29-17
(a) If any person be intoxicated in public, he shall be deemed guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor. (b) If any person shall be convicted for being intoxicated in public three (3) times within one year in this city, upon the third or any subsequent conviction for such offense within the period of one year, such person shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor. (c) It shall be unlawful for any person ...