Environmental Rules in Portsmouth, VA (2026)
5 verified environmental rules for Portsmouth, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Portsmouth requires a city-issued stormwater permit before any land-disturbing activity and bans dumping process water, oil, antifreeze or debris into the storm system. Violations carry civil penalties up to $32,500 per day and misdemeanor jail time, enforced by the city engineer as administrator.
Portsmouth Stormwater Permit and Discharge Rules
Some RestrictionsPortsmouth, VA Code of Ordinances § 11.1-21
(a)Prohibited acts:(1)It shall be unlawful for any person to put, or allow to be put, any process water, wastewater, filth, animal or vegetable matters, chips, shavings or any other substance in the stormwater system, or do any injury thereto, or in any manner pollute the stormwater system.(2)It shall be unlawful for any person to pour or discharge, or to permit to be poured or discharges, or t...
Erosion Control
Portsmouth regulates land-disturbing construction activity starting at 2,500 square feet, requiring an approved erosion and sediment control plan before grading begins. Starting work early risks a civil charge of up to $1,000 per day, and plan reviews run on fixed 15- and 60-day clocks.
Portsmouth Erosion and Sediment Control Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsPortsmouth, VA Code of Ordinances § 11.1-4
(a)Land-disturbing activity that meet one of the criteria below are regulated as follows:(1)Land-disturbing activity that disturbs 2,500 square feet or more, is less than one acre, not in an area of the city designated as a Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area, and not part of a common plan of development or sale, is subject to criteria defined in Article 2 (9VAC25-875-540 et seq.) of Part V of the...
Flood Zones
Any development within a Portsmouth floodplain district, including placing a manufactured home, requires a permit before work begins under City Code § 14.1-10(a). The floodplain administrator reviews every application for compliance with the state building code and city ordinances before approving.
Portsmouth Floodplain Development Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsPortsmouth City Code § 14.1-10(a)
All uses and development occurring within any floodplain district, including placement of manufactured homes, shall be undertaken only upon the issuance of the appropriate permit. Such development shall be undertaken only in strict compliance with the provisions of this chapter and with all other applicable codes and ordinances as amended, including the VA USBC and the City of Portsmouth develo...
Boat Dock Permits
Anyone building or maintaining a bulkhead, pier, landing or similar dock on the city's water-supply reservoirs needs a permit from the director of public utilities. City Code § 38-391 requires the fee-paid permit before construction, and owners of existing structures must also apply or face removal at their own cost.
Portsmouth Reservoir Pier & Dock Permits
Significant RestrictionsPortsmouth City Code § 38-391
Sec. 38-391. - Permit required; prior permits validated. The director is hereby authorized to set fees and issue permits authorizing the construction, maintenance and use of bulkheads and/or piers, landings or similar structures made out into the waters of water supply reservoirs and adjacent property owned by the city from property adjacent to said waters owned by the city.
Flood Elevation Requirements
New or substantially improved homes in Portsmouth's mapped flood zones must have their lowest floor, including HVAC ductwork and any basement, elevated at least 3.0 feet above the base flood elevation under § 14.1-11(d)(1). The city calls this the design flood elevation, and residential floodproofing is not allowed as a substitute.
Portsmouth Base Flood Elevation Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsPortsmouth City Code § 14.1-11(d)(1)
Residential construction. New construction or substantial improvement of any residential structure (including manufactured homes) in Zones A1-30, AE, AH and A with detailed base flood elevations shall have the lowest floor including HVAC, duct work, and basement, elevated to at least the design flood elevation which is the BFE plus 3.0 feet. No floodproofing below the design flood elevation (DF...