Rental Property Rules in Virginia Beach, VA (2026)
6 verified rental property rules for Virginia Beach, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Rent Control
Virginia Beach has no rent control ordinance. Virginia state law (VA Code §55.1-1204) preempts local rent control. Landlords may set and increase rents without government caps, subject only to notice requirements.
Virginia Beach Rent Control & Stabilization Rules
Few RestrictionsVa. Code § 55.1-1204
Terms and conditions of rental agreement; payment of rent; copy of rental agreement for tenant. A. A landlord and tenant may include in a rental agreement terms and conditions not prohibited by this chapter or other rule of law, including rent, charges for late payment of rent, the term of the agreement, automatic renewal of the rental agreement, requirements for notice of intent to vacate or t...
Rental Registration
Owners of rental units inside a city council-designated rental inspection district must notify the code enforcement administrator in writing within 60 days of designation, or face a $50 civil penalty.
Rental Property Registration in Virginia Beach
Significant RestrictionsVirginia Beach City Code § 16-12.3(b)
The owner of any residential rental dwelling unit located within an inspection district shall, no later than sixty (60) days after the date of adoption of the ordinance, notify the code enforcement administrator in writing of any property that is used as a residential rental dwelling unit. Such notice and information shall be submitted on a form provided by the code enforcement administrator. A...
Security Deposit Rules
Virginia Beach landlords must follow VA Code §55.1-1226, which caps security deposits at two months of rent and requires return within 45 days of move-out with an itemized statement of any deductions taken.
Two Months Maximum Under State Law
Some RestrictionsVa. Code § 55.1-1226
§ 55.1-1226 . Security deposits. A. No landlord may demand or receive a security deposit, however denominated, in an amount or value in excess of two months' periodic rent. Upon termination of the tenancy or the date the tenant vacates the dwelling unit, whichever occurs last, such security deposit, whether it is property or money held by the landlord as security as provided in this section, ma...
Source-of-Income Discrimination
Since 2020, the Virginia Fair Housing Law bars landlords from refusing applicants based on lawful source of income, including Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers. Virginia Beach landlords must accept vouchers as valid income.
Voucher Discrimination Banned Statewide
Some RestrictionsVa. Code § 36-96.3
source of funds, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or military status; 2. Discriminate against any person in the terms, conditions, or privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling, or in the provision of services or facilities in the connection therewith to any person because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, source of funds, familial status, sexual ...
Section 8 Voucher Acceptance
The Virginia Beach Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation administers Housing Choice Vouchers locally. Landlords accepting vouchers must pass Housing Quality Standards inspections and sign a HAP contract.
Vouchers Administered Through DHNP
Few RestrictionsVa. Code § 36-96.3
source of funds, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or military status; 2. Discriminate against any person in the terms, conditions, or privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling, or in the provision of services or facilities in the connection therewith to any person because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, source of funds, familial status, sexual ...
Repairs & Habitability
Virginia Beach can designate rental inspection districts where code enforcement checks units for compliance with the state building code's safe, decent, and sanitary living standards.
Rental Inspection Districts in Virginia Beach
Some RestrictionsVirginia Beach City Code § 16-12.4(a)
The code enforcement administrator may, in conjunction with written notification pursuant to section 16-12.3, inspect the dwelling units in the designated rental inspection districts to determine whether the units are used as residential rental property and whether such units are in compliance with the provisions of the Uniform Statewide Building Code that affect the safe, decent and sanitary l...