5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Norfolk City, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Norfolk runs a Virginia Stormwater Management Program under Va. Code §62.1-44.15:24. Because the entire city is a Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area, land disturbance of 2,500 square feet or more triggers stormwater and erosion controls, far below the statewide one-acre threshold.
9VAC25-875-70(2)
Land-disturbing activity that disturbs 2,500 square feet or more, although the locality may reduce this regulatory threshold to a smaller area of disturbed land, is less than one acre, and in an area of a locality designated as a Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area is subject to criteria defined in Article 2 and Article 5 ... of Part V of this chapter
Norfolk requires erosion and sediment control for land-disturbing work. Under the city's Erosion and Stormwater Management program, disturbing 2,500 square feet or more in this all-Bay-Preservation city triggers a plan, silt fence, and stabilized entrances before grading begins.
Norfolk is Tidewater Virginia, fully governed by the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act. A 100-foot vegetated Resource Protection Area buffer along tidal waters and wetlands sharply limits clearing, building, and shoreline hardening near the Elizabeth River and Chesapeake Bay.
9VAC25-830-140
the 100-foot wide buffer area of vegetation that is effective in retarding runoff, preventing erosion, and filtering nonpoint source pollution from runoff shall be retained if present and established where it does not exist
Much of low-lying Norfolk sits in FEMA flood zones. New buildings in the flood plain and the Coastal Resilience Overlay must be elevated with the lowest floor at least 3 feet above base flood elevation, a stricter freeboard than most Virginia cities.
Norfolk regulates grading and drainage through its code, the Erosion and Stormwater program, and the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act. Grading may not redirect runoff onto neighbors, and earthwork near the 100-foot RPA buffer faces added restriction.
Va. Code §62.1-44.15:68
"Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area" means an area delineated by a local government in accordance with criteria established pursuant to § 62.1-44.15:72.
1 cities in Norfolk City have their own environmental rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
See every category we cover for Norfolk City — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Norfolk City Ordinance Hub →