8 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Norfolk City, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Norfolk's nuisance code (Chapter 27) treats grass, weeds, and vegetable matter grown over 12 inches as a nuisance the owner must cut. Enforcement runs through code enforcement and is backed by abatement liens and a Class 2 misdemeanor.
Norfolk City Code Ch. 27 (Nuisances), definition of vegetable matter
any grass, weeds, bushes, underbrush, poison ivy, poison oak or any other vegetable matter which has grown to sufficient height and cover or to a height of more than twelve (12) inches or accumulated so as to provide cover or harborage or potential cover or harborage for rodents or vermin
Pruning a tree on your own Norfolk lot needs no permit. But the bureau of parks and forestry holds control over street trees and the curb strip, so any work on or near a city tree requires a tree permit.
Norfolk City Code Ch. 45 (Trees and Other Vegetation), bureau of parks and forestry
The bureau of parks and forestry shall have the management, control and care of the area between the street curbing and the walkway, and of all trees and shrubbery on the streets, avenues and public grounds of the city, shall direct and regulate planting, transplanting, pruning, removal, care and protection of all shade and ornamental trees and shrubbery to be planted and cultivated, determinin...
A tree entirely on your Norfolk yard can generally be removed without a city permit. City trees, the curb strip, and Resource Protection Area buffers along the Elizabeth River are the real constraints.
Norfolk City Code Ch. 45 (Trees and Other Vegetation), bureau of parks and forestry
The bureau of parks and forestry shall have the management, control and care of the area between the street curbing and the walkway, and of all trees and shrubbery on the streets, avenues and public grounds of the city, shall direct and regulate planting, transplanting, pruning, removal, care and protection of all shade and ornamental trees and shrubbery to be planted and cultivated, determinin...
Norfolk enforces overgrowth through its Chapter 27 nuisance code, authorized by Virginia Code Sec. 15.2-901. Owners must clear weeds and vegetable matter over 12 inches from lots and the curb strip or face city abatement and a lien.
Va. Code Sec. 15.2-901
shall cut the grass, weeds, and other foreign growth, including running bamboo as defined in Sec. 15.2-901.1, on such property or any part thereof at such time or times as the governing body shall prescribe
Norfolk's Department of Utilities runs the water system and sets any watering limits. Current status is voluntary conservation aligned with Virginia DEQ drought advisories; the Governor can declare a water emergency that triggers mandatory restrictions.
Rainwater harvesting is allowed in Norfolk. Virginia places no meaningful limit on residential rain collection, and the state and city encourage rain barrels and cisterns to slow stormwater runoff and ease flooding.
Norfolk places no restriction on native or drought-tolerant landscaping; residents may replace lawn with native beds and pollinator gardens. The city and Virginia encourage native coastal plantings and living shorelines along the water.
Norfolk has no ordinance banning artificial turf on a home lawn, but it counts toward lot-coverage and stormwater rules. In flood-prone Norfolk, drainage and impervious-surface limits are the main constraint.
1 cities in Norfolk City have their own landscaping 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 →