Norfolk cannot regulate your recreational drone. Virginia Code § 15.2-926.3 bars localities from regulating drone flight, leaving federal rules in control: register drones over 250 grams, pass the TRUST test, fly under 400 feet, and keep visual line of sight.
Virginia preempts local drone regulation, so Norfolk cannot ban or license hobby flights over the city. Recreational flyers follow the FAA's rules under 49 U.S.C. 44809: register any drone over 0.55 pounds, pass the free TRUST test, stay below 400 feet, keep the aircraft in visual line of sight, and yield to crewed aircraft. This matters intensely in Norfolk because Naval Station Norfolk and Chambers Field, plus Norfolk International Airport, blanket much of the city in controlled and restricted airspace where flight requires prior LAANC authorization or is simply off-limits. Under § 15.2-926.3 the city may still control launching and landing from park land, but it cannot regulate the flight itself.
The FAA enforces flight rules with civil penalties reaching thousands of dollars for unregistered or unsafe flying, and criminal exposure near military airspace. Norfolk cannot ticket the flight itself but can cite launching or landing from posted park property.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Norfolk City, VA
Norfolk lets residents put up holiday decorations on private property without a permit. Displays just cannot block sidewalks or sight lines, create fire or e...
Norfolk City, VA
Norfolk allows small temporary signs to advertise a yard or garage sale on private property, but bars them from the public right-of-way, utility poles, and t...
Norfolk City, VA
Norfolk treats political yard signs as temporary signs under its zoning ordinance and cannot regulate their message. Signs are allowed on private property wi...
Norfolk City, VA
Norfolk runs rental inspection districts under Va. Code 36-105.1:1 and City Code Chapter 36.1. Rental homes in designated older neighborhoods must pass a cod...
Norfolk City, VA
Norfolk follows the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, not a local just-cause law. Landlords must give written notice and sue in court; a month-to...
Norfolk City, VA
Norfolk has no rent control, and it legally cannot enact any. Virginia is a strict Dillon's Rule state, so no locality may cap rent without the General Assem...
See how Norfolk City's recreational drones rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.