Virginia preempts city-set minimum wages, so Virginia Beach workers earn the statewide floor of $12.41 per hour in 2025 rising to $13.50 effective January 1, 2026 under Va. Code Section 40.1-28.10.
Under Dillon's Rule and the Virginia Minimum Wage Act, localities cannot raise their own wage floor above the state level. The schedule set in 2020 reform legislation steps up annually until reaching $15 indexed thereafter. Virginia Beach's roughly 230,000 jobs in hospitality, retail, and the Resort Area Special Service District are covered. Tipped workers may receive the federal tip credit so long as combined cash plus tips reach the state minimum. Federal contractors at Naval Air Station Oceana and on related installations apply the Executive Order 14026 federal contractor minimum, which exceeds state law.
Workers underpaid below state minimum can recover unpaid wages, an equal amount in liquidated damages, attorney's fees, plus civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation under state law.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach City Code Sec. 23-69 caps sound entering another residential dwelling at 55 dBA between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., and 65 dBA between 7:00 a.m....
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach's zoning and property maintenance codes do not restrict residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays at single-family homes. Po...
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach has no specific City ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. The principal restrictions come from HOA and condo covenant...
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach has no citywide ordinance restricting residential holiday lights at single-family homes. Restrictions arise principally from HOA and condo cov...
Virginia Beach, VA
Outdoor kitchens in Virginia Beach require separate trade permits from Permits and Inspections: building permit for structural elements, mechanical permit fo...
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach has no specific ordinance regulating residential offset smokers, pellet grills, or wood-fired pizza ovens at single-family homes. Multi-unit b...
See how Virginia Beach's minimum wage preemption rules stack up against other locations.
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