The Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act mandates 100-foot vegetated buffers along tidal waters and tributaries in 84 covered Tidewater localities, with state-set criteria local ordinances must meet or exceed.
Va. Code Section 62.1-44.15:67 et seq. designates Resource Protection Areas within Tidewater Virginia, requiring 100-foot Resource Protection Area buffers adjacent to tidal shores, perennial streams, and tidal wetlands. The Chesapeake Bay Local Assistance regulations (9VAC25-830) set performance criteria for development, redevelopment, septic pumpout requirements, and impervious cover limits. Tidewater localities listed in 62.1-44.15:68 must adopt conforming ordinances; non-Tidewater jurisdictions are not covered by the Act.
Removing vegetation or building within RPA buffers without approval triggers restoration orders and civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation under 62.1-44.15:74.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Newport News, VA
Newport News prohibits oversized vehicles from parking on residential streets overnight. Vehicles exceeding 20 feet long, 8 feet wide, or 8 feet tall are ban...
Newport News, VA
Newport News regulates retaining walls under Chapter 13 (Buildings and Building Regulations) and the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. Retaining wall...
Newport News, VA
Newport News regulates fence materials under Chapter 13, Article VI of the City Code. Certain hazardous materials are restricted or prohibited in residential...
Newport News, VA
Newport News enforces the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (SFPC), which requires property owners and occupants to cut and remove weeds, grass, vines,...
Newport News, VA
Newport News defines "landscape" as living plants, natural features, or structural features under Chapter 45 (Zoning Ordinance). No express ban on artificial...
Newport News, VA
Newport News Code Ch. 33.02 requires a landscaped green area as part of all site plans. The city officially encourages use of native and drought-tolerant pla...
See how Newport News's coastal development rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.