Virginia Beach is a major coastal city subject to the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program, Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act, and the city's own coastal management regulations. The resort area along the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay shoreline faces enhanced development standards.
Development in the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area must comply with the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act and local implementation. The city's Comprehensive Plan designates coastal high hazard areas with additional building restrictions. Virginia's Coastal Primary Sand Dune/Beach Protection Ordinance requires VMRC permits for activities on dunes and beaches. The resort area has specific overlay district standards. Sea level rise projections influence infrastructure planning and building requirements. The city's Flood Protection Program and Sea Level Rise Strategy guide adaptation.
Coastal development violations may result in fines, restoration orders, and state enforcement. Unauthorized dune disturbance carries penalties from VMRC. CBPA violations carry fines up to $10,000 per day.
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 coastal development rules stack up against other locations.
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