Norfolk grading must not divert stormwater onto adjacent properties. Positive drainage away from foundations required by VA USBC. Given extensive flooding and high water table, French drains and sump pumps common. Fill within AE/VE zones tightly regulated under floodplain rules.
Grading and drainage in Norfolk fall under Virginia USBC (requiring positive drainage away from foundations, minimum 6 inches fall in 10 feet) and Norfolk Stormwater/Zoning ordinances. Grading plans are required for any project over 2,500 sq ft of disturbance. Drainage alterations cannot discharge concentrated stormwater onto adjacent properties (common-law nuisance principle reinforced by code). Given Norfolk high water table (often within a few feet of surface) and frequent flooding, sump pumps, French drains, and perimeter drains are common - these cannot discharge to sanitary sewer (VA DEQ prohibition) and must daylight to approved storm drainage. Placement of fill within AE or VE floodplain requires floodplain development permit and may require compensatory storage under Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act. Finished grade around structures in flood zones must not compromise elevation certificates.
Improper grading causing neighbor flooding: civil suit plus $100-$500 municipal penalty. Unpermitted fill in floodplain: up to $32,500/day state civil.
Norfolk, VA
Norfolk prohibits habitual barking that disturbs neighbors under City Code Chapter 6 (Animals). A dog barking continuously for 20 minutes or intermittently f...
Norfolk, VA
Amplified music in Norfolk is prohibited if plainly audible at 50 feet from the source or inside another residence. Granby Street, Waterside District, and Gh...
Norfolk, VA
Norfolk enforces quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM weekdays and 11 PM to 8 AM weekends under City Code Chapter 26. Plainly audible standard applies at 50 feet o...
Norfolk, VA
Virginia has no statutory shared-fence cost law. Norfolk property owners are individually responsible for fences on their own land. Boundary-line fences requ...
Norfolk, VA
Norfolk requires all dogs off their owner's property to be leashed under City Code Chapter 6. Town Point Park, Ocean View Beach, and most city parks require ...
Norfolk, VA
Norfolk limits households to a combined total of 4 dogs and cats over 4 months old without a kennel license. Kennel licenses require zoning approval. Militar...
See how Norfolk's grading & drainage rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.