Virginia Beach, VA Fence Regulations: Fence Requirements (2026)

Fence regulations in Virginia Beach are codified in the City Zoning Ordinance (CZO), administered by the Department of Planning and Community Development. In residential districts (R-40 through R-2.5), fences are permitted as follows: front yards up to 4 feet in height, side and rear yards up to 6 feet in height. Corner lots have special rules treating both street frontages as front yards in sight triangle areas (typically 20 feet from intersections). Fences over 7 feet in height require a building permit under VUSBC. Prohibited materials in residential areas include barbed wire, razor wire, concertina wire, and electrified fencing (except for agricultural use in agriculturally zoned land, AG-1 and AG-2). Chain-link fences are permitted but cannot include barbed arms in residential zones. The CZO generally requires the finished or decorative side of the fence to face the neighboring property or public right-of-way. Fences must not obstruct sight distance at driveways or intersections (sight triangle regulations). Pool barriers have stricter requirements (see pool-barriers). In the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Resource Protection Area (RPA), fence installation may be restricted within 100-foot buffer zones. Oceanfront properties with primary sand dunes must obtain Wetlands Board approval before installing fences on or near dunes under the Coastal Primary Sand Dunes and Beaches Act (VA Code §28.2-1400+). HOAs and deed restrictions commonly impose stricter requirements than city code. Virginia law requires fence disputes between neighbors to be resolved civilly; partition fence laws under VA Code §55.1-2817 may apply in rural/agricultural areas. No permit is typically required for fences 7 feet or under, but zoning compliance is still mandatory. Call Miss Utility (811) before digging for posts.