Norfolk allows family day homes as home occupations in most residential districts subject to state licensing. Virginia requires state licensure for care of 5+ unrelated children; Norfolk zoning permits in-home child care with conditional use requirements for larger operations.
Norfolk Zoning Ordinance allows family day homes (caring for up to 12 children per VA Code) in residential districts, with home-based care of 5 or more children requiring licensure by the Virginia Department of Education (formerly DSS). Smaller programs of 4 or fewer children are generally exempt from state licensure but still must comply with Norfolk zoning standards for home occupations. Operators must obtain a Norfolk business license from the Commissioner of the Revenue, comply with Virginia USBC requirements for exits and smoke alarms, and maintain required outdoor play areas. Background checks are required for all adults in the home under Virginia regulations. Conditional use permits may be required for larger programs exceeding typical home occupation limits.
Operating without state licensure: state enforcement and potential criminal penalties. Zoning violations: civil penalties up to 250 dollars per day under Norfolk Code.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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 home daycare rules stack up against other locations.
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