Norfolk permits a home occupation as an accessory use in any zoning district, but it must stay clearly subordinate to the residence and occupy no more than 25 percent of the dwelling's floor area. Zoning Ordinance section 4.3.3 governs.
Norfolk's Zoning Ordinance section 4.3.3 lets a resident run a home occupation in any district as an accessory use, provided the business stays incidental to residential life. It may occupy no more than 25 percent of the dwelling's floor area, employ no one outside the resident family, produce no perceptible noise, odor, smoke, vibration, or electrical interference, and show no exterior sign of commerce. Several uses are barred outright as home occupations, including auto repair, barbershops and beauty parlors, contractor storage yards, nursing homes, and massage parlors. A Norfolk business license through the Commissioner of the Revenue is also required. Virginia's Dillon's Rule frames this local authority under Va. Code section 15.2-2280.
Running a home occupation that breaks section 4.3.3 draws a zoning violation notice from Norfolk code enforcement, an order to stop, and escalating fines until the use conforms or ceases.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Norfolk City, VA
Norfolk lets residents put up holiday decorations on private property without a permit. Displays just cannot block sidewalks or sight lines, create fire or e...
Norfolk City, VA
Norfolk allows small temporary signs to advertise a yard or garage sale on private property, but bars them from the public right-of-way, utility poles, and t...
Norfolk City, VA
Norfolk treats political yard signs as temporary signs under its zoning ordinance and cannot regulate their message. Signs are allowed on private property wi...
Norfolk City, VA
Norfolk runs rental inspection districts under Va. Code 36-105.1:1 and City Code Chapter 36.1. Rental homes in designated older neighborhoods must pass a cod...
Norfolk City, VA
Norfolk follows the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, not a local just-cause law. Landlords must give written notice and sue in court; a month-to...
Norfolk City, VA
Norfolk has no rent control, and it legally cannot enact any. Virginia is a strict Dillon's Rule state, so no locality may cap rent without the General Assem...
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