Virginia Beach, VA Home Business: Zoning Restrictions (2026)

The Virginia Beach Zoning Ordinance permits home occupations by right in all residential districts (R-40 through R-2.5, A-12 through A-36 apartment districts, PD-H and PD-H2 planned developments) subject to accessory-use standards. The business must be clearly incidental and subordinate to the residential use and conducted entirely within the dwelling or a permitted accessory structure. No more than 25 percent of the dwelling's finished floor area may be devoted to the home occupation. At most one non-resident employee may work on site. There may be no exterior evidence of the business, such as outdoor storage, commercial-scale deliveries, or signage beyond what the ordinance allows. Uses that are expressly prohibited as home occupations include auto repair, kennels, medical and dental offices with patient visits beyond limited consulting, restaurants, funeral services, and retail sales of goods not produced on the premises. Internet-based consulting, writing, remote tech work, home-based crafts, music lessons, and similar quiet professional activities easily comply. Uses conducted entirely online with no customer visits typically sail through approval. Operators must obtain a Home Occupation Permit from the Planning Department Zoning Administration and a Commissioner of the Revenue business license. HOA covenants in master-planned communities may further restrict or prohibit home occupations.