Virginia Beach is not a sanctuary city, and Va. Code Section 15.2-916.2 prohibits any Virginia locality from adopting policies that restrict cooperation between local police and federal immigration enforcement, including ICE detainers and information sharing.
Under state law enacted in 2020, no Virginia city or county may bar law enforcement from communicating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, honoring lawful detainers, or sharing immigration status information lawfully obtained. Virginia Beach Police follow this state mandate and participate in routine information sharing through the Hampton Roads regional fusion environment. The city has not enacted a 287(g) jail program but does cooperate when ICE issues administrative detainers on arrestees. Activists have urged adoption of welcoming-city language; the City Council has declined, citing Va. Code Section 15.2-916.2 preemption.
A locality adopting a sanctuary policy faces civil suits, withholding of state grant funding, and potential mandamus orders from the Virginia Attorney General compelling cooperation with federal agencies.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach City Code Sec. 23-69 caps sound entering another residential dwelling at 55 dBA between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., and 65 dBA between 7:00 a.m....
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach's zoning and property maintenance codes do not restrict residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays at single-family homes. Po...
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach has no specific City ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. The principal restrictions come from HOA and condo covenant...
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach has no citywide ordinance restricting residential holiday lights at single-family homes. Restrictions arise principally from HOA and condo cov...
Virginia Beach, VA
Outdoor kitchens in Virginia Beach require separate trade permits from Permits and Inspections: building permit for structural elements, mechanical permit fo...
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach has no specific ordinance regulating residential offset smokers, pellet grills, or wood-fired pizza ovens at single-family homes. Multi-unit b...
See how Virginia Beach's sanctuary policy preemption rules stack up against other locations.
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