Virginia Beach, VA Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

Native planting in Virginia Beach is governed by several overlapping tools. The Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area (CBPA) Ordinance, codified in Virginia Beach Zoning Ordinance Appendix F and implementing Virginia Code §62.1-44.15:67 et seq., requires Resource Protection Area (RPA) buffers to remain in natural vegetation with priority given to native trees, shrubs, and groundcovers. When replanting or restoring an RPA buffer, property owners must use species from the approved Virginia Beach native plant list, which tracks recommendations from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Native Plants for Conservation in the Coastal Plain region. Subdivision and site plan review also requires landscape plans that include a minimum percentage of native trees and shrubs in street trees, buffers, and parking lot landscaping. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) administers the state noxious weed list, and DCR maintains the Virginia Invasive Plant Species List. Invasive species such as English ivy, Japanese stiltgrass, Bradford/Callery pear, and Chinese privet are prohibited in city-funded projects and strongly discouraged in private landscaping. The city's Lynnhaven River NOW program offers free technical assistance and discounted native plants for waterfront property owners converting lawns to native buffers.