Virginia Beach, VA Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Virginia Beach, VA, sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances, list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Key Facts
- Governing law
- City Code, Appendix E
- Smallest-lot requirement
- 2 small trees under 5,000 sq ft
- Largest-lot requirement
- 2,000 sq ft canopy on largest lots
- Construction rule
- Undisturbed buffer required around retained trees
- Penalty
- $10-$1,000 fine per day of violation
Summary
New residential development in Virginia Beach must plant trees or provide canopy cover scaled to lot size, protect existing trees during construction, and pass inspection before occupancy under City Code Appendix E.
All residential lots shall have trees planted, or canopy cover provided, based upon the following minimum requirements by lot size:a.1—4,999 square feet:(1)One small tree per attached townhouse interior lot.(2)Two (2) small, or medium, trees for attached townhouse end lots.(3)Two (2) small or medium trees for all other lots.b.5,000—7,499 square feet: 300 square-foot canopy cover.c.7,500—9,999 square feet: 400 square-foot canopy cover.d.10,000—14,999 square feet: 600 square-foot canopy cover.e.15,000—19,999 square feet: 750 square-foot canopy cover.f.20,000—29,999 square feet: 900 square-foot canopy cover.g.30,000—65,339 square feet: 1,000 square-foot canopy cover.h.65,340—87,119 square feet: 1500 square-foot canopy cover.i.87,200 square feet and greater: 2,000 square-foot canopy cover.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 170 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Appendix E, the Tree Planting, Preservation and Replacement ordinance, requires every new residential lot to be planted with trees or provided canopy cover keyed to lot size, from two small trees on a lot under 5,000 square feet up to 2,000 square feet of canopy on lots over 87,200 square feet. Existing trees credited toward that requirement must be fenced off from construction activity, and the planning department's permits and inspections division checks each lot before signing off on a certificate of occupancy. New residential streets get their own master street-tree plan, approved by the planning director as part of the subdivision construction plans.
Violations & Fines
Violating Appendix E is a misdemeanor: fines run $10 to $1,000, with each day of noncompliance treated as a separate offense, and the city can withhold a certificate of occupancy until the required trees are planted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this require a permit to cut down a tree I already own?
What if my lot is too small for the full tree count?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Virginia Beach
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