Virginia Beach, VA Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit fee
- $100 flat
- Inspection fee
- $50 flat
- Minimum guarantee fee
- $25
- Visibility-obstruction cure period
- 14 days after written notice
- Issuing authority
- City manager or designee
Summary
Cutting, trimming or spraying trees or shrubs on, under or over a city street requires a permit, and vegetation blocking sightlines at intersections or driveways must be cleared within 14 days of notice.
Any bush, shrub, tree, vegetation, fence, wall, berm, landscape screening or the like, which obscures, hinders or creates visibility obstruction for vehicles entering a street from another street or from a driveway shall be trimmed, relocated, adjusted or removed, whichever action is deemed appropriate or necessary for traffic safety by the traffic engineer's office. For failure to remove, trim, relocate or adjust such item within fourteen (14) days after written notice from the traffic engineer, the city will cause such work to be accomplished at the expense of the owner in question.
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
City Code § 33-51 makes it unlawful to cut, trim or spray any tree or shrub on, under or over a street without a permit from the city manager's designee. Under § 33-59, that permit issues only when the work is "fully justified in the public interest" and must be done as directed by the city arborist or superintendent of landscape services. Separately, any bush, shrub, tree, fence, wall or berm that obscures visibility for vehicles entering a street from another street or a driveway must be trimmed, relocated or removed; the traffic engineer's office decides what's needed and gives written notice.
Violations & Fines
Working without a permit is unlawful under § 33-51 and, absent a stated class, defaults to a Class 1 misdemeanor (up to $2,500 fine and/or 12 months jail) under § 1-9. Miss the 14-day deadline on a visibility-obstruction notice and the city does the trimming or removal itself and bills the property owner (§ 33-59).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to trim a tree next to a Virginia Beach street?
What if a hedge is blocking sightlines at an intersection?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Virginia Beach
Compare Virginia Beach to another location·View the Virginia landscaping rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.