Virginia Beach, VA Parking Rules: EV Charging (2026)

EV charging in Virginia Beach is governed primarily by the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC, which incorporates the 2020 National Electrical Code and 2021 International Building Code with Virginia amendments) and local zoning. Single-family homeowners installing a Level 2 charger (208/240V, 30-80 amps) need an electrical permit from the Virginia Beach Permits & Inspections Division and a licensed electrician (Class A or B with electrical designation) for any work on the service panel. A simple NEMA 14-50 receptacle for plug-in charging also requires a permit but is inexpensive. Load calculations per NEC 625 and Article 220 must show the existing panel can support the charger; otherwise a service upgrade (typically 200 amp to 320 amp) is needed, which is the single largest cost driver. Setback and aesthetic rules treat the charger as typical electrical equipment - no visual screening required in residential zones. For new multifamily projects of 10 units or more and new commercial buildings with surface or structured parking, USBC Appendix F (adopted in Virginia via the 2021 cycle) requires a minimum of 5% of parking spaces to be EV-capable (conduit and panel capacity roughed in), plus a smaller percentage EV-ready (wired) and EVSE-installed. Public charging: the city operates charging at several garages and is expanding through Dominion Energy's Smart Charging Infrastructure Pilot (SCIP) and federal NEVI corridor funding along I-64 and I-264. Signage marking EV-only stalls is enforceable under City Code section 21-392; parking in a marked stall without actively charging is a civil violation with a $50 fine. Condominium owners seeking to install chargers in shared garages benefit from Va. Code section 55.1-1962 (Right to Install Electric Vehicle Charging Stations) which prohibits HOAs from unreasonably denying installation.