Hurricane Preparedness in Virginia (2026)
10 rules on the books across Virginia, 9 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Roof Standards
Wind-resistant roofing requirements including strap attachments, material ratings, and inspection requirements for hurricane-prone areas.
Norfolk
Some RestrictionsNorfolk sets its own wind and roof-load design standards on top of the state building code under Code of Ordinances…
Read full rule →York County
Some RestrictionsYork County, Virginia builds its roof-design standards into the Virginia Residential Code table it locally amends: new…
Read full rule →Flood Elevation
Minimum elevation requirements for structures in flood zones, including freeboard standards above base flood elevation and elevation certificate requirements.
Albemarle County
Significant RestrictionsIn Albemarle County outside Charlottesville and Scottsville, homes in the Flood Hazard Overlay District's Zones A…
Read full rule →Rockingham County
Significant RestrictionsManufactured homes and recreational vehicles placed in Rockingham County's mapped flood hazard areas face separate…
Read full rule →York County
Significant RestrictionsIn York County, Virginia, homes and buildings in the coastal V and VE flood zones, the Coastal High Hazard areas most…
Read full rule →Alexandria
Some RestrictionsAlexandria requires new construction and substantially improved buildings in the FEMA-mapped Zone A or AE floodplain to…
Read full rule →Roanoke County
Some RestrictionsIn Roanoke County, Virginia (outside the independent cities of Roanoke and Salem), enclosed space below a…
Read full rule →Stafford County
Some RestrictionsStafford County requires new construction and substantial improvements in a mapped flood hazard area to raise the…
Read full rule →Virginia Beach
Some RestrictionsNew and substantially improved buildings in Virginia Beach flood hazard areas must set their lowest floor at least two…
Read full rule →Storm Debris
Rules for pre-storm yard preparation, post-storm debris placement for pickup, and timelines for property cleanup after hurricanes.