Virginia Beach, VA Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Governs
- New residential subdivision street trees
- Caliper (standard)
- 1¾–2 inches at planting
- Streetlight clearance
- 10 feet minimum
- Guarantee period
- 1 year, developer-backed
- Max fine
- $1,000 per day
Summary
New residential subdivisions in Virginia Beach must plant street trees in the public right-of-way under an approved master street tree plan before final plat recordation.
Trees shall be planted within all public rights-of-way in conjunction with new residential development except resubdivisions, undeveloped rights-of-way and townhouse developments where the street design does not provide greenspace for street trees. Trees shall be planted in accordance with a master street tree plan, section 1.4.B.4, that is to be included with the subdivision construction plans.
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
Virginia Beach's Tree Planting, Preservation and Replacement Ordinance (City Code Appendix E) requires developers to plant trees in the public right-of-way for new residential development, following a master street tree plan submitted with the subdivision construction plans and approved by the planning director. Resubdivisions, undeveloped rights-of-way, and townhouse developments whose street design has no greenspace for street trees are exempt. Street trees must be at least 1.75 to 2 inch caliper (standard trees) or 5 to 6 feet tall (multistem trees) at planting, guaranteed in good condition for one year by the developer, and kept 10 feet clear of streetlight poles and out of the sight-visibility triangle under CZO § 201(f). A performance bond secures the planting cost before the final plat records.
Violations & Fines
Misdemeanor, fine of $10 to $1,000 per Sec. 1.5; each day a violation continues is a separate offense. The city may draw on the developer's performance bond to plant required trees itself and bill any shortfall back to the developer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all new Virginia Beach subdivisions need street trees?
Who approves the street tree plan?
Can existing lot trees replace street trees?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Virginia Beach
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