Virginia Beach's Urban Forest Management Plan sets a 45 percent citywide canopy goal with priority replanting in lower-canopy neighborhoods and along Atlantic Avenue, implemented through CZO Section 215 landscape standards and Tree Code Chapter 33.
The City's Urban Forest Management Plan, adopted by Council and updated through Sustainability Office workstreams, targets a 45 percent canopy cover citywide and prioritizes equity by directing replanting funds to neighborhoods below the citywide average and to heat-vulnerable corridors near the Resort Area. CZO Section 215 sets landscape, screening, and replacement requirements for development sites; Chapter 33 governs city right-of-way trees. The plan is aspirational and not parcel-binding, so existing properties have no canopy mandate. Development projects must satisfy CZO landscape standards before final certificate of occupancy.
Removing a regulated street tree without a permit triggers Chapter 33 penalties up to $2,500 per tree plus replacement at 1:1 to 3:1 ratio depending on caliper size.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach City Code Sec. 23-69 caps sound entering another residential dwelling at 55 dBA between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., and 65 dBA between 7:00 a.m....
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach's zoning and property maintenance codes do not restrict residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays at single-family homes. Po...
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach has no specific City ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. The principal restrictions come from HOA and condo covenant...
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach has no citywide ordinance restricting residential holiday lights at single-family homes. Restrictions arise principally from HOA and condo cov...
Virginia Beach, VA
Outdoor kitchens in Virginia Beach require separate trade permits from Permits and Inspections: building permit for structural elements, mechanical permit fo...
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach has no specific ordinance regulating residential offset smokers, pellet grills, or wood-fired pizza ovens at single-family homes. Multi-unit b...
See how Virginia Beach's urban forest equity rules stack up against other locations.
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