About the Comprehensive Plan

The Comprehensive Plan (Comp Plan) is a formal document produced through the City's Comprehensive Planning process and projects Virginia Beach 20 to 25 years into the future. The Comp Plan guides development and investment across the city, and all Capital Improvements Program (CIP) projects and new land development projects are evaluated for consistency with the Comp Plan.

It is authorized by the state through enabling legislation, Section 15.2-2223 of the Virginia Code, which requires all localities to prepare a formal document from this process called a Comprehensive Plan. As outlined in Section 15.2-2230 of the state code, the Comp Plan is reviewed by the Planning Commission at least once every five years to determine whether amendments need to be made to the document.

The City is in the final stages of updating the draft 2040 Comprehensive Plan

Process Update

The City’s Comprehensive Planning Team and its consultant conducted a multi-phased, multi-year community input gathering process to identify themes, priorities and proposed policies for the updated Comp Plan, which included:

• More than 80 stakeholder meetings 
• Three SpeakUpVB.com surveys
• 10 focus group meetings
• Nine open-house-style public meetings 
• Seven Planning Commission workshops

Step I: The Virginia Beach City Council and Planning Commission vote to approve the development of a plan based on a recommendation from City staff. This approach expands on existing City Council priorities and goals that were established during the council's yearly retreat. ​Status: COMPLETE

Step II: The Commonwealth of Virginia requires the Planning Commission to conduct a thorough study of existing conditions and trends prior to developing the Comprehensive Plan. In the past, a City-staff prepared technical report detailed those findings; this year, however, staff created an interactive Existing Conditions StoryMap that provides a richer understanding of the community environment. Status: COMPLETE

Step III: Various public input and outreach opportunities are provided through surveys, public meetings, and civic league and community group presentations. That feedback is used to shape the vision of the Comprehensive Plan and other City strategic planning. ​Status: COMPLETE

Step IV: Develop a draft plan through extensive multi-departmental staff collaboration, Planning Commission workshops, City Council briefings, public meetings and focus groups. Status: ONGOING

• Planning Commission Workshop #1 Video to review drafts of Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
• Planning Commission Workshop #2 Video to review drafts of Chapter 4 and Chapter 5 of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
• Planning Commission Workshop #3 Video to review drafts of Chapter 6 and Chapter 7 of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
• Planning Commission Workshop #4 Video to review drafts of Chapter 3 of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan and the Master Transportation Plan.
• Planning Commission Workshop #5 Video to review an updated draft of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan and discuss applying the 2040 Comp Plan to discretionary action applications.

Step V:​ A series of public meetings and public hearings are held to review the updated Comprehensive Plan draft, starting with the Planning Commission and followed by the City Council, which must vote to adopt the plan.

If you have any questions or comments regarding the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, please email CompPlan@vbgov.com.