The zoning administrator enforces the provisions outlined in the City's zoning ordinance. That includes ordering in writing that violations be remedied and when necessary, pursuing legal action to ensure compliance through injunction, abatement or other appropriate action. 

When reporting a complaint, try to answer the following basic details: who, what, when and where, and be sure to include the times of the violation. The more information you can provide, the better the chance for a resolution.

Once a complaint is received, it's referred to a zoning inspector to investigate. Complaints can be submitted anonymously. 

Types of Complaints

A list of the kinds of violations that Virginia Beach zoning inspectors investigate when a complaint is received.

  • Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) violations

  • Business in a residence 

  • Commercial equipment 

  • Commercial vehicles

  • Conditional use permit (CUP) violations

  • Fence

  • Illegal dwellings 

  • Lighting 

  • Peddlers

  • Portable storage containers

  • Setbacks

  • Shed encroachment

  • Short-term rentals

  • Signs in the right-of-way

  • Temporary signs on private property

  • Yard sales (residential)