Virginia Beach Setbacks & Height Limits — Residential Zones

Fact-checked against the current Virginia Beach Zoning Ordinance structure on September 21, 2026.

Virginia Beach's current residential districts include:

• R-40;
• R-30;
• R-20;
• R-15;
• R-10;
• R-7.5;
• R-5D;
• R-5R;
• R-5S;
• R-2.5 Residential Townhouse.

The previous page published a compact R-5S/R-7.5/R-10/R-20 setback table without tying every number to the current district sections and their exceptions. That table has been removed rather than presenting potentially stale shorthand as current law.

Use the Exact District Regulations

For each parcel, the current zoning ordinance should be used to confirm:

• minimum lot area and width;
• front, side, and rear yards;
• maximum lot coverage;
• building height;
• permitted housing types;
• accessory-structure placement.

R-5D, R-5R, and R-5S are separate districts and should not be treated as interchangeable “R-5” zoning.

Proffers and Conditional Zoning Matter

Virginia Beach zoning can include accepted proffers and rezoning conditions that continue to bind the property.

The current ordinance expressly recognizes that accepted conditions remain in force unless properly changed. A base zoning label alone may therefore be incomplete.

AICUZ, CBPA, Flood, and Resort Conditions

Virginia Beach includes extensive:

• Air Installation Compatible Use Zone / military-airfield controls;
• Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area requirements;
• floodplain and coastal conditions;
• resort-area and strategic-growth-area regulations.

These can materially affect development even when the base district setbacks are met.

Corner and Through Lots

General ordinance definitions and yard rules determine which lot lines function as front, side, and rear yards. Do not assume every corner lot simply has two identical front setbacks without reviewing the applicable section.

ADUs and Accessory Structures

Virginia does not currently provide a blanket statewide zoning rule that replaces all local accessory-dwelling dimensional standards.

Check the Virginia Beach ordinance and the exact district/use provisions for any accessory dwelling or detached accessory structure.

How to Check a Property

1. Confirm the exact current zoning district.
2. Read that district's current Appendix A regulations.
3. Check proffers and conditional-zoning records.
4. Check AICUZ, CBPA, floodplain, resort, historic, and other overlays.
5. Check accessory structures separately.
6. Confirm parcel-specific questions with Virginia Beach Planning.

Official Sources

• Virginia Beach Zoning Ordinance — Appendix A
• Virginia Beach Planning

This guide is informational only. Current Appendix A, proffers, overlays, and parcel-specific conditions control.