Fence Permit in Virginia Beach, Virginia
It depends
Sometimes, depending on the project
Fences or walls within 30 feet of a public right-of-way, and pool barrier fences
Issued byPlanning & Community Development, Zoning Administration
By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources
- Permit fee
- $61
- from the published schedule
Quick answer
The Virginia USBC exempts fences of any height from building permits unless the fence serves as a swimming pool barrier. Virginia Beach separately requires a zoning fence permit for the construction, reconstruction, replacement, or relocation of any fence or wall located within 30 feet of a public right-of-way, except fences used principally for agricultural purposes in the AG district. Section 201 of the City Zoning Ordinance governs fence location and height, and permits are issued by the Zoning Office to property owners or Virginia licensed contractors.
Typical threshold: A zoning fence permit is required for any fence or wall within 30 feet of a public right-of-way (except agricultural fences in the AG district); the statewide code exempts fences of any height from building permits unless they serve as a swimming pool barrier.
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When a permit is usually needed
Fences or walls within 30 feet of a public right-of-way, and pool barrier fences
What a fence permit costs in Virginia Beach
How Virginia Beach compares in Virginia
| Jurisdiction | Permit needed? | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Arlington County | Permit required | Arlington requires a fence permit for any new or replacement fence not part of a larger permitted project; the state building code exempts fences from a building permit unless they serve as a swimming pool barrier or are required for pedestrian safety. |
| Chesterfield County | No permit needed | Not specified |
| Fauquier County | No permit needed | Not specified |
| Henrico County | It depends | fences 7 feet or less in height that do not serve as a swimming pool barrier are exempt; taller fences and any fence serving as a pool barrier require a building permit |
| Loudoun County | No permit needed | Not specified |
| Orange County | No permit needed | Not specified |
| Virginia Beachthis page | It depends | A zoning fence permit is required for any fence or wall within 30 feet of a public right-of-way (except agricultural fences in the AG district); the statewide code exempts fences of any height from building permits unless they serve as a swimming pool barrier. |
How to apply in Virginia Beach
In Virginia Beach, most residential fences fall under the model code's 7-foot building-permit exemption, so the real approval step is a lightweight zoning or land-use permit built around a simple site plan showing the fence's location, height, and material, checked against setbacks and any corner-lot sight-triangle rule. A fence that will serve as a required swimming-pool barrier is the exception, since barrier fences carry life-safety requirements of their own.
What most fence permit applications include:
- For Virginia Beach, a fence 7 feet or under is exempt from the model code's building permit, the same threshold the IRC uses for other small projects (IRC 2021 R105.2).
- That exemption only removes the building-code permit. It does not authorize skipping a jurisdiction's own zoning approval, which is why an exempt fence can still need its own land-use or zoning permit rather than a building permit (IRC 2021 R105.2).
- Whatever your jurisdiction calls that approval, the application centers on a basic site plan: a drawing of the property showing the fence's location, height, and material, and how it relates to the property lines (common local zoning practice).
- For Virginia Beach, the same plan is checked against required setbacks and, on corner lots or near intersections, a sight-triangle rule that caps fence height so it does not block sightlines for drivers (common local zoning practice).
- For Virginia Beach, a fence that will serve as a required swimming-pool barrier is handled as life-safety work rather than the light zoning process, and at least one state's adopted residential code requires a building permit for barrier fences regardless of the general fence exemption (Oregon Residential Specialty Code 2021, R101.2.2).
General submittal guidance from International Residential Code (IRC), 2021 edition, Section R105.2. Source. Planning & Community Development, Zoning Administration sets the exact checklist for Virginia Beach.
Where to apply in Virginia Beach:
Planning & Community Development, Zoning Administration
- 2403 Courthouse Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23456
- Phone: 757-385-8074
- Email: zoning@vbgov.com
Fence Permit in Virginia Beach compared with nearby Virginia localities
| Locality | Permit needed? | Threshold | What each Virginia schedule says | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | It depends | A zoning fence permit is required for any fence or wall within 30 feet of a public right-of-way (except agricultural fences in the AG district); the statewide code exempts fences of any height from building permits unless they serve as a swimming pool barrier. | $61 fence permit fee (city Fence and Wall Bulletin, rev Nov-2025) | |
| Arlington County | Permit required | Arlington requires a fence permit for any new or replacement fence not part of a larger permitted project; the state building code exempts fences from a building permit unless they serve as a swimming pool barrier or are required for pedestrian safety. | Fees per FY27 Planning and Zoning fee schedule | |
| Chesterfield County | No permit needed | Not specified | No permit or fee for a standard residential fence | |
| Culpeper County | Permit required | Not specified | Not published | |
| Fairfax County | No permit needed | Not specified | Not published |
Inspections and closing out your permit
In Virginia Beach, inspection follows the permit: a fence that never needed one gets no inspection at all under the model code, and a permitted fence typically gets a single final check rather than the staged inspections used for a house. The exception is a fence serving as a swimming-pool barrier, which gets its own dedicated barrier inspection covering height, gaps, and gate hardware.
- In Virginia Beach: inspection duty attaches only to work for which a permit is required, so a fence that qualified for the permit exemption carries no inspection obligation under the model code (IRC 2021 R109.1).
- In Virginia Beach: where a fence permit was issued, the process skips the staged foundation, frame, and rough-in inspections used for buildings and goes straight to one final inspection once the fence is finished (IRC 2021 R109.1.6).
- In Virginia Beach: that single check is typically a zoning compliance inspection rather than a structural review, confirming the fence matches the approved height and site plan (common local practice).
- A fence built as a swimming-pool barrier breaks that light-touch pattern in Virginia Beach: it is separately inspected for barrier compliance, commonly required before the pool itself can be signed off (ISPSC 305; local pool-barrier inspection programs).
- In Virginia Beach: that barrier inspection checks dimensional rules from the swimming pool and spa code rather than ordinary fence rules, including the minimum 48 inch barrier height and limits on openings and gaps a young child could pass through (ISPSC 305).
- Gate hardware is inspected too in Virginia Beach: a self-closing, self-latching gate is part of the barrier requirement, since an unlatched gate defeats the fence's purpose as a barrier (ISPSC 305).
Schedule each inspection in advance and pass the final before you use the work or close the permit. Request inspections through the Virginia Beach permit portal or by phone at 757-385-8074.
Inspection sequence from International Residential Code (IRC), 2021 edition, Section R109, and ISPSC 2021 Section 305 (barriers). Source. An open permit left un-inspected can surface later in a title search or home sale.
Your Fence Permit checklist for Virginia Beach
- Confirm the requirement. Sometimes, depending on the project. Typical threshold: A zoning fence permit is required for any fence or wall within 30 feet of a public right-of-way (except agricultural fences in the AG district); the statewide code exempts fences of any height from building permits unless they serve as a swimming pool barrier. Usually needed: Fences or walls within 30 feet of a public right-of-way, and pool barrier fences.
- Budget the fee. $61 fence permit fee (city Fence and Wall Bulletin, rev Nov-2025).
- Apply. In Virginia Beach, most residential fences fall under the model code's 7-foot building-permit exemption, so the real approval step is a lightweight zoning or land-use permit built around a simple site plan showing the fence's location, height, and material, checked against setbacks and any corner-lot sight-triangle rule. A fence that will serve as a required swimming-pool barrier is the exception, since barrier fences carry life-safety requirements of their own. Start at the Virginia Beach permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. Planning & Community Development, Zoning Administration. Phone: 757-385-8074. Address: 2403 Courthouse Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23456.
- Plan for inspections. In Virginia Beach, inspection follows the permit: a fence that never needed one gets no inspection at all under the model code, and a permitted fence typically gets a single final check rather than the staged inspections used for a house. The exception is a fence serving as a swimming-pool barrier, which gets its own dedicated barrier inspection covering height, gaps, and gate hardware.
Compiled from the official sources on this page. Last checked .
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a fence permit in Virginia Beach?
- The Virginia USBC exempts fences of any height from building permits unless the fence serves as a swimming pool barrier. Virginia Beach separately requires a zoning fence permit for the construction, reconstruction, replacement, or relocation of any fence or wall located within 30 feet of a public right-of-way, except fences used principally for agricultural purposes in the AG district. Section 201 of the City Zoning Ordinance governs fence location and height, and permits are issued by the Zoning Office to property owners or Virginia licensed contractors. A zoning fence permit is required for any fence or wall within 30 feet of a public right-of-way (except agricultural fences in the AG district); the statewide code exempts fences of any height from building permits unless they serve as a swimming pool barrier. Always confirm with the office before starting.
- How much does a fence permit cost in Virginia Beach?
- $61 fence permit fee (city Fence and Wall Bulletin, rev Nov-2025). Contact the office for current amounts.
- Where do you apply for a fence permit in Virginia Beach?
- You can apply through the Virginia Beach permit portal or contact the Planning & Community Development, Zoning Administration directly. The links are listed on this page.
- Can a homeowner pull a fence permit themselves in Virginia Beach?
- Under Virginia law (Va. Code 54.1-1101(A); 13VAC5-63-80 (USBC Sections 108.3, 108.4)): Yes. Va. Code 54.1-1101(A) exempts any person who performs or supervises construction, removal, repair, or improvement of no more than one primary residence owned by them and for their own use during any 24-month period. The exemption covers the whole licensing chapter, including tradesman licensing for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC, so it reaches trade work on the owner's own primary residence. Under the USBC the permit applicant may be the owner or the owner's agent, and an applicant may file a written statement that they are not subject to licensure instead of proof of license. Limits: one primary residence per 24 months, for the owner's own use; rental and investment property work is not covered. Confirm how Virginia Beach applies this before you apply.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Virginia Beach
Every other permit type we have verified for this jurisdiction, with the rule that applies here.
| Project | Permit needed? | Threshold | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck Permit | Permit required | No size or height exemption; the city states permits are required for construction of a new deck no matter the size or height. | Residential fees start at $50 plus area or valuation based charges (non-heated new work... |
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | State code exempts like-for-like replacement of snap switches, dimmer and control switches, 125 volt 15 or 20 ampere receptacles, luminaires, and ceiling fans; other electrical work needs a permit. | Not published |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | State code provides a narrow exemption for like-for-like replacement of certain mechanical appliances not fueled by gas or oil; other mechanical work needs a permit. | Not published |
| Patio Permit | It depends | Roofed or screened patio additions require a building permit; the city's published permit list does not address open at-grade patios and the state exemption list has no patio entry. | If a permit applies, residential fees start at $50 plus area or valuation based charges... |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | State code exempts replacement of plumbing fixtures and well pumps without alteration of the water supply and distribution systems; other plumbing work needs a permit. | Not published |
| Pool Permit | It depends | Permits are required for pools, hot tubs, and spas holding 24 inches or more of water; state code exempts only pools with a surface area of 150 square feet or less that are under 24 inches deep. | Residential permit fees start at $50 plus area or valuation based charges, plus a 2%... |
| Roof Replacement Permit | Permit required | Roofing replacement is on the city's permit-required alterations list; the state exemption for roof covering replacement on one and two family dwellings applies only where the nominal design wind speed is not greater than 100 mph. | $50 plus $5 per $1,000 of construction value, plus a 2% state levy and a $10 technology... |
| Shed Permit | It depends | One story detached sheds with a building area of 256 square feet or less are exempt from a building permit; larger sheds require one. | Non-heated residential new construction: $50 plus $4 per 100 sq ft, plus a 2% state levy... |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | No exemption; photovoltaic work is a listed category on the city electrical permit application and electrical work requires a permit under the statewide code. | Not published |
Fence Permit in other Virginia localities
Everything above, sourced
Code references
National and state model-code sections the general guidance on this page is drawn from. They are not Virginia Beach documents; the office above sets the local rules.
How this fence permit page for Virginia Beach was verified. 3 official sources: planning.virginiabeach.gov, s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com, law.lis.virginia.gov. Last checked by Mario Bailey, not confirmed with Planning & Community Development, Zoning Administration. Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
Last checked: Report an error on this page
Compare Fence Permit requirements across Virginia localities