Virginia Beach, VA local landlord rules
State law also applies. See Virginia landlord-tenant law.
Quick facts
| Topic | At a glance |
|---|---|
| Rent control / stabilization | No local rent control. |
| Rental licensing / registration | Virginia Beach has no citywide rental registry. |
| Just-cause eviction | No local just-cause eviction rule can apply. |
Details & sources
Rent control / stabilization
No local rent control. The Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act applies statewide and supersedes all other local ordinances or regulations concerning landlord and tenant relations and the leasing of residential property. (Based on the state statute.)
Verified Source: Va. Code § 55.1-1201 · last checked 2026-10-15
Back to quick facts ↑Rental licensing / registration
Virginia Beach has no citywide rental registry. Instead, under Code ch. 16, §§ 16-12.1 to 16-12.9, City Council may designate rental inspection districts, and individual units outside them that are blighted or deteriorating or have building code violations. Within 60 days after a district is designated, owners must notify the code enforcement administrator in writing of each rental unit, on pain of a $50 civil penalty for willful failure (§ 16-12.3). Units in a district need a certificate showing compliance with the Uniform Statewide Building Code (§ 16-12.4(d)). Units may be inspected up to once a year, and a unit with no violations is exempt for at least 4 years (§ 16-12.5). Fee: $50 for the initial inspection and one reinspection, plus $50 per further follow-up. Other violations carry the § 16-11 penalties (§ 16-12.9).
Verified Source: Virginia Beach City Code ch. 16, §§ 16-12.1 to 16-12.9 · last checked 2026-10-15
Back to quick facts ↑Just-cause eviction
No local just-cause eviction rule can apply. The Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act supersedes all other local ordinances or regulations concerning landlord and tenant relations and the leasing of residential property, so terminations follow the VRLTA. (Based on the state statute.)
Verified Source: Va. Code § 55.1-1201 · last checked 2026-10-15
Back to quick facts ↑