Virginia Beach City buildings and work areas are to be used to conduct City business. The City has established codes, ordinances and directives to reduce the potential for disrupting City business during the election process. 

These regulations are in addition to state laws, and are to be applied evenly, regardless of message and are not meant to limit public expression. Regulations apply to signs and expressive activities (see definitions below).

Please note: The information on these pages applies to City buildings. Election-related matters at other locations (such as churches, schools, etc.) should be directed to property owners.

Definitions

• Early voting: Voting that takes place before the designated election day.
• Expressive activities: Expressive activities include, but are not limited to, petitioning, picketing, displaying signs or posters, solicitation, demonstrating, pamphlet distribution and conducting polls.
• Petitioning area: Area where expressive activities are permitted. Petitioning area does not restrict the ability of persons canvassing or interacting with members of the public provided such interactions remain outside of the 40-foot restricted area provided by state law and not otherwise impeding ingress or egress to a public building used as a polling location.
• City Buildings and adjacent areas: All buildings that are owned or leased by the City and exterior work areas such as equipment compounds, vehicle storage areas, and horticultural nurseries. The exterior steps and ramps providing access to a building, adjacent lawns, the walkways which provide access to any building from its designated parking areas, parking lots, and the vehicle driveways serving such buildings shall be considered adjoining restricted areas.
• Voter Registrations & Elections: Located at 500 Studio Drive, special regulations apply.
• Signs: Signs or placards that are placed in the ground, posted on a structure or carried by a person.

Enforcement

Candidates and causes are bound by the City’s Zoning Ordinance and enforced through Zoning in the City’s Planning Department. Campaign staff should understand and follow specific guidelines detailed in these applicable ordinances and laws:

• Virginia Beach City Code that applies to signs (Appendix A, B. Sign regulations)
• Virginia Beach City Code on peddlers and solicitors (Chapter 26)
• Virginia Beach City Code on permits (Article 11, Division 2)
• Administrative Directive 3.01
• City’s Zoning Ordinance: B. - Sign Regulations
• State law
• Dos and don’ts for campaigners and authorized representatives

Any additional clarification related to signs or expressive activities should be requested from Zoning in City’s Planning Department at 757-385-8074, ZoningComplaints@vbgov.com.

At polling locations, the supervisor or manager in charge of a building or work area, or designee, may provide the following:

• Access to information about sign regulations.
• Notification that a sign may be in violation.
• Opportunities to comply to resolve violation(s).
• Requests for those who do not comply to leave the location.
• Escalation of issues to Zoning in City’s Planning Department at 757-385-8074, ZoningComplaints@vbgov.com.

Please note: Those who fail to comply will be asked to leave. If they refuse, a police officer should be summoned, and the person may be charged with trespassing.