VirginiaHB14772026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Norfolk, City of; amending charter, conformity with zoning ordinance.

Sponsored By: Alex Q. Askew (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Charter; City of Norfolk. Amends the charter for the City of Norfolk to require, on any property where there is a substantial negative impact on public health, safety, and welfare, conformity with the city's zoning ordinance within a reasonable time, to be specified by ordinance, but never less than two years. This bill is identical to SB 806.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

18 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 2 costs, 11 mixed.

Care and local institutions

The city can provide care and support for children, the sick, the elderly, and poor residents. It can run or fund charities, clinics, recreation centers, and detentive or penal institutions. If you qualify, you may get local services. The law does not set exact benefit amounts.

Public health and hospital powers

The city can inspect food and destroy unsafe items. It can stop the spread of contagious diseases and set quarantine grounds. It can run or regulate hospitals and require reports of births and deaths. These actions follow state and federal law and aim to protect public health.

Local schools and libraries

The city can run public schools and libraries. Local officials manage them but must follow state education laws and standards. Students and families receive services under these statewide rules.

Stronger street and bridge powers

The city can open, widen, and maintain streets and alleys. It can build bridges, tunnels, sewers, and drains, and require some utility wires be put underground. The city may also build or help build roads and bridges outside city limits and acquire needed land, including by condemnation. These powers aim to improve travel, safety, and local infrastructure.

Harmful nonconforming uses must comply

If a nonconforming property or use creates a big health, safety, or welfare problem, the city can require it to meet current zoning. The city must give a reasonable time to comply, and it cannot be less than two years. Owners may need to modify or stop the use during that period.

Higher local taxes and assessments

The city council can raise local taxes and assessments each year. It may also charge special assessments on nearby properties to pay for local improvements. The city cannot tax its own bonds. Homeowners and residents may pay more when rates or assessment districts are approved.

Police and fire safety powers

The city has full police powers and can run a police department. It can prevent and fight fires, set building rules, and remove dangerous buildings. It can require fireproof construction in set fire limits. With a four-fifths council vote, certain fireproof storage sheds may be allowed on waterfront piers. Owners and builders must follow safety rules and may need to make upgrades.

City-run utilities and water rates

The city can own or lease utilities and run local services. It sets and enforces water and other utility rates. It can secure water supplies, police and protect watersheds, and sell extra water outside the city. The city also collects and disposes of sewage and trash. Lands held for water supply inside Virginia cannot exceed 30,000 acres at one time. Utility bills and service fees can change when the city updates rates.

Building lines and design reviews

The city can set building lines along streets and block new buildings between the line and the street for at least one block. It must publish notice for at least 10 days and hold a hearing. If an owner objects, the city must buy the property or start condemnation within 60 days, or the rule will not apply to that owner. Owners can also request a voluntary design review for new or rehab work. The review fee is capped at the city’s actual cost or $200, whichever is less.

Land powers for development

The city can buy, sell, lease, or take property by condemnation inside or outside the city. To support industry and commerce, it can hold up to 5,000 acres at one time for resale or lease. These powers can bring jobs and projects, but they also allow eminent domain that affects property owners’ rights.

City borrowing and spending powers

The city can borrow money and issue debt to pay for projects, under state limits. The council can spend city funds for any lawful purpose. These powers help the city build or improve services now, but future debt payments can raise costs that affect taxpayers.

City docks and wharfage fees

The city can build and run wharves and docks and set rules for their use. It can charge wharfage fees to vessels and regulate rates. The city can also dredge and deepen the harbor and rivers. These powers affect port users and local maritime businesses.

City cemeteries and burial rules

The city can buy land for burial grounds inside or outside the city. It can set and enforce rules for their use and protection and regulate burials. Families using cemeteries must follow city rules.

Nuisance cleanup rules for properties

The city can order dirty or dangerous properties to be cleaned or fixed. Owners or occupants may have to pay cleanup costs or fines. These rules target health and safety problems like smoke, dust, noise, or offensive businesses.

Inspections of scales and meters

The city can license, test, and inspect scales, meters, and other measuring devices. Stores and vendors must follow these rules. This protects shoppers with accurate prices, but businesses face licensing and inspection steps.

Carrier bonds for unsupported arrivals

The city can require transport companies to take back people with no visible support or post a bond that they will not become a city expense for one year. The city can expel people who have been in the city less than 90 days. These rules shift costs to carriers and aim to prevent new public charges.

City approval of utility franchises

The city can grant franchises to public-utility providers under state and charter limits. This shapes which companies can run local utility services and under what terms.

Stronger ordinance penalties and suits

The city can make and enforce ordinances and penalties to carry out its powers. It can also sue to stop violations by asking a court for an injunction. All rules must be consistent with the city charter.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Alex Q. Askew

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 212 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/25/2026

Passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/24/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/24/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/23/2026

Reported from Local Government Block Vote

Yes: 14 • No: 0

House vote 2/12/2026

Read third time and passed House Block Vote

Yes: 98 • No: 0

House vote 2/6/2026

Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns

Yes: 21 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0316)

    4/6/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 316 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/6/2026Governor
  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/10/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026

    3/10/2026House
  5. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1477ER)

    3/2/2026House
  6. Enrolled

    3/2/2026House
  7. Signed by President

    3/2/2026Senate
  8. Signed by Speaker

    3/2/2026House
  9. Passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/25/2026Senate
  10. Read third time

    2/25/2026Senate
  11. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/24/2026Senate
  12. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/24/2026Senate
  13. Rules suspended

    2/24/2026Senate
  14. Reported from Local Government Block Vote (14-Y 0-N)

    2/23/2026Senate
  15. Referred to Committee on Local Government

    2/13/2026Senate
  16. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/13/2026Senate
  17. Read third time and passed House Block Vote (98-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/12/2026House
  18. Read second time and engrossed

    2/11/2026House
  19. Read first time

    2/10/2026House
  20. Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns (21-Y 0-N)

    2/6/2026House
  21. Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns

    1/23/2026House
  22. Presented and ordered printed 26105453D

    1/23/2026House

Bill Text

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