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Intergovernmental Relations
The legislative priorities for the City of Norfolk are Coastal Resilience, Strong and Safe Communities, Education, a strong Economy and Transit and Transportation. The city supports policies and legislation that uphold these core principals.
Norfolk’s 2026 legislative agenda includes:
Establish a Flood Mitigation Local Nonfederal Match Fund
- The City/Region respectfully requests that the Commonwealth create and authorize a Flood Mitigation Local Nonfederal Match Fund to provide the Commonwealth's direct nonfederal match for federally approved and funded local flood mitigation projects.
Authorize State-Owned Bottomland Easements for the Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management (NCSRM) Project
- The City respectfully requests that the Commonwealth enact special legislation to grant all necessary state-owned bottomland easements required for the successful construction and completion of the Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management (NCSRM) Project.
Defer Interest and Repayment on Community Flood Preparedness Fund Projects Until Substantial Completion
- The City/Region respectfully requests that the Commonwealth delay the accrual of interest and repayment obligations on Community Flood Preparedness Fund (CFPF) projects until substantial completion -- consistent with the federal Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) model.
Charter Change Requests
- The City respectfully requests an amendment to Section 2 of the Norfolk City Charter to grant the authority to terminate previously grandfathered property uses when such uses result in a substantial adverse impact on public health, safety or welfare. This power may only be exercised after a reasonable period has passed - no less than two years - and must comply with all applicable due process requirements under the law.
- The City respectfully requests an amendment to Sections 60, 63, 64, AND 114 of the Norfolk City Charter to prospectively exempt the position of Assistant Police Chief from the Classified Service of the City.
Eviction-Reduction Request
- The City respectfully requests legislation requiring private landlords who offer "all-inclusive" rental properties - where monthly rent includes some or all utilities - to use a standardized monthly rental ledger format. This format must clearly separate the tenant's base rent from utility charges. This measure will enable eligible tenant to apply for financial assistance or subsidies through public utility support programs.
Budget Request
- Initial Funding for the Commonwealth Flood Mitigation Local Nonfederal Match Fund
- The City and Region request an initial appropriation of $50 million to capitalize the newly established Commonwealth Flood Mitigation Local Nonfederal Math Fund in the FY 2026-FY 2028 biennium budget.
- Enhanced Funding for the Community Flood Preparedness Fund (CFPF)
- The City and Region request a $200 million funding increase for the CFPF in the FY 2026-FY 2028 biennium budget to support statewide resilience and flood prevention efforts.
Legislative Request
- Establishment of the Hampton Roads Primary and Secondary Roads Fund
- Support legislation to create and authorize a dedicated Hampton Roads Primary and Secondary Roads Fund to address critical regional transportation infrastructure needs and improve mobility across the region.
- Enhanced funding for Public School Construction
- Advocate for increased Commonwealth investment and prioritization in the financing of new public school construction projects to meet growing educational demands and modernize learning environments statewide.
- Additional outdoor lighting options
- Advocate for electric utilities (specifically, Dominion) to provide additional outdoor lighting options to allow the City to take service using "low-light impact" facilities and other equipment in order to minimize light illumination unintended areas and maintain dark skies.
Legislative Positions of the City of Norfolk:
- Support state programs and resources dedicated to community violence intervention programs and victim advocacy for victims of gun violence.
- Support the Commonwealth meeting its funding obligation for officers through the State Aide to Localities With Police Departments “599” program.
- Support adequate funding to support starting pay for Sheriff Deputies through the Compensation Board.
- Preserve existing local authority to implement public safety technology, including the use of cameras; clarifying language for using technology to enhance collections without overburdening the court systems; and support legislation expanding authority to install speed enforcement cameras beyond school and construction zones.
- Support public policy initiatives that provide proper training and support for public safety officials.
- Support policy initiatives and funding to Virginia local governments to provide residents better access to affordable housing.
- Support providing state assistance to assist localities with aging infrastructure in our neighborhoods.
- Support local control of all land use decisions including the authority to promote affordable, inclusive, and mixed-income housing as well as the required infrastructure to facilitate in-fill development, redevelopment, and mixing of uses.
- Support preserving local authority to regulate Short Term Rental requirements.
- Increase funding to prepare shovel-ready sites, including additional support for the Virginia Brownfields Restoration and Redevelopment Fund.
- Increase state funding to offset lost tax revenues and mitigate transportation impacts of Port operations.
- Expand funding for programs reconnecting transitioning service members and spouses with jobs.
- Support professional licensure reciprocity for military spouses.
- Support regional workforce initiatives to attract and retain skilled workers.
- Continue state investment to expand reliable and affordable broadband for Virginians at all income levels and promote market competition.
- Authorize statewide authority for local governments to establish a local excise tax on the sale of vaping products and on the eventual sale of cannabis products.
- Continue investment in the Stormwater Local Assistance Fund (SLAF) for infrastructure improvements.
- Support state incentives for local governments to reduce carbon footprints and enhance resilience.
- Ensure adequate funding to provide quality education for all Virginia children, following recommendations from the 2023 JLARC study on Standards of Quality (SOQ) costs.
- Continue state investment in school construction and renovation or provide local governments with the authority to raise needed funds.
- Maintain the At-Risk Add-On program to help break the cycle of poverty.
- Expand state resources to address student mental health needs.
- Support funding for Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission (HRTAC) projects, including the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel (HRBT) and the regional express lanes network.
- Establish a long-term, sustainable source of transportation funding to meet Hampton Roads' growing needs.
- Preserve and increase state transit funding for state-of-good-repair projects, technology, facilities and service expansion.
- Support initiatives that enhance roadway safety for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.
The Norfolk City Council endorses the following affiliated city/regional/state legislative packages:
- 2026 Norfolk Public Schools (NPS)
- 2026 Hampton Roads Planning District Commission (HRPDC)
- 2026 Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO)
- 2026 Hampton Roads Military & Federal Facilities Alliance (HRMFFA)
- 2026 Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission (HRTAC)
- 2026 Hampton Roads Transit (HRT)
- 2026 Virginia Municipal League (VML)
- 2026 Virginia First Cities Coalition (VFC)
- 2026 Virginia Court Clerks Association's (VCCA) request to reclassify and establish that the percentage of "excess fees" collected by local government Clerks of the Court will be shared so that 2/3rd of the excess fees collected are remitted to the local government and 1/3rd of the excess fees are remitted to the Commonwealth.
The Norfolk City Council is generally opposed to the following potential actions of the 2026 Virginia General Assembly:
- Unfunded mandates or restrictions on local taxing authority unless accompanied by state funding.
- Legislation that shifts local land use decisions away from local governments.
- Legislative proposals that phase out or eliminate current revenues collected by cities.
- Legislation that expands liability and/or erodes local government sovereign immunities at the state level.