License Requirements

Licensing Ordinance

All dogs and cats over four months of age must be licensed with the City of Virginia Beach.

New residents have a grace period of 30 days to license their pets after establishing residency. If the rabies certificate is older than 90 days at residency a prorated license is only available at one of the local Treasurer's offices with verification of new residency.

View the complete City of Virginia Beach ordinance

Due Date

The license tax on dogs and cats shall be due and payable as follows:

1. When a dog or cat becomes four (4) months of age and receives its first rabies vaccination.
2. When a dog or cat receives a subsequent rabies vaccination.
3. Within thirty (30) days from the day a person brings a dog or cat into the city from another jurisdiction, if such dog or cat is to be kept in the city more than thirty (30) days.

License Term

Animal licenses will expire one, two or three years from the date of vaccination or expiration of the prior license, depending on the license term purchased. The license cannot be valid longer than the rabies vaccination expiration.