Virginia Beach Opens Applications for Affordable Land Parcels

The City of Virginia Beach released 185 acres across two corridors for new housing and small commercial projects on July 8, with applications accepted starting July 15 through the Department of Planning and Community Development.

Prices in the city rose 11 percent in the past year, pushing first-time buyers toward city-sponsored land programs that target local workers priced out of the Oceanfront and Town Center markets.

Who qualifies

Applicants must live or work in Virginia Beach for at least three years and meet income caps set at 120 percent of the area median. Priority goes to households earning under $92,000 for a family of four and to projects that include at least 20 percent workforce housing units. Veterans and city employees receive an additional five-point scoring advantage.

Parcels sit along Princess Anne Road near the Landstown area and along Nimmo Parkway in the Red Mill section. Both sites sit within walking distance of existing bus routes and the city’s new water line extension completed in 2025.

How to apply

Forms are available online at vbplanning.gov or in person at the Municipal Center on Princess Anne Road. Completed packets require proof of residency, tax returns from the past two years, and a preliminary site plan. The deadline is August 29 at 5 p.m.

Staff will score applications on a 100-point system that weighs affordability commitments, design quality, and infrastructure contributions. Awards are expected by October 15, with closing set for early 2027.

Interested buyers can attend a virtual information session on July 12 at 6 p.m. or visit the planning counter at 2405 Courthouse Drive for printed maps and fee schedules.

This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.