Posted by Waste Happy
on September 10, 2026
Quick answer: Yes. Norfolk requires dog owners to pick up after their dogs under Norfolk City Code § 6.1-72. A court can impose up to $500.
What the Norfolk ordinance says
| Ordinance | Norfolk City Code § 6.1-72, Allowing animals to defecate on public property or on private property of other persons |
|---|---|
| Fine | Up to $500 |
| Must carry a bag | No |
| Service animal exemption | No |
How the penalty works
§ 6.1-72 states that a violation 'shall constitute a class 3 misdemeanor,' which carries a fine of up to $500 under Va. Code § 18.2-11(c). This is double the ceiling in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake. The section was last amended April 25, 2023 (Ord. No. 49,155). No repeat-offense schedule is published.
The carry rule
No bag-carry requirement, but disposal is specified: immediate removal and sanitary disposal is not a violation, and 'the defecated matter shall be placed in a container and disposed of in a proper waste receptacle.'
Service animals
§ 6.1-72 contains no service-dog exemption.
In practice
Pick up every time, bag it, and put it in a trash can. That is the one method that satisfies every ordinance in the country. The Walk Dispenser clips to the leash and holds a full roll.
Elsewhere in Virginia
Virginia dog poop laws covers the state and its other large cities. Nearby: Virginia Beach dog poop law · Chesapeake dog poop law. All 50 states.
Source
Checked 2026-09-10 against the Norfolk municipal code. Codes change, so read the current version before relying on this for an actual citation.
This page is general information, not legal advice.
