Zoning Inspector Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $56,337.11 - $64,648.00 Annually
Location : 810 Union Street, Norfolk, VA
Job Type: Permanent Full-time
Job Number: 14324
Department: City Planning
Opening Date: 08/20/2026
Closing Date: 8/30/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Description
Norfolk, Virginia is America's most authentic and urban waterfront city. Home to the world's largest naval station and the business, arts, and cultural center of Coastal Virginia, Norfolk has been rated a top place to live, work, play, and raise a family by numerous publications. Working for the City of Norfolk is an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of others. With our commitment to competitive pay and a strong retirement package, you can do good for your community and do well for yourself. Join a caring workplace that proudly celebrates uniqueness, authenticity, and a shared commitment to improving the lives of our residents.
The Department of City Planning ensures the highest quality of life for present and future generations by providing excellent planning and enforcement services emphasizing the development of safe, healthy and fun communities where people choose to live, work and play.
Investigates properties to ensure that land use is in compliance with zoning regulations. Reviews residential and commercial development plans for accuracy and compliance with zoning ordinance. Writes summons and represents the City in court for violations of the City code.
Essential Functions

• Inspects properties where work may be taking place without necessary permits (both building and zoning permits) and tracking through the enforcement and permitting process.
• Conducts ongoing inspections of properties registered to operate short-term rentals, ensuring continued compliance with approved permits.
• Enforces zoning ordinance and building code by conducting field investigations in response to complaints, surveying the area for additional violations, reviewing permit requests for zoning and code requirements, reviewing construction, repair and renovation plans for compliance, and issuing violation notices.
• Requires regular interactions with property owners, contractors, and other inspectors from various city agencies. Also requires occasional testimony and presentations related to enforcement matters and code interpretations at scheduled public hearings and court hearings.
• Provides assistance to the general public by receiving zoning violation complaints, forwarding information to enforcement officers for investigation, and explaining regulations and proper compliance procedures.
• Performs related duties by preparing cases and compiling data for the prosecution of violations to city code.

Education/Experience
Work requires knowledge necessary to understand basic operational, technical, or office processes. Level of knowledge equivalent to four years of high school or equivalency.
Required:

• Two years in code enforcement.

Preferred:

• Two or more years of experience interpreting zoning ordinances, building codes, and other relevant city or state codes, conducting field investigations reviewing construction, repair and renovation plans, and issuing violation notices.

Additional Information & Requirements

• Valid Driver's License required.
• Special Police Commission required within 6 months of appointment. Click Here for additional information.
• DHCD Residential Building Inspector, Property Maintenance Inspector certification or similar, or the ability to complete such certification within 18 months of employment.
• Certified Zoning Official (CZO) certification or equivalent within 18 months of employment.

Work Schedule:

• 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM with occasional weekend and evening inspections required.

Signing Bonus:

• This position is eligible for a $5,000 signing bonus.

• Regular full-time and permanent part-time employees may receive paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, employer paid pension plan, basic life insurance, voluntary participation in medical and dental, Section 457 deferred compensation, long-term disability, optional life insurance for self, spouse and children, medical and dependent care reimbursement plans, access to membership in credit union and employer provided parking.
  
• Special project/grant employees are generally eligible for the same benefits of regular full-time employees; however, retirement, life insurance and participation in health plans vary depending upon funding and authorization.
  
• Temporary/seasonal and part-time employees are generally only eligible for employer provided parking and access to membership in credit union.
  
• Retirement

If you are hired October 5, 2010, or after to a position with City of Norfolk Retirement System benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction.
If you are hired January 1, 2022, or after to a position with Virginia Retirement System (VRS) benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction.

• The Tuition Assistance Program is established to encourage employees toward continued self-development and education. Permanent full-time and permanent part-time classified, unclassified permanent, full-time special projects, and constitutional employees who have completed six months continuous service will be eligible to apply. The applicant's school of enrollment must be an accredited institution.

NOTE:
The benefits described above are broad generalizations. The specific benefits that an employee may be eligible for are governed by City regulations, as applicable to job type.
Non-City
Positions listed with a job type designation of "Non-City" are not subject to the benefits descriptions above. Refer to the content of the job posting for information regarding these positions.
01
The following Supplemental Questions are specific to the position for which you have applied to assist the hiring manager in screening applications for specific experience being sought. Please be specific in answering these questions as they will be used to evaluate which applications will be given further consideration in the process. Do not answer "see resume" or "see application" as these are not valid answers. Please note that if you are invited to be interviewed by the department, your responses to the following questions may be subject to verification.

• I understand and will answer the following supplemental questions completely and thoroughly.

02
If you were referred for this position by a current City of Norfolk employee, please provide the employee's full name, department, and job title. If not, please indicate by typing "N/A."
03
Please select the highest level of education you have completed.

• High School Diploma/GED
• Some College (6 months or more)
• Vocational/Technical Degree
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree or higher

04
How many years of experience do you possess in zoning inspections, code enforcement or related work?

• Less than 2 years
• 2-3 years
• 4-5 years
• 5 years or more

05
Please describe your experience in zoning inspections, code enforcement, and other related field work.
06
Do you have any certifications relevant to zoning, building inspections, or other related fields? If yes, please list. If no, put n/a.
07
Do you understand that the hiring salary for this position will be at the starting salary ($56,337) for the classification?

• Yes
• No

08
A conviction (felony or misdemeanor) does not necessarily eliminate you from employment consideration. A criminal background check is conducted on all new hires. Failure to disclose all criminal convictions may result in disqualification from employment consideration or may result in dismissal from City of Norfolk employment if you have been hired. The nature of the offense; the time that has passed since the offense, conduct and/or completion of the sentence; and the nature of the job sought may be taken into consideration. Have you ever been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor?

• I have been convicted of a felony
• I have been convicted of a misdemeanor
• I have been convicted of a felony and a misdemeanor
• I have not been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor

09
If you answered, that you have been convicted of a felony and/or a misdemeanor, please provide an explanation including the city, state and date of the conviction. This excludes minor traffic violations such as speeding tickets.
10
Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

11
Do you have the legal right to work in the United States and, upon employment, can you provide documentation to verify this?

• Yes
• No

12
Please provide an explanation of any periods of unemployment that are 30 days or longer. Indicate N/A if you have not experienced any periods of unemployment.
13
Are you a current or previous City of Norfolk employee?

• Yes - I am a current City of Norfolk Employee
• Yes - I am a previous City of Norfolk Employee
• No - I am not a previous or current City of Norfolk employee

14
Please indicate your veteran status. (A copy of your long form DD-214 may be required)

• I am not a Veteran
• I am a Veteran
• I am a Disabled Veteran

Required Question