Frequently Asked Questions

In support of Governor Ralph Northam’s “stay at home” direction – the City of Norfolk is further reducing staffing levels to provide mission critical essential services.

Find updated information from the Norfolk Department of Public Health.


Below are answers to frequently asked questions during the City of Norfolk’s closure.

  1. General
  2. Closures
  3. Resources
  4. Permits & Payments

Beginning June 9, the City of Norfolk is taking steps to ease COVID-19 restrictions in several buildings including City Hall. Appointments will no longer be required to visit City offices except the Commissioner of the Revenue office. Appointments are recommended to help facilitate visits and improve the customer service experience. 

Visitors are asked to wear face coverings inside City buildings, elevators and while interacting with City employees when it is not possible to maintain 6 feet of separation with staff.

Virtual and phone meetings remain the preferred method to meet the needs of residents. In-person appointments are reserved for requests that cannot be handled over the phone, email or virtually. 

To make an appointment, visitors should contact a specific department in advance. Contact information for city departments is located on the website.

  • The Department of Utilities customer service lobby is open to the public 7:30 a.m. –  4:30 p.m.
  • The City Treasurer’s office hours are 8:30 a.m. – 3:45 p.m., Monday – Friday. Visitors are encouraged to contact the Treasurer’s office before coming to City Hall by calling 757-664-7800 or by emailing:
  • Following DMV guidance, visits to the Commissioner of the Revenue are by appointment only. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday – Friday. DMVSelect accepts only credit/debit cards. To make an appointment, visit the Commissioner of Revenue webpage. Visit the DMV website to schedule an appointment at a full-service DMV location.
  • The Development Services Center will welcome walk-ins 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Monday – Thursday, for building and zoning permit review questions only. For all other permits and plans, submit documents online through the permit portal system. Staff will be available to assist citizens with the permit portal system. No paper applications or permit submissions will be accepted.
  • As a reminder, many city services and payment options are available online at www.norfolk.gov. In addition, bill payment drop boxes are available at several convenient locations citywide.  
  • Due to the ongoing state of emergency, Norfolk City Council will continue to meet virtually through the month of June.  Council meetings are broadcast online at www.norfolk.gov or COX Channel TV48.
  • How do I stay informed?
  • Will my trash be picked up during the closure?
    • Yes, trash pick-up will continue. Do not overflow your trash container. For their safety, drivers will stay in their vehicles. 
    • If your trash collection is missed, submit the information through the MyNorfolk app (available on the App Store or Google Play) or online.
  • What about bulk waste pick-up?
    • The city is picking up bulk and yard waste collections. Waste Management crews retrofitted trucks and revised collection methods which allow employees to ride together and safely collect yard and bulk waste.
      • Yard waste collection will be picked up on the resident’s normal collection date.  For more than 20 bags, residents must schedule a bulk waste pickup.
      • The initial bulk waste schedule will be modified, and collections limited. Pickup could be delayed. 
      • Residents must schedule all bulk waste pickups using the MyNorfolk online portal, mobile app or call Norfolk Cares at 664-6510. Collection will take place on the resident’s normal trash collection day.
      • Any scheduled pickups not collected, will be picked up the following week.  If possible, remove items from the curb that were not collected.  
      • Residents who set out bulk waste that has not been scheduled may receive a Notice of Violation.
    • SPSA reinstated regular RESIDENTIAL HOURS at the Norfolk Transfer Station. The Norfolk Transfer Station is open for residents Tuesdays and Saturdays, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Location: Norfolk Transfer Station, 3136 Woodland Avenue Norfolk, VA 23504. Residents dropping off bulk items are asked to observe social distancing guidelines at the transfer stations.

    • Electronic recycling is accepted Tuesdays - Thursdays, 8 a.m. – noon, at the City’s Towing & Recovery (1188 A Lance Road, Norfolk VA 23502).

    • Towing & Recovering is providing shredding services on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 8 a.m. – noon. All customers are asked to wear a mask.

  • Will my street be swept?
    • Yes. Vehicles must be moved in accordance with parking enforcement signs and posted neighborhood schedules. Parking Enforcement will issue citations for illegally parked cars. Street sweeping schedules.
    • If you are willing and able and you want to get outside for a break, clean up the curb line of any grass and trash.  You will help prevent flooding and keep the storm drains clear.  
  • Will water, electricity or gas service be cut off during this closure?
    • No. The Norfolk Department of Utilities has suspended all water cutoffs until further notice. Bills can be paid online at www.hrsd.com. Check payments can be brought to dropbox locations. For information, go to the Utilities webpage.
    • CARES Act Statewide Utility Payment Assistance Program funding is still available for past due accounts incurred between March and December 2020: www.norfolk.gov/utilityrelief.
    • The state of Virginia has directed Dominion Virginia Power, Virginia Natural Gas and other electricity and gas providers to suspend cut-offs due to nonpayment until further notice.
    • The 24-hour line for water and sewer emergencies is 757-823-1000. Callers may face wait times that are longer than normal. 
  • Will property maintenance inspections still take place?
    • No property maintenance inspections will be conducted on-site, except in cases of health and safety emergencies. 
  • Do I have to pay to park?
    • Parking has resumed normal operations at all facilities.
    • The customer service center at 222 E. Main Street is open to the public. You may also contact the Parking Division at 757-664-6510 or email us at monthlyparking@norfolk.gov. 
    • No contact payment options include our online customer service portal, or by mail or drop off to our customer service center at 222 E. Main Street, 23510.
  • I have tickets to see a show at a SevenVenues location. Are those performances canceled?
    • SevenVenues managed events will operate in accordance with Governor Northam's Forward Virginia Guidelines on capacity restrictions, physical distancing and enhanced disinfection protocols.
    • As events cancel, postpone or reschedule, SevenVenues will communicate these changes to customers directly by e-mail, social media and on this page. If you do not see your event listed, please be patient and check back regularly as SevenVenues continues to sort out details with individual tours. 
    • Refund Information:
      • If an event is canceled or postponed, ticket holders should contact their original point of purchase for refund instructions within 30 days of the announced change.
      • For tickets purchased at Ticketmaster.com, refunds will be processed automatically if the event is canceled. If an event is rescheduled, and the ticket holder is unable to attend the rescheduled date, they must contact Ticketmaster.com.
      • The Scope Arena box office is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. All refunds and exchanges for tickets purchased at the box office can be addressed at this time. Please provide your original ticket. Refunds will be provided using the original form of payment. 
    • For ticketing questions, email groupsales@sevenvenues.com.
    • For all other questions, email info@sevenvenues.com.
    • If you need assistance with an Expressive Activity or Open Air event permit, please call 757-664-6880.
  • How are SevenVenues event permits being handled?
      • In accordance with the Governor’s current Executive Order, SevenVenues is accepting applications for event permits for events that can comply with the restrictions on capacity, physical distancing and enhanced disinfection protocols provided for in the Forward Virginia Guidelines. Event applications scheduled and canceled due to COVID-19 are eligible for a refund of permit and application fees. Please contact SevenVenues at 757-664-6880 to request a refund. 
      • All permit applications are being accepted provisionally and are subject to additional restrictions, including cancellation, with future City and State directives.  Event organizers must be prepared to submit a COVID Mitigation Plan with their normal permit application.  Please contact SevenVenues for more information.  
  • Have Norfolk cemetery operations changed?
    • Until further notice, all cemetery offices are closed to the public except for families making funeral arrangements.
    • Appointments are required to make funeral arrangements. Call (757) 441-1752.
    • All other inquiries visit www.norfolk.gov/cemeteries.
    • In support of social distancing and a limited workforce please observe a maximum 30 minute graveside/committal service.
    • To align with the governor’s Phase Three directives for social distancing:
      • Graveside/committal services are considered religious ceremonies for which there is no gathering limit. Masks and 6 feet of social distance are recommended.
      • 3-person limit per family making funeral arrangements inside the cemetery office.
      • Only one family at a time will be served in cemetery offices.
    • To align with the Virginia Cemetery Association, the following will become effective as of Saturday, March 28.
      • Tents will not be used for services until further notice. The presence of a tent encourages people to gather under them and also provides additional surfaces where the virus may be transferred to family members, cemetery and funeral home staff.
      • Only 3 chairs will be put out for services until further notice. Chairs encourage people to sit shoulder to shoulder which does not allow for six feet of social distancing. 
    • Mail all contract installment payments (for all cemeteries) to Forest Lawn Cemetery at 8100 Granby St. Norfolk, VA 23505. We can also take Visa or Mastercard payments over the phone, 757-441-1752.
    • Mowing on a 12-14 day cycle, weather permitting. String trimming work has been temporarily reduced due to staff shortages.
    • Check back daily for updates.
  • How many cases of COVID-19/Coronavirus have been reported?
    • These questions must be directed to the regional public health call center: 757-683-2745 (Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., and 1:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.). Norfolk Department of Public Health also updates their webpage: https://www.norfolk.gov/4835/Coronavirus-Disease-2019 
  • Are there COVID-19/Coronavirus screening locations available in Norfolk?
    • The Virginia Department of Health has released a map of COVID-19 testing locations, including private providers.
    • Sentara Healthcare is now processing COVID-19 tests at a newly-created laboratory in Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. The initiative will allow Sentara Laboratory Services to expand patient testing within all Sentara hospitals across Virginia and North Carolina. This will shorten wait times for results by taking some of the test volume currently being sent to commercial laboratories. The goal is to incrementally achieve the capacity to complete 1,000 tests per day within a few weeks and return test results in 24 to 48 hours.
    • Sentara Healthcare and Optima Health have launched an online COVID-19 chat feature on each of their websites to help patients and members decide if they should seek COVID-19 testing. The COVID-19 assessment tool is a digital Q&A risk assessment that can be used by:
      • Visiting Sentara.com or OptimaHealth.com
      • Clicking the Coronavirus Assessment Tool on the right hand of the page
      • Following the prompts to receive guidance
    • Updates available daily through official Sentara Healthcare social media channels and on www.sentara.com/coronavirus. 
  • What number do I call to report a restaurant or bar with more than the allotted number of patrons inside? 
    • Norfolk Health Department: 757-683-2745 (Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., and 1:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.). 
  • Why is VDH advising people to wear cloth face coverings (nonsurgical masks)?
    • COVID-19 is a new virus and we are learning as much as we can about it every day. Considering the growing evidence of asymptomatic persons carrying the virus, it’s wise to take additional precautions. Wearing a non-surgical mask could help prevent a sick person, exhibiting no symptoms, from accidentally infecting others. VDH continues to urge all citizens to heed Governor Northam’s stay at home order and to practice social distancing (staying 6 feet apart from others) during any essential trip outside of the home. Read more about CDC’s guidance on wearing non-surgical masks.
  • Is Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) changing their operations?
    • Hampton Roads Transit has resumed normal bus and light rail service, but important efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19 will continue.
    • Select seats on buses and light rail trains will continue to remain off limits for customers for the foreseeable future to encourage social distancing.
    • In accordance with recommendations from the Virginia Department of Health, HRT will require customers aged 10 or older to wear a face covering when entering, exiting, traveling through, or occupying public transit centers and vehicles. A scarf, a bandana, or a more formal medical-type mask are all acceptable.
    • Paratransit services will operate as normal.
    • In addition, extensive cleaning efforts were undertaken to keep transit vehicles and other public spaces clean. Those efforts will continue.
    • For more information on transit services visit gohrt.com.
  • How do I contact the city jail about inmates tested positive for COVID-19?
  • Is COVID-19 a threat to Norfolk’s water supply?
    • No. Norfolk Utilities’ multi-step treatment process includes filtration and disinfection. This process removes and kills viruses, including coronavirus, and bacteria.