An index of Norfolk public notices: the statewide Public Notice Virginia database, City Council agendas, planning hearings and court records. Not an official publication.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. This page is an index, not an official publication. Norfolk Journal does not publish legal notices. A notice counts only where the law requires it to appear. Facts come from the Norfolk City Council and Public Meetings pages and the Virginia Press Association’s notice site.

Public notices tell you before something happens: a rezoning next door, a budget hearing, a tax rate change, a foreclosure sale, an estate being settled. In Virginia they appear in qualifying newspapers, and copies are gathered into a free statewide database. The city posts its own agendas and hearing materials. Here is where to look.

Who to call

  • City Council agendas and signing up to speak: City Clerk, 757-664-4253, ccouncil@norfolk.gov
  • Rezonings, Planning Commission and Architectural Review Board: Department of City Planning, 757-664-4752
  • Deeds, wills and court filings: Norfolk Circuit Court Clerk, norfolkcircuitcourt.us
  • Everything else at the city: Norfolk Cares, 757-664-6510

The statewide notice database

The Public Notice Virginia site, run by the Virginia Press Association, collects legal notices published by newspapers across the state. It is free; search by keyword and use the advanced search to pick Norfolk City as the locality. It covers notices such as public hearings, zoning, procurement, court matters and foreclosures.

City Council

Norfolk City Council generally meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at City Hall, 810 Union St., the city’s Public Meetings page says:

  • 4 p.m.: informal session, 10th floor conference room. No public comment.
  • 6 p.m.: formal meeting, 11th floor Council Chamber. Public comment on agenda items; new business is heard at the first meeting of the month.

The next meeting is Tuesday, Oct. 27, according to the clerk’s notice of meetings (PDF).

  • Agendas are posted on the city’s AgendaCenter on or before the Thursday evening before each meeting. Sign up for agenda alerts.
  • To speak, register with the City Clerk by 3 p.m. the day of the meeting, at 757-664-4253 or ccouncil@norfolk.gov. You get three minutes.
  • Accommodations such as an ASL interpreter: call the clerk at least three days ahead.
  • Watch live on NorfolkTV-48 or the city’s livestream; recordings are on NorfolkTV.
  • Results of past meetings are in the city’s council meeting results archive.

Planning, zoning and historic districts

Rezonings, special uses and changes in historic districts go through hearings before the City Planning Commission, the Architectural Review Board and other boards. Their meetings are on the city’s meeting calendar; this month the Planning Commission holds an informal meeting at noon and a public hearing at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, at City Hall. Look up a parcel’s zoning on the Interactive Planning and Zoning Map. See our building permits and zoning guide.

School Board

The School Board’s agendas and public hearings are posted by Norfolk Public Schools. Its public hearing on school consolidation and redistricting was held Oct. 14 at the School Administration Building, 800 E. City Hall Ave. See our schools guide.

Taxes and assessments

Assessment notices go out in the spring, and the real estate tax rate is set with the city budget each year. See our property taxes guide for deadlines and the Treasurer’s tax sale notices.

Elections

Sample ballots, candidate lists and constitutional amendment explanations for the Nov. 3 election are on the Office of Elections’ Upcoming Elections page. See our voting guide.

What this means for you

  • To watch for a rezoning near you, check the Planning Commission agendas each month.
  • To speak at Council on Oct. 27, register by 3 p.m. that day.
  • For legal notices in the newspapers, search Public Notice Virginia by locality.

Related: who to call at City Hall, property taxes and voting.

Frequently asked questions

Where are public notices published in Norfolk?

Legal notices are published in qualifying newspapers and collected in the free Public Notice Virginia database run by the Virginia Press Association. City Council and board agendas are posted on the city’s AgendaCenter.

When does Norfolk City Council meet?

Generally on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month, with an informal session at 4 p.m. and a formal meeting at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 810 Union St. The next meeting is Tuesday, Oct. 27.

How do I speak at a Norfolk City Council meeting?

Register with the City Clerk by 3 p.m. on the day of the meeting by calling 757-664-4253 or emailing ccouncil@norfolk.gov. Comments are limited to three minutes.

When are Norfolk City Council agendas posted?

On or before the Thursday evening before each Tuesday meeting, on the city’s AgendaCenter at norfolk.gov/agendacenter.