Independent city · code 51710
Norfolk cityVirginia
Norfolk is an independent city in Virginia, founded in 1682.
- Founded1682
- Named forNorfolk, England
- Land area53 sq mi + 43 sq mi water
- Population238,005 2020 Census
- Parcels mapped67,314 checked 15 October 2026
Where it is
Norfolk on the map of Virginia
Virginia has 133 counties and county equivalents, each with its own records office. Shapes with a page are links.
History
Founded in 1682
An old deed may name a county that no longer exists, or a boundary that has since moved.
Norfolk became an independent city of the first class in 1902, separated from Norfolk County, which later became extinct. Between 1906 and 1988, the city gained territory multiple times from Norfolk County and Princess Anne County, as well as a small area from Virginia Beach in 1988.
- 1902Independent city separated Norfolk made an independent city, 1st class, from Norfolk (extinct). · Bain, "Body Incorporate," 18-21; Swindler, 10:166, 169
- 1906Gained territory Independent city of Norfolk gained small area from Norfolk (extinct). · Bain, Annexation, [240]; Norfolk City Planning Dept., correspondence, December 1989
- 1911Gained territory Independent city of Norfolk gained from Norfolk (extinct). · Bain, Annexation, [240]; Norfolk City Planning Dept., correspondence, December 1989
- 1923Gained territory Independent city of Norfolk gained from Norfolk (extinct). · Norfolk City Planning Dept., correspondence, December 1989; Bain, Annexation, [242]
- 1955Gained territory Independent city of Norfolk gained from Norfolk (extinct). · Norfolk City Planning Dept., correspondence, December 1989; Bain, Annexation, [245]
- 1959Gained territory Independent city of Norfolk gained from Princess Anne (extinct).from Princess Anne· Bain, Annexation, [246]; Norfolk City Planning Dept., correspondence, December 1989; "City of Norfolk v. County of Princess Anne" in Va. Rpts., 200:105-106
- c. 1988Gained territory Independent city of Norfolk gained small area from the independent city of Virginia Beach. · Norfolk City Planning Dept., correspondence, December 1989
Land and parcels
What the maps cover in Norfolk
Who publishes each layer, how good it is, and when we last checked.
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Parcels Good enough
Lot lines and tax-map numbers for 67,314 parcels from Virginia Geographic Information Network (VGIN), Virginia Department of Emergency Management. Drawn for tax purposes: usually within a few feet of a survey, but not a survey.
checked 15 October 2026 -
Address points Official
One point per address, 78,540 in all from Virginia Geographic Information Network (VGIN), Virginia Dept of Emergency Management (VDEM; VGIN moved from VITA to VDEM).
checked 14 October 2026 -
Buildings Reference
Roof outlines traced from aerial imagery from FEMA Response Geospatial Office with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). Good for seeing what is on a lot; not accurate enough to set a fence from.
checked 18 October 2026
- Official
- from the office that keeps the record
- Good enough
- a reliable statewide or national copy
- Fallback
- a guide only; check the official record
- Missing
- nothing public found yet
People and land
Norfolk by the Census
Source: US Census Bureau, 2020 Census; US Census Bureau, 2020 Gazetteer Files. Not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Rules and offices
Who to ask before you build, dig or sell
Official county pages only. We link to them; we do not copy them, because they change.
Inside a city or town, permits usually come from that city rather than the county.
Zoning and code
GIS and maps
County government
- County government
The official website of Norfolk city.
See your own lot on these maps
Open Norfolk city on Parcel Chart's free map and click your parcel. Save it with a free account; the full record of your place (site map, projects, documents) is Pro, in early access.
Questions
Common questions about Norfolk city
- When was Norfolk city founded?
- Norfolk city was founded in 1682, and named after Norfolk, England.
- Is there an online parcel map for Norfolk city?
- Yes. Virginia Geographic Information Network (VGIN), Virginia Department of Emergency Management publishes a parcel map of 67,314 parcels, rated good enough here. You can click any parcel on it in Parcel Chart's free map, no sign-in needed.
- Has Norfolk city's boundary or name changed?
- Atlas of Historical County Boundaries records 7 changes for Norfolk city. Since then the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries records 7 later changes, chiefly involving Princess Anne County.
- Who issues building permits in Norfolk city?
- The county's page on building permits: Alarm Permits. Inside a city or town, ask that city first.
- Is my lot in a flood zone?
- We do not have flood maps for Norfolk city yet. Look up the address on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center, which shows the effective flood map for any lot.
Nearby