Visit VBGov.com Public Works Specifications and Standards page to learn more.

Public Works Specifications and Standards are the technical requirements, policies and procedures for design professionals to prepare plans and reports necessary for the development of both public and private projects within the City.

If you want to affect future development in Virginia Beach, we highly recommend getting familiar with the official city documents, attend the public hearing and provide feedback online.

The public review and comment period will remain open through June 30, 2019. Additionally, a public meeting will be held to discuss the draft document on Thursday, June 13th at the TCC ATC, 1700 College Cresent in the Theater from 9:30 am to 11:30 am.​

Forward written comments to PWDesignStandards@vbgov.com.

Executive Summary

Download Executive Summary PDF here and view below.

City of Virginia Beach

Changes from the current Public Works Specifications & Standards Manual to the
Public Works Design Standards Manual, 2019

Executive Summary

April 23, 2019

The City of Virginia Beach is replacing the current Department of Public Works Specifications and Standards Manual (PWS&S) with a newly created document entitled Public Works Design Standards Manual, 2019. The PWS&S, which was first adopted by City Council in 1994 and includes several amendments, with the most recent being Amendment 9, May 7, 2015, includes standards, policies, procedures, specifications and details for private development as well as specifications and standards for public infrastructure design. The new Public Works Design Standard Manual, 2019, provides design standards for private and public infrastructure to be located in the City’s Right-of-Way and public easements. Many of the standards, policies and procedures applicable only to private development have been removed and will be administered by the Planning Department, Development Services Center (DSC).

The new Public Works Design Standards Manual, 2019, updates the PWS&S to current best engineering practices as referenced in local, state, and federal guidelines. Additionally, some chapters were simplified and outdated information was removed.

A detailed “Summary of Revisions” document has been created to show the specific changes to each chapter of the PWS&S. This document is available at https://www.vbgov.com/government/departments/public-works/standards- specs/Pages/default.aspx.

The following are highlights of some of the significant changes included in the new Public Works Design Standards Manual, 2019:

 Public Works Role in Private Development Review has been changed to assisting the Planning Department’s DSC technical staff with compliance and technical reviews.

 Stormwater Management. The PWS&S Chapter 8 has been re-written to meet the new DEQ stormwater management standards and criteria and also includes more stringent requirements relative to flood control. Some of the major changes/additions are the following:

• Updated precipitation data as shown in the document must be used in all designs. This equates to an approximate 20% additional precipitation (24-hour rainfall depths and rational method rainfall intensities) for the requisite design storm, over the current National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Atlas 14 data.

• The EPA’s Stormwater Management Model (SWMM) software modelling tool is required to be used for all designs of drainage areas equal to or greater than 20 acres.

• The City has (or will have in near future) completed SWMM models of all (31) drainage basins. Designers must use these models or obtain direction regarding the use of model data from the Public Works Stormwater Engineering Center.

• More specific requirements were added regarding Hydraulic Grade Line and Tailwater Criteria.

• All designs must address Sea Level Rise if the development or project drains to tidally influenced waters.

• A requirement has been added such that every design is required to address the influence of “Seasonal High Groundwater” on the project.

 Chapter 11 of the PWS&S (Site Plans and Subdivision Requirements) has been deleted. The requirements related to Site Plans and Subdivisions will be covered by other documents administered by the DSC.

 Most of Chapter 12 of the PWS&S (Coastal, Waterfront and Flood Plain) has been removed and will be covered in other documents and/or ordinances.

 Requirement was added such that the developer, contractor and/or permittee (at their own expense) will be required to perform a closed circuit television (CCTV) inspection of all constructed storm sewer pipes and culverts upon completion of construction, and repair all deficiencies found.

The draft Public Works Design Standard Manual, 2019, is made available to the public on the City’s website at: https://www.vbgov.com/government/departments/public-works/standards- specs/Pages/default.aspx, for a 60-day public review and comment period. Comments can be submitted to PWDesignStandards@vbgov.com. Additionally, a public meeting will be held to discuss the draft document. After the comment period has ended the comments will be addressed and the Public Works Design Standard Manual, 2019 will be presented to the City Council for approval.

Phillip D. Pullen, P.E. City Engineer