Regulations

Marine Resources Commission Regulation Index

IMPORTANT: The following table contains links to the full text of the current regulations established by the VMRC. The regulations may be viewed directly on the Virginia LIS website by clicking on the regulation number, and copies of each regulation can be found by clicking on the regulation title. The regulation texts provided below are not legal copies of the regulations. Please request certified copies from the VMRC if you need a copy of a regulation for legal purposes. If you would like to know more about the regulatory process or get to links leading to statutes related to the Commission, click here. The texts of our regulations have been provided for reference only; summaries of current restrictions have also been posted and are much easier to understand than the underlying regulations. The regulation summaries are available at the following links:

The Registrar of Regulations also maintains searchable databases of regulations and statutes. Click on links below to access key word search pages on the Registrar web page.

[ Administrative Code of Virginia Regulation Search Database ] [ Code of Virginia Statute Search Database ]

Regulation # Title Effective
4 VAC 20-60-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Display of License to Catch Finfish or Crabs (PDF) 08/01/1995
4 VAC 20-610-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Commercial Fishing and Mandatory Harvest Reporting (PDF) 01/01/2022
4 VAC 20-670-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Recreational Gear Licenses (PDF) 07/05/2019
4 VAC 20-730-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Nonresident Harvesters License Fee (PDF) 12/01/2005
4 VAC 20-754-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Importation of Fish, Shellfish or Crustacea (PDF) 12/10/2021
4 VAC 20-920-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Landing Licenses (PDF)
Pertaining to Landing Licenses - Effective 01/01/2027 (PDF) 		09/01/2020
4 VAC 20-1045-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Establishment of Restricted Areas (PDF) 10/01/2004
4 VAC 20-1050-10 ET SEQ. Restricted area at Huntington Ingalls Industries/Newport News Shipbuilding Company (PDF) 07/26/2011
4 VAC 20-1060-10 ET SEQ. Restricted area at Dominion Power/Nuclear Power Station (PDF) 02/01/2011
4 VAC 20-1065-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Establishment of Restricted Area - Plum Tree Island Wildlife Refuge Range (PDF) 02/01/2005
4 VAC 20-1090-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Licensing Requirements and License Fees (PDF) 04/28/2025
4 VAC 20-1170-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to requirements related to the purchase of fish, from the catcher (PDF) 12/01/2008
4 VAC20-1240-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Fisherman Identification Program (PDF) 03/01/2012
4 VAC20-1280-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Fishing License and Privilege Revocations (PDF) 05/01/2015
4 VAC20-1320-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Establishment of Restricted Area - Maritime Administration James River Reserve Fleet (PDF) 06/30/2016
Section § 28.2-232 of the Code of Virginia authorizes the Virginia Marine Resources Commission to revoke the licenses and fishing privileges of a person who has violated certain laws for a period of up to five years. Guidelines on the Scope of License and Privilege Revocation orders made by the Commission (PDF) 01/16/2020

Clam

Regulation # Title Effective
4 VAC 20-70-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to the Harvesting of Clams (PDF) 07/01/2015
4 VAC 20-100-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to the Taking of Clams on Seaside of Eastern Shore (PDF) 08/01/1995
4 VAC 20-230-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to the Harvesting of Surf Clams (PDF) 12/01/2005
4 VAC 20-560-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to the Shellfish Management Areas (PDF) 08/01/2015
4 VAC 20-561-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to the Hampton Flats Hard Clam Harvest Area (PDF) 08/16/2001
4 VAC 20-566-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to the Hampton Roads Shellfish Relay Area (PDF) 08/01/2006
4 VAC 20-590-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to the Taking of Hard Clams (PDF) 04/14/1995

Crab

Regulation # Title Effective
4 VAC 20-140-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to the Identification and Location of Crab Pots, Peeler Pots, Eel pots and Fish Pots (PDF) 07/05/2024
4 VAC 20-240-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Tangier Island Crab Scrape Sanctuary (PDF) 07/01/2018
4 VAC 20-270-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Blue Crab Fishery (PDF) 07/05/2026
4 VAC 20-370-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to the Culling of Crabs (PDF) 06/01/2015
4 VAC 20-460-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to the Use of Crab Traps and Pounds (PDF) 07/05/2016
4 VAC 20-700-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Crab Pots (PDF) 03/01/2009
4 VAC 20-752-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Blue Crab Sanctuaries (PDF) 05/01/2018
4 VAC 20-880-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Hard Crab Pot Limits (PDF) 06/01/2009
4 VAC 20-1040-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining To Commercial Crab Fishery Licenses (PDF) 07/05/2019
4 VAC 20-1310-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Jonah Crab (PDF) 03/01/2020

Finfish

Regulation # Title Effective
4 VAC 20-10-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Fishing in Broad & Linkhorn Bays (PDF) 08/01/1995
4 VAC 20-20-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to the Licensing of Fixed Fishing Devices (PDF) 04/01/2015
4 VAC 20-25-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Pound Net Siting Public Interest Review (PDF) 12/01/2004
4 VAC 20-80-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to the Setting of Fishing Devices Proximate to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (PDF) 07/29/2005
4 VAC 20-170-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to the Removal of Nets (PDF) 05/01/2005
4 VAC 20-190-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Measuring Mesh Size of Menhaden Nets (PDF) 08/01/1995
4 VAC 20-220-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to the Taking of Finfish by Gill Nets (PDF) 07/01/1995
4 VAC 20-252-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Atlantic Striped Bass (PDF) 01/01/2025
4 VAC 20-280-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Speckled Trout (PDF) 03/31/2026
4 VAC 20-320-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to the Taking of Black Drum (PDF) 09/01/2018
4 VAC 20-350-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Prohibiting the Sale of Billfish (PDF) 07/01/1995
4 VAC 20-380-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Grey Trout (Weakfish) (PDF) 04/01/2021
4 VAC 20-430-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to the Marking and Minimum Mesh Size of Gill Nets (PDF) 01/01/2012
4 VAC 20-450-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to the Taking of Bluefish (PDF) 03/31/2026
4 VAC 20-470-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Hampton Roads Management Area (PDF) 07/01/1995
4 VAC 20-480-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Eastern Shore Bayside Management Areas (PDF) 07/01/1995
4 VAC 20-490-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Sharks (PDF)
Shark Identification PDF 		08/01/2025
4 VAC 20-500-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to the Catching of Eels (PDF) 09/01/2018
4 VAC 20-510-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Amberjack and Cobia (PDF) 04/01/2025
4 VAC 20-530-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to American Shad (PDF) 03/01/2013
4 VAC 20-540-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Spanish and King Mackerel (PDF) 09/01/2020
4 VAC 20-550-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to the Removal of Gill Nets and Other Non-Fixed Finfishing Gear (PDF) 07/01/1995
4 VAC 20-570-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to the Use of Firearms to Take Fish (PDF) 07/01/1995
4 VAC 20-580-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to the Alteration of Finfish (PDF) 07/01/1995
4 VAC 20-600-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Pound Net License Sales (PDF) 06/26/1997
4 VAC 20-620-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Summer Flounder (PDF)
Pertaining to Summer Flounder - Effective 01/01/2027 (PDF) 		04/01/2024
4 VAC 20-680-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Gill Nets (PDF) 04/14/1995
4 VAC 20-740-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to the Snagging of Fish (PDF) 10/01/2024
4 VAC 20-751-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to the Setting and Mesh Size of Gill Nets (PDF) 03/01/2021
4 VAC 20-755-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Artificial Reefs (PDF) 09/01/2007
4 VAC 20-910-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Scup (Porgy) (PDF) 05/01/2022
4 VAC 20-950-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Black Sea Bass (PDF) 04/21/2026
4 VAC 20-960-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Tautog (PDF) 02/01/2024
4 VAC 20-970-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Spadefish (PDF) 01/01/2002
4 VAC 20-995-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Commercial Hook-and-Line Fishing (PDF)
Pertaining to Commercial Hook-and-Line Fishing - Effective 01/01/2027 (PDF) 		03/01/2020
4 VAC 20-1070-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Haul Seines (PDF) 08/28/2009
4 VAC 20-1080-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Monkfish (Goosefish) (PDF) 05/01/2005
4 VAC 20-1110-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Sheepshead (PDF) 05/01/2007
4 VAC 20-1120-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Tilefish and Groupers (PDF) 02/01/2024
4 VAC 20-1180-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining To Fishing Guides, Charter Boat, And Head Boat Fisheries (PDF) 03/01/2022
4 VAC 20-1190-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Gill Net Control Date (PDF) 04/28/2025
4 VAC 20-1220-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to the Separation Between Nets (PDF) 09/01/2009
4 VAC 20-1260-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to River Herring (PDF) 03/29/2012
4 VAC 20-1270-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Atlantic Menhaden (PDF) 06/30/2024
4 VAC 20-1360-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Commercial Electrofishing (PDF) 03/01/2025
4 VAC 20-1370-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Atlantic Croaker (PDF) 04/15/2021
4 VAC 20-1380-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Spot (PDF) 04/15/2021
4 VAC 20-1400-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Red Drum (PDF) 09/01/2021
4 VAC 20-1420-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Atlantic Tarpon (PDF) 05/26/2026

Oyster

Regulation # Title Effective
4 VAC 20-260-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Designation of Seed Areas and Clean Cull Areas (PDF) 12/13/2017
4 VAC 20-290-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Marking of Leased Oyster Planting Ground (PDF) 01/01/2016
4 VAC 20-650-10 ET SEQ. Establishment of Oyster Sanctuary Areas (PDF) 10/25/2025
4 VAC 20-720-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Restrictions on Oyster Harvest (PDF)
Emergency Regulation (PDF) 		08/25/2026
4 VAC 20-1350-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining To General Oyster Planting Ground Lease Renewal Fee (PDF) 03/28/2024
Guidelines document describing policies and procedures of the Commission related to the review, and subsequent renewal, or denial of oyster planting grounds pursuant to 28.2-613 of the Code of Virginia (PDF) 04/01/2021

Shellfish Mix

Regulation # Title Effective
4 VAC 20-110-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Lobsters (PDF) 03/01/2020
4 VAC 20-130-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Prohibited Areas for the Use of Patent Tongs (PDF) 08/01/1995
4 VAC 20-150-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to the Dredging of Conchs (Also known as Whelks) (PDF) 01/01/2008
4 VAC 20-310-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to the Relaying of Shellfish (PDF) 03/01/2007
4 VAC 20-330-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to the Taking of Shellfish from Condemned Areas (PDF) 07/01/1995
4 VAC 20-410-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to the Use of Patent Tongs (PDF) 07/01/1995
4 VAC 20-520-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to the Use of Patent Tongs (PDF) 07/01/1995
4 VAC 20-890-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Channeled Whelk (PDF)
Pertaining to Channeled Whelk - Effective 01/01/2027 (PDF) 		04/01/2019
4 VAC 20-900-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Horseshoe Crab (PDF) 05/01/2016
4 VAC 20-1010-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Dredging in Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (PDF) 01/30/1998
4 VAC 20-1020-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Bay Scallops (PDF) 02/01/1999
4 VAC 20-1100-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Shellfish Handling (PDF) 07/01/2006
4 VAC 20-1130-10 ET SEQ. General Permit #4 for Temporary Protective Enclosures for Shellfish (PDF) 12/01/2007
4 VAC 20-1230-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Restrictions on Shellfish (PDF) 01/01/2022
4 VAC 20-1250-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to the Tagging of Shellfish (PDF) 10/01/2021
4 VAC 20-1290-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Restrictions on the Harvest of Shellfish in Condemned Shellfish Areas (PDF) 04/01/2024
4 VAC 20-1390-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Shrimp (PDF) 12/02/2025

Habitat

Regulation # Title Effective
Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) Guidance (PDF) 08/22/2017
Wetlands Guidelines (PDF) 05/25/2021
Virginia Regulatory Town Hall Waterway Maintenance Fund Guidelines (PDF) 07/01/2025
4 VAC 20-120-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to the Promulgation of a Public Notice on Applications to Encroach In, On, or Over Subaqueous Lands of the Commonwealth (PDF) 11/01/2017
4 VAC 20-333-10 ET SEQ. General Permit VGP #1 for Projects undertaken by the Virginia Department of Transportation In, On or Over State-Owned Subaqueous Lands Anywhere Within the Commonwealth. (PDF) 07/06/1999
General Permit VGP #2 for groin projects designed to control shoreline erosion, which conforms to certain criteria and are undertaken by riparian owners in, on or over state-owned bottom. (PDF) 1985
4 VAC 20-335-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to On-Bottom Shellfish Aquaculture Activities (PDF) 01/01/2016
4 VAC 20-336-10 ET SEQ. General Permit VGP #3 for Noncommercial Riparian Shellfish Growing (I.E. "Gardening") Activities (PDF) 01/01/1998
4 VAC 20-337-10 ET SEQ Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) Transplantation Guidelines (PDF) 11/01/2000
4 VAC 20-345-10 ET SEQ. VGP #4 General Wetlands Permit for Emergency Situations (PDF) 03/01/1998
4 VAC 20-360-10 ET SEQ. Criteria for the Siting of Marinas or Community Facilities for Boat Mooring (PDF) 06/07/1988
4 VAC 20-390-10 ET SEQ. Wetlands Mitigation-Compensation Policy (PDF) 02/01/2025
4 VAC 20-391-10 ET SEQ. Guidelines for the Establishment, Use and Operation of Tidal Wetland Mitigation Banks in Virginia 02/01/2025
4 VAC 20-395-10 ET SEQ. GENERAL PERMIT #6 FOR Emergency Situations and Water Quality Improvement Projects in non-tidal waterways. (PDF) 06/30/2009
4 VAC 20-398-10 ET SEQ. Ballast Water Discharge Reporting (PDF) 11/01/2001
4 VAC 20-400-10 ET SEQ. Criteria for the Placement of Sandy Dredged Material along Beaches in the Commonwealth (PDF) 08/02/1989
4 VAC 20-440-10 ET SEQ. Coastal Primary Sand Dune / Beaches Guidelines: Barrier Island Policy (PDF) 10/24/1990
Coastal Primary Sand Dunes Beaches Guidelines (PDF) 09/01/1993
4 VAC 20-1030-10 ET SEQ. Management Plan for the Ungranted State Lands in Accomack and Northampton Counties (PDF) 03/15/1999
4 VAC 20-1300-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Living Shoreline Group 1 General Permit for Certain Living Shoreline Treatments Involving Tidal Wetlands (PDF) 09/01/2015
4 VAC 20-1330-10 ET SEQ. Pertaining to Living Shoreline Group 2 General Permit for Certain Living Shoreline Treatments Involving Submerged Lands, Tidal Wetlands, or Coastal Primary Sand Dunes and Beaches (PDF) 11/01/2017
4 VAC 20-1340-10 ET SEQ. Fast-Track Permitting Program For Disposal Of Dredged Material (PDF) 06/01/2019
4 VAC 20-1410-10 ET SEQ. Utility Line Encroachments Beneath or Over State-Owned Subaqueous Beds (PDF) 11/01/2023
Subaqueous Guidelines 10/28/2023
4 VAC 28.2-1206-10 ET SEQ. Rent and Royalty Schedule 12/01/2005
Guidance for Civil Charge Assessments Pursant §28.2-1213 Code of Virginia (PDF) 03/27/2012
Resolution by the VMRC Board interpreting §28.2-1203.A.5(iv) relating to private piers and navigational hazards (PDF) 11/23/2004

Repealed Regulations

Regulation # Title Last effective date
4 VAC 20-1150-10 ET SEQ. Repealed Pertaining to Charter Boat and Head Boat Fisheries (PDF) 03/01/2022
4 VAC 20-30-10 ET SEQ. Repealed Pertaining to the Licensing of Crab Traps and Pounds (PDF) 07/05/2016
4 VAC 20-40-10 ET SEQ. Repealed Pertaining to Crab Catch Limits (PDF) 04/30/2008
4 VAC 20-90-10 ET SEQ. Repealed Pertaining to Dredging for Crabs (PDF) 04/30/2008
4 VAC 20-300-10 ET SEQ. Repealed Pertaining to Crab Catch Limits (PDF) 11/27/2012
4 VAC 20-420-10 ET SEQ. Repealed Pertaining to the Use of Trawls in the Territorial Sea (PDF) 08/01/2021
4 VAC 20-750-10 ET SEQ. Repealed Pertaining to Crab Dredge License Sales (PDF) 04/30/2008
4 VAC 20-770-10 ET SEQ. Repealed Piankatank River Management Area (PDF) 12/31/2023
4 VAC 20-780-10 ET SEQ. Repealed Patent Tong Restrictions (PDF) 12/31/2023
4 VAC 20-790-10 ET SEQ. Repealed Open Public Oyster Rocks, Pocomoke Sound (PDF) 12/31/2023
4 VAC 20-810-10 ET SEQ. Repealed Opening of John East Turn and Poynter Rocks and Closing Beaseley Bay Rock and Deep Creek Channel, Buoy No.7 (PDF) 12/31/2023
4 VAC 20-830-10 ET SEQ. Repealed A Change in the Oyster Cull Size for Oysters Harvested from Russ Rock, Rappahannock River (PDF) 12/31/2023
4 VAC 20-850-10 ET SEQ. Repealed Expansion of the Jail Island Clean Cull Area (PDF) 12/31/2023
4 VAC 20-860-10 ET SEQ. Repealed A Change in the Oyster Cull Size for Oysters Harvested from Little Carters Rock, Rappahannock River (PDF) 12/31/2023
4 VAC 20-980-10 ET SEQ. Repealed Pertaining to On-Shore Loading and Unloading of Shellfish from Condemned Areas (PDF) 03/01/2024
4 VAC 20-1140-10 ET SEQ. Repealed Prohibition of Crab Dredging in Virginia Waters (PDF) 07/05/2024
4 VAC 20-1200-10 ET SEQ. Repealed Pertaining to the Special Relay Season in the Rappahannock River (PDF) 03/01/2024
4 VAC 20-1210-10 ET SEQ. Repealed Pertaining to a Blue Crab Sanctuary 11/30/2012
RESCINDED JULY 6, 2006 Private Pier Guidance Criteria 11/2005
4 VAC 20-200-10 ET SEQ. Repealed Pertaining to the Requirements for Reporting Oyster Transactions and Payment of Taxes 07/01/2013

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