Norfolk eases pandemic restrictions for city buildings

For the first time in more than a year, the public can walk into most City of Norfolk offices to pay taxes or do most other city business as officials loosen most coronavirus restrictions.

The changes start June 9.

Visits will no longer be by appointment only. City offices will now generally be open to the public, though officials still recommend making appointments when possible.

There are exceptions: the Commissioner of the Revenue’s office will continue seeing the public only by appointment because it is a provider of services offered by the state Department of Motor Vehicles, which still requires appointments.

The city’s Development Services Center will accept walk-ins only for building and zoning permit review questions, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Any other permit or plan submissions will need to be done through the city’s online permit portal.

Visitors still need to wear face coverings if they can’t maintain a 6-foot social distance, such as in elevators.

City Council meetings will continue to be virtual at least through the month of June. Mayor Kenny Alexander has said he hopes the city will resume in-person council meetings in July.

Ryan Murphy, 757-739-8582, ryan.murphy@pilotonline.com