Zoo Rules & Policies

The Virginia Zoo is a family-friendly environment where everyone deserves to have a great experience. To make the most of your visit, and to ensure the same experience for others, please keep a few rules in mind as you enjoy the Zoo.

If you see items or behaviors on grounds that you think are questionable, please speak up! Alert any Zoo staff member or call Security at 757-419-0250.

Please Note: Specific rules may apply to individual attractions or activities in the Zoo.

Please contact the Virginia Zoo at [email protected] or 757-441-2374, if you have any questions.

Animal Safety

For the safety of the animals and our guests, the following actions are prohibited:

Intentionally aggravating or endangering animals in any way, including tapping on habitat glass or shouting/creating loud disturbances at or around animals.
Feeding animals unless on an authorized Virginia Zoo program or experience that permits feeding.
Throwing items at animals or into animal habitats.
Injuring Zoo animals or native wildlife on Zoo property.
Entering any animal habitat or non-public area unless on an authorized Virginia Zoo program or experience.
Crossing any animal exhibit barrier for any reason.
Entering any non-public area unless authorized by The Virginia Zoo.
Should you accidentally drop a personal item into an animal area, please alert the nearest Zoo staff member, Zoo volunteer, or visit our Membership Office for assistance. Do not attempt to retrieve any items yourself or assist others in retrieving items. If the item is retrievable, Zoo staff will bring it to the Membership Office at the end of daily operations.

Pets & Service Animals

Pets are not permitted in the Zoo with the exception of service animals. The Virginia Zoo welcome guests with disabilities who are accompanied by a trained service dog, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Under the ADA, “a service animal is a dog that has been individually trained to work or perform tasks for assisting a person with a disability.” Service dogs are working animals, not pets. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA. Due to the nature of some Zoo areas, service animals may not be permitted in some areas. Click here for the service animal policy.

Smoking Prohibited

Smoking of any kind, including cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vapes, and other products that produce a vapor or smoke, are prohibited on Zoo grounds. Inability to follow this rule will result in immediate dismissal from Zoo grounds without a refund.

*Designated smoking areas are available outside the front Admission Gates of the Zoo.

Virginia Zoo Code of Conduct

As a guest or member, you are required to comply with the Virginia Zoo’s code of conduct, safety rules and are cautioned to heed all warnings. Please note, management reserves the right to refuse admission, control occupancy, eject, or ban any person whose conduct is deemed by management to be disorderly, disruptive, offensive, harassing, or inappropriate or threatens the health, safety, or well-being of Virginia Zoo animals, staff, volunteers, or guests. Causes for ejection and ban from future visits include, but are not limited to:

Causing harm, both physical and mental, to Virginia Zoo animals, staff, volunteers, or guests
Entering an animal exhibit or touching an animal without consent
Lewd conduct or language
Sexual harassment
Disparaging comments based on protected characteristics
Littering or deliberately damaging property
Soliciting
Consumption or possession of illegal narcotics or weapons (real or imitation)
Refusal to adhere to the Virginia Zoo’s no-smoking policy

These apply to behavior onsite as well as via phone, email, and social media.

Want to learn more about the Virginia Zoo’s accessibility options like wheelchair rentals, sensory assistance, braille guides & more? Visit our Zoo Accessibility page!

Additional Prohibited Activities

- Violation of any City, County, State or Federal law. Possession, use, or selling of illegal drugs. The Virginia Zoo is a drug-free environment.

- Soliciting on Zoo property.

- Engaging in any unsafe act or other act that may result in injury to self or others or impede the operations of the Zoo.

- Operation or use of any unmanned aerial vehicle on, from, or above the Virginia Zoo’s premises without specific written consent; this includes all UAVs, also commonly known as drones, regardless of their size, weight, or purpose.

- Amplified music is prohibited without written authorization from the Virginia Zoo. As a courtesy to others, guests must use headphones, ear buds, etc., when listening to music.

Attire

Proper attire, including shirts and shoes, must be worn at all times while on Zoo property.

The Virginia Zoo reserves the right to deny admission to or remove any person wearing attire that is considered inappropriate or attire that could detract from the safe, family-friendly experience of other guests. Attire that is not appropriate includes but is not limited to:

- Costume masks worn by guests 12 years of age or older
- Clothing and/or exposed tattoos with obscene language or graphics
- Clothing which exposes excessive portions of the body that may be viewed as inappropriate for a family environment
- Guests 12 years of age or older must wear shirts and shorts/pants while in the Splash Fountain.

Exhibit Spaces

Due to mechanical, health, weather, or other safety conditions, we may have to close certain areas or attractions. See a full list of animals currently off exhibit here. Remember, if you do not see an animal in their habitat, it doesn't necessarily mean they are "off exhibit." For animal wellbeing, our animals are provided with covered areas or indoor access so they have the freedom to choose if they are visible or not. Don't be afraid to ask a staff member or volunteer if you are unsure - we are always happy to help!

Food & Beverage

Outside food and beverages (including alcohol) are NOT permitted inside the Virginia Zoo. We offer a number of dining options including the African Village Cafe, Beastro, Mini Melts, and the Snack Shack. A reusable water bottle is permitted and we offer water filling stations throughout the Zoo.

If you have special dietary requirements or restrictions, please call the Membership Office at 757-441-2374 ext. 257 between 9:30am-4pm prior to your visit to review the Virginia Zoo's accommodations.

Guests under 15

- Guests ages 15 years old and younger must be accompanied by a chaperone who is at least 21 years old when visiting the Zoo. The chaperone must accompany their party at entry, remain inside the park during their visit and be available by phone throughout their stay.
- Guests aged 15 years or younger who are found inside the park unaccompanied by a chaperone who is not in the park and available by phone will be subject to ejection without refund.

Prohibited Items

- Alcoholic beverages brought from outside the Zoo

- Any food or beverages brought from outside the Zoo, except for refillable water bottles

- Balloons

- Balls (footballs, soccer balls, baseballs or other recreational balls) or frisbees

- Drones

- Fireworks or explosives

- Glass containers

- Lawn chairs and folding chairs (unless permission has been explicitly stated for special after-hours events)

- Non-motorized scooters, bicycles/tricycles, skateboards, skates, shoes with built-in wheels or something similar

- Weapons, except as permitted by law

Ticket Terms and Conditions

- Tickets purchased online are only valid for the date purchased and can be used any time starting at 9:30am until 3pm when the entry gates close.
- Daily admission tickets are valid for re-entry on the same day by showing admission receipt.
- Due to the outdoor nature of our facility, we do not offer refunds or rainchecks.
- Only tickets sold by the Virginia Zoo or offices authorized by the Virginia Zoo to sell/distribute tickets will be honored.
- Resale of tickets is strictly prohibited.

If lost or stolen, tickets will not be replaced nor will the purchase price be refunded.

Virginia Zoo Rights

For the security and safety of The Virginia Zoo’s team members, guests, animals and property, The Virginia Zoo has video recording in progress and Security onsite 24 hours a day.

- The Virginia Zoo is following all governmental and public health guidelines and is implementing additional measures and protocols to promote a safe environment as it relates to COVID-19. These protocols do not, however, constitute a guarantee. All visitors are expected to adhere to current public guidelines for self-care and social distancing at all times throughout the Zoo visit.

- The Zoo reserves the right to use guests’ images, likeness, and/or sound recordings for the purpose of whatsoever into perpetuity.

- The Virginia Zoo reserves the right to search/inspect any person, container, purse, bag, or item entering The Virginia Zoo.

- The Zoo reserves the right to deny admission, or require a person already admitted to leave Zoo grounds, without refund, liability or compensation if we consider that the circumstances so require.