The following local ordinances apply in Essex County:
- Sec. 22-4. - Hunting with rifles and pistols. (reference)
It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt in the county with a rifle or pistol of a caliber higher than .22 rimfire except as provided hereafter.
(1) Rifles and pistols greater than 0.23 caliber shall be permitted for hunting of deer when hunting from an elevated platform at least eight feet above ground level.
(2) Turkey shall not be hunted with a rifle greater than .22 caliber.
(3) Muzzle loading rifles may be used during the prescribed open season.
(4) Rifles with caliber larger than .22 rimfire may be used for hunting of groundhogs, coyotes, bears, bobcats, feral hogs and beavers during any respective season as permitted by state law and/or permitted under state law for the control of destructive animals.
(5) The person complies with all safety and other regulations of this Code and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fishers.(6)Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.
(Ord. of 5-8-2012, § 12-4; Ord. No. 16-004, 6-14-2016; Ord. No. 18-02, 4-10-2018; Ord. No. 18-05, 11-14-2018)
- Sec. 22-5. - Prohibit discharge of firearms in certain high density areas of the county. (reference)
It shall be unlawful to shoot or discharge any firearm, compound bow, cross-bow, air-operated weapon or gas-operated weapon in the following high density areas of the county, except for the protection of one's life or property:
(1) R-2 Limited Residential.
(2) Gwynnfield Subdivision.
(3) Maryfield Subdivision.
(4) Daingerfield Subdivision.
(5) Shellfield Beach.
(6) Richmond Beach.
(7) Riverdale.
(8) Tuscorora.
(9) South Hill Banks.
(10) River Oaks.
(11) Fort Lowery Beach.
(12) Grandview Subdivision.
(13) Millers Square.
(14) Wilson Acres.
(15) Rappahannock Beach.
(16) Kaighn Subdivision.
(17) Old Howetons Road Subdivision.(Ord. of 10-9-2012, § 12-6)