Smart Lock Installation in Virginia Beach, VA

Will your door take one

Many retrofit smart deadbolts are made for a standard bored deadbolt hole, not a mortise pocket. Census estimates show under 1 percent of Virginia Beach homes were built before 1940, against 27.7 percent in Richmond, so prewar mortise-cut doors, which need a different lock body, should be rare here.

Before buying, check the door's thickness, the backset (the distance from the door edge to the center of the deadbolt hole), and whether the bolt slides smoothly without pushing or pulling the door. A bolt that binds makes the motor strain and drains batteries early, so a sagging door should be adjusted first.

Approvals before work starts

• Condominiums and apartments. The door may belong to the association or landlord, and a master key may need to keep working. Get approval in writing first.
• Association communities. Ask whether an association sets rules for visible exterior hardware before replacing a front deadbolt.
• Short-term rentals. Each address needs an annual zoning permit and life safety and structural safety inspection reports. Rentals registered with the Commissioner of the Revenue before July 1, 2018, with transient occupancy taxes paid, are grandfathered but must still meet section 241.2 of the Virginia Beach City Code. Confirm a property's status before setting up guest keypad codes. This is general information, not legal advice.

Guest codes, weather and a backup key

Many keypad models can hold a separate code for each guest, which a host can delete when a stay ends instead of chasing a key. An exterior keypad meets rain and damp air, so choose a model made for outdoor use and keep the rubber gasket seated so damp stays off the circuit board. Change batteries on a schedule instead of waiting for the low-battery warning.

Look for a model that also takes a mechanical key, and keep that key somewhere other than inside the house.

What to include in a request

• Photos of the current deadbolt from inside and outside
• The smart lock model you bought, or the features you want
• Whether the home is owned, rented, a condo or a short-term rental

For the wider service, see smart lock installation; for the city, the Virginia Beach page.