Our Story

About Tidewater Pet Waste Removal — Chesapeake, VA

A local family business built on hard work, love for animals, and pride in our community.

How We Got Started

Born in Chesapeake, Built for Hampton Roads

Tidewater Pet Waste Removal was started right here in Chesapeake, Virginia — born out of a simple frustration shared by every dog owner across Hampton Roads: nobody wants to spend their weekend cleaning up the yard.

Our founder, Steven L., is a proud dog dad and Hampton Roads resident who spent years doing the chore himself before realizing there had to be a better way. After struggling to find a local, reliable pet waste removal service in Chesapeake VA he could trust, he decided to start one himself — built on the values of reliability, transparency, and genuine care for the neighborhoods we serve.

Co-owner Helen L., a U.S. Army veteran now rooted in Chesapeake with her family, brings the same discipline and dedication she carried in uniform to every aspect of the business. Together, they run Tidewater as a true family operation — personally invested in every customer and every yard they service.

We serve dog owners in Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and the surrounding Hampton Roads communities. As your neighbors, we understand the local environment — from the summer heat to hurricane season — and we plan our service schedules accordingly. We care about keeping the Chesapeake Bay watershed clean, which is why we dispose of all pet waste responsibly.

We're not a franchise. We're not a national chain. We're your neighbors, and we're in this for the long haul. View our weekly pet waste removal plans to find the right fit for your household.

3+

Cities in Hampton Roads

100%

Satisfaction Guarantee

Local

Hampton Roads Owned

Our Mission

A Cleaner Hampton Roads, One Yard at a Time

We believe every family deserves a clean, safe outdoor space — whether it's for the kids, the dogs, or just getting outside and breathing fresh air. Our mission is to make professional yard care accessible, affordable, and genuinely reliable for every household in the Hampton Roads area, while protecting the local environment we all call home.

What We Stand For

Our Core Values

These aren't just words on a wall — they guide every service call, every customer interaction, and every hire we make.

Reliability

We show up. Same day, every week. No reschedules, no no-shows, no surprises.

Integrity

We're honest about our pricing, our limitations, and when we make a mistake — and we always make it right.

Quality

We don't rush. Every yard gets the same careful, thorough attention — from the first visit to the hundredth.

Community

Hampton Roads is our home. We care about the neighborhoods, the environment, and the people we serve.

Eco-Responsibility

We take our impact on the Chesapeake Bay watershed seriously and dispose of all waste responsibly.

Dog-Friendly

We love animals. We use only pet-safe equipment and products, and your furry family comes first always.

The People Behind the Service

Meet Our Team

A husband and wife team, two kids, three dogs, and a genuine love for clean yards.

Steven and Helen Layden, owners of Tidewater Pet Waste Removal, in front of their business sign

Steven & Helen Layden

Founders & Owners — Chesapeake, VA

We're a husband and wife team, parents of two, and proud owners of three dogs — so we know firsthand what it means to have a yard you actually want to use. Steven is a Hampton Roads local who started Tidewater after struggling to find a reliable local service he could trust. Helen is a U.S. Army veteran who brings the same discipline and dedication she carried in uniform to every part of the business. We handle every job personally, show up when we say we will, and stand behind every visit.

In the Field

Our Work in Action

Clean green yard after professional pet waste removal service in Chesapeake VA

Clean, green yards

Happy dog playing in a freshly cleaned Hampton Roads yard

Happy pups everywhere

Duke, our Great Dane mascot, relaxing on a clean green lawn

Duke — Chief Yard Inspector

Serving Hampton Roads

Where We Operate

Proudly Serving Hampton Roads

We cover the major neighborhoods across three cities. If you're not sure whether we serve your area, just ask!

Chesapeake

Our home base! We cover Great Bridge, Greenbrier, Deep Creek, Hickory, Western Branch, and surrounding neighborhoods.

Virginia Beach

We service Kempsville, Princess Anne, Pembroke, Lynnhaven, Red Mill, and neighborhoods throughout VB.

Norfolk

Serving Ghent, Ocean View, Larchmont, Wards Corner, Suburban Acres, and communities throughout Norfolk.

Commercial & HOA

We Serve More Than Backyards

Tidewater also maintains commercial pet waste stations for municipalities, HOAs, apartment communities, and parks — restocking dispensers, emptying receptacles, sanitizing stations, and providing written service reports. Custom quotes, no contracts.

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Join the Tidewater Family

Let Us Take Care of Your Yard

Ready to stop dreading that chore? Get a free, no-pressure quote and start enjoying your outdoor space again.