James City County, VA Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing sections
- Code §§ 4-3, 4-8, 4-16, 4-17
- Code adopted
- Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code
- Effective date
- September 9, 1974
- Retaining wall trigger
- 3+ feet of unbalanced fill
- Sewer condition
- No permit without approved sewer/septic
- Refund
- $25 admin fee plus $15 per inspection
- Appeals
- Building board of appeals, Sec. 4-21
Summary
James City County adopts the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code by reference under Sec. 4-3, applying it to every existing and proposed building and structure in the county since September 9, 1974. Beyond that state code trigger, the county's own text spells out specific local permit requirements, like retaining walls three feet or higher, and bars issuing any permit where a building lacks an approved sewer connection.
There is hereby adopted by reference in the county that certain code known as the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, and all Virginia Administrative Amendments-Accumulative Supplements thereto in being as of the effective date set forth below or subsequently issued, and the whole thereof, and the same is hereby incorporated herein as fully as if set out in length. The effective date of the provisions of such code is September 9,1974, and shall control all matters set forth in section 4-1 above, and all other functions which pertain to the installation of systems vital to all buildings and structures and their service equipment as defined by such code, and shall apply to all existing and proposed structures in the county ... Retaining walls supporting three feet or more of ordinary unbalanced fill, or constructed for the purpose of impounding Class I, II, or III-A liquids, or supporting a surcharge other than ordinary unbalanced fill, or located in a flood zone, or that are part of a stormwater BMP shall require a building permit and shall be subject to the performance standards found in chapter 23, Chesapeake Bay Preservation, section 23-9.1.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 4-3 adopts the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, and its building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and one- and two-family dwelling components, by reference for the whole county, effective September 9, 1974, and substitutes "County of James City" for "name of jurisdiction" throughout. That state code, administered locally, is what triggers a permit for most construction, alteration, repair, removal, demolition and change of occupancy; the county's own building official and the office of building safety and permits issue those permits and keep copies of the adopted codes available for public review under Sec.
4-4. County-added text goes further in specific cases: Sec. 4-17 requires a building permit for any retaining wall supporting three feet or more of unbalanced fill, or built to impound Class I, II or III-A liquids, or in a flood zone, or that's part of a stormwater BMP, and subjects that wall to the performance standards in Sec. 1 of the Chesapeake Bay Preservation chapter. Sec. 4-16 bars the building official from issuing any permit for a building that must connect to a public sewer system through the James City Service Authority unless that connection is provided, or, where connection isn't required, unless the building has a sewage disposal system approved by the Virginia Department of Health. Permit and inspection fees run through the schedule in Appendix A under Sec. 4-8, and Sec. 00 or less are never refunded.
Violations & Fines
Connecting a building's electricity or gas before the required inspection and certificate under Sec. 4-13 is unlawful, and the building official can order gas or electric service disconnected on an unsafe or uncorrected system under Sec. 4-14, with the public utility required to comply under Sec. 4-15. No permit is issued at all for a building lacking an approved sewer connection under Sec. 4-16, and disputes over permit decisions go to the county's board of appeals under Sections 4-21 through 4-23.
Frequently Asked Questions
What building code does James City County use for permits?
Do I need a permit for a retaining wall?
Can I get a building permit if my lot isn't connected to sewer?
Can I get my permit fee back if I cancel the project?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in James City County
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