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James City County, VA Building Safety: Elevator Maintenance (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Traction elevator inspection
$210.00 per year
Hydraulic elevator inspection
$157.00 per year
Third-party certificate
$52.50
Code adopted
Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, Sec. 4-3
CO withheld
until inspection fees paid, Appendix A
Default penalty
Class 1 misdemeanor, up to $2,500, Sec. 1-10

Summary

James City County requires an annual elevator inspection under the Chapter 4 building permit fee schedule, Sec. 4-8 and Appendix A, charging $210.00 for a traction elevator, $157.00 for a hydraulic elevator, and $52.50 for an annual inspection certificate issued by a third-party inspector, administered by Building Safety and Permits under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of James City County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Permit and inspection fees are hereby established in accordance with the provisions of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code and are set forth in County Code Appendix A—Fee Schedule for Development Related Permits. ... 4-8 Annual Elevator Inspections •Traction Elevator $210.00 •Hydraulic Elevator $157.00 •Annual Inspection certificate by a third-party inspector $52.50

Full Breakdown

Chapter 4, Building Regulations, adopts the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code by reference in Sec. 4-3, and that adoption controls elevator maintenance, inspection and safety standards for every building and its service equipment in the county. Sec. 4-8, Generally, ties the county's own permit and inspection fees to that code and sets them out in County Code Appendix A, Fee Schedule for Development Related Permits. 50. 00 or fraction of it. Appendix A also withholds any certificate of occupancy, residential or nonresidential, until every inspection fee tied to the project has been paid.

Sec. 00 for each inspection already performed. 00 or less is refunded at all. Because Chapter 4 does not set its own criminal penalty for skipping an inspection, a violation falls back to the county-wide default in Sec. 00 and up to twelve months in jail, with each day the violation continues counted as a separate offense.

Violations & Fines

Operating a building without the required annual elevator inspection, or without paying the fees tied to it, means the director of building safety and permits can withhold the certificate of occupancy under Appendix A. Because Chapter 4 sets no elevator-specific criminal penalty, a violation defaults to Sec. 1-10: a Class 1 misdemeanor, up to a $2,500.00 fine and twelve months in jail, with each day counted separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an annual elevator inspection cost in James City County?
Appendix A's Chapter 4 fee schedule, referenced from Sec. 4-8, charges $210.00 a year for a traction elevator and $157.00 for a hydraulic elevator, plus $52.50 if the annual inspection certificate is issued by a third-party inspector rather than the county.
What code governs elevator safety in the county?
Sec. 4-3 adopts the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, and all its Virginia Administrative Amendments, by reference for the entire county, and that code, not a separate local ordinance, sets the maintenance and safety standards elevators must meet.
Can I get a refund on an elevator permit fee?
Sec. 4-9 only allows a refund if the permit application was denied, the permit was issued in error, or the project was abandoned, and even then the county keeps $25.00 for administrative costs plus $15.00 per inspection already performed; fees of $25.00 or less are never refunded.
Will I get a certificate of occupancy if the elevator inspection fee is unpaid?
No. Appendix A specifically states that no certificate of occupancy, residential or nonresidential, will be issued until every inspection fee tied to the project, including the annual elevator inspection fee, has been paid to Building Safety and Permits in full before final approval.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in James City County

All James City County rules

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