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James City County, VA Building Safety: Green Building Code (2026)

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

Key Facts

Bonus points for green certification
1 point (§ 24-273.7, item E)
Recognized programs
EarthCraft, LEED, or equivalent
Applies in
Residential Redevelopment (RR) district only
Max density unlocked with 5 points
4 units/acre
Mandate
None; voluntary incentive

Summary

James City County does not mandate green construction through its building code; instead, the Zoning Ordinance rewards it. Under § 24-273.7's Residential Redevelopment density-bonus table, a developer earns one bonus point toward extra density for "achieving green building certification using EarthCraft, LEED or equivalent program for all units."

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.

Bonus Item Options Bonus Points ... E. Achieving green building certification using EarthCraft, LEED or equivalent program for all units. 1

View official code

Full Breakdown

5 needs five. Green building certification is one of thirteen bonus-item options on that table, worth a single point (item E), the same weight as dedicating a public-use site, building a greenway trail, or exceeding pedestrian accommodation requirements. 5. 7 bonus item's language. 5-unit-per-acre baseline; the county's building regulations chapter otherwise administers construction solely through the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, which the county's own text does not amend to add a green-building mandate.

Violations & Fines

There is no separate violation clause for green building itself, since certification is optional. But once a developer proffers the green-building bonus point as part of an approved master plan to unlock added density, failing to deliver it breaches a proffered zoning condition, exposing the developer to the § 24-22 misdemeanor fine of $10.00 to $1,000.00 and the county's authority to enforce or void the density approval tied to that proffer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does James City County require green building certification?
No. The county has no green-building mandate in its building regulations chapter; the only mention is a voluntary one-point density bonus under § 24-273.7 for Residential Redevelopment projects that pursue EarthCraft, LEED or an equivalent certification.
How much extra density does green certification earn?
One bonus point under § 24-273.7's item E, the same as several other options like a public-site dedication or a greenway trail. A developer needs three to five such points, depending on the target density, before the board of supervisors will approve density above 2.5 units per acre.
What counts as a green building in James City County's code?
Section 24-2 defines "green building" as a structure addressing efficient energy and water management, material and waste management, environmental quality, indoor air quality and natural-systems integration, naming EarthCraft and LEED as example accreditation programs.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in James City County

Animal Ordinances: Chickens & LivestockSome RestrictionsBuilding PermitsSome RestrictionsBuilding InspectionsSome RestrictionsElevator MaintenanceSome RestrictionsElectrical PermitsSome RestrictionsPlumbing PermitsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingLight RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic ZoningSignificant RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: BeekeepingSome RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage TreesSignificant Restrictions

All James City County rules

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