Building Safety in James City County, VA (2026)
6 rules for unincorporated James City County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Elevator Maintenance
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.
James City County Elevator Inspection Fees
Some RestrictionsJames City County Code § 4-8 (Appendix A)
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
Green Building Code
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."
James City County Green Building Incentive
Few RestrictionsJames City County Code § 24-273.7
Bonus Item Options Bonus Points ... E. Achieving green building certification using EarthCraft, LEED or equivalent program for all units. 1
Building Permits
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.
James City County Building Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsJames City County Code §§ 4-3, 4-17
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 t...
Electrical Permits
Sec. 4-3 adopts the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code's Electrical Code for James City County, and Appendix A's Sec. 4-8 fee schedule charges $52.50 minimum for an electrical permit, scaling with service size from $52.50 for a 0-60 amp single-phase service up to $68.25 plus $15.75 per extra 50 amps over 200 amps.
James City County Electrical Permit Fees
Some RestrictionsJames City County Code §§ 4-3, 4-8 (Appendix A)
(4)Electrical Code (Current Model Code edition referenced in the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code):a.Wherever reference is made to governmental bodies or area jurisdiction, the words "County of James City" shall be deemed to apply.b.Wherever the terms "authority having jurisdiction" or "competent authority" or terms similar in nature are used, it shall be deemed to mean the "building of...
Plumbing Permits
Sec. 4-3 adopts the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code's Plumbing Code for the county, sets building sewers at a 12-inch minimum depth, and Appendix A's Sec. 4-8 fee schedule charges $52.50 minimum for a plumbing permit plus $7.35 per fixture, $15.75 for a water distribution system, and $7.35 per sewer connection or drain.
James City County Plumbing Permit Fees
Some RestrictionsJames City County Code §§ 4-3, 4-8 (Appendix A)
(2)Plumbing Code (Current Model Code edition referenced in the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code):a.Wherever the parenthetical phrase "date of adoption of this code" appears, substitute the word and numbers "September 1, 1974."b.Wherever the parenthetical phrases "name of municipality" or "name of jurisdiction" shall appear, substitute the words "County of James City."c.The minimum depth...
Building Inspections
In James City County, no building may be hooked up to electric or gas utility service until the wiring or piping has been inspected and a certificate of inspection issued. The Office of Building Safety and Permits tracks fees per inspection performed on a permit and will not refund them once work has started.
James City County Building Permit Inspections
Some RestrictionsJames City County Code §§ 4-9, 4-13
No fee paid for any permit covered under section 4-8 of this Code and set forth in County Code Appendix A—Fee Schedule for Development Related Permits shall be refunded unless the permit application is denied and a permit is not issued or the permit is issued in error. If a permit is revoked, abandoned or the project for which the permit is obtained is discontinued, a portion of the permit fee ...
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