Landscaping Rules in James City County, VA (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated James City County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Outside impervious areas, James City County's Zoning Ordinance restricts removing viable mature trees (8 inches or greater DBH) and specimen trees (24 inches or greater DBH) inside a required right-of-way landscape buffer. Section 24-98(f)(2) requires tagging and an on-site inspection, and the planning director's designee may authorize removal only for reasons like disease, poor quality or a safety conflict.
James City County Tree Removal Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsJames City County Code § 24-98(f)(2)
(2)Tree preservation and criteria for tree removal.a.All existing viable mature trees (eight inches or greater diameter at breast height (DBH)) and specimen trees (24 inches or greater DBH) shall be preserved within the required right-of-way landscape area. All understory trees of two inches or greater DBH shall be preserved.b.The planning director or his designee may permit the removal of unde...
Weed Ordinances
James City County requires owners of occupied or vacant property in platted subdivisions and residential, business, commercial or industrial zones to keep grass, weeds, running bamboo and other growth cut as often as needed to stop it from harboring insects, reptiles and rodents or creating other hazards. Farmland in active agricultural use is exempt. The county administrator can order overgrowth cut and bill the owner.
Grass and Weed Rules in James City County
Some RestrictionsJames City County Code § 10-4(b)
It shall be the duty of each owner of any occupied or vacant developed or undeveloped property, including such property upon which buildings or other improvements are located, within platted subdivisions and areas zoned for residential, business, commercial, or industrial use, to provide for the cutting of grass, weeds, running bamboo, and other foreign growth as often as needed to prevent bree...
Water Restrictions
From May 1 through September 30 each year, James City Service Authority water cannot be used outdoors except on assigned odd/even days, and only between midnight and 9 a.m. or 5 p.m. and midnight. No outdoor watering is allowed on Mondays, and irrigation systems installed after March 8, 2005 must have a rain sensor.
Outdoor Watering Days, James City County
Some RestrictionsJames City County Code § 11-65
during the period beginning May 1 and ending September 30 of each year, outdoor use of James City Service Authority water is prohibited, except that properties with even-numbered street addresses can use water outdoors on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and properties with odd-numbered street addresses can use water outdoors on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays provided that outdoor water use o...
Artificial Turf
James City County allows synthetic turf in a yard, but the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance treats it as an accessory use, the same category as pools and patios, precisely because it is an impermeable landing that blocks groundwater infiltration. Installing or expanding turf beyond what's already approved requires a formal exception review rather than a routine landscaping sign-off.
Artificial Turf Rules in James City County Yards
Some RestrictionsJames City County Code §§ 23-3, 23-9(a)
Accessory uses include, but are not limited to, in-ground pools, patios, terraces, tennis courts, synthetic turf, and other impermeable landings that do not permit infiltration to groundwater. Any modification or expansion to an accessory use must be reviewed and approved using a formal exception process. ... Keeping impervious cover to a minimum enhances rainwater infiltration and effectively ...
All James City County ordinances
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