Property Maintenance in James City County, VA (2026)

2 rules for unincorporated James City County, Virginia.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of James City County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Property Blight

James City County's board of supervisors, building official, or fire official can order an owner to remove, repair, or secure a building, wall, or structure found dangerous to public health or safety. Owners get 30 days to act after notice, and failing to comply brings a $1,000.00 civil penalty plus county-performed repairs billed as a tax lien.

James City County Unsafe Building Abatement

Significant Restrictions

James City County Code § 4-76

(a)The board of supervisors, building official or fire official may require property owners to remove, repair, or secure any building, wall, or other structure which is located on their property and which the board of supervisors, building official or fire official has determined poses a danger to public health or safety of other residents of the county. ... (c)The property owner shall remove, ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Vacant Lot Maintenance

James City County requires every owner of real property, occupied or vacant, to keep it free of accumulated garbage, trash, litter, refuse and clutter that could endanger health or safety or become a nuisance, with active farmland exempted. If an owner ignores a county notice to clean up within ten days, the county can do the work itself, bill the owner, and place a lien on the property.

Vacant Lot Upkeep Rules in James City County

Some Restrictions

James City County Code § 10-4(a); § 10-5

It shall be the duty of each owner of any real property in the county to maintain such property at all times free from any accumulation of garbage, trash, litter, refuse, clutter, except on land zoned for or in active farming operation, or other waste matter, whether liquid or solid, which might endanger the health or safety of residents of the county or otherwise constitute a nuisance. ... the...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All James City County ordinances

See every category we cover for James City County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

James City County Ordinance Hub →