Environmental Rules in York County, VA (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated York County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
York County, Virginia runs its own Virginia Stormwater Management Program (VSMP) under Chapter 23.3, adopting the state's stormwater regulations under Sec. 23.3-3. No person may begin a land-disturbing activity until the Administrator, the director of Environmental and Development Services, issues a VSMP permit under Sec. 23.3-5, and violators face civil penalties up to $32,500 per day.
York County, VA Stormwater Management Program
Some RestrictionsYork County Code §§ 23.3-3, 23.3-5, 23.3-29
(a)Pursuant to the Virginia Stormwater Management Law, Title 62.1, Chapter 3.1, Article 2.3 of the Code of Virginia, the county hereby adopts the regulations, references, guidelines, standards and specifications ... promulgated by the Virginia State Water Control Board, as such may be amended from time to time, for the effective management of stormwater to prevent the unreasonable degradation o...
Erosion Control
York County, Virginia bars any land-disturbing activity until the County issues a permit under its Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management Program, per County Code § 10-13(a). Permits run two years, extendable once, and go void if work stalls for more than 180 days.
York County Land-Disturbance Permit Rule
Significant RestrictionsYork County Code § 10-13(a)
(a)Except as provided herein, no person may engage in any land disturbing activity until a permit has been issued by the County of York in accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance and the Regulation. A permit issued under this chapter shall be valid for a period of two (2) years; provided, however, it may be extended for an additional two-year period, by written approval of the program ...
Flood Zones
In York County, Virginia, no land may be developed or structure built, moved, or altered inside the Floodplain Management Area (FMA) overlay without a zoning certificate under Sec. 24.1-107. The overlay applies to FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas mapped on the 2015 Flood Insurance Rate Map and layers extra rules on top of the base zoning district.
York County, VA Floodplain Overlay Rules
Some RestrictionsYork County Code § 24.1-373(a), (b)(5)
The requirements set forth in this section are adopted pursuant to the authority granted to localities by Section § 15.2-2280 of the Code of Virginia. ... No land shall hereafter be developed and no structure shall be located, relocated, constructed, reconstructed, enlarged, or structurally altered within the floodplain management overlay district except in full compliance with the terms and pr...
Boat Dock Permits
York County requires private and club marinas, docks, and boathouses to meet Virginia Marine Resources Commission design standards and to secure every applicable federal, state, and local permit before the county issues the zoning certificate. Membership-only docks cannot serve the general public or run as a commercial operation under Code § 24.1-463.
Private Boat Dock Permits in York County, VA
Some RestrictionsYork County Code § 24.1-463
(a)Use of private marinas, docks, or boating facilities shall be limited to a specific membership and shall not be intended for the general public or commercial purposes.(b)Private marinas, docks and boating facilities shall be designed in accordance with Virginia Marine Resources Commission regulations.(c)All federal, state and local requirements for marina facilities shall be met and the nece...
Flood Elevation Requirements
In York County, Virginia, new residential construction and substantial improvements in the AE and AH flood zones must have the lowest floor, including any basement, elevated with at least three feet of freeboard above the base flood elevation, or the building must be fully floodproofed if non-residential.
York County Base Flood Elevation Freeboard
Some RestrictionsYork County Code § 24.1-373(e)(9)c
All new construction or substantial improvement in Zone AE and AH of the floodplain management area shall occur in accordance with the applicable floodplain construction provisions for Zone AE and AH contained in the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. ... c.The elevation of the lowest floor of any residential structure, including basements, shall be constructed with a freeboard at least ...
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