Citizen's Guide

PARKS. To make reservations or for more information about the following parks, contact the Division of Parks & Recreation. Telephone - (757) 890-3500.

Back Creek Park. This 27-acre U.S.T.A. award-winning tennis facility is open from mid-March to mid-November. The park offers free boat launching facilities, a picnic area, fishing and crabbing pier, restrooms and six lighted tennis courts. Fees are charged for tennis play. Tennis leagues, lessons and tournaments are also available. Telephone - (757) 890-3850.
Charles Brown Park. This 10-acre facility has tennis and basketball courts, playground equipment, a baseball field, and a wetlands interpretive trail. A Community Services Center is available for small group use on a reservation basis. The park is open daily.
Chisman Creek Park. This 13-acre reclaimed fly ash disposal site opened in the Spring of 1991 and has two lighted softball fields, restrooms and a parking lot.
Kiln Creek Park. A 21-acre site with a lighted soccer field, lighted baseball field, and an unlighted baseball field, restrooms, playground, basketball courts and a picnic shelter.
New Quarter Park. This park provides over 500 acres of forest, open meadows and creeks. Facilities include a restroom building, a campfire circle, a 120-seat lighted picnic pavilion, two barbecue grills, a floating pier on Queens Creek, a softball field, a volleyball court and two horseshoe courts.
Wolf Trap Park. This 28-acre reclaimed fly ash disposal site features three soccer fields, restrooms, a parking lot and the County's Memorial Tree Grove.
York County Sports Field Complex. This facility is scheduled to open in 2009. It will have seven lighted baseball/softball fields, six lighted soccer fields, three concession/restroom buildings, walking trails and parking for almost 1,000 vehicles.
Yorktown Waterfront and Beach Picnic Area. Beachfront area on the York River in historic Yorktown. Provides opportunities for swimming, fishing, and picnicking. Restroom facilities open daily from April to October. Telephone - (757) 890-3500.

PARKS & RECREATION. Operates County recreation programs for children and adults including youth soccer, youth and adult basketball, summer sports camps, volleyball, instructional classes, a summer activity program, roller skating and numerous senior activities. The division also oversees activities at County parks, school facilities and the Yorktown Beach swimming area. A division of the Department of Community Services. Telephone - (757) 890-3500.

PERMITS.

Bingo and raffle permits are required for all bingo and raffle games. Contact the Department of Charitable Gaming on (804) 225-3198.
Building permits are required for all structures except storage buildings less than 150 square feet. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits also are needed. Permits are available by calling Building Regulation. Telephone - (757) 890-3522.
Burning permits are required for the open burning of land clearing debris. The permits are issued by the Department of Fire & Life Safety. Telephone - (757) 890-3600.
Craft sales permits are for one sale a year, lasting up to six days, for sale of items made as a hobby, not a home occupation. Permits can be obtained from Development & Compliance. Telephone - (757) 890-3524.
Fence permits. See Building Permits (above).
Home Occupations. Some home occupations are permitted as a matter of right. Others, such as personal services and retail sales, require a use permit from the Board of Supervisors. Others are prohibited in residential zoning districts. A Business License is usually required. Contact Development & Compliance prior to acquiring a Business License. Telephone - (757) 890-3524.
Land disturbing activity permits are required to clear or grade areas larger than 2,500 square feet. Contact the Department of Environmental & Development Services. Telephone - (757) 890-3752.
Septic tank and well permits are issued by the state Health Department at 1126 Professional Drive, Williamsburg - (757) 594-7300 (lower York County) or (757) 253-4813 (upper York County).
Sign permits are needed to erect or alter any signs. Contact Development & Compliance. Telephone - (757) 890-3524.
Special use permits are required for certain land uses, as described in the Zoning Ordinance. If a use permit is needed, at least two public hearings are required: one before the Planning Commission and the second before the Board of Supervisors. Apply at the Planning Division. Telephone - (757) 890-3404.
Wetlands permits. See Wetlands.
Work permits for children under 16 are state permits. Forms are distributed by school principals. Also see Schools.

PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX. The tax is assessed on automobiles, trailers, motorcycles, dirt bikes, recreational vehicles, and other vehicles that require a state registration. The tax is also imposed on watercraft, mobile homes, business equipment, and machinery and tools. Property that is not required to pay a Vehicle Registration fee (mobile homes and business property) must be filed on the appropriate form with the Commissioner of the Revenue on or before March 1 (or within 60 days of purchase or move in to this locality) to avoid a filing penalty. Personal Property Taxes are prorated on motor vehicles on a monthly basis and based on the date the property was located in York County. Personal Property Taxes are based on a rate per $100 of assessed value. Telephone - (757) 890-3381.

PLANNING DIVISION. Responsible for the development, maintenance and implementation of the Comprehensive Plan, which provides the overall blueprint for the long-term development of the County. The office also processes applications for rezonings and use permits. An office of County Administration. Telephone - (757) 890-3404.

PREVENTION AND COMMUNITY SAFETY. Responsible for reducing the loss caused by injury, illness, fire and natural or man-made disasters through public education; the exposure of fire and life safety hazards; the development, implementation and enforcement of the state and local fire and life safety codes; and the investigation of arson and fires of unknown and suspicious origin. Reviews new construction plans and inspects businesses and new construction for compliance with the Fire Code. It is also responsible for the development and promotion of fire prevention and life safety behaviors. These behaviors are introduced through specialized educational programs such as Safety Town for preschoolers and the Risk Watch program for school children. The division also provides animal protective services and enforces animal control laws, ordinances, and regulations through Animal Control. A division of the Department of Fire and Life Safety. Telephone - (757) 890-3600.

PROJECT INSIGHT. Project Insight is a community service work program that provides the opportunity for youth to perform public service work at a government or nonprofit agency. Referrals are from court judges and court service intake. It is used in lieu of more traditional sanctions. Telephone - (757) 564-2484.

PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE. Provides information to the press; assists citizens in contacting government offices or agencies; provides information on local government meetings and activities; provides information to Cable Channel 46; serves as County Communications Coordinator; and coordinates media relations. An office of County Administration. Telephone - (757) 890-3300 (Voice/TDD).

PUBLICATIONS. The Public Information Office publishes the "Citizen News" four times a year, the County's "Annual Report" and this "Citizen's Guide to York County Government," which are all mailed to every household in the County. Telephone - (757) 890-3310.