Citizen's Guide to County Government

TAXES and TAX RATES are set by the Board of Supervisors or General Assembly.

• Fuel Tax. A local sales tax applies to domestic heating fuels sold by York County firms or firms in other localities that have a 1% tax.
   

• Lodging (Room) Tax. The County has a 5% tax on rentals of hotels, motels, guest rooms, and temporary lodgings of no more than 30 days. This tax is paid by the transient and remitted by the business to the Commissioner of the Revenue on or before the 20th day of the following month. Telephone - (757) 890-3383.
   

• Lodging (Room) Additional $2.00 Tax. In addition to the 5% tax on rooms, there is an additional $2.00 per room per night. This tax is paid by the transient and remitted by the business to the Commissioner of the Revenue on or before the 20th day of the following month. The revenues collected are designated and expended solely for advertising the Historic Triangle area. Telephone - (757) 890-3383.
   

• Meals Tax (Prepared Food & Beverage). York County has a 4% meals tax for food and beverages served by a restaurant. This tax is added onto the five percent state sales tax at the time of purchase. Telephone - (757) 890-3383.
   

• Personal Property Tax. The tax is assessed on automobiles, trailers, motorcycles, dirt bikes, recreational vehicles and other vehicles that require a state license plate.  The tax is also assessed on boat and motors located in York County effective January 1st annually.  This property must be filed with the Commissioner of the Revenue with 60 days of purchase or move to York County to avoid a late filing penalty.  Other property, such as mobile homes, and business property, must be filed on the appropriate form with the Commissioner of the Revenue on or before  March 1st annually to avoid a filing penalty. Tax rates are set by the Board of Supervisors. Tax bills are mailed by the Treasurer's Office. Payment is due June 5 and December 5. In the event the payment date falls on a weekend, payment is due the next business day. Penalties and interest charges are applied on the day following the due date. Personal Property Taxes  on motor vehicles  are prorated 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 - (757) 890-3381. 

• Personal Property Tax and Real Estate Tax Bills. Tax bills are mailed by the Treasurer's Office. Payment is due June 5 and December 5. In the event the payment date falls on a weekend, payment is due the next business day. Penalty and interest charges are applied on the day following the due date. Telephone - (757) 890-3420.
   

• Real Estate Tax. Tax is assessed to the property owner as of January 1, as determined by the Commissioner of the Revenue. Telephone - (757) 890-3382.  This tax rate is set annually by the Board of Supervisors. Payment is due June 5 and December 5. In the event the payment date falls on a weekend, payment is due the next business day. Penalties and interest charges are applied on the day following the due date. Tax bills are prepared by the Treasurer's Office and mailed approximately one month prior to the due date. Telephone - (757) 890-3420.
   

  • Real Estate or Mobile Home Tax Relief. See Real Estate or Mobile Home Tax Relief for Elderly and/or Permanently Disabled.
     

  • Land Use Assessment. A state program that allows landowners to pay a reduced assessment rate for land that qualifies under the standards of the program. There are two categories of land use that currently qualify: land used for horticulture land used for agriculture. Each requires a minimum acreage to qualify. Acceptance into the program requires an annual application to be filed on or before November 1 annually and adherence to growing standards set down by the State. First time applicants must be able to provide a consecutive five year history of production to be accepted into the program.  Telephone - (757) 890-3720.

• Sales Tax (state tax) is five percent on sales of all goods except prescription drugs. One percent of that is returned to York County by the state for local use.
   

• Short-Term Rental Tax. A one percent Short-Term Rental Tax is filed and paid quarterly in the Commissioner of the Revenue's Office. Telephone - (757) 890-3383.
   

• Telephone E-911 Charge. A monthly surcharge per line is charged to County residents with telephones to maintain the Enhanced 911 Emergency Services System. This surcharge is collected on the monthly telephone bill and applies to each telephone line. The 24-hour 911 service responds to all types of emergencies.
   

• Virginia Income Tax. State income tax forms may be filed through the Commissioner of the Revenue. The Commissioner's Office reviews each filing for accuracy and errors are corrected in consultation with the taxpayer before tax returns are sent to the Virginia Department of Taxation in Richmond. State income tax deadline is May 1. Telephone - (757) 890-3381.

TAX RETURN OF TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY (Individuals and Businesses).   Beginning in 2008, the method of filing personal property was changed to "File by Exception." 

• Forms are mailed in January listing each motor vehicle, trailer, semi-trailer, recreational vehicle, boat and watercraft property from the Commissioner of the Revenue's records.  The form must be returned to the Commissioner of the Revenue on or before March 1 if (1) a change is made in the taxable status or situs of any of the property listed, or (2) you are active duty military.  If neither of these criteria apply, the form can be discarded and assessments will be based on prior year filings.

• The due date for annual filing of personal property, business personal property, machinery and tools, and manufactured (mobile) homes is March 1st.

• New vehicles or new residents must register their property with the Commissioner of the Revenue within 60 days from the date of purchase or the date moved to York County to avoid late filing penalty. 

TECHNICAL SERVICES & SPECIAL OPERATIONS. Responsible for ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of the Department of Fire & Life Safety's emergency response operations through the development and delivery of basic and advanced training programs, coordination of all departmental logistics; the provision of command support services; the development and automation of a comprehensive information management system; and the coordination of special operations, activities and events. 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 & Life Safety. Telephone - (757) 890-3600. EMERGENCIES - CALL 911.

TOURISM DEVELOPMENT.  A function of the Department of Community Services, this office is responsible for increasing tourism by marketing, managing and implementing a wide variety of programs, activities and events, which encourage and promote visitation.  Tourism staff participates in over 20 tourism travel shows and conferences, over 50 sales calls, and more than 10 familiarization and training tours.  Additionally, advertising placements are secured in more than 15 tourism publications and newspapers.  Other projects include overseeing more than 12 brochures and collateral pieces.  Almost 4,000 tourism inquiries are fulfilled annually.  Staff continues to work on cruise ship and tall ship initiatives. Telephone - (757) 890-3500.

TRASH COLLECTION. See Waste Disposal Services.

TREASURER. The Treasurer collects all revenues due York County including real estate, personal property and other local and state taxes and disburses County funds as needed. Collects vehicle registration fee and sells dog tags.

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