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* Most Requested Questions *

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1. Will there be fireworks on the Fourth of July?

July 4^th Decisions Made in Light of Impacts from COVID-19

• The health crisis, along with the severity of the financial impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, have forced the County to continue making operational reductions now and into the next fiscal year. This includes the difficult decision to cancel the July 4th fireworks and parade. While public restrictions on large gatherings may very well be relaxed before July 4, financial commitments needed for these events must be made far in advance. The savings to the County budget is very important and necessary at this time. 

2. Are personal fireworks legal in York County?

In York County, the possession, sale and/or use of all fireworks is illegal, except where a proper permit has been obtained (by a professional pyrotechnic company) from the York County Department of Fire and Life Safety for supervised public displays meeting applicable codes, standards and safety guidelines. No permits have been issued, nor will be issued for the July 4th holiday this year. Use of fireworks can result in their confiscation, and violators could be criminally charged.

3. What is York County doing to monitor the Coronavirus?

York County has created a web page for more information and important links.  See more here. 

4. Is there a place where we can view the Board's correspondence?

Yes.  Each week, the Board of Supervisors is provided with a package of memos, letters, reports, etc. from the County Administrator, regional bodies, and staff members.  

This package is posted online on the Board's website for citizens to review.  This initiative is in keeping with the Board's strategic priority of Effective and Outstanding Communications and Civic Engagement.  

5. How can I contact the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT)?

You can reach the local VDOT Residency Administrator's office by phone at 253-5138; the Williamsburg Area Maintenance Headquarters at 253-5138; or, the Seaford Area Maintenance Headquarters at 898-5151. You can also submit a service request online at http://www.virginiadot.org by clicking on "Report a Road Problem" in the upper right-hand corner, or call the central service center at 1-800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623).

6. I want to get involved with the Comprehensive Plan process. How do I do that?

The Board of Supervisors appointed community members to the Comprehensive Plan Review Steering Committee, including (for the first time ever) a member of the York County Youth Commission, to assist with the review of this planning document.  The Committee has begun to meet and will continue its activities through the 2019.  For information about the Committee and the Comprehensive Plan review, visit www.York2040.com.  Check back often as the site will be updated throughout the process.   

7. What do I do if I find a dead animal?

Any dead animal that is found on private property becomes the responsibility of the property owner. Any dead animal that is found on a private road becomes the responsibility of the property owner or their Homeowners Association. If a dead animal is found to be on a roadway that is maintained by VDOT, it will be responsibility of VDOT to remove it. If a dead animal is found on a public roadway that is maintained by VDOT, contact the York County Emergency Dispatch Center at their non-emergency number (757) 890-3621.

8. Thinking about renting out your house, an accessory structure, or one or more rooms in your house on a short-term basis (i.e., fewer than 90 days), here are some things you need to know:

If you are thinking about renting out your house, an accessory structure, or one or more rooms in your house on a short-term basis (i.e., fewer than 90 days), here are some things you need to know:

• In York County, short-term rentals (STRs) fall into the category of either tourist homes or bed and breakfast inns (B&Bs). The distinction between the two is that in a B&B, breakfast is provided in addition to overnight accommodations, and the property owner is required to live on the premises or in adjacent premises.
• Tourist homes and B&Bs are permitted as a matter of right in the LB (Limited Business) and GB (General Business) zoning districts. In residential zoning districts – RC, RR, R33, R20, R13, and RMF – they are permitted only upon the issuance of a Special Use Permit by the Board of Supervisors. Special Use Permits are a special privilege granted by the Board under a specific set of circumstances and conditions, and each application and situation is unique. The Special Use Permit process typically takes between two and three months. It requires two advertised public hearings, and a non-refundable application fee of $450.
• STRs in residential districts must have the appearance of a single-family detached home and normal accessory residential structures.
• In residential districts, off-street parking associated with an STR must be effectively screened by landscaping from view from adjacent residential properties and cannot be located in any required front yard area.
• One freestanding, non-illuminated sign, not exceeding four (4) square feet in area, may be permitted to identify the STR.
• The maximum number of guests will be determined by the Board of Supervisors based on the density and character of the area and the size and characteristics of the proposed site.
• STRs are subject to the state sales tax as well as the 5% County transient occupancy tax and $2.00 per night room tax. The proprietor of any such establishment is required to obtain a County business license, establish a County transient occupancy tax account, and file with the Virginia Department of Taxation for a Virginia State Sales Tax account. For more details, visit the Commissioner of the Revenue webpage. 

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN APPLYING FOR A SPECIAL USE PERMIT TO OPERATE A SHORT-TERM RENTAL, PLEASE CONTACT THE YORK COUNTY PLANNING DIVISION AT (757) 890-3404 OR BY EMAIL AT PLANNING@YORKCOUNTY.GOV, OR VISIT OUR OFFICE IN THE YORK COUNTY ADMINISTRATION CENTER AT 224 BALLARD STREET IN YORKTOWN.

9. What do the county's key officials earn as of July 1, 2019?

Neil A. Morgan, County Administrator
$183,463.00

James E. Barnett, Jr., County Attorney
$174,576.00

Vivian A. Calkins-McGettigan, Deputy County Administrator
$154.560.00

Mark L. Bellamy, Jr., Deputy County Administrator
$153,666.00

Stephen P. Kopczynski, Fire Chief
$150,702.00

James W. Noel, Jr., Director of Economic Development
$144,033.00

Brian K. Woodward, Director of Public Works
$141,643.00

Adam A. Frisch, Director of Information Technology
$137,728.00

D. Terry Hall, Director of Emergency Communications
$135,459.00

David K. Gorwitz, Director of Human Resources
$134,263.00

10. Where can I read Citizen News online?

"Citizen News" is published quarterly for the citizens of York County. 

View the latest edition here

11. Where can I view our Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission Meetings?

View York County live streaming media or archives of our Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission meetings.

Board of Supervisor Meetings are live, Tuesday at 6 pm and rebroadcast Wednesday - Friday at 11 am, 7 pm, and 11 pm and on Saturday and Sunday at 3 pm.

12. Where can I view Presentations to the Board?

Under the Board of Supervisors Menu tab on our website, there is a link for "Presentations to the Board".   You can also view that page here. 

13. Where can I find information about the Budget?

You can find information in several locations. On the County home page and on our Finance/Budget page. 

• www.yorkcounty.gov
• www.yorkcounty.gov/budget

14. Who is responsible for maintaining the roads in York County?

For most county citizens, the answer is VDOT - the Virginia Department of Transportation. In fact, VDOT is responsible for maintenance of all public streets, roads, and highways in the county (in contrast to cities, where the city governments are responsible for maintenance). The exceptions to this general rule are the various private streets, for example in townhouse or condominium developments, where property owners' associations have maintenance responsibility. VDOT maintains the following for citizens to report road problems or concerns:

You can reach the local VDOT Residency Administrator's office by phone at 253-5138; the Williamsburg Area Maintenance Headquarters at 253-5138; or, the Seaford Area Maintenance Headquarters at 898-5151. You can also submit a service request by calling the central service center at 1-800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623).  Other helpful links are below.

VDOT Customer Service Center

Online Work Request

https://my.vdot.virginia.gov/

VDOT Customer Service Center

15. How can I find out about the planned and proposed development in the County?

The Planning Division and the Office of Development Services puts together a monthly Development Activity Report. That report can be found on the County homepage as a listing under News Headlines or on either the Development Services or Planning Division webpage.   

The new report will be added the second Thursday of each month.

16. I am a new resident. Is there any beneficial information posted online to help me transition?

 to York County!  See New Resident Information Here.

17. Does the County and School Division share any services/offices?

Yes.  The county and schools share many services.  Some of these are:

• Banking
• Network Services
• Payroll
• Accounts Payable
• Purchasing
• Regional Radio System
• Video Services
• Shared Facility Use
• Virtual High School
• Legal Services
• Fueling Stations
• Sign Shop
• Grounds Maintenance
• DARE program
• Schools Resource Officers
• Drills - intruder, tornado, earthquake

18. Do I need a permit to host a yard sale?

York County does not require a permit for yard sales. The Code requires that anyone having a yard sale not have more than two (2) a year, and that they last no more than three (3) days each event.

19. What were York County's real estate tax rates over the past 20 years?

• 2018 - $0.7950
• 2017 - $0.7950
• 2016 - $0.7515
• 2015 - $0.7515
• 2014 - $0.7515
• 2013 - $0.7515
• 2012 - $0.7415
• 2011 - $0.6575
• 2010 - $0.6575
• 2009 - $0.6575
• 2008 - $0.6575
• 2007 - $0.6975
• 2006 - $0.6975
• 2005 - $0.8175
• 2004 - $0.8175
• 2003 - $0.8600
• 2002 - $0.8600
• 2001 - $0.8600
• 2000 - $0.8600
• 1999 - $0.8600