Williamsburg is a unique community in which to live due in part to its rich history and unique demographic makeup. In a place considered one of the roots of American History where the founding fathers lived and worked, it is certainly understandable that great efforts to preserve the history and feel of early America would be undertaken. As a result of this, there are several zoning laws that students are typically unaware of. 

The burden is on you to know the laws, ordinances, and rules for the city or county you live in. Some common violations in off campus dwellings include; occupancy, noise, parking and parking permits, exterior aesthetics, fire safety including proximity of BBQ’s to the dwelling,  and pet licenses.

NOTE: THIS ONLY APPLIES TO THE CITY OF WILLIAMSBURG. IF YOUR APARTMENT OR HOUSE IS LOCATED IN JAMES CITY COUNTY OR YORK COUNTY, YOU NEED TO CONTACT THE APPROPRIATE COUNTY DEPARTMENT.

  Did you know there is a restriction on how many people can rent together??

• Definition of a Family:
• A family is, exclusive of household servants:
  • An individual;
  • Two or more persons related by blood, adoption, marriage or guardianship, living and cooking together as a single housekeeping unit;
  • A number of persons, not exceeding three, living and cooking together as a single housekeeping unit though not related by blood, adoption, marriage or guardianship; or
  • Not more than two unrelated persons living and cooking together as a single housekeeping unit, along with one or more dependents related to either of them by blood, marriage, adoption or guardianship.

Did you know that Williamsburg has quiet hours?

• Noise:
  • Sec. 12-28. Noise disturbances--Prohibited generally.
    • It shall be a public nuisance for any person to willfully make, permit to be made, continue or cause to be made, permitted or continued any noise disturbance and upon being found guilty thereof, such person shall be subject to a fine of not less than $100.00 and not more than $500.00 for each violation.         
  • Sec. 12-29. Same--Specific prohibitions.
    • Subject, to the exceptions provided in section 12-34, any of the following acts, or the causing or permitting of, among others, is declared to be a noise disturbance constituting a public nuisance in violation of this Article V, but such enumeration shall not be deemed to be exclusive:

 (1)     Radios, television sets, musical instruments and similar devices. Operating, playing or permitting the operation or playing of any radio, amplifier, television, record, tape or compact disc player, drum, musical instrument or similar device:

• Between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. in such manner as to permit sound to be heard across a residential real property boundary or when the sound source is located within or on the grounds of a dwelling complex in such manner as to permit sound to be heard within any dwelling unit of the dwelling complex other than a dwelling unit from which such sound emanates; or
• When the sound source is located within or upon a motor vehicle on or upon public right-of-way or public property or on the grounds of a dwelling complex and the sound can be heard more than 50 feet from its source.

 Did you know there is a rental inspection program?

• The City of Williamsburg has started implementation of a Rental Inspection Program that requires interior and exterior inspections of certain rental properties. The program requires rental properties in four established districts to be inspected when a unit is first offered for rent and every twelve months thereafter unless there is no change of tenancy or Notice of Violation issued in the previous twelve month period. The program has been set up in areas that have exhibited the highest number of complaints and/or code violations, the highest number of known rental units, and in areas that have some of the oldest city housing that require additional maintenance attention. This program is being reviewed as of this writing due to proposed legislation in the General Assembly and the elements may be subject to change.
  
• Occupants or property owners may request an inspection at any time whether property is located in or out of one of the established districts. If you want to get information about the city property conservation efforts and the latest on the Rental Inspection program, you can contact the Codes Compliance Division at (757) 220-6136, visit their office at 401 Lafayette Street, or visit the City of Williamsburg web site found under "Additional Links" on the left-side menu.
  

Miscellaneous Information

• Parking:
  • Sec. 21-705. Access to off-street parking spaces.
    • Every parking space shall afford satisfactory ingress and egress for a motor vehicle without requiring another motor vehicle to be moved, except for the following:
    • Parking spaces for single-family detached, duplex and townhouse dwellings where the parking spaces are located on the same lot as the dwelling unit. This exception shall not include required parking spaces for bedroom rentals in single-family detached dwellings.
  • Sec. 21-705.1. Special regulations for single-family detached dwellings.
    • Parking spaces and driveways shall be constructed of gravel, compacted stone, concrete, asphalt, brick or paving stones.
    • Parking spaces and driveways shall not occupy more than 30 percent of a front or rear yard area, and shall not occupy more than 15 percent of the total lot area for lots having a lot area of 20,000 square feet or less; more than ten percent of the total lot area for lots having a lot area of more than 20,000 square feet; nor more than 20 percent of the total lot area for lots in a cluster subdivision.
    • Additional lot coverage by parking spaces and driveways, and alternative paving material, may be allowed contingent upon approval as a special exception use by the board of zoning appeals, in accordance with section 21-97(f). The board of zoning appeals shall consider, in addition to the criteria listed in section 21-97(f), the following:
      • Is the parking required for the permitted, special exception or special use permit use?
      • Is on-street parking available adjacent to the property?
      • Is the lot narrower, shallower or smaller than required by the ordinance, or than surrounding lots?
      • Does the topography of the lot create difficulties with meeting these requirements?
    • Parking shall be allowed only in driveways or parking spaces meeting these requirements, and shall be prohibited elsewhere on the lot.

PARKING VEHICLES ON THE GRASS IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.  

• Trash:
  • While trash pick up is not covered by zoning, it is an area that affects neighborhoods. Be sure to check on which day your trash and recycling items are picked up. Trash cans/bins are only allowed to be in front of the housing unit on trash or recycling pickup days and are not allowed to be permanently stored in a front yard.

For the city's webpage regarding public works and trash pick up times and schedules, click here.

•  Fire Code:
  • Section 307.5 Open Flame cooking devices. Charcoal burners and other open-flame cooking devices shall not be operated on any balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction:
  • Exceptions:  One and Two-family Dwellings, where buildings and decks are protected by an automatic sprinkler system, an electric grill meeting the requirements of a nationally recognized testing laboratory for use on combustible material.