How Do I . . .? |
Q. How do find information regarding vacations and area attractions?
A. I Am Williamsburg is a comprehensive website with information on area hotels, bed and breakfasts, tickets, attactions, vacation packages, restaurants, shopping and golf.
Q. How do I determine if I am a City of Williamsburg Resident ?
A. The Williamsburg mailing address contains 3 localities: Williamsburg City Limits, James City County & York County. Check the Williamsburg Street Listing to determine if you reside in the City. If there are questions regarding the crossings of James City County , York County , and the City of Williamsburg , please contact one of our departments and we will assist you in determining your locality.
Q. How do I contact the City after hours?
A. Contact 911 for Police and Fire emergencies.
Contact (757) 220-6196 for Water & Sewer emergencies.
Contact (757) 220-2331 for Police non-emergencies. For other non-emergency information and requests, use our Communicate with the City form. A drop box for payments
is available at the main entrance to the Municipal Building to the left of the door.
The City's business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday excluding holidays.
Q. How do I get directions to the City buildings and parks?
A. Check out the directions page listed on the top of each web page.
Q. How do I pay my bills to the City.
A. The Finance Department, (757) 220-6180, is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, excluding holidays. A drop box is available at the front entrance to the Municipal Building to the left of the door. The City accepts cash, check, Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Credit cards are not accepted for taxes (including Personal Property, Real Estate, Business Licenses, and Room/Meal taxes).
Payment may be made by mail to the Finance Department, 401 Lafayette Street, Williamsburg, VA 23185.
Credit card payments will be accepted over the phone at (757) 220-6180 during normal business hours.
You can also pay parking tickets, water bills, personal property taxes, and real estate taxes online at the e-Government web site with Visa or MasterCard or Quick Check (online check) . A credit card convenience fee is charged for this service. No convenience fee is charged for Quick Checks.
Q. How do I find out when my bills are due?
A. Deadline dates are posted on each bill. You can also check the Events Calendar or the Quarterly Quill Newsletter for deadlines.
| Real Estate Taxes | Twice a year. The City real estate taxes are based upon a fiscal year, July to July. First half taxes are due December 1st with a grace period until December 5th, and 2nd half taxes are due June 1st with a grace period until June 5th. Penalty and interest are imposed after the December 5th and June 5th grace periods. |
| Personal Property Taxes | Once a year. The City personal property taxes are based upon a calendar year, January through December. Taxes are due December 1st with a grace period until December 5 th. Penalty and interest are imposed after the December 5 th grace period. |
| Water Bills (Business) | Businesses are billed monthly with the bill due the last day of the month they are sent out.. |
| Water Bills (Residential) | Residential accounts are billed quarterly with the bills sent out on the 5th of the month and due the 5th of the next month. |
| Room, Meal and Lodging Taxes | Due the 20th of the month following the month they are collected (January collections are due by February 20th ). |
Q. How do I obtain a dog license and what is the cost?
A. The Finance Department, (757) 220-6180, needs to see a copy of the dog’s current rabies vaccination report. The cost is $5.00 if the pet has been neutered or spayed, and $10.00 if not. An application (PDF) is available on the Finance Department website.
Q. How do I obtain a Parking by Permit Decal?
A. Permits available only to designated residents on Parking by Permit Only streets. Detailed information can be found in our Parking by Permit Only Decal brochure or at the Finance Department, (757)220-6180.
Q. How do I sign up for Automatic Water Bill Payment?
A. You can have your water bill payment automatically deducted from your account. To receive detailed information and/or sign up for automatic payment, complete the Automatic Water Bill Payment application (PDF)or contact the Water Department at (757)220-6188.
Q. How do I register my vehicle with the City of Williamsburg?
A. Purchase Virginia plates, update your drivers license and purchase new vehicle registration at Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. The Williamsburg office is located at 952 Capitol Landing Road, 1-800-435-5137. Bring your current Virginia vehicle registration with new City of Williamsburg address to the Commissioner of Revenue's Office located in the Municipal Building at 401 Lafayette Street to register your vehicle. Failure to sign and return a Certification of Tangible Personal Property application will result in a non file fee. Vehicles must be inspected and display the inspection sticker. Inspections may be done at service stations or garages displaying signs for State Inspections Services.
Q. How do I obtain a Business License?
A. Determine if you live within the City limits with our street listing. A Williamsburg mailing address does not necessarily mean the business is within the City limits. Fill out the appropriate applications and contact the Commissioner of Revenue's Office for additional information at (757) 220-6150.
Q. How do I apply for Food Stamps and what are the maximum income levels?
A. You may obtain an application at the Department of Human Services or one may be mailed to you. You may bring it in, mail it back, or fax it back (fax # 220-6113). We encourage you to complete the application as quickly as possible. The date of the application determines the processing time and the allocation amount for the first month’s food stamp allotment. Based on established criteria, you may be eligible for expedited processing (which means you will receive food stamps within seven (7) days). All applications will be processed within 30-days.
Food Stamps Program Income Guidelines:
| Household Size | Allotment Amount | Maximum Gross Limit | Maximum Net Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $141 | $973 | $749 |
| 2 | 259 | 1,313 | 1,010 |
| 3 | 371 | 1,654 | 1,272 |
| 4 | 471 | 1,994 | 1,534 |
| 5 | 560 | 2,334 | 1,795 |
| 6 | 672 | 2,674 | 2,057 |
Q. How do I inquire about Emergency Assistance?
A. Emergency assistance is a one-time crisis assistance program for City of Williamsburg residents. Emergency financial assistance and/or coordination and referral to appropriate service agency is provided based on the situation. Determination for financial assistance is based on established eligibility criteria to include a budget analysis. Residents may call the Department of Human Services to inquire about the application process. Once the application package is completed the individual will then meet with a social worker to help determine the best possible plan of action for the emergency situation.
Q. How do I apply for Social Security Benefits and/or Medicare?
A. To apply for Social Security Benefits and/or Medicare, an individual must go through the Social Security Administration office located in Newport News , VA :
11706 Jefferson Avenue
Newport News , VA 23606
1-800-772-1213
Q. How do I report suspected child abuse or elder abuse?
A. During normal work hours ( 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM , Monday - Friday) you may report abuse by calling our main number (757) 220-6161 and asking to speak with a social worker regarding suspected abuse.
After hours or on the weekends you may call the state abuse hotlines:
Child Abuse Hotline – 1-800-552-7096
Adult Abuse Hotline – 1-800-832-3852
Q. How do I set up trash services?
A. Contact the Public Works Department at 220-6140 and provide the following information:
- Name
- Address
- Phone number
- Location of trashcan
Residents must provide their own trash container within a 40 gallon limit. Trash days are twice a week according to address so please call office for designated days. Containers can be placed curbside or rear/side yard for pick up.
Q. How do I obtain a recycling bin?
A. Contact the Public Works Department at 220-6140 and provide the following information:
- Name
- Address
- Phone number
Recycling is picked up every Wednesday. Bins must be placed curbside before 7:00 am . Items accepted: glass, metal and aluminum cans, plastic bottles and jugs with a neck, newspapers & inserts, magazines, junk mail, flattened corrugated cardboard, cereal boxes and paper grocery bags.
Q. How do I purchase a plot in Cedar Grove Cemetery?
A. Only residents that physically reside in the City are allowed to purchase. Please call the Public Works Department at 220-6140. Choose from the following increments:
- 1 grave - $350.00
- 1/3 Lot (2 graves) - $700.00
- 1/2 Lot (3 graves) - $1,050.00
- Full Lot (6 graves)- $2,000.00
A signed Certificate of Location must be signed and payment received at the time of sale.
Q. How do I report an "out of order" streetlight?
A. Please call the Public Works Department at 220-6140. The City will contact Dominion Virginia Power for repair. Please provide the following information:
- Name
- Phone number
- Streetlight address
- Pole number, if possible
Q. How do I report a pot hole in the street?
A. Contact the Public Works Department at 220-6140. We will need the location of the pot hole to dispatch personnel. Please give your name and number for a returned call.
Q. How do I obtain information about the Williamsburg Community Building at 401 Boundary Street?
A. Information and forms may be found on the Community Building page.
Q. How do I register for a recreation program or activity?
A. Registration for all programs or activities offered by the Williamsburg Recreation can be processed in person at the Quarterpath Recreation Center during the regular operating hours.
On-Line registration is available for youth basketball, softball and volleyball leagues during the dates of open registration for each respective sport. (link)
Registrations may be taken by telephone, (757) 259-3760, if paying with MasterCard or VISA.
Forms of payment include cash, check, MasterCard or VISA.
Q. How do I find current standings for adult league sports?
A. Check out the League Standings page.
Q. How do I find adult or youth league sports schedules?
A. Check out the Recreation Schedules page.
Q. How do I buy a fishing or hunting license?
A. Call Waller Mill Park – 757-259-3778 for details. Licenses are not available for purchase at the park.
Q. How do I rent a room at the Quarterpath Recreation Center ?
A. Rooms can be rented by calling 757-259-3760. For information, check out the Quarterpath Rental page.
Q. How do I find information on swimming?
A. Call 757-259-3760 or check out the Quarterpath Park information.
Q. How can I receive information relating to Parks and Recreation?
A. There are two methods of receiving current information relating to parks and recreation programs, activities, and facilities.
Mailing List - Call 757-259-3760 to have your name and address added to the quarterly published newsletter, Leisure Times, or access the Leisure Times (PDF) online.
E-Mail Announcements - sign-up to receive emails from the recreation department announcing special events, reminders of deadlines, sports schedules and standings, etc. Subscribe to our Recreation Announcement Mailing List – and follow the instructions.
Q. How do I get a marriage license?
A. The Clerk of Circuit Court Office, (757) 564-2242, located at the Williamsburg-James City Courthouse is responsible for issuing marrage licenses.
Q. How do I apply for a grant for arts funding?
A. Please visit the Williamsburg Area Arts Commision web page for grant information and forms.
Q. How do I find a cultural event in the greater Williamsburg area?
A. Visit the Williamsburg Area Arts Commission calendar.