City of Williamsburg Launches “Zoning Matters” Public Forum Series
By John Womeldorf, Mr. Williamsburg
The City of Williamsburg is launching a new educational series designed to help residents better understand how zoning regulations affect their homes, properties, and neighborhoods.
“Zoning Matters” will be a four-part series hosted by City of Williamsburg Zoning Administrator Heather Markle. The free public forums will be held on the first Wednesday of each month from September through December 2026.
Each session will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. in Room 128 of the Stryker Center, located at 412 N. Boundary Street in downtown Williamsburg.
The forums are free and open to the public.
Zoning Matters Schedule
September 2 — Housing and Occupancy
The opening forum will focus on housing and occupancy regulations. These rules can affect how a property may be used, who may occupy a residence, rental arrangements, and other residential matters.
October 7 — Tree Regulations
Williamsburg’s trees are an important part of the City’s appearance and historic character. However, homeowners may not always understand which trees are regulated or when approval may be required before removing or altering them.
This session will explain how the City’s tree regulations affect homeowners, neighborhoods, and future development.
November 4 — Signs and Signage
The November program will address the City’s rules for signs and signage. These regulations may affect businesses, organizations, special events, political signs, real estate signs, and certain signs placed on residential properties.
December 2 — Other Zoning Topics
The final session will address additional zoning matters and provide an opportunity to discuss questions that may not have been covered during the first three forums.
Each presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer period, allowing residents to ask City staff about the zoning issues that matter most to them.
“Zoning regulations affect everything from what you can build on your property to how trees and signs are managed in our community,” Markle said. “These evenings are designed to make that information accessible. I want residents to feel comfortable asking questions and to leave with a better understanding of how zoning works for them.”
This Series Applies Only to the City of Williamsburg
I want to emphasize an important distinction: Zoning Matters is being presented by the City of Williamsburg, and the information discussed during these forums applies specifically to properties located within the independent City of Williamsburg.
It does not automatically apply to every home or property with a Williamsburg, Virginia, mailing address.
As a Realtor who has worked throughout the Williamsburg area for more than 25 years, I frequently explain this distinction to people relocating here. When we talk about “Williamsburg,” we are usually referring to the much larger Greater Williamsburg area—not simply the relatively small geographic area within the City limits.
Greater Williamsburg includes three separate localities:
- The independent City of Williamsburg
- James City County
- Portions of York County
The majority of homes and residential properties carrying Williamsburg mailing addresses are actually located in James City County. Other Williamsburg-addressed properties are located in York County. Only a comparatively small portion of the Greater Williamsburg real estate market is physically located within the City of Williamsburg.
A Williamsburg mailing address does not determine which local government has jurisdiction over a property. Its physical location determines which zoning ordinance applies, which office issues permits, and which locality regulates matters such as setbacks, occupancy, accessory structures, home businesses, trees, signs, and land use.
For example, homeowners in Ford’s Colony, Kingsmill, Windsor Forest, Stonehouse, Seasons Trace, and many other familiar Williamsburg-area communities have Williamsburg mailing addresses but live in James City County. Several neighborhoods in upper York County also use Williamsburg mailing addresses while remaining subject to York County regulations.
That distinction can affect more than zoning. It can also determine a property’s tax rates, public schools, permitting requirements, utilities, and other local government services.
Contact the Correct Locality
Before relying on zoning information or beginning a property improvement, confirm whether the property is physically located in the City of Williamsburg, James City County, or York County.
- City of Williamsburg: Visit the City of Williamsburg Zoning Division or call 757-220-6131.
- James City County: Visit the James City County Zoning Division or call 757-253-6685.
- York County: Visit the York County Zoning Division.
Each locality maintains its own zoning ordinance, zoning map, application procedures, and administrative staff.
Before constructing an addition, installing a fence, building a garage or shed, converting part of a home, removing regulated trees, establishing a home-based business, or changing the use of a property, it is always wise to contact the appropriate locality.
Why Zoning Matters to Homeowners
Zoning is sometimes viewed as something that primarily affects developers and builders, but it can have a direct impact on homeowners and their property rights.
Local zoning regulations may determine:
- What may be built or added to a property
- How far a structure must be located from a property line
- Whether a home may be used as a rental
- How many people may occupy a residence
- Whether an accessory apartment is permitted
- Where a fence, garage, shed, or other structure may be placed
- Whether a home-based business is allowed
- Which trees may be removed
- The size, type, and placement of signs
- Whether a proposed use requires special approval
Learning about these requirements before beginning a project can help homeowners avoid unnecessary expenses, delays, and potential zoning violations.
For those who own property within the City of Williamsburg, the Zoning Matters series provides an excellent opportunity to learn how the City’s rules work and ask questions directly of the zoning administrator.
Event Details
Event: Zoning Matters public forum series
Dates: September 2, October 7, November 4, and December 2, 2026
Time: 6–7 p.m.
Location: Stryker Center, Room 128
Address: 412 N. Boundary Street, Williamsburg
Admission: Free and open to the public
For additional information, visit the City of Williamsburg Zoning Division.
About the Author
Every Home Has a Story.
I’m John Womeldorf, better known as Mr. Williamsburg. I’m a full-time Realtor® with Liz Moore & Associates, and I have spent more than 25 years helping clients buy and sell homes throughout Williamsburg and the surrounding area.
I serve buyers and sellers throughout the City of Williamsburg, James City County, York County, the Peninsula, Richmond, Virginia Beach, and the Northern Neck.
Whether you are considering a move, researching a Williamsburg-area neighborhood, or trying to understand which locality governs a particular property, I would be happy to help.
Contact John Womeldorf — Mr. Williamsburg
Call or text: 757-254-8136
Email: John@MrWilliamsburg.com
Website: MrWilliamsburg.com
Real estate search: Search Williamsburg-area homes
Brokerage: Liz Moore & Associates
Liz Moore & Associates offices: Williamsburg, Oyster Point/Newport News, Richmond/Short Pump, Kilmarnock, Virginia Beach, Northern Neck, and the Peninsula.
John Womeldorf | Mr. Williamsburg
Your Neighbor. Your Advocate.