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Board adds supervisors as an authority to declare unsafe buildings
Summary
The board voted to amend Chapter 4 (Building Regulations) to permit the Board of Supervisors, in addition to fire and building officials, to declare a structure unsafe for habitation; adoption will be implemented with administrative procedures and case‑by‑case review.
James City County’s Board of Supervisors adopted an amendment to Chapter 4 of the county code Nov. 18 to add the Board of Supervisors as one of three entities authorized to declare a structure unsafe for habitation or in need of repair.
County Attorney Adam Kinsman explained the change aligns the county code with the Virginia Code, giving the board an additional avenue to address structures that may not meet the technical thresholds in building or fire codes but nonetheless present community or stewardship concerns. Kinsman said the board would exercise the authority through a resolution and supporting evidence and that staff would develop procedures for reporting and investigation.
Board discussion noted that the decision would be case‑specific: staff or the building official would continue to investigate and make technical determinations under the USBC (Uniform Statewide Building Code). The ordinance was adopted by roll call after the public hearing was opened and closed with no speakers.
Supervisor questions focused on who initiates investigations and how the board would receive recommendations; Kinsman and staff said the county administrator and building official would be involved and that formal procedures would be drafted to operationalize the authority.
The ordinance expands local tools for property stewardship but does not change the building or fire code standards themselves.
