Freedom of Information Act

Under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act  (FOIA) the public has the right to attend the meetings of public bodies, with some exceptions for closed sessions. Virginia law does not limit access to a specific category of people or to specific professions. The right to attend does not include the right to participate or comment.

The Virginia FOIA,  often referred to as the open meetings law or Sunshine Law, requires that a meeting of three or more members of a public body discussing public business must provide notice before holding the session. The notice shall be posted at least three working days prior to the meeting.

School Boards

Williamsburg-James City County School Board

Attend or watch WJCC School Board Meetings and School Board Work Sessions:

1. In person
   • Regular meetings held on the 3rd Tuesdays of each month at 6:30 pm at James Blair Middle School.
   • Work sessions held on the 1st Tuesday of the month at 4:30 pm at Central Office: Rm. 300, 117 Ironbound Road, Williamsburg
   • More info at:  https://wjccschools.org/about-wjcc/leadership/school-board/meetings
     
2. Live broadcast on WJCC Schools website  or individual school websites
3. Live broadcast and on-demand on WJCC Schools YouTube channel
4. More info at: https://wjccschools.org
   

York County School Board

Attend or watch York County School Board Meetings and School Board Work Sessions:

1. In-person
   • Regular meetings held on the 4th Monday of the month at 7 pm at York Hall, 301 Main Street, Yorktown
   • Work sessions held on the 2nd Monday of the month at 6 pm at York Hall, 301 Main Street, Yorktown
     
2. Live broadcast on YCSD-TV (Cox Cable channel 47 and Verizon channel 39)
3. Live broadcast on and on-demand on York County School Board YouTube Channel
4. More info at:  https://yorkcountyschools.org
   

City of Williamsburg Government

Attend/View City Government Meetings

See the full list of all City meetings with links to agendas, minutes, and (when available) video recordings at https://williamsburg.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingTypeList.aspx

Online/Video: City Council and City Planning Commission

View City Council Meetings, City Council Work Sessions, and Planning Commission Meetings at:

• live stream on City’s website at https://williamsburg.civicweb.net/portal/
• Live stream and rebroadcast on WMSBG TV 48 (COX). See schedule at https://www.williamsburgva.gov/284/WMSBG-TV-48
• Live stream on City's Facebook page
• Live stream and on demand on City's YouTube channel.

Meeting Dates: City Council and City Planning Commission

1. City Council Meetings
   • In-person: 2 pm on the 2nd Thursday of the month at Stryker Center, 412 N. Boundary Street, Williamsburg
   • Broadcast live at 2 pm on the 2nd Thursday of the month.
   • Cable replay at 8 pm Thursday, 10 am Friday, and 8 pm Saturday and Sunday.
2. City Council Work Sessions
   • In-person: 4 pm  on the Monday before City Council Meeting at Stryker Center, 412 N. Boundary Street, Williamsburg
   • Broadcast live at 4 pm on the Monday before City Council Meeting.
   • Cable replay 10 am Tuesday and 10 am Saturday and Sunday.
3. City Planning Commission Meetings
   • In-person: 3:30 pm  on the Wednesday after Council at Stryker Center, 412 N.
   • Broadcast live at 3:30 pm on the Wednesday after Council.
   • Cable replay 8 pm Wednesday, 10 am Thursday, 10 am on Saturday and Sunday, 8 pm Saturday and Sunday.

Meeting Dates: City Electoral Board

"The Office of the Electoral Board and General Registrar is committed to providing each citizen of the City of Williamsburg with the opportunity to exercise his or her right to vote in an efficient and equitable manner in accordance with the Constitutions of the United States and the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Code of Virginia." -- City website.

• Meetings:  1st Wednesday of every month  at  1 pm at  Municipal Building, 401 Lafayette Street,  Williamsburg, VA 23185
• More info at: https://www.williamsburgva.gov/339/Electoral-Board

James City County Government

Attend/View County Government Meetings

Attend or watch County government meetings of the James City County Board of Supervisors, the Planning Commission, the Chesapeake Bay Board, and the Wetlands Board.
See full list of County boards, commissions, and agencies for more information.

Online/Video: Board of Supervisors Meetings and Planning Commission Meetings

Watch online Board of Supervisors Regular meetings, Board of Supervisors Work sessions, and Planning Commission meetings at:

• Live stream on County’s website at  https://jamescitycountyva.gov/220/Live-Stream
• Live stream and rebroadcast on Cox Cable Channel 48/88.
• On demand on County's website
  
• Live stream and on demand on County's YouTube page

Meeting Dates: Board of Supervisors Meetings and Planning Commission Meetings

• Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting.
  • Monthly in-person: 5 pm on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 101 Mounts Bay Rd, Building F, Williamsburg
  • More info at:  https://www.jamescitycountyva.gov/212/Board-of-Supervisors
• Board of Supervisors Business Meeting.
  • Monthly in-person: 1 pm on the 4th Tuesday of the month at at 101 Mounts Bay Rd, Building F, Williamsburg
• Planning Commission Meetings.
  • Monthly in-person: 6 pm on the 1st Wednesday of the month at 101 Mounts Bay Rd, Building F, Williamsburg.
  • More info at: https://jamescitycountyva.gov/213/Planning-Commission.
    

Meeting Dates: County Electoral Board

• Meetings:  2nd Tuesday of the month  at  10 am at  4095 Ironbound Road,  Williamsburg
• Meetings can be rescheduled if agenda is sparse or conflicts arise
  
• More info at: https://www.jamescitycountyva.gov/1072/Electoral-Board

York County Government

Attend/View County Government Meetings

View York County government meetings online/video at:

1. WYCG-TV- Cox Cable ch. 46 / Verizon ch. 38, is the York County Government channel Carries live telecasts and replays of all Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission meetings.
2. YCSD-TV- Cox Cable ch. 47/Verizon ch. 39, is the York County School Division channel. Carries live the York County School Board meetings.
3. 24/7 Announcement Channel- Cox ch. 48/Verizon ch. 40, airs event and program information from around the County.
   

Board of Supervisors Meeting Dates

• Monthly in-person: 6 pm on the 1st (work session) and 3rd Tuesday (regular meeting) of the month at York Hall, 301 Main Street, East Room, Yorktown

Planning Commission Meeting Dates

• Monthly in-person: 7 pm on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at York Hall, 301 Main Street, East Room, Yorktown

Meeting Dates: York County Electoral Board

• The York County Electoral Board does not have a yearly schedule of meetings. The meetings are announced on the York County website when  scheduled by the Board.
• The public can sign up to get an email announcing when meetings will be held.  For requests to be placed on that list,  email registrar@yorkcounty.gov with the following information: name, address, zip code, daytime telephone number, email address, if available, and organization, if any.
  

Page last updated 7/6/2023. If you see problems or inaccuracies, Contact Us