Enforcement
Community Enhancement enforcement code and license inspectors enforce codes and ordinances that promote clean, attractive and safe neighborhoods and businesses. Zoning and code compliance help promote the health, safety and general welfare of Chesterfield County residents by designating the types of buildings, businesses and activities that are acceptable in specific zoning districts.
Submit a Concern
There are many misconceptions about codes and code violations. If you’re uncertain about codes, code violations or code enforcement, ask questions before you act to save time, money and effort. If you observe a violation, you may contact Community Enhancement at 804-748-1500 or submit a concern or complaint online using the Enterprise Land Management (ELM) citizen access portal. View the online submittal guide (PDF).
Common concerns submitted through the ELM portal include:
- Animal concerns, including dogs
- Fence concerns
- Property maintenance
- Tall grass and weeds
- Trash and discarded materials
- Unlicensed business
- Unlicensed or inoperable vehicles
Roads or Transportation Concerns
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) maintains most roads in the county. This includes, but is not limited to: grass in the public roads; removal of items from the road; road, sidewalk or bike path repairs; signs, signals or guardrail repair or installation; and snow removal. Please contact VDOT directly regarding any of these issues.
Business License Enforcement
Most businesses operating in Chesterfield County are required to obtain a business license, which is issued by the Commissioner of the Revenue. If it appears that a is business operating without a valid business license, they may receive a notice or citation.
Comply with Notice or Citation
To comply with the notice or citation, you must obtain the proper business license.. If you have questions about completing the forms or calculating the assessed fee, please email the Commissioner of the Revenue. Please be aware that to obtain a business license, in addition to any license fees, you must also pay all business tangible personal property taxes before the before the business license can be issued.
If you have questions about the notice or citation, contact the issuing inspector by calling the number on the document or email the License Inspector.
Notification Requirements Regarding Business Closures
Business owners are required to notify the Commissioner of the Revenue and the License Inspector in writing that they are no longer operating. They must provide the date the business ceased operation and the gross receipts for the business in its last year of operation.
Vehicle Enforcement
County Vehicle Registration
In accordance with county code section 13.60, all vehicles principally housed, parked or garaged in Chesterfield must obtain a Chesterfield County vehicle registration. Prior to 2006, Chesterfield issued vehicle decals (often called the county sticker) that were placed on windshields next to state inspection stickers. While Chesterfield County no longer issues a decal, the registration is still required.
Please note that the county registration is not a state registration and is not associated with your state license plates.
Vehicle registrations are due for any vehicle 90 days after it enters the county. Registrations must be renewed and personal property taxes paid every year by June 5. Failure to obtain the registration is a violation of the county code and is punishable as a class four misdemeanor.
To register your vehicle for the purposes of personal property taxes, contact the Commissioner of the Revenue. Personal property taxes can be paid in a variety of ways to the Treasurer.
Citation, Notice or Summons Compliance
Yellow Citations and Blue Notices
To comply with a yellow citation or blue notice, you must obtain a Chesterfield County vehicle registration. Once your personal property tax bill is paid, the citation or notice will be in compliance. You do not need to provide a receipt of the transaction to the license inspector.
Summons
If you have received a summons for a vehicle registration, you can avoid a court appearance by obtaining the proper county registration and presenting evidence of this to the license inspector within the time frame indicated on the summons.
If you paid your tax bill using the Treasurer’s telephone or online payment options, you will receive a confirmation number at the completion of the transaction. You may contact the license inspector via email, by phone at 804-748-1229 or by fax at 804-796-9695. You must provide your name, vehicle information and the confirmation number.
The license inspector will then verify that the registration has been issued by the Chesterfield County Treasurer. If you would like a compliance form for your records, please request that from your license inspector.