Contact Us

Richmond City Council

Richmond City Hall
900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305
Richmond, Virginia
23219 U.S.A.
804.646.2778 (tel)
804.646.5468 (fax)
@richmondcitycouncilvirginiaUSA (facebook)

About Richmond City Council

The foundation of Richmond's self-governance is established via our national and state constitutions and our local government "constitution" is established in the powers granted it by the Virginia General Assembly, as enumerated in the Richmond City Charter. The Richmond City Charter establishes the governmental framework of Richmond’s Government.

Richmond’s chosen form of local government is a Council-Mayor form of government, which establishes Richmond City Council as the governing institution of city government and a Mayor is elected to oversee a Chief Administrative Officer in the delivery of day-to-day government operations.

In Richmond's Council-Mayor form of government, the city is divided into nine citizen geo-demographic voter districts. These districts are used to elect members of the Richmond City Council, Richmond City Public Schools Board of Trustees and a Mayor At-Large. These Richmond Voting Districts include the: Richmond West End 1st Voter District, Richmond North Central 2nd Voter District, Richmond Northside 3rd Voter District, Richmond Southwest 4th Voter District, Richmond Central 5th Voter District, Richmond Gateway 6th Voter District, Richmond East End 7th Voter District, Richmond Southside 8th Voter District, and Richmond South Central 9th Voter District.

Nine persons are thusly elected among nine individual Richmond Voting Districts to represent residents as members of Richmond City Council, which is responsible for creating and amending local laws, providing policy and government oversight, appointing members to boards and commissions, and approving the annual Richmond Government Budget. In 2008 the term of a Councilmember increased from two to four years.

Richmond City Council elects from among its members one person to serve as Council President and one to serve as Vice President. These positions are elected to serve for two-year terms. The Council President is responsible for providing overall Richmond City Council direction; leading Council meetings; serving as the senior representative of Council on behalf of Council action; and, working with the Administration.

In delivery of its official duties, Richmond City Council holds, an average, about a dozen official public meetings a month to discuss, deliberate, and act on laws and policy on behalf of Richmond residents. These meetings include: Council Formal Meetings, Council Informal Meetings, Council Standing Committee Meetings; and, Council Budget Meetings, Special Meeting, Public Hearings and Council Special Events that are held on an as-needed basis.

 

Richmond City Council Public Information and Engagement

Richmond residents are invited and encouraged to be involved and engaged in our local government.

Councilmember Contact

Richmond residents are invited and encouraged to share their thoughts, ideas, and suggestions regarding local laws, government policy and oversight, the Richmond Government Budget, etc. directly with the individual Councilmember representing them for their Richmond Voter District. Please find the following helpful links:

  • Councilmember Contacts Webpage
    Contact the to individual members of Richmond City Council

  • Find your Richmond Voter District
    Identify the Richmond Voter District you live in using the Richmond Real Estate Property Search Database. Click on the "Search by Property Address" tab. Once you’ve entered your address, use the Govt. tab to identify your Voter Districts

 

Richmond City Council Meetings

Formal, Informal, Standing Committee, Budget, & Special Meetings
  • Richmond City Council Meetings are open to the public for in-person participation: The public also has the option to access the meetings via Microsoft Teams, by using the link or phone number provided on a meeting agenda. Please note that meeting agendas are subject to updates and may be revised.  Please check the most current meeting agenda for information.
  • Meeting Information: Please find the schedule, agendas, and meeting information for Richmond City Council Formal, Informal, Standing Committee, Budget, and Special Meetings, at: https://richmondva.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
  • Live Video and Audio Streaming: Please find the following live video stream link for Council Formal Meetings and live audio stream of Richmond City Council Informal, Standing Committee and Special Meetings: https://richmondva.legistar.com

 

Council Meeting Broadcasts, Streams, and Archives

Council Schedule
Please find the following schedules, agendas, and meeting information for Richmond City Council Formal, Informal, Standing Committee, Budget, and Special Meetings: https://richmondva.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
 

Council Meeting Live TV Broadcasts
Richmond City Council Formal Meetings air live on TV on local PBS station WCVW the night of the meeting: Over-the-Air channel 57.1; Comcast/Verizon FIOS channel 24; DirecTV/DishTV channel 57.
 

Council Live Audio/Video Stream
The live video stream link for Richmond City Council Formal Meetings and the live audio stream of Richmond City Council Informal, Standing Committee, and Special Meetings is: richmondva.legistar.com

NOTE: If using Google Chrome as your browser, you may need to adjust settings, as per the following instructions:
Chrome >Settings > Show Advanced Settings > Content Settings > Flash > Allow Sites to Run Flash
 

Council TV Video Replay
The most recent Richmond City Council Formal Meeting is typically replayed twice daily for two weeks on Richmond Government Access TV Cable Channel 17 in Richmond; beginning at Noon and 7:00 p.m.
 

Council Meeting Archive (Audio/Video)
Video of Richmond City Council Formal meetings and audio of Council Informal, Standing Committee, Budget, and Special Meetings - are digitally archived for streaming replay, at: https://richmondva.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

 

Additional Council Information

Council Website
Please visit the Richmond City Council homepage for more information regarding Council.
 

Council Facebook
Please visit and like the Richmond City Council Facebook page, at:
@RichmondCityCouncilVirginiaUSA (Facebook)
 

Richmond City Council Overview
Richmond City Council is the official governing legislative institution of Richmond, Virginia and represent residents in creating and amending local laws, providing government policy and oversight, and establishing an annual Richmond Government Budget.

 

Richmond City Council Meetings

Please find the following schedule, agendas, and meeting information for Richmond City Council Formal, Informal, Standing Committee, Budget, and Special Meetings: https://richmondva.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
Please find the following live video stream link for Council Formal Meetings and live audio stream of Richmond City Council Informal, Standing Committee and Special Meetings: 
richmondva.legistar.com

Schedule

Schedule of upcoming meetings: https://richmondva.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

Live TV

Richmond City Council Formal Meetings air live on TV on local PBS station WCVW the night of the meeting: Over-the-Air channel 57.1; Comcast/Verizon FIOS channel 24; DirecTV/DishTV channel 57.

Live Video/Audio Stream

The live video stream link for Richmond City Council Formal Meetings and the live audio stream of Richmond City Council Informal, Standing Committee, and Special Meetings is: richmondva.legistar.com (NOTE: If using Google Chrome as your browser, you may need to adjust settings, as per the following instructions: Chrome > Settings > Show Advanced Settings > Content Settings > Flash > Allow Sites to Run Flash)

TV Video Replay

The most recent Richmond City Council Formal Meeting is typically replayed twice daily for two weeks on Richmond Government Access TV Cable Channel 17 in Richmond; beginning at Noon and 7:00 p.m.

Video/Audio Archive

Video of Richmond City Council Formal meetings and audio of Council Informal, Standing Committee, Budget, and Special Meetings - are digitally archived for streaming replay, at: https://richmondva.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

Council Live!

Please find the following schedule, agendas, and meeting information for Richmond City Council Formal, Informal, Standing Committee, Budget, and Special Meetings: https://richmondva.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

Please find the following live video stream link for Council Formal Meetings and live audio stream of Richmond City Council Informal, Standing Committee and Special Meetings: richmondva.legistar.com (Helpful Note: If using Google Chrome as your browser, you may need to adjust settings, as per the following instructions: Chrome > Settings > Show Advanced Settings > Content Settings > Flash > Allow Sites to Run Flash).

Richmond City Council Formal Meetings air live on TV on local PBS station WCVW the night of the meeting - Over-the-Air channel 57.1; Comcast/Verizon FIOS channel 24; DirecTV/DishTV channel 57.

The most recent Richmond City Council Formal Meeting is typically replayed twice daily, beginning at Noon and 7:00 p.m., on Richmond Government Access TV Cable Channel 17.

Richmond City Council’s mission is to represent Richmond residents in creating and amending local laws, providing government policy and oversight, and approving the annual Richmond Government Budget.

Some of the many compelling and competing matters it deliberates include the provision, management, and delivery of such things as clean, safe water; streets, sidewalks, parks, laws and law enforcement, firefighting, emergency services/rescue; and, trash and sewage removal.

Richmond City Council Standing Committees

A Richmond City Council Standing Committee structure was established in 2004 to help increase its efficiency. This process mirrors the state and federal process in which proposed legislation is sent to a committee for in-depth discussion and review.

   Richmond City Council Standing Committees represent six general government areas and include Finance and Economic Development; Health, Human Services and Education; Land Use, Housing and Transportation; Governmental Operations; Organizational Development; and, Public Safety. The Council President reviews all proposed legislation and assigns it to a Council Standing Committee according to subject matter.

   Richmond City Council Standing Committees are comprised of three Council members and an alternate who hold public Committee meetings once a month. After the Standing Committee completes its review, it sends its recommendation to a Council meeting. Recommendations could include approval; rejection; continuance; referral; striking (removal of the legislation), or no recommendation.

Richmond City Council Standing Committee Descriptions, Members, and Meeting Times

 

In 2004, Richmond changed its local government to a Council-Mayor form of government. The new government began work in 2005. Establishing Richmond City Council as the Governing Body of Richmond, the change (from a Council-Manager to a Council-Mayor form) separated the management of Richmond government into two separate entities. Now, the legislative governing function of government is separate from the day-to-day management of public government services and Richmond has a newly formed Legislative Governing Body (Richmond City Council) and Executive management of government services (Chief Administrative Officer/At-Large Mayor).

   While the change to a new government system did not alter service delivery, it resulted in the creation of a totally new separate legislative branch of government. In the old Council-Manager form of government, which had been in place for about 50 years, Councilmembers elected a Mayor from among its members and Richmond operated as a single entity. Under the new Council-Mayor form, Richmond City Council provides the legislative role as the governing body of Richmond and a Mayor elected at-large oversees the day-to-day government operations through a Chief Administrative Officer.

   A Mayor is elected "at-large" by Richmond voters and must win a majority of votes in five of the nine Richmond Voter Districts. The duties of the Mayor include the ceremonial support; proposing a draft Richmond City Government Fiscal Plan Budget for Richmond City Council to use in establishing an annual Richmond Government Budget; recommending an appointment for a Richmond Chief Administrative Officer for the consent of Council); and, supervising the Richmond Chief Administrative Officer in the delivery day-to-day administration/oversight of government service services. The separate at-large Mayor serves a four-year term and can be re-elected one subsequent consecutive term.

Mission
The mission of Richmond City Council is to represent citizens in creating and amending local laws, providing government policy and oversight, and approving the city budget.

Vision
Richmond City Council is committed to creating a vibrant community that is great place to live, work, learn, play, visit, and raise a family.

Richmond City Council appoints and provides oversight of six offices in the delivery of its duties. These Council offices include:

 

For more information about the organization and structure of the city's government, please see the Richmond Government Organizational Chart.

Richmond City Council uses ordinances and resolutions in order to affect local government operations and laws. The definitions of these legislative instruments are as follows:
 

Richmond City Council Ordinance
An ordinance has the effect of local law in the City of Richmond. The Richmond City Charter requires that certain actions of the Council be only by ordinance.Richmond City Council Ordinances are collected (codified) in the Richmond Code of Laws. Richmond City Charter §4.13. Adoption of an ordinance requires the affirmative votes of at least five members of the Council. Richmond City Charter §4.07. The Council may not vote on an ordinance until at least seven days after its introduction. Richmond City Charter §4.10. Unlike some other localities, an ordinance is not signed by the presiding officer. Instead, after adoption, a true copy of each ordinance is attested by the Clerk and maintained in the Office of the City Clerk. See Richmond City Charter §4.13. Ordinances are reviewed as to form and legality by the City Attorney prior to introduction.

Richmond City Council Resolution
A resolution is an action by Richmond City Council that generally does not have the effect of law. A resolution generally expresses Council's will, intent or policy on a particular matter. Also, Richmond City Council generally appoints individuals to serve on authorities, boards and commissions and creates some ad hoc boards, commissions and committees by the adoption of a resolution. Richmond City Council Rules of Procedure V(C). Adoption of an ordinance requires the affirmative votes of at least five members of Council. Richmond City Charter §4.07. Unlike an ordinance, Council may adopt a resolution on an expedited basis at the same time it is introduced. Richmond City Council Rules of Procedure V(B). Unlike some other localities, a resolution is not signed by the presiding officer. Instead, as with ordinances, a true copy of each adopted resolution is attested by the City (Council) Clerk and maintained in the Richmond City Council Office of the City Clerk. Resolutions are reviewed as to form and legality by the Richmond City Attorney prior to introduction.

As Richmond Residents, we pool our resources in order to own and operate our local government and decide what public services we want to invest in; the priority (investment levels) for these services; and, how we pay for them. Examples of our services include the management, oversight and delivery of such things as clean/safe water; streets/parks; laws; firefighting/rescue; trash/sewage removal; police/courts; public transportation; and, our children’s education. Together, we own, operate, use and benefit from these services on a daily basis.

   Funding for our services and enforcement of laws comes from state, local and federal sources, including fees and taxes. In order to set the investments levels we want for these services, Richmond City Council establishes an official annual Richmond Government Budget (In practice this is a biennial (2-yr.) fiscal plan is established that is further amended in its second year.) in May of each year for the upcoming Fiscal Year and establishes a Richmond Real Estate Tax Rate to help pay for some of it (estimated 15 percent).

   The Richmond Government Budget is based on a Fiscal Year that runs July 1 to June 30 annually and the City operates on a two-year fiscal plan (Budget) that includes the Richmond General Fund, Richmond Capital Improvement Plan, Richmond Special Funds, Richmond Enterprise Funds, Richmond Internal Service Funds, the City Government contribution to Richmond Public Schools; and, additional state funds, federal funds, and other funds provided to Richmond Public Schools.

   The Richmond Government Budget is typically amended every year. Thus, every year a proposed (draft) Richmond Government Budget (Fiscal Plan) is submitted to Richmond City Council by the Mayor, who is responsible for administering local government services. Richmond City Council then reviews, analyzes, amends and establishes a new official Richmond Government Budget based on the priorities of residents.

   Richmond City Council budget deliberations begin each August and intensify the following year and include more than two dozen public meetings, hearings and work sessions from August through May.

   At the conclusion of the deliberations, Richmond City Council votes to officially establish an official Richmond Government Budget for an upcoming Fiscal Year (FY), which runs from July 1 to June 30 annually. The Official Richmond Government Budget takes the form of laws, which are approved by Council as Ordinances which it votes on in May of each year. The Budget is typically amended every year and can also be amended throughout the year.

Richmond Real Estate FAQS

Richmond Proposed Real Estate Reassessment Value - Quick FAQS Sheet

https://www.rva.gov/media/30676

 

What is a Real Estate Assessment?

          The Virginia Constitution requires that local real estate be taxed, using procedures provided by the

          Virginia Code of Laws.

          To help ensure fairness, Virginia Law requires localities to assess/reassess (evaluate and calculate) the

          fair market value of each real estate parcel within its boundaries to establish its worth.

 

What is a Proposed Assessment?

Each year, the Richmond Office of Assessor of Real Estate follows state law and, using defined national  standards, carefully assesses/reassesses the fair market value of real estate, which includes land and

permanent structures (like a home or building, or improvements) in our city to ensure the assessment/reassessment accurately reflects any increases or decreases in value from year to year.

The Richmond Office of Assessor of Real Estate scrutinizes preliminary real estate value assessments through a series of quality control measures to help ensure accuracy.

 

What does a Proposed Assessment mean to me?

As part of this process, when reassessments are being finalized - those real estate owners whose new/reassessed proposed value reflects a change (up higher or down lower) from the previous year are mailed a Richmond Real Estate Proposed Notice of General Reassessment letter from the Richmond

Office of Assessor of Real Estate to let them know what the new proposed reassessed real estate value

is estimated to be for the upcoming year. The Notice/Letter is mailed to the property owner’s last known address (normally scheduled to start being mailed out beginning September 1).

 

NEXT STEPS

If an owner disagrees with a proposed reassessed real estate value, they can appeal and ask for it to

be re-evaluated by completing and submitting a Richmond Real Estate Proposed Reassessment Value - Office Review Application Form to the Richmond Office of Assessor of Real Estate, typically by October 2. (Check with Richmond Office of Assessor of Real Estate for date.)

The Form is available from the Richmond Office of Assessor of Real Estate: Richmond City Hall, 900 E. Broad St., Rm. 802, Richmond, VA 23219 and/or: https://www.rva.gov/assessor-real-estate/forms.

Richmond Real Estate Values undergo final reviews for accuracy and

any revisions or updates are made by December 31.

New Richmond Real Estate Value Assessments are set Jan. 1 each yr.

Richmond Real Estate Tax Rates & Bills

  • The Richmond Office of Assessor of Real Estate does not establish real estate tax rates or send tax bills. 
  • Richmond Real Estate Tax Rates are established  by Richmond City Council.
  • Richmond Real Estate Tax Bills are prepared by and sent from the Richmond Department of Finance.
  • Tax bill questions: 804.646.5700 (tel) or finance@rva.gov (email)

 

Please Contact

For more information and/or to learn more about or discuss a real estate assessment/reassessment, please contact the:

Richmond City Council

Richmond Office of Assessor of Real Estate

Richmond City Hall - 900 East Broad Street, Suite 802

Richmond, Virginia 23219 - 804.646.7500 (tel)

www.rva.gov/assessor-real-estate (website)

 

 

Richmond City Council recognizes exceptional individuals and non-profit organizations who, by demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others and help to make Richmond an even better place to live, work, learn, play, visit, and raise a family.

Critical to the foundation of our citizen-run government, each year Richmond City Council regularly establishes and/or appoints members to serve on local and regional government and non-government boards, commissions, committees and task forces, which range from advisory to policy to governing. Richmond City Council makes appointments throughout the year as vacancies occur and new entities are created. There are an average of about 50 entities Richmond City Council appoints members. Most appointed positions are volunteer/non-paid.

   Local and regional government and non-government boards, commissions, committees and task forces provide important additional intellectual assistance on behalf of subjects and undertakings that help shape the quality of our lives, neighborhoods and community. Membership and service on these entities offers and provides individuals with additional opportunities to participate with and learn more about local and regional government and other non-government entities. Service on an entity enables individuals to use their education, experience, skills and abilities on behalf of their community and all interested individuals are invited and encouraged to apply to serve.

   Each entity has individual membership terms that range from a few months for project-oriented ones to a few years for more long-term ones. Subject to an individual entity’s governing, incumbents may also be considered for reappointment at the conclusion of their terms and generally may serve up to two successive full terms unless otherwise prohibited. (Note: It is also possible for a person to be appointed to serve to fill a remainder of a partial unexpired term then be appointed to serve subsequent successive terms. Also, unless otherwise specified, service on an entity also may be longer if a new appointment has not been made and an incumbent is willing to continue service until that time.

   The amount of time commitments vary from entity to entity and could range from a few to 20 or more hours a month. Meeting times, dates, locations and frequency are scheduled as required.

   Oversight of appointments to Boards, Commissions and Task Forces is provided by one of the six Richmond City Council Standing Committees that an entity is assigned to, which is assisted by a Richmond City Council Boards and Commissions Administrator.
 


Help play an active role in Richmond governance!

Richmond City Council Boards and Commissions Vacancies

Would you like to help play an active role in your governance of your city? 

Consider applying for appointment to one of more than 50 boards and commissions to which Richmond City Council makes appointments.