CITY COUNCIL BOARD VACANCIES
  •  All applicants must live and/or have a principal place of employment within the City of Richmond, unless otherwise specified.

  • An asterisk (*) next to a vacancy indicates an absolute vacancy, which means that the seat is vacant or a member eligible for reappointment is not interested in an additional term. 

  •  If you would prefer to download an application and submit it via email, mail or fax, click here

  •  Questions about vacancies and/or qualifications? Contact CityClerksOffice@rva.gov

ADVISORY BOARD OF RECREATION AND PARKS

1 – A resident of the 4th Council District (current member is eligible for reappointment)
1 – A resident of the 7th Council District 
1 – A resident of the 8th Council District 
1 – A staff person of the City’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities

AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND SUPERVISORY BOARD

No Council-appointed vacancies

AGING AND DISABILITIES ADVISORY BOARD

1 – A resident who is a caregiver of a person with a disability (vacancy to be considered at EHS meeting)

AUDIT COMMITTEE

No vacancies

BOARD OF FIRE APPEALS

2 – Persons who are qualified by experience and training to rule on matters pertaining to building construction and fire prevention

CAPITAL AREA ALCOHOL SAFETY ACTION PROGRAM (ASAP) POLICY ADVISORY BOARD

3 – Persons who reside or have a principal place of employment within the city (2 current members are eligible for reappointment)

CAPITAL AREA PARTNERSHIP UPLIFTING PEOPLE, INC.

2 – Persons who reside within the city

CENTRAL VIRGINIA WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY

1 – An alternate member who resides or has a principal place of employment within the city

CITY PERSONNEL BOARD

No Vacancies

CITY PLANNING COMMISSION

2 – A qualified voter holding no office of profit under the city government (1 member eligible for reappointment)

CLEAN CITY COMMISSION

1 – A person who resides or has a principal place of employment in the 1st Council District
1 – A person who resides or has a principal place of employment in the 3rd Council District
1 – A person who resides or has a principal place of employment in the 6th Council District
1 – A person who resides or has a principal place of employment in the 7th Council District
4 – At-large corporate or community representatives who reside or have a principal place of employment in the city (1 member is eligible for reappointment)

COMMISSION OF ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW

1 – Nominee made by the Historic Richmond Foundation
2 – Persons who are a citizen at large of the city 
1 – Representative of Richmond Chapter of the American Institute of Architects

COMMUNITY CRIMINAL JUSTICE BOARD

1 – A local educator 
2 – Persons who are citizens at large of the city (recommendations provided by the CCJB's Nomination Committee)
1 – A Judge of the Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court 
1 – A Judge of the Circuit Court

COMMUNITY POLICY AND MANAGEMENT TEAM

1 – A representative of a private organization located within the city that serves children and families in the city

COMMUNITY TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE (MPO)

1 – An alternate member who resides or has a principal place of employment within the city

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

1 – A person who resides within the city

ETHICS REFORM COMMISSION

5 – Persons who reside or have a principal place of employment within the city 

FUTURE OF WORKFORCE COMMISSION

10 – Persons who are representatives from the school division administered by the School Board of the City of Richmond, the School Board of the City of Richmond, City Council, administrative departments of the City, J. Sargent Reynolds Community College, Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce, Richmond Regional Planning District Commission, the Greater Richmond Transit Company, a private partnership developer, and corporations having a headquarters or place of business in the city (6 of the 10 vacancies to be considered at EHS meeting)

HISTORY AND CULTURE COMMISSION

4 – Persons who reside or have a principal place of employment within the city with expertise in one or more fields, including, but not limited to, architecture, archaeology, history, art, culture, and economic development 

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

1 – A student of Richmond Public Schools (vacancy to be considered at EHS meeting)
2 – Persons who reside in the city

REYNOLDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD

2 – Persons who reside or have a principal place of employment within the city from various businesses, industries and professions being served by the community college

LEWIS GINTER BOTANICAL GARDEN, INC.

1 – Members of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Inc., in good standing

MAGGIE L. WALKER INITIATIVE CITIZENS ADVISORY BOARD

1 – A person who resides in the city
1 – A college or university representative with poverty expertise (current member is eligible for reappointment)

MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE AND EMERGING SMALL BUSINESS ADVISORY BOARD

1 – A representative of a minority business enterprise who resides or have a principal place of employment within the city

PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING STEERING COMMISSION

2 – Non-voting alternate members being persons who reside in the city 
1 – A person who resides in a Council district located south of the James River 
1 – A person who is a city resident with a disability

PLANRVA (RICHMOND REGIONAL PLANNING DISTRICT COMMISSION)

1 – An alternate member being a qualified voter of the city (current member is eligible for reappointment)
1 – A qualified voter of the city

PUBLIC UTILITIES AND SERVICES COMMISSION

8 – Persons who reside in the city who are commercial or residential public utilities customers or the authorized representatives of such commercial or residential public utilities customers

RICHMOND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AUTHORITY

3 –Persons who is a family member of an individual who is receiving or has received services, or an individual who is receiving or has received services (1 of the 3 vacancies to be considered at EHS meeting)
1 – A person who resides or has a principal place of employment within the city (vacancy to be considered at EHS meeting)

RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD

4 – Qualified voters of the city

RICHMOND REDEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING AUTHORITY

1 – A person who resides or has a principal place of employment within the city 
1 – Tenant representatives of the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority 

RICHMOND RETIREMENT SYSTEM

1 – Person who resides or has a principal place of employment within the city 

SAFE AND HEALTHY STREETS

1 – A qualified voter of the city who holds no office of profit with the city 

SISTER CITIES COMMISSION

2 – Persons who reside or have a principal place of employment within the city

SOCIAL SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD

4 – Persons who reside in the city 

URBAN DESIGN COMMITTEE

1 – A person who resides or has a principal place of employment within the city
1 – A registered architect who resides or has a principal place of employment within the city
1 – A registered professional engineer who resides or has a principal place of employment within the city

URBAN FORESTRY COMMISSION

1 – A resident of the city who is a registered certified landscape architect
1 – A certified arborist who resides or has a principal place of employment within the city
4 – Persons who reside in the city

Contact Us
Phone

City Clerk
900 E. Broad St., Suite 200
Richmond, VA
23219 USA

Fax: (804)646-7736

 

Hours

Monday-Friday

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 

 

BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

Richmond City Council appoints members to 50+ boards and commissions, which are made up of local and regional government/non-government boards, commissions, committees, and task forces.  Each focuses on different topics and responsibilities such as advising Council, creating policy or governing.

Would you like to actively take part in creating a vibrant community that is a great place to live, work and play?

Review the list of vacancies for opportunities to serve your community as a member of a board or commission.

The application deadline is March 15, 2024.

Step 1: review vacancies on the drop down menu to the left if you are on a computer and underneath the contact us box if you are using a mobile device. Submit your application, blue square with an image of a letter. This button links to a pdf application or the application portal.Image of a phone on a blue square, wait for the Clerk to call or email you regarding your appointmentTake your oath if selected for appointment and begin to serve the city!

HISTORY AND CULTURE COMMISSION

Richmond City Council is now accepting applications for four (4) Council-appointed seats on the History and Culture Commission.  All members of the Commission should be city residents that reflect the diversity of the city and represent a range of expertise in one or more fields, including, but not limited to architecture, archaeology, history, art culture and economic development.  Apply nowApplications will be accepted until all seats are filled.

Richmond City Council boards and commissions encompass local and regional government/non-government boards, commissions, committees and task forces. Each body focuses on differing topics and responsibilities such as advising Council, creating policy, or governing.

Per Richmond City Code § 2-773:

Each board or commission shall be classified according to its respective level of authority as follows:

Advisory: A board or commission is classified as "advisory" if its purpose is to provide advice and comment to the Council, the Mayor or any City agency.

Policy: A board or commission is classified as "policy" if its purpose is to promulgate public policies or regulations, adjudicate regulatory or statutory violations or make decisions binding on City agencies or members of the public, whether or not such decisions are subject to appeal.

Supervisory: A board or commission is classified as "supervisory" if its purpose is to be responsible for agency operations, including approving requests for appropriations, appointing an agency director who is subordinate to the board or commission and ensuring that the agency complies with all statutory directives and directives of the board or commission.

Additional information regarding boards and commissions may be found within the Richmond City Code at the following link: https://library.municode.com/va/richmond/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeI…;

 

Additional information about a particular board or commission may be found on the boards and commissions application portal link below: https://apps.richmondgov.com/applications/boardscommissions/index.aspx

The boards and commissions website provides information regarding:

  • Members
  • Terms
  • Vacancies
  • Meetings
  • Board composition (applicant requirements)
  • Obligations
  • The application process
  • Upcoming vacancies
  • Online and .pdf applications

*Vacancies are also posted to the City Clerk's announcements webpage and to the City Clerk's blog. 

Upcoming vacancies are posted under the drop-down buttons to the left (Computer) or below the "Contact Us" (mobile phone/tablet), the Clerk's application portal, and to the Clerk’s announcements webpage. 

All applicants must live and/or work in the City of Richmond, unless otherwise specified. 

Unsure if you live in the city? Click here to use the City Assessor's property search tool to verify your address. A tutorial is available on the Clerk's citizen's guide webpage.

For more information regarding individual board and/or commission membership requirements, visit the Clerk's application portal linked below, or review where a vacancy is in the process to the left (computer) or by scrolling down below (mobile phone/tablet): https://apps.richmondgov.com/applications/boardscommissions/index.aspx

  1. Select a board or commission of interest from the provided list and click “View Details” on the right side of the screen. 
  2. Underneath the header “Composition” you will find the requirements for members and applicants to the board or commission of interest.

Applicants will receive an e-mail confirmation upon receipt of their application(s) detailing which Richmond City Council Standing Committee will review the application for recommendation to Council. 

  • The confirmation will also indicate the tentative date, time and location of the standing committee meeting in which consideration of the application may take place.  
  • Applicants are not required to be present at such meeting; however, the committee could elect to conduct interviews or require the completion of a questionnaire for certain vacancies.  
  • Applicants are encouraged to verify standing committee meeting agendas and schedules prior to making plans to attend. Updated information may be found on the city's legislative website Legistar
  • Appointment recommendations by Richmond City Council Standing Committees are forwarded to City Council for final determination. 
  • City Council will vote on recommendations by a formal vote. 
  • Once an appointment decision is made by the Richmond City Council, applicants are advised of the decision via e-mail or mail. Applicants who are appointed will be provided information regarding their appointment term.
  • Applicants who were not selected for appointment or reappointment are also notified via e-mail.

Per Resolution No. 1993-R295-273, adopted October 11, 1993, no person is eligible to serve at any one time on more than two boards, commissions or committees appointed by the Council and no person serving on the Board of Zoning Appeals shall be eligible for appointment by the Council to serve on any other board, commission or committee, subject to certain exceptions. 

Please note that time commitments vary. Meeting times, dates, locations and frequency are scheduled as needed. Appointment terms may be project-oriented and exist for a few months or more long-term that may last for up to four years.

Incumbents will be contacted regarding interest in continued service prior to the end of their term via e-mail. 

  • The reappointment e-mail will include a copy of a reappointment application.
  • Incumbents are to submit reappointment applications by the date signified within the reappointment e-mail. 
  • The Clerk's office will send confirmation via e-mail once the reappointment application is received. 
  • From that point forward the reappointment process is the same as the appointment process indicated in the above FAQ.

Most appointments are volunteer/non-paid positions.

Applications submitted for positions for which there is no vacancy will remain on file for consideration for a period of six months pending an opening on the requested entity.

  1. An application for appointment or reappointment is completed by interested applicants and submitted to the Office of the City Clerk.
  2. The Office of the City Clerk distributes all applications to the appropriate Richmond City Council Standing Committee for review.
  3. After reviewing each application, the standing committee recommends the applicant deemed most appropriate for each particular position.
  4. Once the standing committees have made their recommendations of applicants, the Office of the City Clerk presents the recommendations in the form of a report, which is distributed to all Councilmembers in advance of a Richmond City Council Formal Meeting at which the appointments will be considered.
  5. At any time after the Office of the City Clerk has presented the recommendations of the standing committees to Richmond City Council, any Councilmember may make a motion to appoint any or all of the recommended applicants.
  6. Once Richmond City Council has adopted this motion to appoint, the applicants cited in the motion are deemed appointed.
  7. Appointees must take an oath of office, administered by a qualified member of the Office of the City Clerk, following appointment but prior to the next formal meeting of Richmond City Council. If an appointee fails to take the oath of office in this time frame, Council may reconsider the motion, reject that appointee, and appoint a replacement.

Richmond Code of Laws
Chapter 2 - Administration
ARTICLE V. - BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, COMMITTEES AND OTHER AGENCIES
Link to the Code of Laws

Questions  Contact the Office of the City Clerk.

On February 8, 2021, City Council adopted Ord. No. 2020-256, which established the Participatory Budgeting Steering Commission to formulate the standards and procedures applicable to the purpose of making recommendations to the Council, the Mayor, the Chief Administrative Officer, and the Department of Budget and Strategic Planning for the implementation of participatory budgeting for select City capital projects.

Composition

The Commission has one vacancy:

  • Person with a disability (1 vacancy)

Term of Office

Members shall serve for terms of two years and may serve up to two consecutive terms.

Apply

Click the image below to apply for the vacancy (if the application does not download click here to download Adobe Reader software), please submit all application materials to the Office of the City Clerk at cityclerksoffice@rva.gov

Image of the Richmond City Council Participatory Budgeting Steering Commission Application, click image to view .pdf

 Review current vacancies on the left-hand column

 

Click the link below to view vacancies on the boards and commissions website.

 

Click the link below to apply online.

 

Click the image below to download a .pdf application and submit it via email, mail or fax.

image of the boards and commissions appointment application form, click the image to view and download the applicaiton

The activities of boards and commissions are subject to public and press scrutiny per Commonwealth of Virginia open meeting regulations and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. 

Applicants who are selected to serve on certain city boards, commissions or entities will be required to complete a financial disclosure statement as a condition of serving on the board or commission. 

 

Richmond Code of Laws
Chapter 2 - Administration
ARTICLE V. - BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, COMMITTEES AND OTHER AGENCIES
Link to the Code of Laws

Questions  Contact the Office of the City Clerk.

Board, Commission, Similar Entity   2022 Annual Report
ADVISORY BOARD FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF TOWING FEES AND THE STORAGE OF VEHICLES
ADVISORY BOARD OF RECREATION AND PARKS
AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND SUPERVISORY BOARD  
AGING AND DISABILITIES ADVISORY BOARD
AUDIT COMMITTEE
BOARD OF BUILDING CODE APPEALS  
BOARD OF FIRE APPEALS  
CAPITAL AREA ALCOHOL SAFETY ACTION PROGRAM (ASAP) POLICY ADVISORY BOARD  
CAPITAL AREA PARTNERSHIP UPLIFTING PEOPLE, INC.  
CAPITAL REGION AIRPORT COMMISSION
CENTRAL VIRGINIA WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY  
CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMISSION ON ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION  
CITY PERSONNEL BOARD
CITY PLANNING COMMISSION  
CLEAN CITY COMMISSION  
COMMISSION OF ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW
COMMUNITY CRIMINAL JUSTICE BOARD  
COMMUNITY POLICY AND MANAGEMENT TEAM
COMMUNITY TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE (MPO)
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
ETHICS REFORM COMMISSION  
GREATER RICHMOND CONVENTION CENTER AUTHORITY  
GREATER RICHMOND PARTNERSHIP, INC.  

GREATER RICHMOND TRANSIT COMPANY

 
GREEN CITY COMMISSION
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION  
J. SARGEANT REYNOLDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD
LEWIS GINTER BOTANICAL GARDEN, INC.  
LOCAL FINANCE BOARD FOR OTHER POST-EMPLOYMENT (OPEB) TRUST  
MAGGIE L. WALKER COMMUNITY LAND TRUST - CITIZENS' ADVISORY PANEL  
MAGGIE L. WALKER INITIATIVE CITIZENS ADVISORY BOARD
MAYMONT FOUNDATION  
METROPOLITAN RICHMOND AIR QUALITY COMMITTEE  
MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE AND EMERGING SMALL BUSINESS ADVISORY BOARD
PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING STEERING COMMISSION
PLANRVA (RICHMOND REGIONAL PLANNING DISTRICT COMMISSION)  
RICHMOND AMBULANCE AUTHORITY
RICHMOND AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION (MPO)  
RICHMOND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AUTHORITY
RICHMOND METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (RMTA)  
RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD
RICHMOND REDEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING AUTHORITY
RICHMOND REGION TOURISM (RICHMOND METROPOLITAN CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU)  
RICHMOND RETIREMENT SYSTEM  
SAFE AND HEALTHY STREETS COMMISSION
SISTER CITIES COMMISSION  
SOCIAL SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD  
URBAN DESIGN COMMITTEE
URBAN FORESTRY COMMISSION  

Infographic detailing the boards and commissions process, the same information may be found in the FAQ tab in written form. Infographic detailing the boards and commissions process, the same information may be found in the FAQ tab in written form.

 

Last Updated 01/24/2024