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 FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF TOWING FEES AND THE STORAGE OF VEHICLES

1 – Police Department representative 
1 – Towing and recovery operators 

ADVISORY BOARD OF RECREATION AND PARKS

1 – A person who resides in the 9th Council District
1 – A Person who resides in the city 

 

 

AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND SUPERVISORY BOARD

No Council-appointed vacancies

AGING AND DISABILITIES ADVISORY BOARD

1 – An employee of the city 
1 – A person who reside within the city with a disability 

AUDIT COMMITTEE

1 – A lawyer admitted to the Virginia State Bar who resides or has a principal place of employment within the city (current member is eligible for reappointment)

BOARD OF FIRE APPEALS

Board is currently inactive

3 – 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

CENTRAL VIRGINIA WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY

3 –Alternate members who reside within the city

CITY PERSONNEL BOARD

2 – Persons who resides within the city

CIVILIAN REVIEW BOARD

4 – Persons who reside within the city who are not currently or previously held a position as a law enforcement officer; not have family or household members in a position of law enforcement; not be in pending litigation with the City of Richmond; and have a dedication to justice, fairness, and community engagement

CLEAN CITY COMMISSION

1 – A person who resides or has a principal place of employment in the 2nd Council District 
1 – A person who resides or has a principal place of employment in the 4th Council District (current member is eligible for reappointment)
1 – A person who resides or has a principal place of employment in the 5th Council District 
1 – A person who resides or has a principal place of employment in the 8th Council District (current member is eligible for reappointment)
1 – A person who resides or has a principal place of employment in the 8th Council District
1 – Director of Public Works or a designee

COMMISSION OF ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW

1 – A person who resides within the city 

COMMUNITY CRIMINAL JUSTICE BOARD

1 – A local educator who resides or has a principal place of employment within the city
2 – Persons who reside in the city (1 current member is eligible for reappointment)
1 – A person who resides or has a principal place of employment within the city
1 – The Public Defender or an attorney who is experienced in the defense of criminal matters who resides or has a principal place of employment within 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 resident of the city who is a member of the banking, lending or financial services community 

ETHICS REFORM COMMISSION

Not accepting applications

FUTURE OF WORKFORCE COMMISSION

1 – A representative 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

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

1 – A Richmond Public Schools student

LEWIS GINTER BOTANICAL GARDEN, INC.

1 – A member of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Inc. in good standing 

MAGGIE L. WALKER INITIATIVE CITIZENS ADVISORY BOARD

1 – A business owner or a representative of a business with a workforce with a majority of city residents 

PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING STEERING COMMISSION

2 – Persons who reside in a Council district located north of the James River (1 current member is eligible for reappointment)
1 – A person who resides in a Council district located south of the James River (current member is eligible for reappointment)
2 – Persons who reside in the city to serve as alternate non-voting members
1 – A person who resides in public housing located in the city
1 – A person who resides in the city with a disability

PUBLIC ART COMMISSION

No vacancies

 

PUBLIC UTILITIES AND SERVICES COMMISSION

No Council-appointed vacancies

RICHMOND AMBULANCE AUTHORITY

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

RICHMOND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AUTHORITY

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

RICHMOND RETIREMENT SYSTEM

1 – A City of Richmond employee who is a member of the classified service (current member is eligible for reappointment)

SOCIAL SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD

2 – Persons who reside within the city

SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCE COMMISSION (formerly GREEN CITY COMMISSION)

5 – Persons residing within the city who demonstrate expertise in sustainability or equitable climate action through professional or volunteer efforts, or experience, which may include policy expertise, technical skills, community outreach, organizing, advocacy, or other sustainability and climate related skills (4 members are eligible for reappointment)

URBAN DESIGN COMMITTEE

1 – Commission of Architectural Review representative

URBAN FORESTRY COMMISSION

No Council-appointed vacancies

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 June 15, 2025.

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!

 

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.

 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   2024 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 Not Active in 2024
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 Not Active in 2024
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 Not Active in 2024
GREATER RICHMOND CONVENTION CENTER AUTHORITY  
GREATER RICHMOND PARTNERSHIP, INC.

GREATER RICHMOND TRANSIT COMPANY

 
FUTURE OF WORKFORCE COMMISSION  
HISTORY AND CULTURE COMMISSION Not Active in 2024
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 Not Active in 2024
MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE AND EMERGING SMALL BUSINESS ADVISORY BOARD
PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING STEERING COMMISSION  
PLANRVA (RICHMOND REGIONAL PLANNING DISTRICT COMMISSION)  
PUBLIC UTILITIES AND SERVICES 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
SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCE COMMISSION (Green City Commission)
URBAN DESIGN COMMITTEE
URBAN FORESTRY COMMISSION Not Active in 2024

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 04/30/2025