City of Williamsburg, VA Tax Rates

The City of Williamsburg's real estate tax rate was $0.620 per $100 of assessed value for tax year 2025, per the Virginia DOT Local Tax Rates Survey - the lowest rate in the Historic Triangle cluster, lower than both James City County and York County. The general personal property tax rate was $3.500 per $100 (personal use vehicle rate may differ). The combined sales tax rate is 7.0% - the Historic Triangle rate shared with James City County and York County. Williamsburg is an independent city, separate from James City County despite being geographically surrounded by it. Verify current adopted rates with the City of Williamsburg before making financial decisions.

Key Takeaways

  • Real estate tax rate: $0.620 per $100 of assessed value (tax year 2025 per Virginia DOT Local Tax Rates Survey) - the lowest rate among the three Historic Triangle jurisdictions. Verify the current adopted rate with the City of Williamsburg.
  • Vehicle personal property tax rate: $3.500 per $100 (general personal property rate, TY2025 per DOT survey). The Virginia DOT notes that vehicles may be classified as a separate class and taxed at a different rate. Confirm the current personal use vehicle rate with the Williamsburg Commissioner of the Revenue.
  • PPTRA state relief applies to qualifying personal use vehicles on the first $20,000 of assessed value. The annual relief percentage is set by the city and changes each year. Contact the City of Williamsburg Commissioner of the Revenue for the current-year rate.
  • Sales tax: 7.0%, the Historic Triangle rate (4.3% state + 1.0% local + 0.7% Hampton Roads transportation + 1.0% Historic Triangle additional levy). This is the highest sales tax tier in Virginia, shared with James City County and York County. Qualifying groceries: 1.0%.
  • Quarterpath CDA district levy: properties within the Quarterpath Community Development Authority district are subject to an additional real estate levy of $0.878 per $100 (per DOT TY2025 Table 5, City District Levies), on top of the $0.620 base rate. Not all Williamsburg properties are in this district. Contact the City of Williamsburg to confirm whether your property is in the Quarterpath CDA district.
  • Property and vehicle tax due dates: verify current dates with the City of Williamsburg. Due dates vary by locality in Virginia.
  • The City of Williamsburg is a fully independent jurisdiction from James City County. Properties inside city limits are taxed at Williamsburg rates, not James City County rates, even though the city is geographically surrounded by the county.

City of Williamsburg Tax Rates - At a Glance

City of Williamsburg Current Tax Rates Summary
Tax Type Rate Notes
Real Estate Tax $0.620 per $100 Tax year 2025 per Virginia DOT survey; assessed at 100% fair market value; verify current rate with City of Williamsburg
Quarterpath CDA District Levy (RE) +$0.878 per $100 Additional levy on real estate within the Quarterpath CDA district only (DOT TY2025 Table 5); not all properties are in this district; verify with City of Williamsburg
Vehicle Personal Property Tax $3.500 per $100 General personal property rate TY2025 per DOT survey; personal use vehicle rate may differ; PPTRA relief on first $20,000; verify current rate
Sales Tax 7.0% Historic Triangle rate; qualifying groceries 1.0%

Real Estate Tax

Rate and Assessment

The City of Williamsburg's real estate tax rate was $0.620 per $100 of assessed value for tax year 2025, as reported in the Virginia Department of Transportation Local Tax Rates Survey. This is the lowest rate among the three Historic Triangle jurisdictions - lower than York County ($0.780/$100) and James City County ($0.830/$100). The rate is set annually by Williamsburg City Council.

Williamsburg is one of Virginia's smallest independent cities, with a population of approximately 16,000. Home to the College of William & Mary, Colonial Williamsburg, and a major tourism industry, the city's tax base reflects its unique character as both a college town and a historic tourism destination. The city assesses real property at 100% of fair market value.

Verification note: Rates are from the Virginia DOT Local Tax Rates Survey (tax year 2025). Verify the current adopted rate at williamsburgva.gov or by contacting the City of Williamsburg Commissioner of the Revenue before making financial decisions.

Williamsburg vs. James City County - A Common Point of Confusion

The City of Williamsburg is an independent city under Virginia law. Although it is geographically surrounded by James City County, it is a completely separate legal jurisdiction with its own elected officials, budget, and tax rates. If your property address is within the City of Williamsburg city limits, you pay Williamsburg's rates to the Williamsburg Treasurer - not James City County. If your property is in the surrounding area outside city limits, you pay James City County's rates. When in doubt, contact the appropriate Commissioner of the Revenue to confirm your jurisdiction.

Exemptions and Relief Programs

The City of Williamsburg offers real estate tax relief programs for qualifying senior citizens and disabled residents. Disabled veterans who are 100% service-connected disabled may qualify for a full real estate tax exemption on their primary residence under Code of Virginia § 58.1-3219.5. Contact the City of Williamsburg Commissioner of the Revenue for current eligibility thresholds and application procedures.

Special District Levy - Quarterpath Community Development Authority

The Virginia DOT Local Tax Rates Survey TY2025 (Table 5, City District Levies) shows an additional real estate levy of $0.878 per $100 for the Quarterpath Community Development Authority (CDA). This levy applies to real estate within the Quarterpath CDA district boundaries - it is an additional charge on top of the base city rate of $0.620/$100, not a replacement for it. Not all properties in Williamsburg are within this district. If your property is in the Quarterpath CDA district, the effective combined real estate rate would be approximately $1.498 per $100 ($0.620 base + $0.878 CDA levy). Contact the City of Williamsburg Commissioner of the Revenue or Treasurer to confirm whether your specific property is within the Quarterpath CDA district and subject to this additional levy.

Source: Virginia DOT Local Tax Rates Survey TY2025 (pdfplumber extraction, direct from source). Data last verified: April 2026.

Vehicle Personal Property Tax

Rate and Assessment Method

The City of Williamsburg's general personal property tax rate was $3.500 per $100 of assessed value for tax year 2025, as reported in the Virginia DOT Local Tax Rates Survey. Under Code of Virginia § 58.1-3503, localities assess vehicles using a recognized pricing guide (typically J.D. Power Clean Trade-In value) as of January 1 of the tax year.

Important note on rate classification: The Virginia DOT Local Tax Rates Survey reports the general tangible personal property rate. The DOT survey explicitly states that "certain items of property, including vehicles, may be considered separate classifications and may be taxed at a different tax rate." The current personal use vehicle rate in Williamsburg may differ from the $3.500 general rate. Contact the City of Williamsburg Commissioner of the Revenue to confirm the rate that applies to your vehicle.

PPTRA Relief

Virginia's Personal Property Tax Relief Act (PPTRA), Code of Virginia § 58.1-3524, provides partial state-funded relief on the first $20,000 of assessed value for qualifying personal use vehicles. Virginia distributes a fixed annual block grant of $950 million among all localities. The City of Williamsburg calculates its annual PPTRA relief percentage based on its share of that grant and the total qualifying vehicle assessed value in the city. This percentage changes each year.

PPTRA percentage pending official confirmation. Contact the City of Williamsburg Commissioner of the Revenue or visit williamsburgva.gov to confirm the current-year vehicle personal property tax rate and PPTRA relief percentage.

Rate source: Virginia DOT Local Tax Rates Survey TY2025 (pdfplumber extraction, direct from source).

Sales Tax

Rate and Composition

The combined sales tax rate in the City of Williamsburg is 7.0%. Williamsburg is in the Historic Triangle sales tax zone, which carries the highest combined sales tax rate in Virginia. The 7.0% rate includes both the 0.7% Hampton Roads regional transportation levy and an additional 1.0% Historic Triangle levy, stacked on top of the 5.3% statewide base rate. James City County and York County share this same 7.0% rate. The rate is higher than the 6.0% rate that applies in most of Hampton Roads.

City of Williamsburg Sales Tax Rate Breakdown
Component Rate
Virginia state rate 4.3%
Local rate 1.0%
Hampton Roads regional transportation levy 0.7%
Historic Triangle additional levy 1.0%
Combined rate 7.0%

Qualifying food and grocery items are subject to Virginia's reduced 1.0% state rate rather than the full 7.0% combined rate. Virginia localities do not set their own sales tax rates; the Historic Triangle rate is authorized by the Virginia General Assembly.

Source: Virginia Department of Taxation - Retail Sales and Use Tax (tax.virginia.gov)

Virginia Tax Tools

Virginia Car Tax Calculator

Estimate your annual vehicle personal property tax. Note: City of Williamsburg rates should be confirmed directly with the city before use.

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Virginia Property Tax Calculator

Estimate your City of Williamsburg annual real estate tax based on assessed value.

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Virginia Sales Tax Calculator

Estimate sales tax on purchases in City of Williamsburg at the 7.0% Historic Triangle rate.

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Historic Triangle Jurisdictions

The City of Williamsburg is geographically surrounded by James City County. York County lies to the east. All three share the 7.0% Historic Triangle sales tax rate.

For statewide context and a complete list of Virginia jurisdictions, see Virginia County Tax Rates.

Official Sources

  • City of Williamsburg - Official Website
    Official source for City of Williamsburg real estate tax rates, vehicle personal property tax rates, PPTRA relief percentages, assessment methods, and payment schedules.
    williamsburgva.gov
  • Virginia DOT Local Tax Rates Survey TY2025
    Official statewide survey of real estate and personal property tax rates for all Virginia localities, compiled annually by the Virginia Department of Transportation.
    tax.virginia.gov/local-tax-rates
  • Virginia Department of Taxation - Retail Sales and Use Tax
    Official source for Virginia sales tax rates by region, including the Hampton Roads transportation district rate and Historic Triangle levy.
    tax.virginia.gov/retail-sales-and-use-tax
  • Code of Virginia § 58.1-3524 - Personal Property Tax Relief Act (PPTRA)
    Statutory authority for Virginia's vehicle personal property tax relief program.
    law.lis.virginia.gov - PPTRA statutory reference
  • Code of Virginia § 58.1-3503 - Assessment of Personal Property
    Statutory authority for vehicle assessment methodology in Virginia.
    law.lis.virginia.gov - § 58.1-3503

Tax rates are sourced from the Virginia DOT Local Tax Rates Survey (tax year 2025) and the Virginia Department of Taxation. Rates change annually - verify current figures with the City of Williamsburg before making financial decisions. Data last verified: April 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the City of Williamsburg property tax rate?

The City of Williamsburg's real estate tax rate was $0.620 per $100 of assessed value for tax year 2025 per the Virginia DOT Local Tax Rates Survey - the lowest rate in the Historic Triangle cluster. The rate is set annually by Williamsburg City Council. Verify the current adopted rate at williamsburgva.gov.

What is the City of Williamsburg vehicle personal property tax rate?

The City of Williamsburg's general personal property rate was $3.500 per $100 of assessed value for tax year 2025 per the Virginia DOT survey. The personal use vehicle rate may differ because Virginia localities can classify vehicles as a separate property class with a different rate. PPTRA state relief applies to qualifying personal use vehicles on the first $20,000 of assessed value. Contact the City of Williamsburg Commissioner of the Revenue to confirm the current vehicle rate and PPTRA percentage.

What is the sales tax rate in the City of Williamsburg, VA?

The combined sales tax rate in the City of Williamsburg is 7.0%: 4.3% Virginia state rate + 1.0% local rate + 0.7% Hampton Roads regional transportation levy + 1.0% Historic Triangle additional levy. Williamsburg is in the Historic Triangle sales tax zone, the highest combined sales tax tier in Virginia, along with James City County and York County. Qualifying food and grocery items are subject to the reduced 1.0% Virginia state rate.

Is the City of Williamsburg the same as James City County for tax purposes?

No. The City of Williamsburg is a separate independent city with its own tax rates and officials. Although geographically surrounded by James City County, properties within Williamsburg city limits are taxed at Williamsburg's rates ($0.620/$100 real estate for TY2025) - not James City County's rates ($0.830/$100 for TY2025). Contact the appropriate Commissioner of the Revenue to confirm which jurisdiction applies to your property.

How does the City of Williamsburg compare to James City County and York County on property taxes?

Based on tax year 2025 rates from the Virginia DOT survey: City of Williamsburg $0.620 per $100, York County $0.780 per $100, James City County $0.830 per $100. Williamsburg has the lowest real estate tax rate among the three Historic Triangle jurisdictions. All three share the 7.0% Historic Triangle sales tax rate. All figures are TY2025 general nominal rates - verify current adopted rates with each jurisdiction's Commissioner of the Revenue.