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1. How do I find my contractor’s and/or tradesman’s license information?

Ask your contractor/tradesman to see his license before contracting work with anyone. Also, the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) is a source to verify licenses in Virginia.

2. How do I find my Parcel/Tax ID number?

Wise County Commissioner of the Revenue’s website contains your parcel information.

3. How much will my permit cost?

Example Permit Costs:

• Permits for residential site-built structures are $0.10 per square foot but you will also need a plumbing, electrical, mechanical and zoning permit. That can be $200 to $400 and above. Call the office for more accurate estimate of fees.
• Singlewide manufactured home permits are $76.50 in a mobile home park or $101.50 on private property.
• Doublewide manufactured home permit are $153 in a mobile home park or $178 on private property.
• Solar/photovoltaic permits are $51 for rooftop applications and $76.50 for ground applications. See the Solar Checklist and Fees page for a solar permit checklist.

4. What information do I need to bring with me or attach to apply for a permit?

• You will need your certificate to operate for a newly installed sewage disposal system. 
• You will need a safe, adequate, and proper (SAP) evaluation by the Wise County Health Department for existing sewage disposal systems.
• If you are applying for a manufactured home permit (singlewide or doublewide) you will need to have the make, year model, serial number, who you are purchasing from and information for who will move the home, who is wiring the home and who will install your heat pump.  
• If you are site building; you will need your contractor’s and tradesman’s (electrician, plumber, heater pump installer) address, phone number and license number. You will also need dimensions of the structure or addition being built, number of bathrooms, size of electrical service (new and temporary), number of heat pumps, fireplaces, gas logs and the square footage of the area/site you are disturbing/moving dirt. 

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1. What is the 4 pm Law?

The 4 pm Law is a ban (or restriction) on open air burning before 4 pm if your fire is within 300 feet of the woods or dry grass which can carry the fire to the woods. You are allowed to burn between 4 pm and midnight as long as you take proper care and precaution and attend your fire at all times.

2. When is the 4 pm Law in effect?

The law goes into effect on February 15th each year and runs through April 30th.

3. Why is there a 4 pm Law?

The 4 pm Law was adopted during the 1940s to reduce the number of wildfires which occurred each spring. During this time of the year, Virginia traditionally has an increased number of fires. During the winter months, winds are usually elevated, the relative humidity is lower and the fuels on the forest floor are extremely dry, having "cured" without having the tree leaves to shade them.

4. Why 4 pm?

After 4 pm, winds usually calm down and the relative humidity levels are on the increase, both of which reduce the potential for a debris fire or any outdoor open air fire to escape your control.

5. What is the main cause of wildfires in Virginia?

Debris burning is the number one cause of wildfires, closely followed by intentionally set or "arson" fires.

6. How many wildfires burn in Virginia each year and how many acres are burned?

Virginia has records which date back to 1925, and our 30 year average is 1,449 fires for 8,338 acres per year. 1941 saw the most fires with 3,697, and 1930 had the most acreage burned at 333,023 acres.

7. Can I have a campfire if I put rocks around it?

No. Campfires are considered an open air fire. A recreational fire such as a campfire may be approved if it meets all the following: the fire is completely contained within a ring of rocks, cinderblocks, metal ring or similar device and also covered by a ¼ inch or smaller metal screen. A fire built in a pit with a similar metal screen may also be approved.

In all cases the fire must be attended at all times and an extra precaution should be taken by clearing a 20 foot area around the "fire" from all flammable material. Ready access to water, rake and shovel should also be provided for. Fires built in commercially available chimineas or fire pits are not considered to be open air fires and therefore legal if they are complete and in good condition to prevent the spread of fire to surrounding areas.

You should check with local authorities and/or the VA Department of Forestry if you have any concerns or questions.

8. If I take all precautions with my fire after 4 pm and it does escape and start a fire, am I responsible for the suppression cost?

Yes. Although you may have taken all proper precautions and obtained any locally required permits, whoever started the fire is responsible should the fire escape.

9. What is the penalty for violating the 4 pm Law?

Violation of the 4 pm Law is a Class 3 misdemeanor with a fine of not more than $500.

10. Can I use my charcoal or gas fire barbeque grill?

Yes. However, you must take proper care and precaution by clearing all flammable material from around it and you must stay with it until it is completely extinguished or turned off.

11. Are building contractors and road construction jobs exempt from the 4 pm Law?

No. However, if the burning operations are greater than 300 feet from the woods or flammable grass/vegetation which would allow the fire to spread to the woods the 4 pm Law does not apply.

12. Why are some people allowed to have open air fires before 4 pm when they are within 300 feet of the woods?

The 4 pm Law provides for some exceptions to the regulations. Vineyards and orchard owners are allowed to set fires in an attempt to protect their crops from damaging frost. Virginia Certified Prescribed Burn Managers who have applied for and were granted an exemption are allowed to use a prescribed fire under specific and pre-approved conditions for very specific resource management objectives. These management objectives are:

• Control of exotic and invasive plant species that cannot be accomplished at other times of the year.
• Establishment and maintenance of wildlife habitat that cannot be accomplished at other times of the year.
• Necessary management of natural heritage resources.

13. Can I use a fire pit when the 4 pm Law is in effect?

Yes, if certain precautions are taken to cover and contain the fire. The 4 pm. Law applies to open-air burning, which means any outdoor fire that is not covered and/or contained within non-flammable barriers.

For example, a typical campfire is considered an open-air fire. However, an open-air fire may be acceptable if it meets all the following criteria: it is completely contained within a ring of rocks, cinderblocks, metal ring, or a similar device and is covered by a ¼ inch or smaller metal screen. If these criteria are met, the fire still must be attended at all times, and all flammable material should be cleared from a 20 foot area around the fire. Campers must also have ready access to water, rake and shovel.

Fires built in commercially available chimineas or fire pits are not considered open-air fires and are therefore legal, if they are in good condition to prevent the spread of fire to surrounding areas. Check with local authorities and/or the VA Department of Forestry for any concerns or questions.

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1. Why is a General Reassessment required?

A general reassessment is mandated by state law every four years in counties  (Code of Virginia § 58.1-3252).   The last reassessment went into effect on January 1, 2018.  Values for this reassessment will be effective January 1, 2022.

2. Isn't it true that my assessed value should be less than what my property would actually sell for?

We are required by Virginia State Law to assess property at 100% of fair market value.  (Code of Virginia: § 58.1-3201)  Fair market value is considered to be the most likely price that someone would pay for a given piece of property on the open market, when there are no special circumstances to be considered.

3. Why would my assessed value change if I haven’t made any changes to my property?

The cost of building a home and the prices citizens are paying to buy property in Wise County will impact the value of all local real estate. Our office has no control over whether values go up or down, but we are required by State Law to reflect all market fluctuations in our assessed values.  This can happen even when there has been no change to a subject property.

4. How can I be sure the assessors are qualified to value my property?

Our staff is made up of local assessors who have almost 50 years of combined experience assessing property in Wise County.  Our chief property assessor is certified by the Virginia Department of Taxation to oversee and complete this general reassessment.   All three of our assessors are certified with Master designations through the Weldon Cooper Center of the University of Virginia.   Our assessors have completed training courses in all accepted methods of appraisal and ethical practices.

5. Isn't it true that you reassess so you can raise taxes?

The purpose of a general reassessment is not to raise taxes.   The fundamental purpose of a reassessment is to make sure values are accurate and that they have been assessed uniformly and equitably.   The Wise County Assessment Office never takes any deficit or surplus in the county's finances into consideration when determining fair market value.  Our office has no control over the county tax rate, collection policies, or the local sales ratio.  All questions or concerns about the tax rate should be addressed to your representative on the Board of Supervisors

6. I have heard there are programs in place to assist veterans, the disabled, or senior citizens in paying their taxes. How can I know if I qualify?

If you are permanently & totally disabled or if you are over the age of 65, you may qualify to have a portion of your tax bill reduced.  In order to receive an exemption, you must own the home as of January 1^st of the calendar year and it must be your primary residence.    In addition, your total household income cannot exceed $42,000 and your assets cannot exceed $85,000 (the value of your home is not included in this total).   

If you are a veteran (or surviving spouse of a veteran) who has a 100% service-connected disability through the Veterans Administration, you may also qualify for an exemption.  Applications can be found on our webpage:  www.wisecounty.org/227/Forms-Applications

7. Why did my property change at a different rate than the County average?

Market trends dictate that properties in a certain section of Wise County may increase at a different rate than properties in another area of the county.  The county increase or decrease is an average that reflects the difference in total value over the last reassessment cycle, but does not necessarily reflect each individual and unique property.   One property value changing at a different rate than the county-wide average is not unusual, nor is it grounds for an appeal by itself.