Latest News

Accepting applications for vacant Ward 4 seat on Council

Dec 06, 2021

We wish the circumstances requiring this announcement were different, but City Code requires vacant seats on Council to be filled within 30 days, and Councilor McKiernan would want future decisions to be made with the city adequately represented.

So, if you live in the Fourth Ward and are interested in serving on Council (interim appointment), please submit an application and resume by 5 pm on 12/12/21 (link below). The successful candidate will be interviewed prior to and appointed at the Council meeting on December 14, 2021. Interim term ends 12/31/22.

Meet our new Zoning Administrator

Oct 20, 2021

Please join us in welcoming Alfredo Gutierrez Velasquez as the City’s new Zoning Administrator. Alfredo most recently worked with the Town of Front Royal as their GIS Coordinator/Planner. Before that he was the System Analyst for the City of Harrisonburg, VA.

“I love Winchester,” Alfredo said during an interview. “This is home, and I can’t imagine being anywhere else. I’m excited for this opportunity and to be a part of the City of Winchester team.”

Trick-or-Treating 2021

Oct 20, 2021

The City of Winchester government does not regulate, schedule or cancel trick-or-treating activities for Halloween each year. In the past, the Winchester Police Department has made a recommendation for the date and times for safety purposes, but when trick-or-treating occurs in the city is up to individual neighborhoods and families.


Fire Safety Tips

The National Fire Protection Association recommends the following Halloween fire safety tips:

City's AAA bond rating reaffirmed for sixth time

Oct 18, 2021

S&P Global Ratings has affirmed the AAA rating on the City of Winchester’s General Obligation Debt. The S&P AAA rating was first assigned on October 7, 2013 and this is the sixth time the rating has been reaffired. The City of Winchester is one of only twelve cities in Virginia to maintain the prestigious AAA S&P General Obligation rating. 

Public input sought for two proposed projects

Oct 06, 2021

Two City projects, currently approved in the five-year Capital Improvement Plan, are ready for public input prior to further Council discussion. Initial public feedback is currently being accepted via online surveys and Public Services staff are available to meet with anyone who’d like a more in-depth conversation about the projects prior to providing their feedback (Tuesday mornings or Thursday afternoons). Click here to request a meeting. Deadline to provide feedback is November 19, 2021.

As Fire Prevention Week™ approaches, the Winchester Fire and Rescue Department reminds residents to Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety™

Oct 04, 2021

The Winchester Fire and Rescue Department (WFRD) is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) - the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week for more than 90 years - to promote this year’s Fire Prevention WeekTM campaign, Learn the Sounds of Fire SafetyTM. This year’s campaign, which runs October 3-9, works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe.   

Donation option offered for unwanted trash cans

Sep 29, 2021

Now that the roll-off cart distribution has been completed city-wide, we encourage our customers to reuse their old cans for other purposes (i.e., yard waste or recycling collection, make a rain barrel or composting bin, etc.). However, if they prefer to get rid of their old cans or want to donate them, we are offering two curbside disposal options on the following designated days.