Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-627 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle I / Chapter 6 / Article 3 / Section 15.2-627
Department of education
Status: in_force

The department of education shall consist of the county school board, the division superintendent of schools and the officers and employees thereof. Except as herein otherwise provided, the county school board and the division superintendent of schools shall exercise all the powers conferred and perform all the duties imposed upon them by general law. Except for the initial elected board which shall consist of five members, the county school board shall be composed of not less than three nor more than nine members; however, there shall be at least one school board member elected from each of the county's magisterial or election districts. The members shall be elected by popular vote from election districts coterminous with the election districts for the board of county supervisors. The exact number of members shall be determined by the board of county supervisors. Elections of school board members shall be held to coincide with the elections of members of the board of county supervisors at the regular general election in November. The terms of office for the county school board members shall be the same as the terms of the members of the board of county supervisors and shall commence on January 1 following their election.

A vacancy in the office of school board member shall be filled pursuant to §§ 24.2-226 and 24.2-228 .

In order to have their names placed on the ballot, all candidates shall be nominated only by petition as provided by general law pursuant to § 24.2-506 .

The county school board may also have a position of tie breaker for the purpose of casting the deciding vote in cases of tie votes of the school board as provided in § 22.1-75 . The position of tie breaker, if any, shall be held by a qualified voter who is a resident of the county and who shall be elected in the same manner and for the same length of term as the members of the school board and at a general election at which members of the school board are elected. A vacancy in the position of tie breaker shall be filled pursuant to §§ 24.2-226 and 24.2-228 .

The chairman of the county school board, for the purpose of appearing before the board of county supervisors, shall be considered head of this department, unless some other person in the department shall be designated by the school board for such purpose.

Code 1950, § 15-324; 1956, c. 153; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-644; 1980, c. 559; 1981, c. 246; 1982, cc. 32, 75; 1995, c. 8 ; 1996, c. 873 ; 1997, c. 587; 2014, c. 772 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-2108.7 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 21 / Article 1.1 / Section 15.2-2108.7
Public hearings on feasibility study; notice
Status: in_force

A. If the results of the feasibility study satisfy the revenue requirements of subsection D of § 15.2-2108.6 , the governing body shall, at the next regular meeting after the governing body receives the results of the feasibility study, schedule at least two public hearings to be held at least seven days apart, but both shall be held not more than 60 days from the date of the meeting at which the public hearings are scheduled. The purpose of such public hearings shall be to allow the feasibility consultant to present the results of the feasibility study, and to inform the public about the feasibility study results and offer the public the opportunity to ask questions of the feasibility consultant about the results of the feasibility study.

B. Except as provided in subsection C, the municipality shall publish notice of the public hearings required under subsection A three times in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality, with the first notice appearing no more than 35 days before and the third notice appearing no less than seven days before the first public hearing.

C. If there is no newspaper of general circulation in the municipality, for each 1,000 residents the municipality shall post at least one notice of the hearings in a conspicuous place within the municipality that is likely to give notice of the hearings to the greatest number of residents of the municipality. The municipality shall post the notices at least seven days before the first public hearing required under subsection A is held.

D. After holding the public hearings required by this section, if the governing body of the municipality elects to proceed, the municipality shall adopt by resolution the feasibility study.

2003, c. 677 ; 2023, cc. 506 , 507 ; 2024, cc. 225 , 242 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-5705 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 57 / Section 15.2-5705
Violation of rules and regulations
Status: in_force

Any violation of any such rule and regulation adopted pursuant to subdivision 18 of § 15.2-5704 shall constitute a Class 4 misdemeanor.

1977, c. 381, § 15.1-1232.1; 1997, c. 587 ; 2022, c. 255 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-732 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle I / Chapter 7 / Article 2 / Section 15.2-732
Peddlers; itinerant merchants
Status: in_force

A county may provide by ordinance for the regulation of sales of goods and services by peddlers or itinerant merchants on any public street or sidewalk.

1986, c. 179, § 15.1-687.10; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-2108.4 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 21 / Article 1.1 / Section 15.2-2108.4
Limitations on providing cable television services
Status: in_force

A. Except as provided in this article, a municipality shall not (i) provide a cable television service; or (ii) purchase, lease, construct, maintain, or operate any facility for the purpose of providing a cable television service to one or more subscribers.

B. For purposes of this article, a municipality provides a cable television service if the municipality provides the service:

1. Directly or indirectly, including through an authority or instrumentality acting on behalf of the municipality or acting for the benefit of the municipality; or

2. By itself, through a partnership, joint venture, or by contract, resale, or otherwise.

2003, c. 677 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-1800 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 18 / Article 1 / Section 15.2-1800
Purchase, sale, use, etc., of real property
Status: in_force

A. A locality may acquire by purchase, gift, devise, bequest, exchange, lease as lessee, or otherwise, title to, or any interests in, any real property, whether improved or unimproved, within its jurisdiction, for any public use. Acquisition of any interest in real property by condemnation is governed by Chapter 19 (§ 15.2-1901 et seq.). The acquisition of a leasehold or other interest in a telecommunications tower, owned by a nongovernmental source, for the operation of a locality's wireless radio communications systems shall be governed by this chapter.

B. Subject to any applicable requirements of Article VII, Section 9 of the Constitution, any locality may sell, at public or private sale, exchange, lease as lessor, mortgage, pledge, subordinate interest in or otherwise dispose of its real property, which includes the superjacent airspace (except airspace provided for in § 15.2-2030 ) which may be subdivided and conveyed separate from the subjacent land surface, provided that no such real property, whether improved or unimproved, shall be disposed of until the governing body has held a public hearing concerning such disposal. However, the holding of a public hearing shall not apply to (i) the leasing of real property to another public body, political subdivision or authority of the Commonwealth or (ii) conveyance of site development easements, or utility easements related to transportation projects, across public property, including, but not limited to, easements for ingress, egress, utilities, cable, telecommunications, storm water management, and other similar conveyances, that are consistent with the local capital improvement program, involving improvement of property owned by the locality. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the vacation of public interests in real property under the provisions of Articles 6 (§ 15.2-2240 et seq.) and 7 (§ 15.2-2280 et seq.) of Chapter 22.

C. A city or town may also acquire real property for a public use outside its boundaries; a county may acquire real property for a public use outside its boundaries when expressly authorized by law.

D. A locality may construct, insure, and equip buildings, structures and other improvements on real property owned or leased by it.

E. A locality may operate, maintain, and regulate the use of its real property or may contract with other persons to do so.

Notwithstanding any contrary provision of law, general or special, no locality providing access and opportunity to use its real property, whether improved or unimproved, may deny equal access or a fair opportunity to use such real property to, or otherwise discriminate against, the Boy Scouts of America or the Girl Scouts of the USA. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to require any locality to sponsor the Boy Scouts of America or the Girl Scouts of the USA, or to exempt any such groups from local policies governing access to and use of a locality's real property. The provisions of this paragraph applicable to a locality shall also apply equally to any local governmental entity, including a department, agency, or authority.

F. This section shall not be construed to deprive the resident judge or judges of the right to control the use of the courthouse.

G. "Public use" as used in this section shall have the same meaning as in § 1-219.1 .

Code 1950, § 15-692; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-262; 1968, c. 418; 1974, c. 282; 1977, c. 269; 1979, c. 431; 1980, cc. 212, 559; 1984, c. 241; 1986, cc. 477, 573; 1990, c. 813; 1997, c. 587 ; 1998, c. 696 ; 2005, c. 822 ; 2006, c. 57 ; 2007, cc. 882 , 901 , 926 ; 2017, c. 401 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-6621 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 66 / Section 15.2-6621
Agreement with Commonwealth and participating political subdivisions
Status: in_force

The Commonwealth and, by participating in the Authority, each participating political subdivision, pledge to and agree with the holders of any bonds issued by the Authority that neither the Commonwealth nor any participating political subdivision will limit or alter the rights hereunder vested in the Authority to fulfill the terms of any agreements made with said holders or in any way impair the rights and remedies of said holders until such bonds are fully met and discharged. The Authority is authorized to include this pledge and agreement in any contract with the holders of the Authority's bonds.

2002, c. 766 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-2220 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 22 / Article 2 / Section 15.2-2220
Duplicate planning commission authorized for certain local governments
Status: in_force

The Cities of Chesapeake and Hampton may by ordinance establish a duplicate planning commission solely for the purpose of considering matters arising from the provisions of the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act (§ 62.1-44.15:67 et seq.). Sections 15.2-2210 through 15.2-2222 shall apply to the commission, mutatis mutandis.

The procedure, timing requirements and appeal to the circuit court set forth in §§ 15.2-2258 through 15.2-2261 shall apply to the considerations of this commission, mutatis mutandis.

To distinguish the planning commission authorized by this section from planning commissions required by § 15.2-2210 , the commission established hereunder shall have the words "Chesapeake Bay Preservation" in its title.

The governing body of a city that establishes a commission pursuant to this section, in its sole discretion by ordinance, may abolish the duplicate planning commission.

1993, c. 738, § 15.1-502.1; 1997, c. 587; 2007, c. 813 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-5306 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 53 / Article 1 / Section 15.2-5306
Effect and sufficiency of resolution declaring need
Status: in_force

In any suit, action or proceeding involving the validity or enforcement of or relating to any contract of the authority, the authority shall be conclusively deemed to have become established and authorized to transact business and exercise its powers hereunder upon proof of the adoption of a resolution of the governing body declaring the need for the authority. Such resolution shall be deemed sufficient if it declares that there is such need for an authority and finds in substantially the foregoing terms (no further detail being necessary) that either or both of the conditions enumerated in § 15.2-5305 exist in the city. A copy of such resolution duly certified by the clerk shall be admissible in evidence in any suit, action or proceeding.

Code 1950, § 32-219; 1979, c. 719, § 15.1-1539; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-2140 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 21 / Article 5 / Section 15.2-2140
Dispute between jurisdictions; appeals
Status: in_force

A. An appeal may be filed in the Court of Appeals by any party from the judgment of the special court, and the appeal shall be heard and determined without reference to the principles of demurrer to evidence. The special court shall certify the facts in the case to the Court of Appeals, and the evidence shall be considered as on appeal in proceedings under Chapter 2 (§ 25.1-200 et seq.) of Title 25.1. In any case, by consent of all parties of record, a motion to dismiss may be made at any time before final judgment on appeal.

B. If the judgment of the special court is reversed on appeal, or if the judgment is modified, the Court of Appeals shall enter such order as the special court should have entered.

C. If an appeal is taken from the judgment of the Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court, in matters in which it grants the petition for appeal, shall consider the appeal consistent with the procedures set forth in subsection A and shall enter such order as the special court should have entered.

1976, c. 69, § 15.1-37.1:6; 1979, c. 671; 1997, c. 587 ; 2003, c. 940 ; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 489 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-5159 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 51 / Article 6 / Section 15.2-5159
Validation of creation of authorities; bonds issued
Status: in_force

All proceedings heretofore taken with respect to the creation of a community development authority by any locality pursuant to this chapter are hereby presumed to be valid and all such authorities are presumed to be legally created. All proceedings heretofore taken by any community development authority with respect to the authorization, issuance, sale, execution, delivery, and repayment of bonds by any community development authority are presumed to be valid, and any such bonds so issued are presumed valid and legal obligations of such community development authority, enforceable in accordance with law.

2009, c. 473 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-2007 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 20 / Article 2 / Section 15.2-2007
Fee for processing application under § 15.2-2006
Status: in_force

The governing body of any locality may prescribe and charge a reasonable fee not exceeding $100 for processing an application pursuant to § 15.2-2006 .

1970, c. 161, § 15.1-364.1; 1976, c. 183; 1979, c. 208; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-912.4 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 9 / Article 1 / Section 15.2-912.4
(Effective October 1, 2026) Regulation of retail tobacco, nicotine, and hemp product retail sale locations
Status: in_force

Any locality may, by ordinance, regulate a retail tobacco establishment, as such term is defined in § 4.1-100 , a retail sale location of tobacco products, as such term is defined in § 58.1-1021.01 , or a retail sale location of hemp products intended for smoking, as such term is defined in § 4.1-600 , and may prohibit such establishment or location on property within 1,000 linear feet of a child day center as defined in § 22.1-289.02 or a public, private, or parochial school. An ordinance adopted pursuant to this section shall not affect (i) a licensee holding a valid license under § 4.1-206.3 or (ii) any retail sale location of tobacco products, hemp products intended for smoking, or retail tobacco establishments operating before July 1, 2024.

2024, c. 536 ; 2025, cc. 595 , 596 ; 2026, cc. 1021 , 1044 ; 2026, Sp. Sess. I, c. 1 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-980 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 9 / Article 5 / Section 15.2-980
Civil penalties for violations of noise ordinances
Status: in_force

Any locality may, by ordinance, adopt a uniform schedule of civil penalties for violations of that locality's noise ordinance. This provision shall not apply to noise generated in connection with the business being performed on industrial property. Civil fines will not exceed $250 for the first offense and $500 for each subsequent offense. The locality may authorize the chief law-enforcement officer to enforce any civil penalties adopted pursuant to the provisions of this section. The provisions of this section shall not apply to railroads. No ordinance of any locality shall apply to sound emanating from any area permitted by the Virginia Department of Energy or any division thereof.

2010, cc. 501 , 788 ; 2017, c. 649 ; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 532 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-2639 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 26 / Article 4 / Section 15.2-2639
County may elect to be treated as city for issuing bonds
Status: in_force

Any county may, upon approval by the affirmative vote of the voters of the county voting in an election on the question, elect to be treated as a city for the purpose of incurring debt and issuing bonds under this chapter. If a county so elects, it will thereafter be subject to all of the benefits and limitations of Article VII, Section 10 (a) of the Constitution of Virginia and all provisions of this chapter relating to bonded indebtedness applicable to municipalities, but in determining the debt limitation for such county under § 15.2-2634 there shall be included, unless otherwise excluded under Article VII, Section 10 (a) of the Constitution of Virginia, indebtedness of any town or district in that county empowered to levy taxes on real estate.

1971, Ex. Sess., c. 224, § 15.1-185.1; 1991, c. 668, § 15.1-227.40; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-207 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle I / Chapter 2 / Section 15.2-207
Boundaries of municipal corporations continued; charters not to contain metes and bounds; incorporated by reference
Status: in_force

The boundaries of municipal corporations remain as now established unless changed as provided in this title. No charter of any municipal corporation shall contain the metes and bounds of such municipal corporation, but the boundaries shall be incorporated therein by reference to the recordation in the clerk's office of the court where deeds are admitted to record of the final decree or order of the court establishing such boundaries or the act of the General Assembly by which they are defined. The part of the charter of a municipal corporation defining its boundaries hereafter amended shall not contain the metes and bounds of the municipal corporation, but the boundaries shall be incorporated therein by reference to the recordation of a final decree or order of court or to a General Assembly act.

Code 1950, § 15.1-908; 1958, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-836.2; 1979, c. 297; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-3911 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle III / Chapter 39 / Section 15.2-3911
Charter provisions generally
Status: in_force

The charter shall provide for the orderly transition from a county form of government to a city form, for the assumption by the new city of the debt and contractual obligations of the former county and of all towns formerly located therein, and for the transfer of all assets from such county and towns to the new city. The city charter shall recognize any townships which may be created pursuant to § 15.2-3916 , and where such townships are created, they shall assume the assets and debts of the towns they succeed. However, the city charter shall provide that all or part of the revenues of a township, the services it performs, its facilities, other assets, and debts may be transferred to the city by agreement of the governing bodies. The provisions of the charter with respect to elected officials shall conform to the applicable requirements of the Constitution of Virginia. The charter may also provide that the new city may continue any agreements or arrangements undertaken under other provisions of law for the joint support of officials, facilities, and services that exist on the effective date of the city charter. Such charter shall become effective on July 1 in the year of enactment by the General Assembly.

1979, c. 85, § 15.1-977.13; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-4810 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 48 / Article 1 / Section 15.2-4810
Tort liability
Status: in_force

No pecuniary liability of any kind shall be imposed upon the Commonwealth or upon the county, town, or any landowner therein because of any act, agreement, contract, tort, malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance by or on the part of a district or its agents, servants, or employees.

1997, c. 587 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-2407 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 24 / Article 2 / Section 15.2-2407
Assessments to be reported to collector of taxes; postponement of payment by certain property owners
Status: in_force

The amount assessed against each landowner, or for which he is liable by agreement, shall be reported as soon as practicable to the collector of taxes, who shall enter the same as provided for other taxes.

The governing body may provide for the postponement of the payment of such assessment by certain elderly or permanently and totally disabled property owners meeting certain conditions until the sale of the property or the death of the last eligible owner. Eligibility for postponement shall be subject to the conditions set forth in § 58.1-3211 as in effect on December 31, 2010, for such elderly or permanently and totally disabled persons. The governing body may provide for the postponement of the payment of such assessment until the property owner actually connects to the public utility system. However, if the property is conveyed between the time the assessment is made and the time the property owner actually connects to the public utility system, then the entire amount due under the assessment becomes due and payable on the day of the conveyance. In any event, the entire amount of assessment due shall be paid no later than ten years from the creation of the district.

The collector of taxes shall enter those assessments postponed by the governing body in accordance with the conditions prescribed as provided for other taxes, but the eligible property owner shall have the option of payment or postponement.

Code 1950, § 15-672; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-242; 1973, c. 211; 1978, c. 711; 1980, c. 726; 1996, c. 222 ; 1997, c. 587; 2011, cc. 438 , 496 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-2832 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 28.2 / Article 3 / Section 15.2-2832
Regulation of smoking; posting of signs
Status: in_force

Any person who owns, manages, or otherwise controls any building or area in which smoking is regulated by an ordinance shall post in an appropriate place, in a clear, conspicuous, and sufficient manner, "Smoking Permitted" signs, "No Smoking" signs, or "No-Smoking Section Available" signs.

2009, cc. 153 , 154 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-1601 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 16 / Article 1 / Section 15.2-1601
Requirements for officers
Status: in_force

The officers required by § 15.2-1600 are subject to the residency, qualification for office, bonding, dual-office-holding requirements and prohibitions provided for in Chapter 15 of this title.

1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-5703 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 57 / Section 15.2-5703
Members of authority; appointment, terms, compensation, etc.; officers, quorum
Status: in_force

Each authority created hereunder, whether created by single or multiple localities, shall be governed by a board of not less than six members, but always an even number, appointed by the governing body of the locality. The board members shall be appointed for staggered four-year terms. Members of the governing body may be appointed to the board but shall not comprise a majority thereon.

When an authority is created by participating localities, each shall appoint at least two members, one of whom may be a member of the governing body. One-half of the members first appointed by each governing body shall serve for two years and one-half shall serve for four years. After the first appointment, the term of office of all members shall be four years. When one or more additional localities join an existing authority, each of such participating localities shall have not less than two members on the authority's board. The first members shall be appointed immediately upon the admission of the locality into the authority in the same manner as were the first members of the authority.

The members of the board of the authority shall elect one of their number chairman and shall elect a secretary and a treasurer who need not be members of the board of the authority. The offices of secretary and treasurer may be combined. A majority of the members of the authority shall constitute a quorum and the vote of a majority of such quorum shall be necessary for any action taken by the authority. No vacancy in the membership of the board of the authority shall impair the right of a quorum to exercise all the rights and perform all the duties of the authority.

Localities which created or thereafter joined the authority, by ordinance or resolution or concurrent ordinances or resolutions, may provide for the payment of compensation to the members of the authority; provided no compensation shall be paid for meetings not attended and for the reimbursement to each member of the authority the amount of his actual expenses necessarily incurred in the performance of that member's duties.

Code 1950, § 15-714.4; 1950, p. 1246; 1952, c. 401; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1231; 1978, cc. 37, 717; 1984, cc. 142, 255; 1995, c. 626 ; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-1721 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 17 / Article 1 / Section 15.2-1721
Disposal of unclaimed firearms or other weapons in possession of sheriff or police
Status: in_force

Any locality may destroy unclaimed firearms and other weapons which have been in the possession of law-enforcement agencies for a period of more than 120 days. For the purposes of this section, "unclaimed firearms and other weapons" means any firearm or other weapon belonging to another which has been acquired by a law-enforcement officer pursuant to his duties, which is not needed in any criminal prosecution, which has not been claimed by its rightful owner and which the State Treasurer has indicated will be declined if remitted under the Virginia Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act (§ 55.1-2500 et seq.).

At the discretion of the chief of police, sheriff, or their duly authorized agents, unclaimed firearms and other weapons may be destroyed by any means which renders the firearms and other weapons permanently inoperable. Prior to the destruction of such firearms and other weapons, the chief of police, sheriff, or their duly authorized agents shall comply with the notice provision contained in § 15.2-1719 .

In lieu of destroying any such unclaimed firearm, the locality may donate the firearm to the Department of Forensic Science, upon agreement of the Department.

1990, c. 324, § 15.1-133.01:1; 1997, c. 587 ; 2015, c. 220 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-1424 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 14 / Article 3 / Section 15.2-1424
Vacancies in office
Status: in_force

Vacancies in the office of board of supervisors or of council or an elected chairman or mayor, for whatever reason, shall be filled as provided for in Title 24.2. A member of the board or council may be elected or appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of chairman or mayor.

The person appointed or elected to fill the vacancy shall possess the same legal qualifications for the office as did the person whose position he is filling.

In the event of a vacancy in the office of chairman or mayor, the duties of the office of chairman or mayor shall be performed by the vice-chairman or vice-mayor until a chairman or mayor is appointed or elected and qualifies.

Vacancies in the office of vice-chairman or vice-mayor shall be filled by appointment by the remaining members of the appropriate governing body from its membership.

1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-5350 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 53 / Article 3 / Section 15.2-5350
Form
Status: in_force

The bonds of the authority shall be authorized by its resolution and shall be issued in one or more series and shall bear such date or dates, mature at such time or times, not exceeding sixty years from their respective dates, bear interest at such rate or rates payable at such time or times, be in such denominations (which may be made interchangeable), be in such form, either coupon or registered, carry such registration privileges, be executed in such manner, be payable in such medium of payment, at such place or places, and be subject to such terms of redemption, with or without premium, as such resolution or its trust indenture may provide.

Code 1950, § 32-265; 1973, c. 462, § 15.1-1585; 1979, c. 719; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-6311 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 63 / Section 15.2-6311
Authorities may borrow money, accept contributions, etc
Status: in_force

In addition to the powers conferred upon an authority by other provisions of this chapter, an authority is empowered to borrow money or accept contributions, grants or other financial assistance from the federal government; the Commonwealth; any locality or political subdivision; or any agency or instrumentality thereof; or from any source, public or private, for or in aid of any project of the authority, and to these ends, to comply with such conditions and enter into such mortgages, trust indentures, leases or agreements as may be necessary, convenient or desirable.

Code 1950, § 15-949; 1954, c. 645; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1332; 1996, c. 740 ; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-6646 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 66.1 / Section 15.2-6646
Contracts with political subdivisions
Status: in_force

The Authority is authorized to enter into contracts with any one or more political subdivisions.

2005, c. 842 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-1702 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 17 / Article 1 / Section 15.2-1702
Referendum required prior to establishment of county police force
Status: in_force

A. A county shall not establish a police force unless (i) such action is first approved by the voters of the county in accordance with the provisions of this section and (ii) the General Assembly enacts appropriate authorizing legislation.

B. The governing body of any county shall petition the court, by resolution, asking that a referendum be held on the question, "Shall a police force be established in the county and the sheriff's office be relieved of primary law-enforcement responsibilities?" The court, by order entered of record in accordance with Article 5 (§ 24.2-681 et seq.) of Chapter 6 of Title 24.2, shall require the regular election officials of the county to open the polls and take the sense of the voters on the question as herein provided.

The clerk of the circuit court for the county shall publish notice of the election in a newspaper of general circulation in the county three times, with the first notice appearing no more than 35 days before and the third notice appearing no less than seven days before the election. The notice shall contain the ballot question and a statement of not more than 500 words on the proposed question. The explanation shall be presented in plain English, shall be limited to a neutral explanation, and shall not present arguments by either proponents or opponents of the proposal. The attorney for the county or city or, if there is no county or city attorney, the attorney for the Commonwealth shall prepare the explanation. "Plain English" means written in nontechnical, readily understandable language using words of common everyday usage and avoiding legal terms and phrases or other terms and words of art whose usage or special meaning primarily is limited to a particular field or profession.

C. The county may expend public funds to produce and distribute neutral information concerning the referendum; provided, however, public funds may not be used to promote a particular position on the question, either in the notice called for in subsection B, or in any other distribution of information to the public.

D. The regular election officers of the county shall open the polls on the date specified in such order and conduct the election in the manner provided by law. The election shall be by ballot which shall be prepared by the electoral board of the county and on which shall be printed the following:

"Shall a police force be established in the county and the sheriff's office be relieved of primary law-enforcement responsibilities?

[ ] Yes

[ ] No"

The ballots shall be counted, returns made and canvassed as in other elections, and the results certified by the electoral board to the court ordering the election. If a majority of the voters voting in the election vote "Yes," the court shall enter an order proclaiming the results of the election and a duly certified copy of such order shall be transmitted to the governing body of the county. The governing body shall proceed to establish a police force following the enactment of authorizing legislation by the General Assembly.

E. After a referendum has been conducted pursuant to this section, no subsequent referendum shall be conducted pursuant to this section in the same county for a period of four years from the date of the prior referendum.

1983, c. 341, § 15.1-131.6:1; 1993, c. 630; 1997, c. 587 ; 2000, c. 298 ; 2023, cc. 506 , 507 ; 2024, cc. 225 , 242 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-1635 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 16 / Article 5 / Section 15.2-1635
Appointment of deputy when clerk of circuit court unable to perform duties
Status: in_force

Whenever it is found by the judge of a circuit court that a clerk of such court is, by reason of mental or physical disability, temporarily unable to perform his duties, the judge of the court may, by order entered of record, designate some other person as deputy clerk to perform the duties of such clerk. The person so designated may be the clerk or deputy clerk of another county or city or any other qualified person, and in the event that he is from another county or city, the provisions of §§ 15.2-1525 and 15.2-1534 shall not apply.

The person so designated shall thereby become a deputy of the regular clerk and shall be vested with all the authority of a regular clerk and may perform all acts which are required by law to be performed by such clerk with the same effect as if performed by the clerk for whom he serves as deputy, and shall before entering upon his duties take the oath prescribed in § 49-1 , and furnish bond in the same amount as is required of the clerk.

The person so designated shall serve at the pleasure of the court during the disability of the clerk and within the limits of the unexpired term of the clerk.

No compensation out of the state or local treasury shall be paid such person designated under this section for his services while acting in such capacity but any expense incurred shall be paid by the county or city in which such service is performed upon the order of the judge of such court.

Code 1950, § 15-485.1; 1952, c. 187; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-49; 1993, cc. 621, 781; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-1108 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 11 / Article 1 / Section 15.2-1108
Gifts, donations, bequests or grants
Status: in_force

A municipal corporation may accept or refuse gifts, donations, bequests or grants from any source, which are related to the powers, duties and functions of the municipal corporation.

Code 1950, § 15-77.12; 1958, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-848; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-522 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle I / Chapter 5 / Article 3 / Section 15.2-522
Same; powers of county treasurer; deposit of moneys
Status: in_force

The director of finance shall also exercise the powers conferred and perform the duties imposed by general law upon county treasurers, and shall be subject to the obligations and penalties imposed by general law. All moneys received by any county officer or employee for or in connection with county business shall be paid promptly into the hands of the director of finance. All such money shall be promptly deposited by the director of finance to the credit of the county in such banks or trust companies as the board selects. No money shall be disbursed or paid out by the county except upon checks signed by the chairman of the board, or such other person the board designates, and countersigned by the director of the department of finance.

The board may designate one or more banks or trust companies as a receiving or collecting agency under the direction of the department of finance. All funds so collected or received shall be deposited to the credit of the county in such banks or trust companies as the board selects.

Every bank or trust company serving as a depository or as a receiving or collecting agency for county funds shall be required by the board to give adequate security therefor and to meet such interest requirements as the board may by ordinance or resolution establish. All interest on money so deposited shall accrue to the county's benefit.

Code 1950, § 15-288; 1959, Ex. Sess., c. 69; 1962, cc. 399, 623, § 15.1-605; 1982, c. 647; 1984, c. 485; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-3513 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle III / Chapter 35 / Article 1 / Section 15.2-3513
Magisterial, school and election districts, etc
Status: in_force

The magisterial districts in a county, and the school districts, election districts and voting places in the consolidated county, city or town shall continue as in the several counties, cities or towns prior to consolidation, unless and until changed in accordance with law.

Code 1950, § 15-172; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1081; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-958.5 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 9 / Article 5 / Section 15.2-958.5
Local funding for community revitalization
Status: in_force

A. Any locality may by ordinance provide for the creation of a community revitalization fund for the purpose of preventing neighborhood deterioration in such locality. The community revitalization fund shall be composed of appropriated local moneys.

B. Any such community fund established pursuant to this section shall be used for one or more of the following purposes:

1. Loans or grants to for-profit and nonprofit organizations for the construction, renovation, or demolition of residential structures in the locality;

2. Infrastructure improvements; and

3. Acquisition of blighted structures in accordance with § 36-49.1:1 .

C. Such ordinance shall establish (i) qualifying income guidelines for participants and the communities in which community revitalization funds may be expended and (ii) criteria for participation by for-profit and nonprofit organizations that may be eligible for loans or grants pursuant to the provisions of this section.

2011, cc. 770 , 833 ; 2024, cc. 692 , 701 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-1720 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 17 / Article 1 / Section 15.2-1720
Localities authorized to license bicycles, electric power-assisted bicycles, mopeds, and electric personal assistive mobility devices; disposition of unclaimed bicycles, electric power-assisted bicycles, mopeds, and electric personal assistive mobility devices
Status: in_force

Any locality may, by ordinance, (i) provide for the public sale or donation to a charitable organization of any bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, or moped that has been in the possession of the police or sheriff's department, unclaimed, for more than thirty days; (ii) require every resident owner of a bicycle, electric power-assisted bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, or moped to obtain a license therefor and a license plate, tag, or adhesive license decal of such design and material as the ordinance may prescribe, to be substantially attached to the bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, or moped; (iii) prescribe the license fee, the license application forms and the license form; and (iv) prescribe penalties for operating a bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, or moped on public roads or streets within the locality without an attached license plate, tag, or adhesive decal. The ordinance shall require the license plates, tags, or adhesive decals to be provided by and at the cost of the locality. Any locality may provide that the license plates, tags, or adhesive decals shall be valid for the life of the bicycles, electric personal assistive mobility devices, electric power-assisted bicycles, and mopeds to which they are attached or for such other period as it may prescribe and may prescribe such fee therefor as it may deem reasonable. When any town license is required as provided for herein, the license shall be in lieu of any license required by any county ordinance. Any bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, or moped found and delivered to the police or sheriff's department by a private person that thereafter remains unclaimed for thirty days after the final date of publication as required herein may be given to the finder; however, the location and description of the bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, or moped shall be published at least once a week for two successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation within the locality. In addition, if there is a license, tag, or adhesive license decal affixed to the bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, or electric power-assisted bicycle, or moped, the record owner shall be notified directly.

Code 1950, § 15-554; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-133; 1968, c. 24; 1970, c. 285; 1975, c. 76; 1986, c. 52; 1994, c. 449 ; 1997, c. 587; 2001, c. 834 ; 2002, c. 254 ; 2013, c. 783 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-949 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 9 / Article 4 / Section 15.2-949
Shared ride taxi systems, etc.; nonprofit vanpools
Status: in_force

As used herein, "shared ride taxi system" means a transportation system which employs taxicab-type vehicles or other motor vehicles which can carry no more than six passengers, and which attempts to arrange for use of such vehicles by more than one passenger per trip.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, any locality which is a member of any transportation district may, with the concurrence of the transportation district commission that there is a need for a shared ride taxi system and the unavailability of adequate existing public transportation or public transportation proposed to be available within a reasonable period of time, construct, finance, purchase, operate, maintain or contract for a shared ride taxi system to be operated in such locality for the health, safety, welfare, comfort and convenience of the public. Such system may be financed from general revenues or funds received from the United States government, from the Commonwealth or any other source. Such system or the equipment and property needed for such system may also be constructed or purchased from proceeds of bonds which may be issued pursuant to the Public Finance Act (§ 15.2-2600 et seq.). Rates may be charged for the use of the system in such amount as the governing body of the locality deems reasonable, and different rates may be charged to different reasonable classifications of users.

The need for a shared ride taxi system and the unavailability of adequate existing or proposed public transportation may be based on the lack of such system or on the lack of such system at such user rates as will promote the health, safety, welfare, comfort and convenience of the public. Contracts may be made with existing or proposed shared ride taxi systems, both publicly and privately owned, for the subsidy of all users or groups of users.

In the administration of this section, private carriers are preferred over public ownership or operation; therefore, before any such locality undertakes to establish and operate its own transportation system which uses taxis or other similar vehicles, it shall first make a bona fide attempt to enter into contracts with existing privately owned taxi businesses. If such locality cannot reach a reasonable agreement within an equitable period of time, then it may by ordinance proceed to establish and operate its own system.

In lieu of establishing a shared ride taxi system, such a locality may provide financial subsidies, low-interest or interest-free loans, or tax incentives to assist with the capital costs involved in the establishment of nonprofit vanpools meeting the definition of ridesharing arrangements set forth in § 46.2-1400 .

Any such locality shall have all powers necessary or convenient to carry out any of the foregoing powers.

1976, c. 303, § 15.1-37.3:3; 1988, c. 109; 1997, c. 587; 2002, c. 337 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-2108.24 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 21 / Article 1.2 / Section 15.2-2108.24
Regulation of facility construction or rights-of-way management requirements for certain cable operators
Status: in_force

A locality shall not impose through a franchise to provide cable service, whether by negotiation or by ordinance, any facility construction or rights-of-way management requirements on a cable operator that is (i) a certificated provider of telecommunications services that has a franchise to use the public rights-of-way in a locality or (ii) a certificated provider of telecommunications services that lacked prior consent to provide cable service in a locality but provided telecommunications services over facilities leased from an entity having a franchise to use the public rights-of-way in such locality, except that a municipality must meet the requirements of Article 1.1 (§ 15.2-2108.2 et seq.) of this chapter or otherwise be authorized to provide cable service.

2006, cc. 73 , 76 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-2409 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 24 / Article 2 / Section 15.2-2409
How notice given; objections
Status: in_force

The notice may be given by personal service on all persons entitled to such notice, except (i) notice to an infant, a mentally incapacitated person or other person under a disability may be served on his guardian, conservator or committee; (ii) notice to a nonresident may be mailed to him at his place of residence or served on any agent of his having charge of the property or on the tenant of the property; or (iii) in any case when the owner is a nonresident or when the owner's residence is not known, such notice may be given by publication three times in a newspaper having general circulation in the locality, with the first notice appearing no more than 35 days before and the third notice appearing no less than seven days before the parties are cited to appear. In lieu of such personal service on the parties or their agents and of such publication, the notice to all parties may be given by publishing the same twice in a newspaper having general circulation in the locality, with the first notice appearing no more than 28 days before and the second notice appearing no less than seven days before the parties are cited to appear. Any landowner wishing to make objections to an assessment or apportionment may appear in person or by counsel and state such objections.

Code 1950, § 15-674; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-244; 1984, c. 331; 1997, cc. 587 , 801 ; 2024, cc. 225 , 242 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-915.1 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 9 / Article 1 / Section 15.2-915.1
Repealed
Status: repealed

Repealed by Acts 2020, cc. 1205 and 1247 , cl. 2.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-5811 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 58 / Section 15.2-5811
Stadium Authority Financing Fund; use
Status: in_force

A. There is hereby created a Virginia Baseball Stadium Authority Financing Fund ("Fund"). The Authority shall use the Fund as a nonlapsing revolving fund for carrying out the provisions of this chapter.

B. All of the following receipts of the Authority shall be placed in the Fund: (i) proceeds from the sale of bonds, (ii) revenues collected or received from any source under the provisions of this chapter, and (iii) any other revenues under the jurisdiction of the Authority.

C. The Authority shall pay all expenses and make all expenditures from the Fund. To the extent deemed appropriate by the Authority, the receipts of the Fund shall be pledged to and charged with the payment of debt service on Authority bonds and all reasonable charges and expenses related to Authority borrowing and the management of Authority obligation.

1992, c. 823, § 15.1-227.81; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-3900 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle III / Chapter 39 / Section 15.2-3900
Transition authorized
Status: in_force

Any county in this Commonwealth may become an independent city by complying with the requirements and procedures set forth in this chapter.

1979, c. 85, § 15.1-977.1; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-2316.9 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 22 / Article 7.3 / Section 15.2-2316.9
Effect of executed siting agreement; land use approval
Status: in_force

A. Except as provided in § 15.2-2316.10, nothing in this article shall be construed to exempt an applicant from any other applicable requirements to obtain approvals and permits under federal, state, or local ordinances and regulations. An applicant may file for appropriate land use approvals for the solar project or energy storage project, as applicable, under the regulations and ordinances of the host locality at or after the time the applicant submits its notice of intent to site a solar project or energy storage project as set forth in subsection A of § 15.2-2316.7 .

B. Nothing in this article shall affect the authority of the host locality to enforce its ordinances and regulations to the extent that they are not inconsistent with the terms and conditions of the siting agreement.

C. Approval of a siting agreement by the local governing body in accordance with subsection B of § 15.2-2316.8 shall deem the solar project or energy storage project to be substantially in accord with the comprehensive plan of the host locality, thereby satisfying the requirements of § 15.2-2232 .

D. The failure of an applicant and the governing body to enter into a siting agreement may be a factor in the decision of the governing body in the consideration of any land use approvals for a solar project or energy storage project, but shall not be the sole reason for a denial of such land use approvals.

2020, c. 802 ; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 57 , 58 ; 2026, cc. 1011 , 1076 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-5303 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 53 / Article 1 / Section 15.2-5303
Not to function until council declares need
Status: in_force

No authority shall transact any business or exercise its powers until or unless the council of the city by resolution declares at any time hereafter that there is need for an authority to function in the city.

Code 1950, § 32-216; 1979, c. 719, § 15.1-1536; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-2264 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 22 / Article 6 / Section 15.2-2264
Statement of consent to subdivision; execution; acknowledgment and recordation; notice to commissioner of the revenue or board of real estate assessors
Status: in_force

Every plat, or deed of dedication to which the plat is attached, shall contain in addition to the professional engineer's or land surveyor's certificate a statement as follows: "The platting or dedication of the following described land (here insert a correct description of the land subdivided) is with the free consent and in accordance with the desire of the undersigned owners, proprietors, and trustees, if any." The statement shall be signed and duly acknowledged before an officer authorized to take acknowledgment of deeds. When thus executed and acknowledged, the plat, subject to the provisions herein, shall be filed and recorded in the office of the clerk of the circuit court for the lands contained in the plat, and indexed in the general index to deeds under the names of the owners of lands signing the statement, and under the name of the subdivision. Owners shall notify the appropriate commissioner of the revenue of improvements to real property situated in platted subdivisions.

Code 1950, §§ 15-791, 15-967.12; 1954, c. 421; 1962, c. 407, § 15.1-477; 1992, c. 581; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-5349 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 53 / Article 3 / Section 15.2-5349
Bond indebtedness
Status: in_force

The bonds and other obligations of the authority, and such bonds and obligations shall so state on their face, shall not be a debt of any city in which the authority is located or of the Commonwealth, and neither the Commonwealth nor any such city shall be liable thereon. In no event shall they be payable out of any funds or properties other than those of the authority. The bonds shall not constitute an indebtedness within the meaning of any constitutional or statutory debt limitation of the laws of the Commonwealth.

Code 1950, § 32-264; 1979, c. 719, § 15.1-1584; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-1208 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 12 / Article 1 / Section 15.2-1208
Same; in certain counties
Status: in_force

Chapter 297 of the Acts of Assembly of 1944, approved March 29, 1944, requiring permits to sell or purchase pistols or revolvers in any county having a density of population of more than 1,000 a square mile, is repealed. Any records or copies thereof that were created pursuant to this section that are in the custody of any county shall be destroyed no later than July 31, 2004. Upon destroying the records, the county shall certify to the circuit court that such destruction has been completed.

Code 1950, § 59-144; 1968, c. 439, § 15.1-525; 1997, c. 587; 2004, cc. 62 , 393 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-823 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle I / Chapter 8 / Article 2 / Section 15.2-823
Departments and commissions of county government
Status: in_force

The activities or functions of the county shall, with the exceptions herein provided, be distributed among the following general divisions or departments:

1. Department of finance.

2. Department of public works.

3. Department of social services.

4. Department of law enforcement.

5. Department of education.

6. Department of records.

7. Department of health.

The board may establish any of the following additional departments and commissions and such other departments and commissions as it deems necessary to the proper conduct of the county's business:

1. Department of assessments.

2. Department of farm and home demonstration.

3. Department of public safety.

4. Department of public utilities.

5. Commission on human rights.

Any activity which is unassigned by this chapter shall, upon recommendation of the urban county executive, be assigned by the board to the appropriate department. The board may, upon recommendations of the urban county executive, reassign, transfer or combine any county functions, activities or departments.

Code 1950, § 15-384.52; 1960, c. 382; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-765; 1972, c. 73; 1980, c. 44; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-1522 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 15 / Article 4 / Section 15.2-1522
When and how officers qualify
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding the provisions of any local government charter, or any other provision of law, every elected county, city, town and district officer, on or before the day on which his term of office begins, shall qualify by taking the oath prescribed by § 49-1 and give the bond, if any, required by law, before the circuit court for the county or city, having jurisdiction in the county, city, town or district for which he is elected or appointed, or before the clerk of the circuit court for such county, city, town or district. However, members of governing bodies and elected school boards may qualify up to and including the day of the initial meeting of the new governing body or elected school board.

Any such oath of town council members, town mayors or members of Boards of Supervisors may be taken before any officer authorized by law to administer oaths. Such oath shall be returned to the clerk of the council of the town, who shall enter the same record on the minute book of the council, or, for members of the Board of Supervisors, returned to the clerk of the circuit court having jurisdiction in the county for which he is elected or appointed, who shall record the same in the order book, on the law side thereof.

Whenever an officer required to give bond is included in a blanket surety bond authorized by § 2.2-1840 , such officer shall furnish confirmation by the Division of Risk Management of the inclusion of the officer on such blanket surety bond and the amount of the coverage, which shall be the equivalent of giving the bond for purposes of qualification.

An appointed officer as used in this article means a person appointed to temporarily fill an elected position. District officer as used in this article means a person elected by the people other than national and statewide officers and members of the General Assembly.

Code 1950, § 15-475; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-38; 1972, c. 549; 1979, c. 643; 1993, c. 329; 1996, c. 167 ; 1997, c.; 2000, c. 293 ; 2017, c. 598 ; 2025, cc. 416 , 424 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-944 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 9 / Article 3 / Section 15.2-944
Authority to acquire and preserve places and things of historical interest
Status: in_force

Any locality may acquire, except by condemnation, sites, landmarks, structures and records of historical interest and value to the Commonwealth and may restore and preserve them, or may convey them to a nonstock corporation chartered under Virginia law for the purposes of acquiring and preserving such places and things. A locality may appropriate money to any such corporation.

Code 1950, § 15-7.3; 1962, c. 333, § 15.1-18.1; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-3529 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle III / Chapter 35 / Article 2 / Section 15.2-3529
Consolidation agreement generally; advisory committee; filing agreement and referendum petition with court
Status: in_force

The board of supervisors or council of the locality desiring to consolidate into a county or city, or any county and all incorporated towns located entirely therein desiring to consolidate into a county or city may enter into a joint agreement for such consolidation, setting forth in such consolidation agreement the following:

1. The names of the localities proposing to consolidate;

2. The name of the county or counties or city into which the localities propose to consolidate; or that the localities agree to conduct a subsequent referendum to be voted on by the people of the consolidated county or city prior to the effective date of the consolidation to select the name for the consolidated county or city. The name chosen shall not be one that has been restricted or prohibited by law;

3. The property, real or personal, belonging to each locality, and the fair value thereof in current money of the United States;

4. The indebtedness, bonded and otherwise, of each locality;

5. The day upon which the consolidation agreement shall become effective, provided that, if an agreement proposes the creation of a consolidated city, the effective date shall be stated in the charter enacted by the General Assembly; and

6. Any other provisions which may be properly embodied in the agreement.

Each governing body may appoint an advisory committee composed of three persons to assist it in the preparation of an agreement, and may pay the members of the advisory committee reasonable compensation, which shall be approved by the circuit court for the locality.

The original of the consolidation agreement, together with a petition on behalf of the several governing bodies, signed by the chairman and the mayor and the clerk of each of the bodies, asking that a referendum on the question of consolidation of the localities, shall be filed with a judge of a circuit court having jurisdiction over any of the localities proposing to consolidate; however, when the consolidation agreement proposes the creation of a consolidated city that includes at least one county, the petition shall ask for proceedings pursuant to §§ 15.2-3521 through 15.2-3528 prior to such referendum. A copy of the agreement shall be filed with the judge of each circuit court having jurisdiction in the localities that are parties to the agreement.

Code 1950, § 15-221; 1956, c. 554; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1131; 1968, c. 694; 1975, c. 517; 1979, c. 85; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-4404 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 44 / Section 15.2-4404
Agricultural and forestal districts advisory committee
Status: in_force

Upon receipt of the first agricultural and forestal district application submitted as permitted under an ordinance adopted pursuant to this chapter, the local governing body shall establish an advisory committee as prescribed in § 15.2-4304 , which section shall apply mutatis mutandis. If an advisory committee has already been established pursuant to § 15.2-4304 , it shall carry out the duties prescribed in Chapter 43 (§ 15.2-4300 et seq.) as well as in this chapter.

1982, c. 374, § 15.1-1513.5; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-2413.10 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 24 / Article 3 / Section 15.2-2413.10
Administering nonprofit
Status: in_force

A. Any locality establishing a tourism improvement district may contract with an administering nonprofit for the purpose of carrying out such activities as may be prescribed in the tourism improvement district plan.

B. The administering nonprofit may make recommendations to the locality with respect to any matter involving or relating to the tourism improvement district.

C. Where the tourism entity for a locality is a division of the locality, the administering nonprofit may enter into written agreements with the tourism entity for professional services for the purpose of carrying out such activities as may be prescribed in the tourism improvement district plan.

D. If the administering nonprofit is formed on or after July 1, 2026, for the purpose of carrying out such activities as may be prescribed in the tourism improvement district plan, such newly formed administering nonprofit's board of directors shall be wholly composed of business owners.

E. An administering nonprofit in existence prior to July 1, 2026, shall create a committee of business owners who shall oversee the activities prescribed in the tourism improvement district plan.

2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 500 ; 2026, cc. 162 , 163 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-5361 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 53 / Article 3 / Section 15.2-5361
Exemption from taxation
Status: in_force

The exercise of the powers granted by this chapter shall be in all respects for the benefit of the inhabitants of the Commonwealth and for the promotion of their safety, health, welfare, convenience and prosperity. The operation and maintenance of any hospital project which the authority is authorized to undertake will constitute the performance of an essential governmental function; therefore, the authority shall not be required to pay any taxes or assessments upon any hospital project acquired or constructed by it. The bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter, their transfer and the income therefrom, including any profit made on the sale thereof, shall at all times be free and exempt from taxation by the Commonwealth and any political subdivision thereof.

Code 1950, § 32-271.5; 1973, c. 462, § 15.1-1596; 1979, c. 719; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-4115.1 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle III / Chapter 41 / Section 15.2-4115.1
Disposition of police department or sheriff's department motorcycles
Status: in_force

When a city becomes a town under the provisions of this chapter and the police department or sheriff's department of the former city ceases to exist, officers of the former city police department or sheriff's department shall be entitled to purchase motorcycles that previously belonged to the police department or sheriff's department at the same cost as the city's original purchase price. The newly created town or county shall establish the process by which such transfer shall occur.

2022, c. 385 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-901.1 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 9 / Article 1 / Section 15.2-901.1
Locality may provide for control of running bamboo; civil penalty
Status: in_force

A. For purposes of this section, "running bamboo" means any bamboo that is characterized by aggressive spreading behavior, including species in the genus Phyllostachys.

B. Any locality may, by ordinance, provide that:

1. No landowner shall allow running bamboo to grow without proper upkeep and appropriate containment measures, including barriers or trenching; and

2. No landowner shall allow running bamboo to spread from his property to any public right-of-way or adjoining property not owned by the landowner.

C. A violation of a running bamboo ordinance authorized by this section shall be subject to a civil penalty, not to exceed $50 for the first violation or violations arising from the same set of operative facts. The civil penalty for subsequent violations not arising from the same set of operative facts within 12 months of the first violation shall not exceed $200. Each business day during which the same violation is found to have existed shall constitute a separate offense. In no event shall a series of specified violations arising from the same set of operative facts result in civil penalties that exceed a total of $3,000 in a 12-month period.

D. No violation of a running bamboo ordinance arising from the same set of operative facts shall be subject to a civil penalty under both (i) an ordinance adopted pursuant to this section and (ii) an ordinance adopted pursuant to § 15.2-901 .

2017, cc. 213 , 392 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-1105 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 11 / Article 1 / Section 15.2-1105
Borrowing money and issuing evidence of indebtedness
Status: in_force

A municipal corporation may, in the name of and for the use of the municipal corporation, borrow money and issue evidence of indebtedness therefor, subject to such limitations as may be imposed by law.

Code 1950, § 15-77.7; 1958, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-843; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-1310 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 13 / Article 3 / Section 15.2-1310
Assignment of weights for functional activities
Status: in_force

In determining the eligibility of the region, the Department of Housing and Community Development may assign weights for each joint activity up to the number in parentheses below:

1. Job Creation or Economic Development (10)

2. Regional Revenue Sharing or Growth Sharing Agreements (10)

3. Education (10)

4. Human Services (8)

5. Local Land Use (8)

6. Housing (8)

7. Transportation (5)

8. Law Enforcement (5)

9. Solid Waste (4)

10. Water and Sewer Services (4)

11. Corrections (3)

12. Fire Services and Emergency Medical Services (3)

13. Libraries (2)

14. Parks and Recreation (2)

The assignment of values by the Department to any joint activity may be based upon the significance of the joint activity as measured by the fiscal resources committed to it, the number of regional localities participating, the significance of the activity as measured by the regional effort involved in developing joint activities, the complexity of the activity, the general impact on relations between the affected jurisdictions, or other factors deemed to be appropriate by the Department. A region may petition the Department to adjust the weights of the above criteria to reflect the relative importance of that criteria on the economic competitiveness of the region. Upon receipt of such petition, the Department may adjust the weight of any criteria; however, the weight of any one criteria shall not exceed ten. In addition to the weights listed in § 15.2-1310 , the Department of Housing and Community Development may add up to a total of five points for regions that have taken successful actions to make governmental services or functions more efficient or successful actions in reducing the local property tax burden throughout the region.

1996, cc. 1045 , 1055 , § 15.1-1227.5; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-5431.29 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 54.1 / Section 15.2-5431.29
Bondholder's remedies
Status: in_force

Any holder of revenue bonds issued by an authority under this chapter, or of any of the coupons appertaining thereto, except to the extent the rights given by this chapter may be restricted by the resolution or trust agreement providing for the issuance of such bonds, may, either at law or in equity, by suit, mandamus or other proceeding, enforce all rights under the laws of Virginia or granted by this chapter or under such resolution or trust agreement. Such holder may also compel the performance of all duties required by this chapter or by the resolution or trust agreement to be performed by the authority or by any officer thereof, including the fixing, charging and collecting of rates, fees and charges for the use of or for the services furnished by any system.

2003, c. 643 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-2209.1 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 22 / Article 1 / Section 15.2-2209.1
Extension of approvals to address housing crisis
Status: in_force

A. Notwithstanding the time limits for validity set out in § 15.2-2260 or 15.2-2261 , or the provisions of subsection F of § 15.2-2260 , any subdivision plat valid under § 15.2-2260 and outstanding as of January 1, 2017, and any recorded plat or final site plan valid under § 15.2-2261 and outstanding as of January 1, 2017, shall remain valid until July 1, 2020, or such later date provided for by the terms of the locality's approval, local ordinance, resolution or regulation, or for a longer period as agreed to by the locality. Any other plan or permit associated with such plat or site plan extended by this subsection shall likewise be extended for the same time period.

B. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, for any valid special exception, special use permit, or conditional use permit outstanding as of January 1, 2017, and related to new residential or commercial development, any deadline in the exception permit, or in the local zoning ordinance that requires the landowner or developer to commence the project or to incur significant expenses related to improvements for the project within a certain time, shall be extended until July 1, 2020, or longer as agreed to by the locality. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to any requirement that a use authorized pursuant to a special exception, special use permit, conditional use permit, or other agreement or zoning action be terminated or ended by a certain date or within a set number of years.

C. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, for any rezoning action approved pursuant to § 15.2-2297 , 15.2-2298 , or 15.2-2303 , valid and outstanding as of January 1, 2017, and related to new residential or commercial development, any proffered condition that requires the landowner or developer to incur significant expenses upon an event related to a stage or level of development shall be extended until July 1, 2020, or longer as agreed to by the locality. However, the extensions in this subsection shall not apply (i) to land or right-of-way dedications pursuant to § 15.2-2297 , 15.2-2298 , or 15.2-2303 , (ii) when completion of the event related to the stage or level of development has occurred, or (iii) to events required to occur on a specified date certain or within a specified time period. Any proffered condition included in a special exception, special use permit, or conditional use permit shall only be extended if it satisfies the provisions of this subsection.

D. The extension of validity provided in subsection A and the extension of certain deadlines as provided in subsection B shall not be effective unless any unreleased performance bonds and agreements or other financial guarantees of completion of public improvements in or associated with the proposed development are continued in force; however, if the locality has enacted a bonding moratorium or deferral option, the performance bonds and agreements or other financial guarantees of completion may be waived or modified by the locality, in which case the extension of validity provided in subsection A and the extension of certain deadlines provided in subsection B shall apply. The landowner or developer must comply with the terms of any bonding moratorium or deferral agreement with the locality in order for the extensions referred to in this subsection to be effective.

2009, c. 196 ; 2011, c. 272 ; 2012, c. 508 ; 2017, c. 660 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-5518 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 55.2 / Section 15.2-5518
Directors; qualifications; terms; vacancies; compensation and expenses; quorum; records
Status: in_force

A. The authority shall be governed by a board of directors in which all powers of the authority shall be vested and which board shall be composed of seven directors, appointed by the governing body of the locality. If the authority is created by two or more localities, the members of the board shall be appointed as agreed upon by the localities. The seven directors shall be appointed initially for terms of one, two, three and four years; two being appointed for one-year terms; two being appointed for two-year terms; two being appointed for three-year terms; and one being appointed for a four-year term. Subsequent appointments shall be for terms of four years, except appointments to fill vacancies, which shall be for the unexpired terms. All terms of office shall be deemed to commence upon the date of the initial appointment to the authority and thereafter, in accordance with the provisions of the immediately preceding sentence. If at the end of any term of office of any director a successor thereto has not been appointed, then the director whose term of office has expired shall continue to hold office until his successor is appointed and qualified.

B. Each director shall, upon appointment or reappointment, before entering upon his duties take and subscribe the oath prescribed by § 49-1 .

C. Four members of the board of directors shall constitute a quorum of the board for the purposes of conducting its business and exercising its powers and for all other purposes, except that no facilities owned by the authority shall be leased or disposed of in any manner without a majority vote of the members of the board of directors. No vacancy in the membership of the board shall impair the right of a quorum to exercise all the powers and perform all the duties of the board.

D. The board shall keep detailed minutes of its proceedings, which shall be open to public inspection at all times. It shall keep suitable records of its financial transactions and, unless exempted by § 30-140 , it shall arrange to have the records audited annually. Copies of each such audit shall be furnished to the governing body of the locality and shall be open to public inspection.

2007, c. 864 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-3213 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle III / Chapter 32 / Article 1 / Section 15.2-3213
Declining to accept annexation on terms and conditions imposed by court
Status: in_force

In any annexation proceedings instituted by a city or town, the council thereof may, subject to the approval of the special court in which the case is pending, and prior to twenty-one days after entry of an annexation order, or within twenty-one days after denial of a petition for appeal or within twenty-one days after the entry of the mandate in an appeal which has been granted, by ordinance duly adopted decline to accept annexation on the terms and conditions imposed by such court. In such case the court shall enter an order dismissing the motion to annex, and shall direct the payment of the entire costs of the proceedings by the city or town, including reimbursement of the county of costs incurred by it in defending the suit, including such reasonable attorneys' fees, engineering fees, witness fees and other costs as such court shall determine and allow.

Code 1950, § 15-152.14; 1952, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1044; 1979, c. 85; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-6710 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 67.1 / Section 15.2-6710
Assignment of liability
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding the provisions of § 46.2-2099.42 , no private excursion train operator that has entered into a public-private partnership contract with the Authority pursuant to the Public-Private Educational Facilities and Infrastructure Act of 2002 (§ 56-575.1 et seq.) shall be liable upon a claim of personal injury or wrongful death arising from the operation of an excursion train, including operations, maintenance, or signalization of the tracks or facilities upon which the excursion train operates, except in the case of the gross negligence or intentional act of the private excursion train operator. Any authority created pursuant to this chapter shall post notice of such immunity from liability at the time of ticketing and at all train entrances.

2017, c. 834 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-1427 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 14 / Article 4 / Section 15.2-1427
Adoption of ordinances and resolutions generally; amending or repealing ordinances
Status: in_force

A. Unless otherwise specifically provided for by the Constitution or by other general or special law, an ordinance may be adopted by majority vote of those present and voting at any lawful meeting.

B. On final vote on any ordinance or resolution, the name of each member of the governing body voting and how he voted shall be recorded; however, votes on all ordinances and resolutions adopted prior to February 27, 1998, in which an unanimous vote of the governing body was recorded, shall be deemed to have been validly recorded. The governing body may adopt an ordinance or resolution by a recorded voice vote unless otherwise provided by law, or any member calls for a roll call vote. An ordinance shall become effective upon adoption or upon a date fixed by the governing body.

C. All ordinances or resolutions heretofore adopted by a governing body shall be deemed to have been validly adopted, unless some provision of the Constitution of Virginia or the Constitution of the United States has been violated in such adoption.

D. An ordinance may be amended or repealed in the same manner, or by the same procedure, in which, or by which, ordinances are adopted.

E. An amendment or repeal of an ordinance shall be in the form of an ordinance which shall become effective upon adoption or upon a date fixed by the governing body, but, if no effective date is specified, then such ordinance shall become effective upon adoption.

F. In counties, except as otherwise authorized by law, no ordinance shall be passed until after notice of an intention to propose the ordinance for passage has been advertised by reference twice, with the first notice being published no more than 28 days before and the second notice appearing no less than seven days before the date of the meeting referenced in the notice, in a newspaper having a general circulation in the county. The publication shall include a statement that a copy of the full text of the ordinance is on file in the clerk's office of the circuit court of the county or in the office of the county administrator; or in the case of any county organized under the form of government set out in Chapter 5, 7 or 8 of this title, a statement that a copy of the full text of the ordinance is on file in the office of the clerk of the county board.

In counties, emergency ordinances may be adopted without prior notice; however, no such ordinance shall be enforced for more than sixty days unless readopted in conformity with the provisions of this Code.

G. In towns, no tax shall be imposed except by a two-thirds vote of the council members.

Code 1950, §§ 15-8, 15-10; 1950, p. 113; 1954, c. 529; 1956, cc. 218, 664; 1956, Ex. Sess., c. 40; 1958, cc. 190, 279; 1960, c. 606; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-504; 1966, cc. 405, 612; 1968, c. 625; 1970, c. 581; 1972, cc. 41, 837; 1973, c. 380; 1978, c. 235; 1983, c. 11; 1997, c. 587 ; 1998, c. 823 ; 2000, c. 895 ; 2023, cc. 506 , 507 ; 2024, cc. 225 , 242 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-5431.27 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 54.1 / Section 15.2-5431.27
Lien for charges
Status: in_force

A. There shall be a lien upon real estate for the amount of any fees other charges by an authority to the owner or lessee or tenant of the real estate for the use and services of any system of the authority by or in connection with the real estate from the time when the fees, rents or charges are due, and for the interest which may accrue thereon. Such lien shall be superior to the interest of any owner, lessee or tenant of the real estate and rank on a parity with liens for unpaid real estate taxes. An authority may contract with a locality to collect amounts due on properly recorded liens in the same manner as unpaid real estate taxes due the locality. A lien for delinquent rates or charges applicable to three or fewer delinquent billing periods not exceeding 30 days each may be placed by an authority if the authority or its billing and collection agent (i) has advised the owner of such real estate at the time of initiating service to a lessee or tenant of such real estate that a lien will be placed on the real estate if the lessee or tenant fails to pay any fees, rents or other charges when due for services rendered to the lessee or tenant; (ii) has mailed to the owner of the real estate a duplicate copy of the final bill rendered to the lessee or tenant at the time of rendering the final bill to such lessee or tenant; and (iii) employs the same collection efforts and practices to collect amounts due the authority from a lessee or a tenant as are employed with respect to collection of such amounts due from customers who are owners of the real estate for which service is provided.

B. The lien shall not bind or affect a subsequent bona fide purchaser of the real estate for valuable consideration without actual notice of the lien until the amount of such fees, rents and charges is entered in a judgment lien book in the office where deeds may be recorded in the locality in which the real estate or a part thereof is located. The clerk in whose office deeds may be recorded shall make and index the entries therein upon certification by the authority, for which he shall be entitled to a fee of $2 per entry, to be paid by the authority and added to the amount of the lien. The authority shall give the owner of the real estate notice in writing that it has made such certification to the clerk.

C. The lien on any real estate may be discharged by the payment to the authority of the total lien amount, and the interest which has accrued to the date of the payment. The authority shall deliver a certificate thereof to the person making the payment. Upon presentation of such certificate, the clerk having the record of the lien shall mark the entry of the lien satisfied, for which he shall be entitled to a fee of $1.

2003, c. 643 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-1121 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 11 / Article 1 / Section 15.2-1121
Cemeteries
Status: in_force

A municipal corporation may provide and operate, within or outside the municipal corporation, cemeteries; may contract for the perpetual care of lots and burial spaces therein; and may charge compensation for lots and burial spaces and services in connection with interments and the maintenance and operation of such cemeteries.

Code 1950, § 15-77.47; 1958, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-883; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-3524 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle III / Chapter 35 / Article 2 / Section 15.2-3524
Time limit for intervenors
Status: in_force

The court shall by order fix a time within which a voter, property owner, other person or political subdivision not served may become a party to proceedings instituted under this article for the creation of a consolidated city and thereafter no such petition shall be received, except for good cause shown. A copy of the order shall be published at least once a week for two successive weeks in a newspaper or newspapers of general circulation in the localities proposing to consolidate and in the counties and cities contiguous thereto.

1979, c. 85, § 15.1-1130.5; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-500 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle I / Chapter 5 / Article 1 / Section 15.2-500
Title of form; applicability of chapter
Status: in_force

The form of county organization and government provided for in this chapter shall be known and designated as the county executive form. The provisions of this chapter shall apply only to counties which have adopted the county executive form.

Code 1950, § 15-272; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-588; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-963 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 9 / Article 5 / Section 15.2-963
Local offices of consumer affairs; establishment; powers and duties
Status: in_force

Any county or city may, by ordinance, establish a local office of consumer affairs that shall have only such powers as may be necessary to perform the following duties:

1. To serve as a central coordinating agency and clearinghouse for receiving and investigating complaints of illegal, fraudulent, deceptive, or dangerous practices occurring in such county or city, and referring such complaints to the local departments or agencies charged with enforcement of consumer laws. The processing of complaints involving statutes or regulations administered by state agencies shall be coordinated, where applicable, with the Division of Consumer Counsel of the Department of Law;

2. To attempt to resolve complaints received pursuant to subdivision 1 by means of voluntary mediation or arbitration that may involve the creation of written agreements to resolve individual complaints between complainants and respondents to complaints;

3. To develop programs of community consumer education and information; and

4. To maintain records of consumer complaints and their eventual disposition, provided that records disclosing the business interests of any person, trade secrets, or the names of customers shall be held confidential except to the extent that disclosures of such matters may be necessary for the enforcement of laws. A copy of all periodic reports compiled by any local office of consumer affairs shall be filed with the Division of Consumer Counsel of the Department of Law.

1974, c. 644, § 15.1-23.2; 1987, c. 463; 1997, c. 587; 1998, c. 194 ; 2013, c. 24 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-935 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 9 / Article 2 / Section 15.2-935
Authority to prohibit placement of leaves or grass clippings in landfills
Status: in_force

A. Any locality may by ordinance prohibit the disposal of leaves or grass clippings in any privately operated landfill within its jurisdiction, provided such locality has implemented a composting program which is capable of handling all leaves and grass clippings generated within the jurisdiction. However, no such ordinance shall contain provisions which penalize anyone other than the initial generator of such leaves or grass clippings.

B. For purposes of this section, the term "composting" means the manipulation of the natural aerobic process of decomposition of organic materials to increase the rate of decomposition.

C. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit any locality from prohibiting the disposal of leaves and grass clippings in any public landfill which it operates if that locality has implemented a composting program which is capable of handling all leaves and grass clippings generated within its jurisdiction.

1990, c. 172, § 15.1-11.5:1; 1992, c. 638; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-2823 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 28.2 / Article 1 / Section 15.2-2823
Smoking in public buildings or facilities; exception
Status: in_force

A. The Commonwealth or any agency thereof and every locality shall provide reasonable no-smoking areas, considering the nature of the use and the size of the building, in any building owned or leased by the Commonwealth or any agency thereof or a locality.

B. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to office, work, or other areas of the Department of Corrections that are not entered by the general public in the normal course of business or use of the premises.

2009, cc. 153 , 154 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-6017 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 60.1 / Section 15.2-6017
Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Authority" means the Southwest Regional Recreation Authority, a body politic and corporate, created, organized, and operated pursuant to the provisions of this chapter or, if such Authority is abolished, the board, body, authority, department, or officer succeeding to the principal functions thereof or to whom the powers given by this chapter are given by law.

"Board" means the board of the Southwest Regional Recreation Authority established pursuant to § 15.2-6018 .

"Land" includes roads, water, watercourses, private ways and buildings, structures, and machinery or equipment thereon when attached to the realty.

"Owner" includes tenant, lessee, occupant, or person in control of the premises.

"Recreational purposes" includes any one or any combination of the following recreational activities: hunting, fishing, swimming, boating, camping, picnicking, hiking, pleasure driving, motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle riding, bicycling, horseback riding, nature study, water skiing, winter sports, and visiting, viewing or enjoying historical, archaeological, scenic, or scientific sites or otherwise using land for purposes of the user.

"Southwest Regional Recreation Area" means a system of recreational trails and appurtenant facilities, including trail-head centers, parking areas, camping facilities, picnic areas, recreational areas, historic or cultural interpretive sites, and other facilities that are a part of the system.

2008, cc. 645 , 648 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-7204 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 72 / Section 15.2-7204
Divisions
Status: in_force

The Board may create such divisions of the Authority as it deems expedient to perform such services as are authorized by statute.

2010, cc. 117 , 210 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-1635.1 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 16 / Article 5 / Section 15.2-1635.1
Maximum total compensation for clerk of the court in certain counties
Status: in_force

In Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, and Rappahannock Counties, wherein the clerk of the circuit court serves also as the clerk of the general district court and juvenile and domestic relations district court under the provisions of § 16.1-69.38 , such clerk may be paid a sum not to exceed $5,000, by local supplement, for each of the two district courts served.

1998, c. 872 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-3915 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle III / Chapter 39 / Section 15.2-3915
Transition of county to independent city requires no action of town council
Status: in_force

A county may become an independent city in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this chapter without the necessity of any action being taken by the council of any town situated in such county and without the necessity of separate referenda in any such town on the question of the transition of the county to a city.

1979, c. 85, § 15.1-977.16; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-705 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle I / Chapter 7 / Article 2 / Section 15.2-705
Election of members of board; filling vacancies
Status: in_force

A. In any county operating as of December 1, 1993, under the county manager plan provided for in this chapter, the members of the board shall be elected and vacancies on the board shall be filled as provided in this section. The members of the board shall be elected from the county at large.

B. Two board members shall be elected at the November 1995 election to succeed the members whose terms are expiring, and one member each shall be elected at the 1994, 1996, and 1997 November elections to succeed the members whose terms respectively are expiring. Thereafter at each regular November election one or more board members shall be elected to succeed the members whose terms expire on or before January 1 next succeeding such election. The members so elected shall be elected for terms of four years each, shall take office on January 1 next succeeding their election, and shall hold office until their successors are elected and qualify. The board may provide, by ordinance, for the nomination or election of candidates by instant runoff voting pursuant to § 15.2-705.1 .

C. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 24.2-226 , when any vacancy occurs in the membership of the board, the judge of the circuit court of the county shall call a special election for the remainder of the unexpired term to be held not less than 60 days and not more than 80 days thereafter, and the local electoral board shall determine and announce within three business days after such call the candidate filing deadline for that special election. However, if any vacancy occurs within 180 days before the expiration of a term of office, the vacancy shall be filled by appointment by a majority vote of the remaining members of the board within 30 days of the occurrence of the vacancy after holding a public hearing on the appointment. The appointment shall be for the duration of the unexpired term.

Code 1950, § 15-351; 1952, c. 591; 1954, c. 151; 1958, c. 207; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-676; 1975, cc. 517, 636; 1993, c. 731; 1997, c. 587 ; 1998, cc. 345 , 369 ; 2014, c. 573 ; 2020, c. 713 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-5150 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 51 / Article 5 / Section 15.2-5150
Creating or joining more than one authority
Status: in_force

No governing body that is a member of an authority, shall create or join with any other governing body in the creation of another authority or join another authority if the latter authority would duplicate the services being performed in any part of the areas being served by the authority of which the governing body is a member.

Code 1950, § 15-764.13; 1950, p. 1321; 1958, c. 402; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1251; 1968, c. 355; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-6642 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 66.1 / Section 15.2-6642
Security for payment of bonds; default
Status: in_force

The principal of and interest on any bonds issued by the Authority shall be secured by a pledge of the revenues and receipts out of which the same shall be made payable, and may be secured by a trust indenture covering all or any part of the Authority facilities from which revenues or receipts so pledged may be derived, including any enlargements of any additions to any such projects thereafter made. The resolution under which the bonds are authorized to be issued and any such trust indenture may contain any agreements and provisions respecting the maintenance of the projects covered thereby, the fixing and collection of rents for any portions thereof leased by the Authority to others, the creation and maintenance of special funds from such revenues and the rights and remedies available in the event of default, all as the board of directors shall deem advisable not in conflict with the provisions hereof. Each pledge, agreement, and trust indenture made for the benefit or security of any of the bonds of the Authority shall continue effective until the principal of and interest on the bonds for the benefit of which the same were made shall have been fully paid. In the event of default in such payment or in any agreements of the Authority made as a part of the contract under which the bonds were issued, whether contained in the proceedings authorizing the bonds or in any trust indenture executed as security therefor, may be enforced by mandamus, suit, action, or proceeding at law or in equity to compel the Authority and the directors, officers, agents, or employees thereof to perform each and every term, provision, and covenant contained in any trust indenture of the Authority, the appointment of a receiver in equity, or by foreclosure of any such trust indenture, or any one or more of said remedies.

2005, c. 842 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-413 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle I / Chapter 4 / Section 15.2-413
Department of extension and continuing education
Status: in_force

The department of extension and continuing education shall be established for the purpose of conducting noncredit educational programs and disseminating useful and practical information pursuant to the provisions of § 23.1-2608 et seq.

1972, c. 653, § 15.1-711.1; 1997, c. 587 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-6705 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 67.1 / Section 15.2-6705
Virginia Coal Train Heritage Authority established
Status: in_force

The Virginia Coal Train Heritage Authority, referred to in this chapter as "the Authority," is created as a body politic and corporate, a political subdivision of the Commonwealth. As such it shall have, and is hereby vested with, the powers and duties conferred in this chapter.

2017, c. 834 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-7400 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 74 / Section 15.2-7400
Title
Status: in_force

This act shall be known and may be cited as the Eastern Shore Water Access Authority Act.

2014, c. 471 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-2627 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 26 / Article 2 / Section 15.2-2627
Time for contesting validity of proposed bond issue; when bonds presumed valid
Status: in_force

For a period of thirty days after the date of the filing with the circuit court having jurisdiction over the locality of a certified copy of the initial ordinance or resolution of the governing body of the locality authorizing the issuance of bonds, any person in interest has the right to contest the validity of the bonds, the taxes to be levied for the payment of the bonds, the rates, rents, fees and other charges for the services and facilities furnished by, for the use of, or in connection with, any revenue-producing undertaking, the pledge of the revenues of any revenue-producing undertaking, any provisions which may be recited in any ordinance, resolution, trust agreement, indenture or other instrument authorizing the issuance of bonds, or any matter contained in, provided for or done or to be done pursuant to the foregoing. If such contest is not begun within the thirty-day period, the authority to issue the bonds, the validity of the taxes or the pledge of revenues necessary to pay the bonds, the validity of any other provision contained in the ordinance, resolution, trust agreement, indenture or other instrument, and all proceedings in connection with the authorization and the issuance of the bonds shall be conclusively presumed to have been legally taken and no court shall have authority to inquire into such matters and no such contest shall thereafter be instituted.

Upon the delivery of any bonds reciting that they are issued pursuant to this chapter and an election held or ordinance or resolution adopted under this chapter, the bonds shall be conclusively presumed to be fully authorized by all the laws of the Commonwealth and to have been sold, executed and delivered by the locality in conformity with such laws, and the validity of the bonds shall not be questioned by a party plaintiff, a party defendant, the locality, any taxpayer of the locality, or any other interested party in any court, anything in this chapter or in any other statutes to the contrary notwithstanding.

Code 1950, § 15-666.53; 1958, c. 640; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-212; 1991, c. 668, § 15.1-227.28; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-5326 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 53 / Article 2 / Section 15.2-5326
Physicians and employees
Status: in_force

An authority shall have power to provide and maintain continuous resident physician and intern medical services; to appoint an administrator or superintendent and necessary assistants, and any and all other employees deemed necessary or advisable and fix their compensation; and to remove such appointees.

Code 1950, § 32-240; 1979, c. 719, § 15.1-1560; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-1243 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 12 / Article 4 / Section 15.2-1243
Governing body to receive, audit and approve claims; warrants
Status: in_force

A. The governing body of every county shall receive and audit all claims against the county, except those required to be received and audited by the county school board, and shall, by resolution or recorded vote, approve and order warrants issued in settlement of those claims that are found to be valid; provided that a county administrator, county executive or county manager may sign and issue orders or warrants under such conditions as the governing body may prescribe. Every warrant issued pursuant to the provisions of this section shall bear the date on which the governing body orders it to be issued and shall be made payable on demand, signed by the clerk of the governing body or his deputy, countersigned by the chairman or acting chairman of the governing body, and recorded in the form and manner prescribed by the Auditor of Public Accounts. Such warrant may be converted to a negotiable check by the treasurer, or appropriately designated deputy treasurer, by affixing his signature thereto in conformity with the provisions of § 58.1-3162 and by designating thereon the bank by which it is to be paid.

B. Notwithstanding the requirements of subsection A, the governing body of any county may provide, by resolution, for the drawing of special warrants on the county treasurer, payable out of county funds, in payment of compensation, when such compensation has been earned or is due for (i) all employees and officers under written contract, and all officers elected or appointed for a term of office and their deputies and employees, (ii) upon receipt of certified time sheets or other evidence of services performed, the payment of all other employees whose rates of pay have been established by such governing body or its properly designated agent, or (iii) for payment on contracts for construction projects according to the terms of such contracts. All such special warrants so authorized shall be signed by the clerk of such governing body and countersigned by the chairman of such governing body. Any special warrant may be converted into a negotiable check in the manner provided in subsection A. All such payrolls and contracts so paid shall be reviewed and approved by the governing body at its next regular meeting.

C. The governing body of any county may, in its discretion, destroy the papers constituting any or all claims allowed and paid, upon the expiration of five years after audit in accordance with retention regulations established pursuant to the Virginia Public Records Act (§ 42.1-76 et seq.).

Code 1950, § 15-253; 1952, cc. 16, 304; 1954, c. 183; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-547; 1968, c. 269; 1979, c. 206; 1982, c. 493; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-2245.1 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 22 / Article 6 / Section 15.2-2245.1
Stormwater management ponds; removal of trees
Status: in_force

A locality shall not require, but may permit, the removal of trees to create stormwater management ponds or facilities if the minimum adequate outfall requirements and the requirements of the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act (§ 62.1-44.15:67 et seq.) can otherwise be met.

1998, c. 221 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-1617 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 16 / Article 3 / Section 15.2-1617
Deputies of deceased sheriffs
Status: in_force

If any sheriff dies during his term of office, his chief deputy shall have the same right to remove any deputy from office and to appoint another, that the sheriff himself, if alive, would have had; or any such deputy may be removed by order of the circuit court for the county or city of which his principal was sheriff; but unless so removed, the deputies of such sheriff, in office at the time of his death, shall continue in office until the qualification of any new sheriff, and execute the office in the name of the deceased, in like manner as if the sheriff had continued alive until such qualification. Any default or misfeasance in office of any such deputy shall be as much a breach of the condition of the bond of the sheriff, and of the bond of such deputy, as if the sheriff had continued alive and in the exercise of his office.

Code 1950, § 15-510; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-75; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 155; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-303 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle I / Chapter 3 / Section 15.2-303
When new supervisors elected
Status: in_force

If voters approve the adoption of an optional form of government in accordance with § 15.2-301 , the members of the governing body shall be elected at the next succeeding November general election. The members' terms shall commence on January 1 following the election.

1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-201 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle I / Chapter 2 / Section 15.2-201
Charter elections; subsequent procedure; procedure when bill not introduced or fails to pass in General Assembly
Status: in_force

A locality may provide for holding an election to be conducted as provided in § 24.2-681 et seq. of Title 24.2 to determine if the voters of the locality desire that it request the General Assembly to grant to the locality a new charter or to amend its existing charter. At least seven days prior to the holding of such election, public notice shall be given in accordance with § 15.2-1427 .

If a majority of the voters voting in such election vote in favor of such request, the locality shall transmit two certified copies of the results of such election together with the publisher's affidavit and the new charter or the amendments to the existing charter, to one or more members of the General Assembly representing such locality for introduction as a bill in the succeeding session of the General Assembly.

If a bill incorporating such charter or amendments is not introduced at the succeeding session of the General Assembly, the approval of the voters for such charter or amendments shall be void. If, at such session, members of the General Assembly fail to enact or pass by indefinitely and do not carry over such a bill incorporating such charter or amendments, the charter or amendments shall again be presented to the voters for their approval or submitted to a public hearing pursuant to § 15.2-202 before reintroduction in the General Assembly.

Code 1950, § 15-65.2; 1958, c. 329; 1962, cc. 1, 623, § 15.1-834; 1979, c. 297; 1985, c. 387; 1997, c. 587 ; 2024, cc. 225 , 242 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-4715 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 47 / Article 3 / Section 15.2-4715
Chapter to constitute complete district for acts authorized; liberal construction
Status: in_force

This chapter shall constitute full and complete authority for the district, without regard to the provisions of any other law, for the doing of the acts and things herein authorized. This chapter, being necessary for the welfare of the Commonwealth and its inhabitants, shall be liberally construed to effect the purposes hereof. Any court test concerning the validity of any bonds which may be issued for transportation improvements made pursuant to this chapter may be determined pursuant to Article 6 (§ 15.2-2650 et seq.) of Chapter 26.

1997, c. 587 ; 2015, c. 709 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-2209.1:2 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 22 / Article 1 / Section 15.2-2209.1:2
Extension of land use approvals for solar photovoltaic projects
Status: in_force

A. An initial approval of a special exception, special use permit, or conditional use permit for a solar photovoltaic or energy storage project shall provide the landowner or developer a minimum of three years to commence the project.

For so long as the special exception, special use permit, or conditional use permit remains valid, no change or amendment to any local ordinance, map, resolution, rule, regulation, policy, or plan adopted subsequent to the date of approval of the special exception, special use permit, or conditional use permit shall adversely affect the right of the developer or his successor in interest to commence and complete an approved development in accordance with the lawful terms of the special exception, special use permit, or conditional use permit unless the change or amendment is required to comply with state law or there has been a mistake, fraud, or a change in circumstances substantially affecting the public health, safety, or welfare.

Application for minor modifications to special exceptions, special use permits, or conditional use permits made during the period of validity shall not constitute a waiver of the provisions hereof nor shall the approval of minor modifications extend the period of validity of such plats or plans.

B. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, for any valid special exception, special use permit, or conditional use permit, or any modifications thereto, for a solar photovoltaic or energy storage project outstanding as of July 1, 2023, any deadline in the exception permit, or in the local zoning ordinance that requires the landowner or developer to commence the project within a certain time, may be extended by a resolution of the governing body until July 1, 2026, or such longer period as may be agreed to by the locality.

2023, cc. 499 , 500 ; 2024, c. 301 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-4300 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 43 / Section 15.2-4300
Short title
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Agricultural and Forestal Districts Act."

1977, c. 681, § 15.1-1506; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-3702 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle III / Chapter 37 / Section 15.2-3702
Ordinance required
Status: in_force

After the agreement required by § 15.2-3701 has been reached, the town council may, by ordinance passed by a recorded majority vote of all the members thereof, petition the circuit court for the county or counties in which the town is located for an order requiring a referendum on the question of whether the town charter shall be annulled and repealed.

1992, c. 453, § 15.1-965.30; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-6321 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 63 / Section 15.2-6321
Chapter controlling over inconsistent laws
Status: in_force

Insofar as the provisions of this chapter are inconsistent with the provisions of any other law, general, special or local, including provisions of charters of localities, the provisions of this chapter shall be controlling.

Code 1950, § 15-958; 1954, c. 645; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1341; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-2824 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 28.2 / Article 2 / Section 15.2-2824
Prohibitions on smoking generally; penalty for violation
Status: in_force

A. Smoking shall be prohibited in (i) elevators, regardless of capacity, except in any open material hoist elevator not intended for use by the general public; (ii) public school buses; (iii) the interior of any public elementary, intermediate, and secondary school; (iv) hospital emergency rooms; (v) local or district health departments; (vi) polling rooms; (vii) indoor service lines and cashier lines; (viii) public restrooms in any building owned or leased by the Commonwealth or any agency thereof; (ix) the interior of a child day center licensed pursuant to § 22.1-289.011 that is not also used for residential purposes; however, this prohibition shall not apply to any area of a building not utilized by a child day center, unless otherwise prohibited by this chapter; and (x) public restrooms of health care facilities.

B. No person shall smoke in any area or place specified in subsection A and any person who continues to smoke in such area or place after having been asked to refrain from smoking shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $25.

C. Civil penalties assessed under this section shall be paid into the Virginia Health Care Fund established under § 32.1-366 .

2009, cc. 153 , 154 ; 2020, cc. 860 , 861 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-1636.5 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 16 / Article 6.1 / Section 15.2-1636.5
Membership; compensation
Status: in_force

The Compensation Board shall consist of the Auditor of Public Accounts, the State Tax Commissioner, as ex officio members, and one member, who may or may not be an officer or employee of the Commonwealth, who shall be appointed and designated as chairman of the Board by the Governor and who shall hold office at the pleasure of the Governor. The ex officio members of the Board shall not receive any compensation for their services as such members. The member designated by the Governor as chairman shall receive such compensation as shall be fixed by law.

Code 1950, § 14-60; 1964, c. 386, § 14.1-48; 1983, c. 382; 1998, c. 872 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-4000 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle III / Chapter 40 / Section 15.2-4000
Enjoyment of city status until requirements of chapter fulfilled
Status: in_force

A city which no longer qualifies for city status under Article VII, Section 1 of the Constitution of Virginia shall change to town status under the provisions of this chapter. Until the court enters an order under § 15.2-4004 for such change, a city shall enjoy all the rights and obligations of city status.

1971, Ex. Sess., c. 140, § 15.1-965.1; 1988, c. 881; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-2014 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 20 / Article 4 / Section 15.2-2014
Temporary closing of rights-of-way in certain circumstances
Status: in_force

The chief administrative officer of any locality or, if there is none, then the chairman or mayor, may temporarily close any public right-of-way in the locality when in his judgment the public safety so requires. Such temporary closing shall not extend past the time of the next meeting of the governing body.

1970, c. 529, § 15.1-889.1; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-1647 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 16 / Article 8 / Section 15.2-1647
Removal of court
Status: in_force

As soon as the courthouse is completed, the board of supervisors shall certify the fact to the judge of the circuit court for the county, who shall, after sixty days' notice, to be published in a newspaper in the county if any, and if none, then in a newspaper having general circulation in the county, order his court to be held in the new location.

Code 1950, § 15-46; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-562; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-6306 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 63 / Section 15.2-6306
Principal and branch offices
Status: in_force

The board of each authority created by proclamation of the Governor pursuant to § 15.2-6302 shall establish a principal office within one of the counties included in the authority. The board may also establish such branch offices as may be considered by the board to be appropriate to the efficient operation of the authority.

Code 1950, § 15-943; 1954, c. 645; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1326; 1997, c. 587; 2005, cc. 869 , 887 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-4221 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 42 / Section 15.2-4221
Merger of two planning district commissions
Status: in_force

The commissions of any two planning districts and a majority of the governing bodies of the localities comprising each district, upon finding that the community of interest, ease of communications and transportation, and geographic factors and natural boundaries among the localities of the two districts are such that the best interest of the localities would be served, may by resolutions concurrently adopted vote to merge into one district and request the Department of Housing and Community Development to declare the districts so merged. Upon such declaration, the commissions of the two districts shall be merged into one commission. The commission of the new district thereupon shall organize as provided in § 15.2-4203 ; however, nothing shall prevent the commissions of the two districts which are to be merged from agreeing to the terms of such organization prior to their vote to merge.

1990, c. 722, § 15.1-1416.1; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-3306 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle III / Chapter 33 / Section 15.2-3306
Limitations to immunity
Status: in_force

A. Immunity granted by this chapter shall not be interpreted to prohibit any town annexations, or to prohibit annexations to a city initiated under the provisions of § 15.2-3203 , except that no city may commence or be a petitioner in any such proceeding.

B. Notwithstanding other provisions of law, including § 15.2-3800 , no grant of county immunity shall be interpreted to deny the right of any town, which in 1979 possessed a population in excess of 5,000 persons and was situated in a county possessing a population of 20,000 or more persons and a population density of 300 or more persons per square mile, or a population of 50,000 or more persons and a population density of 140 persons or more per square mile, based either on the United States census, on population estimates of the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service of the University of Virginia, or on a special census conducted under court supervision, to obtain city status. Where a town seeks to become a city under the provisions of this section, the special court shall be limited in its review to a determination of the town's population and population density. Where the court determines that such town has a population of at least 5,000 persons and a density of 200 persons per square mile, it shall enter an order granting the town city status.

1979, c. 85, § 15.1-977.23; 1997, c. 587; 2002, c. 199 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-943.1 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 9 / Article 3 / Section 15.2-943.1
Creation of arts and cultural districts
Status: in_force

A. Any locality, or combination of localities, may by ordinance, or in the case of multiple localities by substantially similar ordinances, establish within the boundaries of such localities one or more arts and cultural districts for the purpose of increasing awareness and support for the arts and culture in the locality. The locality may provide incentives for the support and creation of arts and cultural venues in each district. The locality may also grant tax incentives and provide certain regulatory flexibility in each arts and cultural district.

B. The tax incentives for each district may be provided for up to 10 years and may include, but not be limited to, (i) reduction of permit fees, (ii) reduction of user fees, (iii) reduction of any type of gross receipts tax, and (iv) rebate of real estate property taxes. The extent and duration of such incentive proposals shall conform to the requirements of the Constitutions of Virginia and of the United States.

C. Each locality may also provide for regulatory flexibility in each district that may include, but not be limited to, (i) special zoning for the district, (ii) permit process reform, (iii) exemption from ordinances, and (iv) any other incentive adopted by ordinance, which shall be binding upon the locality for a period of up to 10 years.

2018, c. 396 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-2111 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 21 / Article 2 / Section 15.2-2111
Regulation of sewage disposal or water service
Status: in_force

Any locality may exercise its powers to regulate sewage collection, treatment or disposal service and water service notwithstanding any anticompetitive effect. Such regulation may include the establishment of an exclusive service area for any sewage or water system, including a system owned or operated by the locality, the fixing of rates or charges for any sewage or water service, and the prohibition, restriction or regulation of competition between entities providing sewage or water service.

No power herein granted shall alter or amend the powers or the duties of any present or future authority created pursuant to the Virginia Water and Waste Authorities Act (§ 15.2-5100 et seq.) nor confer any right or responsibility upon the governing body of any locality which would supersede or be inconsistent with any of the duties or responsibilities of the State Water Control Board.

1984, c. 525, § 15.1-292.2; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-5431.5 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 54.1 / Section 15.2-5431.5
Advertisement of resolution and notice of hearing
Status: in_force

The governing body of the locality shall cause to be advertised at least one time in a newspaper of general circulation in such locality a copy of the resolution creating the authority, or a descriptive summary of the resolution and a reference to the place within the locality where a copy of the resolution can be obtained, and notice of the day, not less than 30 days after publication of the advertisement, on which a public hearing will be held on the resolution.

2003, c. 643 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-5138.1 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 51 / Article 4 / Section 15.2-5138.1
Enforcement of certain charges when authority does not provide water services
Status: in_force

A. This section shall apply only to an authority operating in Planning District 1 or Planning District 2.

B. If any rates, fees or charges for the use and services of any sewer system acquired or constructed by the authority under the provisions of this chapter are not paid within 60 days after they become due, the authority may require that the owner, tenant or occupant of such premises cease disposing of sewage or industrial wastes originating from or on such premises by discharge directly or indirectly into the sewer system until such rates, fees or charges, with interest, are paid. If such owner, tenant or occupant does not cease such disposal at the expiration of the 60-day period, the authority may require any political subdivision, district, private corporation, board, body or person supplying water to or selling water for use on such premises to cease supplying water to or selling water for use on such premises within five days after the receipt of notice of such delinquency from the authority. If such political subdivision, district, private corporation, board, body or person does not, at the expiration of such five-day period, cease supplying water to or selling water for use on such premises, then the authority may shut off the supply of water to such premises.

C. The water supply to or for any person, or for use on real estate of any person, shall not be shut off or stopped under this section if the State Health Commissioner, upon application of the local board of health or health officer of the locality in which such water is supplied or such real estate is located, has found and certifies to the authorities charged with the responsibility of ceasing to supply or sell such water, or to shut off the supply of such water, that ceasing to supply or shutting off such water supply will endanger the health of such person and the health of others in the locality.

2008, c. 452 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-926.1 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 9 / Article 1 / Section 15.2-926.1
Bounties for coyotes
Status: in_force

Any locality may by ordinance permit the killing of coyotes within its boundaries at any time and may pay, out of any available funds, a bounty for each coyote killed within its boundaries. The ordinance may prescribe the conditions to be met and the evidence to be submitted before any such payment is made, as well as the amount of the bounty to be paid.

1999, c. 487 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-4708 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 47 / Article 1 / Section 15.2-4708
Allocation of funds to local transportation districts
Status: in_force

The governing body that created a district pursuant to § 15.2-4702 may advance funds, or provide matching funds, from moneys not otherwise specifically allocated or obligated, from whatever source received or generated, including without limitation general revenues, special fees and assessments, state allocations, and contributions from private sources, to a local district to assist the local district to undertake the project for which it was created. The Commonwealth Transportation Board may allocate funds to a district only from the construction district or districts in which such transportation district is located pursuant to the highway allocation formula to assist the district with an approved project as provided by law.

1997, c. 587 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-5504 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 55 / Section 15.2-5504
Powers of Authority
Status: in_force

The Authority shall have the following powers together with all powers incidental thereto or necessary for the performance of those hereinafter stated:

1. To sue and be sued and to prosecute and defend, at law or in equity, in any court having jurisdiction of the subject matter and of the parties;

2. To adopt and use a corporate seal and to alter the same at pleasure;

3. To contract and be contracted with;

4. To employ and pay compensation to such employees and agents, including attorneys, as the board of directors deem necessary in carrying on the business of the Authority;

5. To exercise all powers expressly given the Authority by the governing bodies of the participating localities which established the Authority and to establish bylaws and make all rules and regulations, not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter, deemed expedient for the management of the Authority's affairs;

6. To borrow money and to accept contributions, grants and other financial assistance from the United States of America and agencies or instrumentalities thereof, the Commonwealth, or any political subdivision, agency, or public instrumentality of the Commonwealth;

7. To formulate a tourism development agenda for each participating locality in the LENOWISCO and Cumberland Plateau Planning District Commissions;

8. To receive and expend moneys on behalf of tourism development;

9. To coordinate the participating localities' individual tourism plans; and

10. To form corporations, limited partnerships or limited liability companies for the purposes of fostering or promoting tourism, job creation, economic development, or the sale of goods manufactured and produced in Virginia.

1993, c. 663, § 15.1-1399.21; 1997, c. 587; 2004, c. 806 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-634.1 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle I / Chapter 6 / Article 3 / Section 15.2-634.1
Background checks required for certain employees
Status: in_force

As a condition of employment, any county having the county manager form of government shall require any applicant who is offered or accepts employment, whether full-time or part-time, permanent or temporary or contractual, at such county's water treatment facility after September 1, 2001, to submit to fingerprinting and to provide personal descriptive information to be forwarded along with the applicant's fingerprints through the Central Criminal Records Exchange to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the purpose of obtaining criminal history record information regarding such applicant. Such applicants shall, if required by ordinance, pay the cost of fingerprinting or a criminal records check or both.

The Central Criminal Records Exchange, upon receipt of an applicant's record or notification that no record exists, shall make a report to the county manager or his designee, who must belong to a governmental entity. If an applicant is denied employment because of the information appearing in his criminal history record, the county shall notify the applicant that information obtained from the Central Criminal Records Exchange contributed to such denial. The information shall not be disseminated except as provided for in this section.

2003, c. 202 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-2601 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 26 / Article 1 / Section 15.2-2601
Chapter not to affect general, special and local acts and charters under which bonds are issued or validated
Status: in_force

Unless expressly stated to the contrary nothing in this chapter repeals, amends, impairs or in any way affects (i) any act under the provisions of which bonds have heretofore been issued and are outstanding as of June 30, 1991, (ii) any act, general or special, validating bonds or any proceedings in connection with the issuance of bonds, or (iii) any special rights, privileges, restrictions or limitations now contained in any locality's charter. Nothing in this chapter repeals, amends, impairs or in any way affects any of the provisions of any charter or special or local act authorizing or regulating the issuance of bonds by a locality. The provisions of this chapter are in addition to the powers conferred by any charter or special or local act, and a locality may issue bonds, at the election of its governing body, under either (i) the provisions of this chapter without regard to the requirements, restrictions or other provisions contained in any charter or local or special act applicable to the locality or (ii) the provisions of such charter or local or special act; however, after July 1, 1992, notwithstanding the foregoing, any referendum requirement for the issuance of bonds or debt limit contained in any charter or local or special act shall control over the provisions of this chapter.

Code 1950, § 15-666.14; 1958, c. 640; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-171; 1991, c. 668, § 15.1-227.2; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-3527 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle III / Chapter 35 / Article 2 / Section 15.2-3527
Assistance of state agencies
Status: in_force

The court may, in its discretion, direct any appropriate state agency, in addition to the Commission on Local Government, to gather and present evidence, including statistical data and exhibits, for the court, to be subject to the usual rules of evidence. The court shall determine the actual expense of preparing such evidence, and shall tax such expense as costs in the case; the costs shall be paid by the clerk into the general fund of the state treasury and credited to the agency furnishing the evidence.

1979, c. 85, § 15.1-1130.9; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-5823 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 58 / Section 15.2-5823
Expired
Status: in_force

Expired January 1, 2008, pursuant to Acts 2005, c. 106 , cl. 2.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-5508 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 55 / Section 15.2-5508
Provisions of chapter controlling over other statutes and charters
Status: in_force

Any provision of this chapter which is found to be in conflict with any other statute or charter shall be controlling and shall supersede such other statute or charter to the extent of such conflict.

1993, c. 663, § 15.1-1399.25; 1997, c. 587; 2015, c. 709 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-1123 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 11 / Article 1 / Section 15.2-1123
Airports and facilities
Status: in_force

A. A municipal corporation may provide and operate within or outside the municipal corporation airports and lands, structures, equipment and facilities appurtenant thereto; provide for their management and operation by an agency of the municipality; contract with others for the operation and management thereof upon such terms and conditions as shall be prescribed by the municipal corporation; and charge or authorize the charging of compensation for the use of the airport or any of its appurtenances or facilities.

B. A municipal corporation located in Planning District 11 or a political subdivision located in Planning District 6 or 7 may apply any deicing agent containing urea for the purpose of deicing an airport that is classified by the Virginia Air Transportation System Plan as a Commercial Service airport or General Aviation Regional airport, provided the application does not exceed Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System stormwater permit requirements.

Code 1950, § 15-77.49; 1958, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-885; 1997, c. 587; 2013, c. 758 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-3547 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle III / Chapter 35 / Article 2 / Section 15.2-3547
Consolidation of entire county requires no action of town council
Status: in_force

An entire county may be consolidated with any county or city having a common boundary in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this article without the necessity of any action concerning the consolidation being taken by the council of any town situated in such county and without the necessity of a separate referendum in any such town on the question of the consolidation.

Code 1950, § 15-231; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1145; 1979, c. 85; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-5119 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle IV / Chapter 51 / Article 3 / Section 15.2-5119
Power to provide and operate electric energy systems
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any contrary provision of law in this chapter, an authority operating a water supply impoundment facility may, in connection with such facility, generate, produce, transmit, deliver, exchange, purchase or sell electric power and energy at wholesale and enter into contracts for such purposes.

1982, c. 469, § 15.1-1250.2; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-639 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle I / Chapter 6 / Article 3 / Section 15.2-639
Compensation; fee system abolished
Status: in_force

All county officers and employees shall be paid regular compensation. The fee system as a method of compensation in the county shall be abolished, except for officers not affected by the adoption of this form of county organization and government. All such officers and employees shall, however, continue to collect all fees and charges provided for by general law, shall keep a record thereof, and shall promptly transmit all such fees and charges collected to the director of finance, who shall promptly receipt therefor. Such officers shall also keep such other records as are required by § 17.1-283 . All fees and commissions which, but for the provisions of this section, would be paid to such officers by the Commonwealth for services rendered shall be paid to the county treasury.

The excess, if any, of the fees collected by each of the officers mentioned in § 17.1-283 or collected by anyone exercising the powers of and performing the duties of any such officer, over (i) the allowance to which such officer would be entitled by general law but for the provisions of this section and (ii) expenses in such amount as allowed by the Compensation Board, shall be paid, one third into the state treasury and the other two thirds to the county.

Any county officer or employee who fails or refuses to collect any fee which is collectible and should be collected under the provisions of this section, or who fails or refuses to pay any fee so collected to the county as herein provided, shall upon conviction be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor.

Code 1950, § 15-334; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-657; 1997, c. 587.
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-1636.10 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 16 / Article 6.1 / Section 15.2-1636.10
Appeals from certain decisions affecting expenses, etc., of circuit court clerks
Status: in_force

Any clerk of a circuit court shall have a right to appeal from the annual budget decision of the Board under this article affecting the expenses or allowances of the clerk, or the salary and number of clerk's deputies. In addition, any county or city affected by such decision or the Attorney General as representative of the Commonwealth shall have the right to appeal from the decision. Such appeals shall be taken and heard as provided in § 15.2-1636.9 .

1984, c. 654, § 14.1-52.01; 1998, c. 872 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-1710.1 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 17 / Article 1 / Section 15.2-1710.1
Arrest or summons quota prohibited
Status: in_force

A. A police force shall not establish a formal or informal quota that requires a police officer to make a specific number of arrests or issue a specific number of summonses within a designated period of time.

B. A police force shall not use the number of arrests made or summonses issued by a police officer as the sole criterion for evaluating an officer's job performance.

C. Nothing in this section shall preclude a police force from collecting, analyzing, and utilizing information concerning the number of arrests made or summonses issued for any other purpose.

2022, cc. 208 , 209 .
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-954 — Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 9 / Article 5 / Section 15.2-954
Loans to volunteer firefighting and rescue organizations
Status: in_force

Any locality may make loans of money appropriated from public funds to any nonprofit organization furnishing firefighting or rescue services for the construction of facilities or the acquisition of equipment that is to be used for the purpose of providing firefighting or rescue services.

1990, c. 125, § 15.1-24.1; 1997, c. 587.