dcrodriguez/Code-of-Virginia huggingface dataset:
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 31 (SETTLING BOUNDARIES BETWEEN LOCALITIES)
§ 15.2-3108. Petition and hearing; recordation of order; costs.
Within a reasonable time after a voluntary boundary agreement is adopted by the affected localities, each affected locality shall petition the circuit court for one of the affected localities to approve the boundary agreement. The petition shall set forth the facts pertaining to the desire to relocate or change the boundary line between the localities, and the petition shall include or have attached to it either (i) a plat depicting the change in the boundaries of the localities as agreed; (ii) a metes and bounds description of the new boundary line as agreed upon by the two localities; or (iii) a Geographic Information System (GIS) map depicting the change in the boundaries of the localities as agreed, having been established by Virginia State Plane Coordinates System, South Zone or North Zone, as applicable, meeting National Geodetic Survey standards. If the court finds that the procedures required by § 15.2-3107 have been complied with and that the petition is otherwise in proper order, the court shall enter an appropriate order establishing the new boundary. The order shall include a plat depicting the change in the boundaries of the locality, a metes and bounds description of the new boundary line of the locality, or a GIS map depicting the change in the boundaries of the localities that includes the Virginia State Plane, South Zone or North Zone coordinates, as applicable, and that order shall be entered in the land records of the court and indexed in the names of the localities which were involved. Costs shall be awarded as the court may determine. Whenever such an order is entered, a certified copy of the order shall be sent to the Secretary of the Commonwealth by the clerk of the court.

1977, c. 277, § 15.1-1031.3; 1983, c. 594; 1993, c. 392; 1997, c. 587; 2013, c. 773; 2016, c. 153; 2018, cc. 85, 319; 2019, cc. 118, 385, 705.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 31 (SETTLING BOUNDARIES BETWEEN LOCALITIES)
§ 15.2-3109. Court-ordered adjustment of boundary lines.
A. Whenever any two localities have agreed that a change should be made to their common boundary line so that public services in an area may be provided more effectively and more efficiently, but are unable to agree as to the proper location for the new boundary line, their governing bodies may petition jointly either of the circuit courts for their respective localities for an order establishing the new boundary line within the terms of the petition. The court shall refer the petition to the Commission on Local Government, and shall also certify the filing of the petition to the Supreme Court with a request that a three-judge court be convened pursuant to § 15.2-3000 to decide the matter. The Commission shall conduct a hearing to receive evidence concerning the location of the new boundary line. Any interested persons may present evidence. The Commission shall publish notice of its hearing at least once a week for two successive weeks in newspapers of general circulation in each locality. Based upon the evidence and the report of its staff, the Commission shall determine a new boundary line that best promotes the more effective and efficient provision of public services. The Commission shall transmit its findings to the court in writing, where they shall be received in evidence. The court shall hear evidence with respect to relocating the boundary line and shall enter an order establishing the new boundary line so as to promote, to the extent possible, the more effective and more efficient provision of public services. Such order shall set forth the terms for the transfer of territory and shall be recorded in the common-law order book and in the current deed book for both localities' courts and indexed in the name of the localities as the case may be. A certified copy of the order shall be sent to the Secretary of the Commonwealth by the clerk of the circuit court.

B. Notice of any application as provided in subsection A hereof shall be served upon the property owners, if any, of the area affected by the agreement, and if such property owners object to the change, they shall be permitted to intervene in the proceedings and show cause why the boundary line should not be changed.

1979, c. 85, § 15.1-1031.4; 1997, c. 587.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 32 (Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities)
§ 15.2-3200. Boundaries of cities and towns to remain as established until changed.
The boundaries of the cities and towns of this Commonwealth shall be and remain as now established unless changed as provided in this title.

Code 1950, § 15-152.2; 1952, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1032; 1997, c. 587.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 32 (Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities)
§ 15.2-3202. Ordinance for annexation by city or town; appointment of special court.
The council of any city or town may by an ordinance passed by a recorded affirmative vote of a majority of all the members elected to the council, petition the circuit court for the county in which any territory adjacent to the city or town lies, for the annexation of such territory. The circuit court with which the petition is filed shall notify the Supreme Court, which shall appoint a special court to hear the case as prescribed by Chapter 30 (§ 15.2-3000 et seq.) of this title.

The ordinance shall set forth the necessity for or expediency of annexation and shall contain the following detailed information:

1. Metes and bounds and size of area sought;

2. Information, which may be shown on a map annexed to the ordinance, of the area sought to be annexed, indicating generally subdivisions, industrial areas, farm areas, vacant areas and others, together with any other information deemed relevant as to possible future uses of property within the area. If a map is not annexed as part of the ordinance, then such information shall be set forth in the ordinance;

3. A general statement of the terms and conditions upon which annexation is sought, and the provisions planned for the future improvement of the annexed territory, including the provision of public utilities and services therein.

Code 1950, § 15-152.3; 1952, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1033; 1997, c. 587.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 32 (Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities)
§ 15.2-3203. Petition by voters of adjacent territory, or governing body of adjacent county or town, for annexation; voluntary agreement by governing body to reject annexation.
A. Whenever fifty-one percent of the voters of any territory adjacent to any city or town or fifty-one percent of the owners of real estate in number and land area in a designated area, or the governing body of the county in which such territory is located, or of the town desiring to annex such territory petition the circuit court for the county, stating that it is desirable that such territory be annexed to the city or town and setting forth the metes and bounds thereof, a copy of such petition shall be served on the city or town council, and published in the manner prescribed in § 15.2-3204. The case shall, except as otherwise provided in this chapter, proceed in all respects as though instituted in the manner prescribed in § 15.2-3202; however, the special court shall not increase the area of the territory described in the petition.

B. Any city or town to which the annexation is proposed may reject such annexation by ordinance, duly adopted by a majority of the elected members of the governing body of the city or town, if such ordinance is adopted either prior to the pretrial conference provided for in § 15.2-3207 or within the time limits set forth in § 15.2-3213.

C. Any county, city or town may enter into a voluntary agreement with any other county, city or town or combination thereof, whereby such city or town agrees to reject any annexations initiated under subsection A. Such agreement may be for such period of time as specified by the parties to such agreement with respect to all or a portion of the county.

Code 1950, § 15-152.4; 1952, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1034; 1979, c. 85; 1983, c. 594; 1985, c. 478; 1997, c. 587.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 32 (Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities)
§ 15.2-3204. Notice of motion; service and publication.
At least thirty days before instituting any annexation proceeding under this chapter, a city or town shall serve notice and a certified copy of the ordinance on the attorney for the Commonwealth, or on the county attorney, if there is one, and on the chairman of the governing body of the county wherein such territory lies that it will, on a given day, petition the circuit court to grant the annexation requested in the ordinance. A copy of the notice and ordinance, or a descriptive summary of the notice and ordinance and a reference to the place within the city or town where copies of the notice and ordinance may be examined, shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks in some newspaper published in such city or town, and when there is no newspaper published therein, then in a newspaper having general circulation in the county whose territory is affected. The proof of service or certificate of service of the notice and ordinance shall be returned after service to the clerk of the circuit court. Certification from the owner, editor or manager of the newspaper publishing the notice and ordinance or descriptive summary shall be proof of publication.

Code 1950, § 15-152.5; 1952, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1035; 1979, c. 85; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 32 (Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities)
§ 15.2-3205. Additional parties.
A. In any proceedings hereunder any qualified voters or property owners in the territory proposed to be annexed or any adjoining city or town may, by petition, become parties to such proceeding as provided in subsection B hereof. Any county whose territory is affected by the proceedings, or any city, town or persons affected thereby, may appear and shall be made parties defendant to the case, and be represented by counsel.

B. The special court shall by order, fix a time within which such additional parties not served may become defendants to such proceeding, 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 of general circulation in the city or town seeking the territory and in the territory sought to be annexed.

C. The cost of such publication shall be paid by the petitioner or applicant.

Code 1950, § 15-152.6; 1952, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1036; 1979, c. 85; 1996, c. 352; 1997, c. 587.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 32 (Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities)
§ 15.2-3206. Conflicting petitions for same territory; petition seeking territory lying in two or more counties; procedure.
A. When proceedings for the annexation of territory to a city or town are pending and a petition is filed seeking the annexation of the same territory or a portion thereof to another city or town the case shall be heard by the court in which the original proceedings are pending. The court shall consolidate the cases, hear them together, and make such decision as is just, taking into consideration the interests of all parties to each case.

B. When the territory sought by a city or town lies in two or more counties, all such counties shall be made parties defendant to the case. The motion or petition shall be addressed to the circuit court for the county in which the larger part of the territory is located. The provisions of this article shall apply, mutatis, mutandis, to any such proceedings.

Code 1950, § 15-152.7; 1952, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1037; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 32 (Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities)
§ 15.2-3207. Pretrial conference; matters considered.
The special court shall, prior to hearing any case under this chapter, direct the attorneys for the parties to appear before it, or in its discretion before a single judge for a conference to consider:

1. Simplification of the issues;

2. Amendment of pleadings and filing of additional pleadings;

3. Stipulations as to facts, documents, records, photographs, plans and like matters, which will dispense with formal proof thereof, including:

a. Assessed values and the ratio of assessed values to true values as determined by the State Department of Taxation in the area sought to be annexed, city or town and county, including real property, personal property, machinery and tools, merchants' capital and public service corporation assessment for each year of the five years immediately preceding;

b. Tax rate for the five years next preceding in the area sought, including any sanitary district therein, and in the city or town;

c. School population and school enrollment in the county, in the area sought, and in the city or town, as shown by the records in the office of the division superintendent of schools; and cost of education per pupil in average daily membership as shown by the last preceding report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction;

4. Estimated population of the county, the area sought and the city or town;

5. Limitation on the number of expert witnesses; each expert witness who will testify shall file a statement of his qualifications;

6. Such other matters as may aid in the disposition of the case.

The court, or judge as the case may be, shall make an appropriate order which will control the subsequent conduct of the case unless modified before or at the trial or hearing to prevent manifest injustice.

Code 1950, § 15-152.10; 1952, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1040; 1979, c. 85; 1997, c. 587; 2010, cc. 386, 629.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 32 (Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities)
§ 15.2-3208. Assistance of state agencies.
The special 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 guidance of the court. The court shall determine the actual expense of preparing such evidence, other than that secured by the Commission on Local Government, and shall tax such expense as costs in this case; the costs shall be paid by the clerk into the general fund of the state treasury, and credited to the appropriation of the agency furnishing the evidence.

1979, c. 85, § 15.1-1040.1; 1997, c. 587.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 32 (Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities)
§ 15.2-3210. Boundary line where territory fronts on river, bay, etc.
A. In any proceeding under the provisions of this chapter to annex territory, when such territory fronts on a river or creek, the petition may ask that the boundary line be established along the centerline of such river or creek. If any territory is awarded in such proceeding that borders on a river or creek, the decision may order that the boundary line be the centerline of the river or creek that flows beside such territory.

B. If the territory sought to be annexed fronts on a bay, lake or similar type body of water, the boundary line shall be by metes and bounds in such bay, lake or similar type body of water. If a river or creek flows into such bay, lake or similar type body of water and such river or creek fronts all or a portion of the territory sought to be annexed, the metes and bounds shall run only to the point where such river or creek enters the bay, lake or similar type body of water and thereafter the centerline of the river or creek may be the boundary line to the extent applicable.

C. For purposes of this article, if any city is bisected by a river or any branch thereof then such river or branch shall lie within the boundaries of such city to the extent that there are portions of such city on both opposite shores of such river or branch.

D. For purposes of this article, if any river in the Commonwealth is bordered on both sides by cities of a population of 100,000 or more, according to the 1970 census, to the extent that such cities' borders along the river are in opposition, including the border across any branch as provided in subsection C, the boundaries of such cities shall be the centerline of the river and such cities shall be contiguous one to the other, notwithstanding any judicial decree to the contrary entered prior to 1976. Nothing in this subsection shall apply to that body of water known as Hampton Roads, located between Norfolk, Portsmouth and Suffolk on the south and Newport News and Hampton on the north.

1976, c. 662, § 15.1-1041.1; 1997, c. 587.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 32 (Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities)
§ 15.2-3212. Determination of value of public improvements.
In determining the value of any public improvement for the purposes set forth in § 15.2-3211 the special court shall take into consideration the original cost thereof less depreciation, reproduction cost at the time of annexation less depreciation, as well as present value.

The city or town shall receive credit, upon a basis to be determined by the court, for any sums it may have contributed to such public improvement and may in the discretion of the court be allowed credit for any portion of the cost thereof contributed by any federal, state or other agency and not borne by the county. When such improvements consist of a school financed in part from county funds and in part from a state grant, the city or town shall receive such credit only upon that portion of the cost paid for by the state grant and only then upon the ratio that children residing in the area annexed and enrolled in such school therein bears to the total attendance of school children in the county.

The governing body of the county or any town therein, portions of which are proposed to be annexed, shall not between the entry of the decree of annexation and the date when the same becomes effective, make or contract for any permanent public improvements, to be paid for by the city or town seeking annexation, without the consent of the corporate authorities of the city or town and the supervision of the official thereof charged with making similar public improvements within the city or town.

Code 1950, § 15-152.13; 1952, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1043; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 32 (Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities)
§ 15.2-3213. Declining to accept annexation on terms and conditions imposed by court.
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.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 32 (Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities)
§ 15.2-3214. Costs.
The costs in annexation proceedings shall be paid by the locality instituting the proceedings and shall be the same as in other civil cases; however, in proceedings instituted by a town, in assessing the costs, the special court shall consider the extent to which county revenues are derived from within the town, the relative financial abilities of the parties and the relative merits of the case. The costs shall include the per diem and expenses of the court reporter, if any, and, in the discretion of the court, a reasonable allowance to the court for secretarial services in connection with the preparation of the written opinion. If the proceedings are instituted otherwise than by a city, town or county, such costs shall be paid as the court directs considering the relative merits of the case.

On appeal, the appellate court shall determine by whom the appellate costs shall be paid.

Code 1950, § 15-152.15; 1952, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1045; 1979, c. 85; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 32 (Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities)
§ 15.2-3215. County reimbursement for town annexation proceedings.
In any annexation proceedings in which a town participates, except those in which a town declines to accept an award by the special court, in which case § 15.2-3213 shall apply, the court may direct the county within which the town is located to reimburse the town, as hereinafter provided, for reasonable costs incurred by it in presenting its case. Such costs shall include attorneys' fees, engineering fees, witness fees, and other reasonable costs as the court shall determine and allow. The court shall hear evidence regarding the costs incurred by the town in presenting its annexation case and may order part payment by the county to the town based upon a consideration of the extent to which county revenues are derived from within the town, the relative financial ability of the town and county, and the relative merits of the case.

1979, c. 85, § 15.1-1045.1; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 32 (Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities)
§ 15.2-3216. Proceedings not to fail for technical or procedural defects or errors.
No proceedings brought under this chapter shall fail because of a defect, imperfection or omission in the annexation ordinance or the pleadings which does not affect the substantial rights of the parties or any other technical or procedural defect, imperfection or error, but the special court shall at any time allow amendment of the ordinance or the pleadings or make any other order necessary to ensure the hearing of the case on its merits.

Code 1950, § 15-152.16; 1952, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1046; 1979, c. 85; 1980, c. 592; 1997, c. 587.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 32 (Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities)
§ 15.2-3217. Court granting annexation to exist for 10 years.
The special court shall not be dissolved after rendering a decision granting any motion or petition for annexation, but shall remain in existence for a period of 10 years from the effective date of any annexation order entered, or from the date of any decision of the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeals affirming such an order. Vacancies occurring in the court during such 10-year period shall be filled as provided in § 15.2-3004.

The court may be reconvened at any time during the 10-year period on its own motion, or on motion of the governing body of the county, or of the city or town, or on petition of not less than 50 registered voters or property owners in the area annexed; however, if the area annexed contains fewer than 100 registered voters or property owners, a majority of such registered voters or property owners may petition for the reconvening of the court.

The court shall have power and it shall be its duty, at any time during such period, to enforce the performance of the terms and conditions under which annexation was granted, and to issue appropriate process to compel such performance. The court may, in its discretion, award attorney fees, and court and other reasonable costs to the party or parties on whose motion the court is reconvened.

Any such action of the court shall be subject to review by the Court of Appeals in the same manner as is provided with respect to the original decision of the court.

Code 1950, § 15-152.17; 1952, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1047; 1979, c. 85; 1997, c. 587; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 489.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 32 (Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities)
§ 15.2-3218. Continued existence of court under certain conditions.
Notwithstanding the provisions of § 15.2-3217, if a decision granting any motion or petition for annexation is subjected to collateral attack in any court, state or federal, the special court shall not be dissolved; or, if heretofore or hereafter dissolved at the time such attack is made or is pending, shall be revived. The court shall thereafter continue in existence for one year after all collateral issues have been resolved, and shall have the same powers and duties as set out in § 15.2-3217. In addition, it shall have the power to fully implement any order or decision of any court of competent jurisdiction with respect to such collateral attack.

1975, c. 32, § 15.1-1047.2; 1997, c. 587.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 32 (Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities)
§ 15.2-3219. Reduced taxation on real estate in territory added to corporate limits.
The council of any city or town to which territory has been added may, by ordinance, allow a lower rate of taxation to be imposed for a period not to exceed ten years after the effective date of the annexation upon the real estate or any portion thus added to its corporate limits, than is imposed on similar property within its limits at the time such territory was added.

Such differences in the rate of taxation hereafter shall be established annually and shall bear a reasonable relationship to differences between nonrevenue-producing governmental services giving land urban character which are furnished in the area added as compared to other areas in the city or town.

1970, c. 37, § 15.1-1047.1; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 36; 1985, c. 478; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 32 (Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities)
§ 15.2-3220. Mandamus and prohibition.
Mandamus and prohibition shall lie from the Supreme Court or any circuit court to compel a city or town to carry out the provisions of this article or to forbid any violation of the same.

Code 1950, § 15-152.18; 1952, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1048; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 32 (Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities)
§ 15.2-3221. Appeals; how heard.
An appeal may be made to the Court of Appeals. 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. 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 herein and shall enter such order as the special court should have entered. In any case, by consent of all parties of record, the motion to annex may be dismissed at any time before final judgment on appeal.

Code 1950, § 15-152.19; 1952, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1049; 1997, c. 587; 2003, c. 940; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 489.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 32 (Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities)
§ 15.2-3222. What order to be entered by the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeals.
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, certify a copy of the order to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, and such order shall be final unless appealed to the Supreme Court. 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 § 15.2-3221, shall enter such order as the special court should have entered, and shall certify the order to the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Code 1950, § 15-152.20; 1952, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1050; 1970, c. 751; 1978, c. 642; 1997, c. 587; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 489.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 32 (Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities)
§ 15.2-3223. What order and proceedings clerk to certify, and where same shall be recorded; fees.
The clerk of the court wherein an order is entered for the annexation of territory shall make and certify copies of so much of the order and proceedings as shall show the authorization of the transfer of territory from the county or town to the city or town, as the case may be. He shall transmit one copy, along with a full description of the territory so annexed, to the county clerk of the county whose territory is affected, who shall forthwith record the same in the name of the city or town to which the territory is annexed, and one copy to the clerk of the court of such city in which deeds are recorded, who shall likewise record and index the same. The fees of the clerk for such recordation shall be the same as for recording a deed and such fees, as well as the fees of the clerk for making the copies aforesaid, shall be paid by the city or town.

Code 1950, § 15-152.21; 1952, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1051; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 32 (Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities)
§ 15.2-3224. Commissioner of revenue for the county to certify list of real estate in annexed territory to commissioner of revenue.
The commissioner of the revenue of such county shall forthwith make from the land books and certify to the commissioner of the revenue of the city a list of all real estate within the annexed territory as it appears on such land books, embracing every entry thereon in regard thereto, for which service he shall be paid by such city a reasonable fee.

Code 1950, § 15-152.22; 1952, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1052; 1994, c. 539; 1997, c. 587.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 32 (Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities)
§ 15.2-3225. County or district officers resident in annexed territory to remain in office; reelection.
If a county or district officer resides in a territory annexed to a city, such officer may continue in office until the end of the term for which he was elected or appointed. The provisions of § 15.2-3823 shall prevail with respect to successive reelections of such officers. Removal of such officer, during his term of office from any such territory, to another part of the city or town to which it is annexed shall not vacate his office, but residence in any part of such city or town shall during his term of office be deemed residence in the county or district.

Code 1950, § 15-152.23; 1952, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1053; 1964, c. 202; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 32 (Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities)
§ 15.2-3226. Redistricting and elections in city or town following annexation; registration and transfer of registration of voters in annexed territory.
A. Whenever the boundaries of a city or town, which elects its council by wards or districts, have been expanded through annexation, subject to the provisions of § 24.2-304.1, the council of the city or town shall redistrict the municipality into wards or districts, change the boundaries of existing wards or districts, or increase or diminish the number of wards or districts to incorporate the additional territory.

B. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 24.2-312, there shall be an election for members of council on the first Tuesday in May following the effective date of annexation for terms to commence on July 1 following the election; however, upon the approval of the governing bodies affected and the special court, such election may be on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November following the effective date of annexation for terms to commence on January 1 following the election. If council members are chosen on an at-large basis the election shall be held for the unexpired portion of the term of each council member whose term extends beyond July 1 immediately following the effective date of annexation. If council members are chosen on a ward basis, the election shall be held for each ward affected by the annexation. However, no such election shall be held as a result of an annexation instituted under § 15.2-3202 or § 15.2-3203, unless the city or town increases its population by more than five percent due to the annexation.

C. The registration records of voters residing in the annexed areas shall be transferred, and the appropriate notice given, in accordance with § 24.2-114. Any person residing in the annexed territory who has not registered shall be entitled to register and vote in the city or town if he would have been entitled to register and vote at the next election of the county.

Code 1950, § 15-152.24; 1952, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1054; 1970, c. 172; 1974, c. 401; 1976, c. 9; 1977, c. 307; 1994, c. 293; 1997, c. 587; 2001, Sp. Sess. I, c. 3.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 32 (Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities)
§ 15.2-3227. Annexation proceedings final for 10 years.
Except by mutual agreement of the governing bodies affected, no city or town, having instituted proceedings to annex territory of a county, shall again seek to annex territory of such county within the 10 years next succeeding the effective date of annexation in any proceeding under this article or previous acts. In the event annexation is denied, such prohibition shall begin with the date of the final order of the court denying annexation or, in the case of an appeal to the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeals, with the date of the final order of the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeals. However, a city or town moving to dismiss the proceedings before a hearing on its merits may file a new petition five years after the filing of the petition in the prior suit. No county shall, except with the consent of its governing body, be made defendant in any annexation proceeding brought by any city within such 10-year period.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, a city shall have the right to file and maintain an annexation proceeding against any county against which it has not filed such a proceeding during the preceding 13 years.

The provisions of this section shall not apply to any petition for annexation brought by a city or town, within such 10-year period, if the previous petition was dismissed due to a procedural defect, lack of jurisdiction, or any defense other than the merits of the case. The provisions of this section shall not apply to a city or town that institutes an annexation proceeding by filing notice with the Commission on Local Government but which subsequently fails to petition the court to grant such annexation. In that event, however, the city or town shall not again institute proceedings for annexation against the county for at least two years after the date the Commission renders its final report on the initial proceeding.

This section shall also apply to any city that was a town at the time of the filing of such petition.

Code 1950, § 15-152.25; 1952, c. 328; 1958, c. 378; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1055; 1979, c. 85; 1985, c. 478; 1997, c. 587; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 489.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 32 (Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities)
§ 15.2-3228. County not to be reduced to insufficient area, population or sources of revenue.
If, as the result of an annexation, the area remaining in a county (i) would be reduced below sixty square miles, excluding property owned by the United States of America, or (ii) would otherwise be insufficient in area, population, or sources of revenue to adequately support the county government and schools, then the annexation shall not be decreed unless the whole county is annexed.

Code 1950, § 15-152.26; 1952, c. 328; 1960, c. 519; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1056; 1997, c. 587.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 32 (Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities)
§ 15.2-3229. Annexation of whole town.
The provisions of this article shall apply to the annexation by a city or town of an adjoining town. No part of a town shall be annexed unless the whole town is annexed. The annexing city or town shall assume all the indebtedness of the town annexed, and shall own all the corporate property, franchises and rights thereof.

Code 1950, § 15-152.27; 1952, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1057; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 32 (Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities)
§ 15.2-3230. Article not applicable to consolidation of two cities.
The provisions of this article shall not apply to the consolidation of two cities.

Code 1950, § 15-152.28; 1952, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1058; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 32 (Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities)
§ 15.2-3231. Agreements between towns and counties authorized; effect; provisions.
Towns in counties, or parts of counties, not immune from annexation may voluntarily enter into agreements with such counties for the purpose of defining the town's annexation rights in the future. Upon the execution of such an agreement by both the town and the county, the town shall permanently renounce its right to become a city. Any such agreement shall provide for the regular and orderly growth of the town in conjunction with the county and for an equitable sharing of resources and liabilities. It shall also provide that the town may annex at regular intervals by the adoption of an ordinance.

1979, c. 85, § 15.1-1058.1; 1997, c. 587.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 32 (Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities)
§ 15.2-3232. Hearing before Commission on Local Government required; notice.
A. Once the town and county governing bodies have decided upon the terms of an agreement pursuant to § 15.2-3231, the proposed agreement shall be presented to the Commission on Local Government. The Commission shall conduct a public hearing at some location in the town or the county and interested parties may appear and offer evidence or comments. The hearing shall be duly advertised in some newspaper having general circulation in the county and the town once a week for two successive weeks, stating the time and place of the hearing, and summarizing the terms of the proposed agreement. The second advertisement shall appear not less than six days nor more than 21 days prior to the hearing. The Commission shall then determine whether the proposed agreement provides for the orderly and regular growth of the town and county together, for an equitable sharing of the resources and liabilities of the town and the county, and whether the agreement is in the best interest of the community at large, and shall so advise the governing bodies in a written opinion.

B. In addition to the advertising required in subsection A, written notice of the Commission on Local Government's hearing shall be given by the town at least 10 days before the hearing to the owner, owners, or their agent of each parcel of land included in the area proposed for annexation under the terms of the agreement. One notice sent by first-class mail to the last known address of such owner, owners, or their agent as shown on the current county real estate tax assessment books or current county real estate tax assessment records shall be deemed adequate compliance with this requirement, provided that the clerk of the town shall make an affidavit that such mailings have been made and file such affidavit with the Commission. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as to invalidate any subsequently adopted agreement because of the inadvertent failure by the town to give written notice to the owner, owners, their agent or the occupant of any parcel in the area proposed for annexation.

1979, c. 85, § 15.1-1058.2; 1997, c. 587; 2003, c. 173.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 32 (Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities)
§ 15.2-3233. Adoption of agreement.
After the Commission has advised the governing bodies of the two jurisdictions of its determination, and regardless of whether its determination is favorable, such bodies may adopt the agreement. If the Commission's determination is unfavorable, however, the governing bodies shall first conduct an additional joint public hearing advertised as provided in § 15.2-3232. Adoption of the agreement by both governing bodies will operate permanently to divest the town of its right to become a city.

1979, c. 85, § 15.1-1058.3; 1997, c. 587.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 32 (Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities)
§ 15.2-3234. Inability to agree; petition to Commission on Local Government.
In the event the governing bodies of the town and county cannot reach a voluntary agreement as to future annexation rights, the town may, by ordinance duly adopted by a majority vote of its governing body, petition the Commission on Local Government for an order establishing the rights of the town to annex territory by ordinance under specified agreed terms. A copy of such petition and ordinance shall be served on the attorney for the Commonwealth, or county attorney, if there is one, and on the chairman of the board of supervisors of the county. The county shall file its response to such petition with the Commission within sixty days after receipt of service thereof.

After the time for filing of a response by the county has elapsed, the Commission shall establish a date, time and place for a hearing, to be conducted in the county or the town, at which the parties, and any resident or property owner of either the county or the town may appear and present evidence or comment on the rights petitioned for by the town. After receiving such evidence, and making such further investigation as it deems appropriate, and based upon the criteria set forth in § 15.2-3209, the Commission shall enter an order which grants such rights to the town, either upon the terms set forth in the petition or upon some modified basis. The order shall in no event grant to the town the right to annex county territory by ordinance more frequently than once every five years.

1979, c. 85, § 15.1-1058.4; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 32 (Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities)
§ 15.2-3235. Appeal.
Any order of the Commission regarding future annexation rights of a town shall become final unless either the town or the county or five percent of the registered voters in either jurisdiction, within thirty days of the entry of the order, petition the circuit court to review such order. The circuit court with which the petition is filed shall notify the Supreme Court, which shall appoint a special court to hear the case as provided by Chapter 30 (§ 15.2-3000 et seq.) of this title. The special court shall review such decision and enter any order it deems appropriate. A final order of either the Commission or the court granting the town the right to future annexation through the periodic adoption of ordinances shall operate permanently to divest the town of its rights to become a city.

1979, c. 85, § 15.1-1058.5; 1997, c. 587.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 32 (Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities)
§ 15.2-3236. Council may enact ordinance.
Whenever it is deemed desirable to contract the corporate limits of any city or town, the council thereof may enact an ordinance defining accurately the boundary of the territory proposed to be abandoned. The ordinance, or a descriptive summary of the ordinance, along with a reference of the place in the city or town where the ordinance may be examined, shall be published three times in a paper having general circulation in the city or town, with the first notice appearing no more than 35 days before and the third notice appearing no less than seven days before the enactment of the ordinance. A copy of the ordinance shall be served by the city or town upon the chairman of the board of supervisors of the contiguous county or counties of which the territory may become a part.

Code 1950, § 15-153; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1059; 1997, c. 587; 2024, cc. 225, 242.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 32 (Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities)
§ 15.2-3237. Application to be made to circuit court; appointment of special court; who may appear against.
Within thirty days of the enactment of an ordinance proposing to reduce the corporate limits of a city or town, the city or town shall apply to the circuit court for the city, or to the circuit court for the city or town, for an order confirming the ordinance. The circuit court with which the petition is filed shall notify the Supreme Court, which shall appoint a special court to hear the case as prescribed by Chapter 30 (§ 15.2-3000 et seq.) of this title. One or more residents or landowners of the territory proposed to be abandoned, or the governing body of the county or counties contiguous thereto, may appear and by petition set forth reasons why the corporate limits should not be reduced.

Code 1950, § 15-154; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1060; 1997, c. 587.
Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 32 (Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities)
§ 15.2-3238. What court may do.
If the special court is satisfied that: (i) such contraction of the corporate limits will not leave the bonded debt of the city or town in excess of ten percent of the assessed valuation of the real estate that will be left in the city or town after the proposed contraction, which debt shall be determined as is provided in Article VII, Section 10 of the Constitution of Virginia; (ii) less than three fourths of the landowners in that territory oppose the contraction; (iii) no substantial damage to persons owning real estate in the territory proposed to be abandoned, or to the county of which it will become a part, will be caused by the contraction; and (iv) the abandonment of such territory will be in the best interest of the city or town, the court shall render an order confirming the ordinance contracting the limits of the city or town and declaring the territory abandoned to be a part of the contiguous county designated in the order. Such contraction shall thereupon become final and be taken cognizance of by all public officers, and the territory abandoned shall become a part of the county so designated. Whenever such an order is rendered, a copy of the order shall be certified to the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Code 1950, § 15-155; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1061; 1970, c. 751; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 1; 1978, c. 642; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 32 (Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities)
§ 15.2-3239. Certification of real estate list.
Upon entry of the order under § 15.2-3238, the proper city officers shall certify to the clerk of the county a list of all real estate within the territory, with every entry in regard thereto, as it appears on the city land books. The list and entries so certified shall be entered upon the county land books.

Code 1950, § 15-156; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1062; 1997, c. 587.

Code of Virginia — Title 15.2 (Counties, Cities and Towns), Chapter 32 (Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities)
§ 15.2-3240. Transfer of registration records.
Upon entry of the court order under § 15.2-3238, the registration records of voters residing within the territory shall be transferred, and the appropriate notice given, in accordance with § 24.2-114.

Code 1950, § 15-157; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1063; 1997, c. 587.