reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
VA Code § 15.2-3803 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 38 - Transition of Towns to Cities|§ 15.2-3803. Notice of motion; service and publication; answer or other pleading

At least thirty days before instituting a proceeding for a grant of city status, a town shall serve notice on the county attorney, or if there is none, on the attorney for the Commonwealth, and on the chairman of the board of supervisors of the county or counties within which the town lies that it will, on a given day, petition the circuit court for a grant of city status. The notice served on each official shall include a certified copy of 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 town where copies of the notice and ordinance may be examined, shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks in a newspaper having general circulation in the town and county, or counties, in which the town is situated. 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 shall be proof of publication.1979, c. 85, § 15.1-982.3; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3804 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 38 - Transition of Towns to Cities|§ 15.2-3804. Parties

In any proceeding instituted under the provisions of this chapter, the county or counties in which the town is situated shall be made party to the case. Any voter or property owner of the town or county or counties in which the town is situated may by petition become party to the proceeding. Any locality with a common boundary or other person affected by the proceeding may appear and shall be made party to the case.1979, c. 85, § 15.1-982.4; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3805 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 38 - Transition of Towns to Cities|§ 15.2-3805. Time limit for intervenors; publication of order

The special court shall by order fix a time within which a voter, property owner or political subdivision not served may become a party to a proceeding instituted under this chapter, 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 county and in the adjoining or adjacent counties and cities.1979, c. 85, § 15.1-982.5; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3806 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 38 - Transition of Towns to Cities|§ 15.2-3806. 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 town seeking to become a city and in the remaining portion of the 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. School population and school enrollment in the town seeking to become a city and in the remaining portion of the county, as shown by the records in the office of the division superintendent of schools; and the cost of education per pupil in average daily membership, as shown by the most recent report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; andc. Population and the population density of the town seeking to become a city and of the remaining portion of the county;4. The method of taking any population census requested by the petitioner;5. Limitation on the number of expert witnesses; each expert witness who will testify shall file a statement of his qualifications; and6. Such other matters as may aid in the disposition of the case.The court, or the judge, as the case may be, shall make an appropriate order which will control the subsequent conduct of the case unless modified before or during the trial or hearing to prevent manifest injustice.1979, c. 85, § 15.1-982.7; 1997, c. 587; 2010, cc. 386, 629.
VA Code § 15.2-3807 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 38 - Transition of Towns to Cities|§ 15.2-3807. Hearing and decision by court

A. The special court shall enter an order granting city status to a town if, after hearing the evidence, it finds that:1. The town has a minimum population of 5,000 persons;2. The town has the fiscal ability to function as an independent city and is able to provide appropriate urban-type services including, based on the advice of the State Department of Education, an independent school system;3. The creation of the new independent city will not substantially impair the ability of the county or counties from which the town is to be separated to meet the service needs of the remaining population, particularly in education, unless provision is made by order of the court or by agreement of the governing bodies to offset such impairment; and4. After a consideration of the best interests of the parties, the interest of the Commonwealth in the compliance with and promotion of state policies with respect to environmental protection, public planning, education, public transportation, housing and other state service policies declared by the General Assembly, and the interest of the Commonwealth in promoting strong and viable units of government in the area, a grant of city status should be made.B. Any order granting city status to a town shall set forth in detail all such terms and conditions upon which the city status is granted as are not provided in this chapter. The order shall be effective on January 1 following the year in which the order is issued or, in the discretion of the court, on the second January 1 following the year in which the order is issued. All county taxes assessed in the town for the year before which the transition becomes effective, and for all prior years, shall be paid to the county.C. A copy of the order shall be certified to the Secretary of the Commonwealth.D. If a majority of the court is of the opinion that the criteria set out in subsection A have not been met, then the petition shall be dismissed.E. The court shall render a written opinion in every case brought under this chapter.1979, c. 85, § 15.1-982.8; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3808 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 38 - Transition of Towns to Cities|§ 15.2-3808. 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 court, 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, which 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, § 15.1-982.9; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3809 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 38 - Transition of Towns to Cities|§ 15.2-3809. (Effective until January 1, 2022) Appeals

Appeals may be granted by the Supreme Court of Virginia as provided in §§ 15.2-3221 and 15.2-3222, which shall apply mutatis mutandis.1979, c. 85, § 15.1-982.10; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3809 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 38 - Transition of Towns to Cities|§ 15.2-3809. (Effective January 1, 2022) Appeals

Appeals may be granted by the Supreme Court of Virginia as provided in §§ 15.2-3221 and 15.2-3222, which shall apply mutatis mutandis.1979, c. 85, § 15.1-982.10; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3810 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 38 - Transition of Towns to Cities|§ 15.2-3810. Declining of grant of city status

In any proceeding brought under this chapter, the town council may, by ordinance or resolution, decline to accept city status on the terms and conditions imposed by the court at any time prior to twenty-one days after final adjudication establishing city status. In such case the court shall apportion the total costs, taking into consideration 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.1979, c. 85, § 15.1-982.11; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3811 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 38 - Transition of Towns to Cities|§ 15.2-3811. Proceeding final for three years

If city status is denied a town, or if city status is declined under § 15.2-3810, no subsequent proceeding shall be brought under this chapter for three years from the date of the final order.1979, c. 85, § 15.1-982.12; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3812 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 38 - Transition of Towns to Cities|§ 15.2-3812. Effect when town becomes city

If a town becomes a city under this chapter, then:1. Its charter, if it has one, shall remain in full force and effect insofar as its provisions do not conflict with this chapter;2. Its ordinances shall be the ordinances of the city, insofar as they are applicable, until they are repealed by the city;3. The officers of the town shall be the officers of the city until their successors are elected or appointed and qualify, except as provided in this chapter, and shall discharge the duties and be subject to the penalties imposed by such charter and ordinances and by general law; and4. Provisions of the town charter in conflict with this title or other provisions of general law shall be repealed thereby.Code 1950, § 15-83; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-983; 1979, c. 85; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3813 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 38 - Transition of Towns to Cities|§ 15.2-3813. Town liabilities and assets

If a town becomes a city under this chapter, the city shall be liable for the bonded indebtedness and current debts and obligations of the town and shall be liable for the obligations or other liabilities of the town, both in law and in equity, arising out of any plans or annexations theretofore consummated between the town and any other territory. The title to all the property of the town, and its rights and privileges under any contract, including all moneys belonging to the town, and its books, records, papers and other things of value, shall vest in and become the city's property.Code 1950, § 15-84; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-984; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3814 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 38 - Transition of Towns to Cities|§ 15.2-3814. Mayor of town to continue in office

If a town becomes a city under this chapter, the mayor of the town shall be the mayor of the city; shall receive the same salary and fees; and shall discharge the duties, be vested with the authority and be subject to the penalties imposed on him by the charter or general law. He shall serve until his successor is elected and qualified.Code 1950, § 15-85; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-985; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3815 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 38 - Transition of Towns to Cities|§ 15.2-3815. Council of town to continue in office; additional members

If a town becomes a city under this chapter, the town council shall be the city council and discharge the duties and exercise the authority imposed on it by the charter and by general law. If in the order granting city status the special court prescribes a greater number to compose the city council than the number composing the town council, then the council shall, within thirty days after the date of the order of the court, or as soon thereafter as practicable, proceed to elect the additional members of the city council necessary to fill out the number prescribed in such order. The members shall serve until their successors are elected and qualified.Code 1950, § 15-86; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-986; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3816 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 38 - Transition of Towns to Cities|§ 15.2-3816. Town treasurer to continue in office; appointment where town had no treasurer

If a town becomes a city under this chapter, the town treasurer, if there is one, shall be the city treasurer. If there is no town treasurer, then the vacancy shall be filled by appointment by the circuit court having jurisdiction over the city or town, pending the next ensuing general election or, if the vacancy occurs within 120 days prior to such election, pending the second ensuing general election.The city treasurer, whether he is such by reason of having held the office of town treasurer or by appointment, shall not discharge any duties as city treasurer until he has given bond in a penalty to be fixed by the city council pursuant to § 15.2-1512 and also the bond required by § 15.2-1530. The treasurer so appointed shall qualify before the court appointing him. The treasurer's duties shall include handling the city's revenues from all sources as the council directs. He shall serve until his successor is elected and qualified.Code 1950, § 15-87; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-987; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 158; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3817 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 38 - Transition of Towns to Cities|§ 15.2-3817. Commissioner of revenue or assessor to continue in office; appointment where town had no commissioner or assessor

If a town becomes a city under this chapter, the commissioner of revenue or assessor of the town, if there is one, shall be the commissioner of revenue of the city and discharge the duties imposed on him by the charter or by general law. If there is no commissioner of revenue or assessor of the town, then the circuit court having jurisdiction over such city or town shall, within thirty days after the town is declared to be a city, fill the vacancy by appointment, pending the next ensuing general election or, if the vacancy occurs within 120 days prior to such election, pending the second ensuing general election. The commissioner of revenue so appointed shall forthwith qualify before the court or judge appointing him or before the clerk of the circuit court in the clerk's office. He shall serve until his successor is elected and qualified.Code 1950, § 15-88; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-988; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 158; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3818 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 38 - Transition of Towns to Cities|§ 15.2-3818. Town sergeant to continue in office

If a town becomes a city under this chapter, the sergeant of the town, if there is one, shall be the sheriff of the city and discharge all the duties imposed on him by the charter or by general law. The sheriff's duties and compensation shall be such as are provided by law for town sergeants. He shall serve until his successor is elected and qualified.Code 1950, § 15-89; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-989; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 155; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3819 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 38 - Transition of Towns to Cities|§ 15.2-3819. Election and terms of office of mayor and councilmen after town becomes city

At a general election of city officers, to be held on the second Tuesday in May after a town is declared to be a city, a mayor and city council shall be elected for the city. The terms of office of the mayor and city council shall begin on July 1 following their election. The mayor shall serve for four years. One half of the council shall serve for two years, and the other half for four years.Code 1950, § 15-90; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-990; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3820 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 38 - Transition of Towns to Cities|§ 15.2-3820. Election and terms of other city officers

At the next general election of state officers after (i) the town is declared to be a city and (ii) the regular term of office of the existing municipal officers expires, to be held on Tuesday after the first Monday in November, when similar officers are elected for other cities, a treasurer, a sheriff, an attorney for the Commonwealth, a clerk of the circuit court, and other officers elected by the qualified voters whose election is not otherwise provided for by law shall be elected. The terms of office of such officers shall begin on January 1 following their election and continue in accordance with § 24.2-217 as applicable to such elections and until their respective successors have been elected and qualify. The commissioner of revenue shall be elected or appointed as the general law directs.Code 1950, § 15-91; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-991; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 68; 1973, c. 545; 1979, c. 85; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3821 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 38 - Transition of Towns to Cities|§ 15.2-3821. Qualification of officers; vacancies

The officers for the election of whom provision is made by § 15.2-3820 whether elected at the first election for such officers held in the city or at any subsequent election held pursuant to § 24.2-217 or § 24.2-222 shall qualify before the circuit court having jurisdiction in the city or before the clerk of such court in the clerk's office. In the case of a vacancy in any such office the office shall be filled by appointment by the court, pending the next ensuing general election or, if the vacancy occurs within 120 days prior to such election, pending the second ensuing general election.Code 1950, § 15-92; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-992; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 158; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3822 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 38 - Transition of Towns to Cities|§ 15.2-3822. Sharing of offices; transfer of jurisdiction

A. Any attorney for the Commonwealth, clerk of a circuit court, or sheriff who performed his duties and had jurisdiction in both a city and a county prior to July 1, 1979, under provisions of this chapter in effect prior to that date, shall continue to serve both localities until (i) the city ceases to share such positions in accordance with the provisions of general law or (ii) the city is transferred in accordance with the provisions of §§ 16.1-69.6 and 17.1-506 to a judicial circuit and district which is comprised of a county other than the circuit and district where the city was situated. Until such declaration or transfer is made, the qualified voters residing in the city may vote for these officers at the general election for county officers.B. Upon the effective date of the transfer referred to in clause (ii) of subsection A, the judges of the circuit court for the county in the judicial circuit to which the city was transferred shall appoint the attorney for the Commonwealth and clerk of the circuit court for that adjoining county. If the city has a locally elected city sheriff, the city sheriff shall be the only sheriff for the city. The city may contract with the county to which it was transferred for jail facilities. If the effective date of the transfer is to take place within 120 days after an election for the clerk of the circuit court or attorney for the Commonwealth in the county to which the city is transferred, the voters of the city shall be entitled to vote in the election for each officer. The voting wards or precincts of the city shall be treated as precincts of the adjoining county and no candidate for these offices shall be required to qualify separately in the city. The qualified voters of the city shall thereafter be entitled to vote for these officers.C. If the situation in either clause (i) or (ii) of subsection A occurs, then:1. As to any crime occurring or civil cause of action arising in the city before the effective date of the transfer, the circuit court for the former judicial circuit shall have jurisdiction; and2. As to any crime occurring or civil cause of action arising in the city on or after the effective date of the transfer involving a matter required by general law to be located in a circuit court, the circuit court for the judicial circuit to which the city was transferred shall have jurisdiction.D. All writings authorized by law to be recorded in the circuit court for the city transferred pursuant to clause (ii) of subsection A shall be recorded in the circuit court to which the city was transferred beginning on the effective date of the transfer.1980, c. 592, § 15.1-994.1; 1987, c. 624; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3823 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 38 - Transition of Towns to Cities|§ 15.2-3823. Tenure and reelection of county officer whose homesite becomes part of city

Any county officer who resides in the county or in any town therein, and has an established home therein, which homesite becomes a part of a city after such officer's election or appointment, shall not vacate his office by reason of his residence in the city, but shall continue to hold such office so long as he is successively elected or appointed to the office held by him at the time of the transition. Such officer shall for the purpose of his office be deemed to be a resident of the magisterial district in which the homesite was before becoming a part of a city. This section shall not apply to members of the school board of such county, who shall be governed by § 22.1-29.Code 1950, § 15-94.1; 1950, p. 28; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-995; 1964, c. 202; 1966, c. 239; 1970, c. 455; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3824 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 38 - Transition of Towns to Cities|§ 15.2-3824. Town officers

Except as provided in this chapter, if a town becomes a city, officers of the town shall be officers of the city until the expiration of the term for which they were chosen or until they are removed according to law or their offices abolished by the city council.Code 1950, § 15-95; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-996; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3825 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 38 - Transition of Towns to Cities|§ 15.2-3825. Courts

When a town is declared to be a city, such city shall at once be, become and continue unless and until changed by general law in every respect within the jurisdiction of the circuit court for the county wherein it is situated.Code 1950, § 15-96; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-997; 1979, c. 85; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3826 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 38 - Transition of Towns to Cities|§ 15.2-3826. Appointment of electoral board, sheriff, attorney for the Commonwealth and circuit court clerk

If a town becomes a city under this chapter, the circuit court having jurisdiction over the city shall appoint for the city an electoral board of three members, the term of one of whom shall expire on the first day of the following March, the term of another to expire one year later, and the term of the third to expire two years later than the term of the first. The court shall at the same time, if necessary, appoint one sheriff, one attorney for the Commonwealth and one clerk of the circuit court. The terms of all officers appointed by the circuit court shall expire when their successors are elected or appointed and qualify, pending the next ensuing general election or, if the vacancy occurs within 120 days prior to such election, pending the second ensuing general election.Code 1950, § 15-97; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-998; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 158; 1979, c. 85; 1997, c. 587.