reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
VA Code § 15.2-3226 (2021)
2021 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.
VA Code § 15.2-3227 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 32 - Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities|§ 15.2-3227. (Effective until January 1, 2022) Annexation proceedings final for ten 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 ten 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, with the date of the final order of the Supreme Court. 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 ten-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 thirteen years.The provisions of this section shall not apply to any petition for annexation brought by a city or town, within such ten-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 which 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 which 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.
VA Code § 15.2-3227 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 32 - Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities|§ 15.2-3227. (Effective January 1, 2022) 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 ten 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, with the date of the final order of the Supreme Court. 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 ten-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 thirteen years.The provisions of this section shall not apply to any petition for annexation brought by a city or town, within such ten-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 which 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 which 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.
VA Code § 15.2-3228 (2021)
2021 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.
VA Code § 15.2-3229 (2021)
2021 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.
VA Code § 15.2-3230 (2021)
2021 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.
VA Code § 15.2-3231 (2021)
2021 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.
VA Code § 15.2-3232 (2021)
2021 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.
VA Code § 15.2-3233 (2021)
2021 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.
VA Code § 15.2-3234 (2021)
2021 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.
VA Code § 15.2-3235 (2021)
2021 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.
VA Code § 15.2-3236 (2021)
2021 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 in at least ten issues of a daily paper having general circulation in the city or town, if there is such a paper, or in two successive issues of a weekly newspaper having general circulation in such city or town, if there is such a paper. If there is no daily newspaper having general circulation therein, the ordinance shall be conspicuously posted in at least ten public places in the territory for at least ten days before the application to the circuit court for the city or town as provided for in § 15.2-3237 in addition to the publication in the weekly newspaper. 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.
VA Code § 15.2-3237 (2021)
2021 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.
VA Code § 15.2-3238 (2021)
2021 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.
VA Code § 15.2-3239 (2021)
2021 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.
VA Code § 15.2-3240 (2021)
2021 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.
VA Code § 15.2-3241 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 32 - Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities|§ 15.2-3241. Petition for contraction of towns located in two or more counties; appointment of special court

Whenever it is deemed desirable to contract the corporate limits of a town located partially in one county and partially in another, a majority of voters registered to vote at the preceding November general election residing in that part of the town which is proposed to be abandoned may petition the circuit court for the county in which that part of the town is located to amend the charter of the town so as to exclude from the corporate limits of the town that part of the town which is located in such county.Such petition shall be signed by the petitioners. It shall accurately define the boundary of the territory proposed to be abandoned and shall pray that the charter of the town may be amended so as to exclude such territory from the corporate limits of the town. The circuit court with which the petition was 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.Code 1950, § 15-158; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1064; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3242 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 32 - Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities|§ 15.2-3242. Parties defendant and publication of such petition

The county in which the part of the town proposed to be abandoned under § 15.2-3241 is located shall be named as defendant to the petition. Satisfactory proof that the petition, or a descriptive summary of the petition along with a reference to the place in the town where the petition may be examined, has been published in a newspaper having general circulation in the county or town once a week for four successive weeks and has been posted at the front door of the courthouse of the county for a like period shall be filed with the petition. A statement in the publication to the effect that a certain number of registered voters of the territory proposed to be abandoned signed the petition shall be sufficient in lieu of the names of the signers.Code 1950, § 15-159; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1065; 1997, c. 587.