reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
VA Code § 15.2-949 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 9 - General Powers of Local Governments|§ 15.2-949. Shared ride taxi systems, etc.; nonprofit vanpools

As used herein, "shared ride taxi system" means a transportation system which employs taxicab-type vehicles or other motor vehicles which can carry no more than six passengers, and which attempts to arrange for use of such vehicles by more than one passenger per trip.Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, any locality which is a member of any transportation district may, with the concurrence of the transportation district commission that there is a need for a shared ride taxi system and the unavailability of adequate existing public transportation or public transportation proposed to be available within a reasonable period of time, construct, finance, purchase, operate, maintain or contract for a shared ride taxi system to be operated in such locality for the health, safety, welfare, comfort and convenience of the public. Such system may be financed from general revenues or funds received from the United States government, from the Commonwealth or any other source. Such system or the equipment and property needed for such system may also be constructed or purchased from proceeds of bonds which may be issued pursuant to the Public Finance Act (§ 15.2-2600 et seq.). Rates may be charged for the use of the system in such amount as the governing body of the locality deems reasonable, and different rates may be charged to different reasonable classifications of users.The need for a shared ride taxi system and the unavailability of adequate existing or proposed public transportation may be based on the lack of such system or on the lack of such system at such user rates as will promote the health, safety, welfare, comfort and convenience of the public. Contracts may be made with existing or proposed shared ride taxi systems, both publicly and privately owned, for the subsidy of all users or groups of users.In the administration of this section, private carriers are preferred over public ownership or operation; therefore, before any such locality undertakes to establish and operate its own transportation system which uses taxis or other similar vehicles, it shall first make a bona fide attempt to enter into contracts with existing privately owned taxi businesses. If such locality cannot reach a reasonable agreement within an equitable period of time, then it may by ordinance proceed to establish and operate its own system.In lieu of establishing a shared ride taxi system, such a locality may provide financial subsidies, low-interest or interest-free loans, or tax incentives to assist with the capital costs involved in the establishment of nonprofit vanpools meeting the definition of ridesharing arrangements set forth in § 46.2-1400.Any such locality shall have all powers necessary or convenient to carry out any of the foregoing powers.1976, c. 303, § 15.1-37.3:3; 1988, c. 109; 1997, c. 587; 2002, c. 337.
VA Code § 15.2-950 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 9 - General Powers of Local Governments|§ 15.2-950. Appropriations

A locality may make appropriations for the purposes for which it is empowered to levy taxes and make assessments, for the support of the locality, for the performance of its functions, and the accomplishment of all other lawful purposes and objectives, subject to such limitations as may be imposed by law.Code 1950, § 15-77.6; 1958, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-842; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-951 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 9 - General Powers of Local Governments|§ 15.2-951. Acquisition, disposition and use of personal property by localities generally

Localities, for the purposes of exercising any of their powers and duties and performing any of their functions, may acquire by gift, bequest, purchase, lease, or installment purchase contract; and may own and make use of and may grant security interests in, sell and otherwise dispose of, within and outside the localities, personal property, including any interest, right or estate therein. In addition, localities may sell and otherwise dispose of surplus materials, as defined in § 2.2-1124, by public sale or auction, including online public auction, provided that such sale or auction conforms with the procedures set forth in subdivisions B 3 through B 5 and subdivision B 8 of § 2.2-1124. In any instance where personal property in any of the following categories: school or transit bus fleet, vehicle fleet, or road construction equipment is sold with the intent to lease back the property, when the value of the proposed sale amount exceeds $2,000,000 approval by the governing body, after notice and a public hearing, shall be required. The public hearing shall be advertised once in a newspaper having general circulation in the locality at least seven days prior to the date set for the hearing. Any debt incurred by a municipality pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be subject to the limitations imposed by Article VII, Section 10 of the Constitution of Virginia.1986, c. 573, § 15.1-526.4; 1988, c. 810; 1989, c. 340, § 15.1-29.17; 1997, c. 587; 2005, c. 531; 2006, cc. 468, 493.
VA Code § 15.2-952 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 9 - General Powers of Local Governments|§ 15.2-952. Political subdivisions may acquire property from United States

Notwithstanding the provisions of any charter or any ordinance, any locality, sanitary district or other political subdivision may, by ordinance or resolution, authorize the acquisition and purchase from the United States of America, or any agency thereof, whether now existing or hereafter created, of any equipment, supplies, materials or other property, real or personal, in such manner as such governing body may determine.It is the purpose of this section to enable any political subdivision of this Commonwealth to secure from time to time promptly the benefits of acquisition and purchases as authorized by this section, to aid them in securing advantageous purchases, to prevent unemployment and thereby to assist in promotion of public welfare and to these ends such political subdivisions may do all things necessary or convenient to carry out such purpose, in addition to the expressed power conferred by this section. This section is remedial in nature and the powers hereby granted shall be liberally construed.Code 1950, § 15-24; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-32; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-954 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 9 - General Powers of Local Governments|§ 15.2-954. Loans to volunteer firefighting and rescue organizations

Any locality may make loans of money appropriated from public funds to any nonprofit organization furnishing firefighting or rescue services for the construction of facilities or the acquisition of equipment that is to be used for the purpose of providing firefighting or rescue services.1990, c. 125, § 15.1-24.1; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-954.1 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 9 - General Powers of Local Governments|§ 15.2-954.1. Volunteer firefighter or volunteer emergency medical services personnel tuition reimbursement

Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, any locality may by ordinance establish and administer a tuition reimbursement program for eligible volunteer firefighters or volunteer emergency medical services personnel, or both, for the purposes of recruitment and retention.2003, c. 208; 2015, cc. 502, 503.
VA Code § 15.2-955 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 9 - General Powers of Local Governments|§ 15.2-955. Approval by local governing body for the establishment of volunteer emergency medical services agencies and firefighting organizations

A. No volunteer emergency medical services agency or volunteer firefighting organization shall be established in any locality on or after July 1, 1984, without the prior approval by resolution of the governing body.B. Each locality shall seek to ensure that emergency medical services are maintained throughout the entire locality.1984, c. 599, § 15.1-26.01; 1997, c. 587; 2005, c. 418; 2015, cc. 502, 503.
VA Code § 15.2-956 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 9 - General Powers of Local Governments|§ 15.2-956. Participation in certain federal development programs

A. Any locality may participate in a program under Title I (Community Development) of the United States Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990, the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 or any other federal legislation or program under which the locality may receive and use or administer the use of federal funds for housing, community development or economic development purposes. Any such locality may undertake the community development activities specified in such legislation or programs unless such activities are prohibited by the Constitution of Virginia. Any locality may appropriate its own moneys for the same purposes for which federal funds may be employed under the provisions of such federal legislation or program unless prohibited by the Constitution of Virginia. Any federal funds, or portion thereof, received by a locality under such legislation or programs may be deposited in a special fund which shall be established separate and apart from any other funds, general or special; such funds shall be deemed to be federal funds and shall not be construed to be part of the revenues of such locality.B. Any city with a population over 100,000 which appropriates local funds pursuant to subsection A may use the income guidelines established by the Virginia Housing Development Authority for its single-family mortgage subsidy program to determine eligibility for home-ownership assistance from its local funds.1976, c. 251, § 15.1-29.7; 1978, c. 374; 1979, c. 187; 1993, c. 380; 1995, c. 349; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-957 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 9 - General Powers of Local Governments|§ 15.2-957. Participation by localities in certain leasing programs

Any locality may participate in a program under § 8 (Housing Assistance Payments Program) of the United States Housing Act of 1937, as amended, on behalf of eligible families or eligible persons leasing privately owned housing directly from owners or private leaseholders. Any such locality may also appropriate its own money for the same purposes for which federal funds may be employed under the provisions of such federal legislation as well as for the purpose of increasing the payments to eligible families or eligible persons beyond federally approved levels when the fair market rent of the rental unit is greater than that established by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.If any power granted in the foregoing paragraph is held invalid, the other remaining power shall not be affected thereby. If the application of the power granted in the foregoing paragraph to any persons or circumstances is held invalid, the application of the power to other persons shall not be affected thereby. Nothing in the foregoing powers granted localities includes the authority to pledge the full faith and credit of such locality in violation of Article X, Section 10 of the Constitution of Virginia.1975, c. 534, § 15.1-29.6; 1976, c. 154; 1978, c. 592; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-958.1 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 9 - General Powers of Local Governments|§ 15.2-958.1. Sale of certain property in certain cities

A. The City of Richmond may by ordinance provide for the sale of property for the nominal amount of one dollar if such property (i) has been acquired in accordance with § 58.1-3970 or § 58.1-3970.1 or (ii) has been declared a blighted structure and has been acquired by the city in accordance with § 36-49.1:1.B. If the city sells a property acquired under subsection A, the city shall require any purchaser by covenants in the deed or other security instrument to (i) begin repair or renovation of the property within six months of purchase and (ii) complete all repairs or renovations necessary to bring the property into compliance with the local building code within a period not to exceed two years of the purchase. The city may include any additional reasonable conditions it deems appropriate in order to carry out the intent of this section and assure that the property is repaired or renovated in accordance with applicable codes.C. A "blighted structure" means a structure as defined in § 36-49. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, such city may exercise within its boundaries any spot blight abatement procedures set forth in § 36-49.1:1. The owner shall have the opportunity to take corrective action or present a reasonable plan to do so in accordance with such section.2000, c. 364; 2007, c. 813.
VA Code § 15.2-958.2 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 9 - General Powers of Local Governments|§ 15.2-958.2. Grants for homeownership; workforce housing

A. In order to ensure its competitiveness as an employer, a locality may, by ordinance, provide for the use of funds, other than state funds, to provide homeownership grants to employees of the locality, employees of the school board and employees of constitutional officers, to purchase their primary residences in the locality. The ordinance shall require that individual grants not exceed $25,000 per employee, nor lifetime cumulative grants exceed $25,000 per employee. Any such grants issued shall be subject to the Virginia Housing and Development Authority regional sales price and household income limitations. The ordinance may establish such other terms and conditions to ensure the integrity of the homeownership grant program.B. In addition to the homeownership grants authorized in subsection A, a locality may by ordinance, and in cooperation with the local school division, offer residential housing assistance grants in amounts not to exceed those permitted in subsection A and, with the local school division, enter into public-private partnerships and other arrangements to provide affordable workforce housing alternatives to school division personnel.2004, c. 541; 2007, cc. 578, 674; 2009, c. 198.
VA Code § 15.2-958.2:01 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 9 - General Powers of Local Governments|§ 15.2-958.2:01. Grants for certain corporations and pass-through entities

A. The counties and cities listed in subsection B may give grants or loans to any eligible company, as defined in § 58.1-405.1.B. The counties and cities that may give grants pursuant to subsection A are:1. The Counties of Alleghany, Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Craig, Dickenson, Giles, Grayson, Lee, Page, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and Wythe and the Cities of Bristol, Galax, and Norton;2. The Counties of Amelia, Appomattox, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Halifax, Henry, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, Patrick, Pittsylvania, and Prince Edward and the Cities of Danville and Martinsville;3. The Counties of Accomack, Caroline, Essex, Gloucester, King and Queen, King William, Lancaster, Mathews, Middlesex, Northampton, Northumberland, Richmond, and Westmoreland; and4. The Counties of Brunswick and Dinwiddie and the City of Petersburg.2018, cc. 801, 802; 2019, cc. 262, 263.
VA Code § 15.2-958.3:1 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 9 - General Powers of Local Governments|§ 15.2-958.3:1. Local green banks

A. As used in this section, "clean energy technologies" means energy resources and emerging technologies that have significant potential for commercialization and do not involve (i) the combustion of coal, petroleum or petroleum products, or municipal solid waste or (ii) nuclear fission. "Clean energy technologies" includes renewable energy sources, projects, and infrastructure; energy efficiency projects; alternative fuels used for electricity generation; alternative fuel vehicles and related infrastructure such as electric vehicle charging station infrastructure; and smart grid.B. Any locality may, by ordinance, establish a green bank to promote the investment in clean energy technologies in its locality and provide financing for clean energy technologies. Such ordinance may include the following functions for a green bank:1. Finance investment or financial support of investment in clean energy technologies to foster the growth and development of renewable energy sources;2. Stimulate the demand for renewable energy and the deployment of clean energy technologies that serve end-use customers;3. Before making any loan, loan guarantee, or other form of financing support for clean energy technologies, develop rules, policies, and procedures to specify borrower eligibility and any other term or condition of financial support;4. Provide financing or financial support for clean energy technologies;5. Develop consumer protection standards for investments to ensure that the green bank and its partners are lending in a transparent and responsible manner that is in the financial interests of the borrowers; and6. Undertake any other activity as needed to support the mission of the green bank.C. In establishing a green bank, the locality shall determine whether the green bank will be a public entity, quasi-public entity, depository bank, or nonprofit entity.D. The locality shall offer private lending institutions the opportunity to participate in the green bank established pursuant to this section.E. Prior to the adoption of any ordinance pursuant to this section, the locality shall conduct a public hearing at which interested persons may object to or inquire about the proposed green bank or any of its particulars. The public hearing shall be advertised once a week for two successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the locality.2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 405.
VA Code § 15.2-958.4 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 9 - General Powers of Local Governments|§ 15.2-958.4. Waiver of certain fees for affordable housing

A. A locality may by ordinance provide for the waiver of building permit fees and other local fees associated with the construction, renovation, or rehabilitation of housing by a § 501(c)(3) organization with a primary purpose of assisting with the provision of affordable housing.B. A locality may by ordinance provide for the waiver of building permit fees and other local fees associated with the construction, renovation, or rehabilitation of housing by a private-sector entity that is pursuing an affordable housing development. For purposes of this subsection, a locality may determine in its ordinance what constitutes affordable housing and may set other conditions on the waiver of fees as it deems appropriate.2009, c. 799; 2019, c. 393.
VA Code § 15.2-958.5 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 9 - General Powers of Local Governments|§ 15.2-958.5. Local funding for community revitalization

A. The City of Richmond may by ordinance provide for the creation of a community revitalization fund for the purpose of preventing neighborhood deterioration. The community revitalization fund shall be exclusively comprised of appropriated local moneys.B. Any such community fund established pursuant to this section shall be used for one or more of the following purposes:1. Loans or grants to for-profit and nonprofit organizations for the construction, renovation, or demolition of residential structures in the City;2. Infrastructure improvements; and3. Acquisition of blighted structures in accordance with § 36-49.1:1.C. Such ordinance shall establish (i) qualifying income guidelines for participants and the communities in which community revitalization funds may be expended and (ii) criteria for participation by for-profit and nonprofit organizations that may be eligible for loans or grants pursuant to the provisions of this section.2011, cc. 770, 833.
VA Code § 15.2-959 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 9 - General Powers of Local Governments|§ 15.2-959. Housing research

Any locality which does not have a redevelopment and housing authority as authorized by Chapter 1 (§ 36-1 et seq.) of Title 36, shall be authorized to engage in research, studies, and experimentation in housing alternatives, including the rehabilitation of existing housing stock and the construction of additional housing.1988, c. 862, § 15.1-37.3:9; 1993, c. 791; 1995, c. 393; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-960 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 9 - General Powers of Local Governments|§ 15.2-960. Planting of trees destroyed during construction

Any locality may establish reasonable rules, regulations, and schedules for planting trees in and along areas dedicated for public use where trees have been destroyed in the construction process. This provision shall not affect the validity of any local ordinance adopted pursuant to any other provision of law.1986, c. 183, § 15.1-14.1; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-961.2 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 9 - General Powers of Local Governments|§ 15.2-961.2. Conservation of trees; notice of infill lot grading plan

An ordinance adopted pursuant to § 15.2-961.1 may allow a locality to post signs on private property that is proposed to be redeveloped with one single-family home that notify the public that an infill lot grading plan is pending for review before the locality. The locality may not require the applicant to be responsible for such posting. The failure to post the property shall not be a ground for denial of such grading plan.2016, cc. 317, 412.
VA Code § 15.2-962 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 9 - General Powers of Local Governments|§ 15.2-962. Authority to require a unified geographic information system for a locality

Any locality may by ordinance require that any or all of its agencies, departments, authorities, committees, instrumentalities, or political subdivisions participate in one or more unified or centralized systems for geographic information, mapping, surveying, or land information. The ordinance may establish such conditions as may be necessary to develop, maintain, and operate any such system for geographic information, mapping, surveying, or land information.1992, c. 39, § 15.1-11.7; 1997, c. 587.