reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
VA Code § 15.2-3916 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 39 - Transition of Counties to Cities|§ 15.2-3916. Creation of townships; effect on town charters; right of certain townships to obtain city status

A. Each town located within any county which becomes a city pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall automatically continue as a township within the city, and the charter of each such town shall become the charter of the township with the law governing the relationship of the town to the county continuing in effect. Such townships established pursuant to this subsection shall continue to exercise such powers and elect such officers as the township charter may authorize and such other powers as the former town previously exercised under general law. However, no township shall exercise the authority granted towns by Chapter 38 (§ 15.2-3800 et seq.) of this title or by Article 1 (§ 15.2-3200 et seq.) of Chapter 32 of this title, or any extraterritorial authority granted towns by Chapter 22 (§ 15.2-2200 et seq.) of this title. Townships shall receive from the Commonwealth financial assistance in the same manner and to the same extent as is provided towns. However, a township may transfer all or part of the revenues it receives, the services it performs, its facilities, other assets, and debts to the city by agreement of the governing bodies.B. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A of this section, any town which in 1979 possessed a population in excess of 5,000 persons and was situated within a county possessing a population of 20,000 or more persons and a density of population of 300 or more persons per square mile, or a minimum population of 50,000 persons and a density of population of at least 140 persons per square mile, based on the United States census, on population estimates of the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service of the University of Virginia, or on a special census conducted under court supervision, shall retain as a township the right to obtain city status. Where such township seeks to become a city under the authority granted by this subsection and in accordance with § 15.2-3801 et seq., the special court shall be limited in its review, as provided in § 15.2-3809, to a determination of the township's population and population density. Where the court determines that such township has a population of at least 5,000 persons and a density of at least 200 persons per square mile, it shall enter an order granting the township city status.1979, c. 85, § 15.1-977.17; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3917 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 39 - Transition of Counties to Cities|§ 15.2-3917. Certain cities not affected by chapter

This chapter shall in no way affect the organization, government, officers, charter or laws governing any city declared to be such prior to July 1, 1978.1979, c. 85, § 15.1-977.18; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3918 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 39 - Transition of Counties to Cities|§ 15.2-3918. Optional status of streets

Any city formed under the provisions of this chapter may, by ordinance, elect to continue receiving, for a period not to exceed ten years from the date of the granting of a city charter, the full services of the Department of Transportation in the same manner and to the same extent such services were rendered prior to such city being formed. Upon the passage of such ordinance, funds for the maintenance, construction or reconstruction of streets within the areas formerly a county shall continue to be allocated as if such areas were still in a county and the city shall not receive funds for maintenance, construction or reconstruction of streets in those areas during the period the Department of Transportation furnishes such services. In those areas where the Department provides the above services, the governing body of the city shall have control over the streets and highways to the same extent as was formerly vested in the governing body of the county. At any time prior to the expiration of the ten-year period, the governing body may elect, by ordinance, to place its streets, or a portion of them, in the urban system of highways and shall receive funds as provided by law for all cities.1979, c. 85, § 15.1-977.18:1; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3919 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 39 - Transition of Counties to Cities|§ 15.2-3919. Legislative, etc., district and judicial circuit not affected

Any city formed under the provisions of this chapter shall be and remain a part of the congressional, senatorial and legislative districts, respectively, and of the judicial circuit in which, as a county, it was geographically located, unless otherwise changed by general law.1979, c. 85, § 15.1-977.19; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-4000 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 40 - Judicial Determination of City Status|§ 15.2-4000. Enjoyment of city status until requirements of chapter fulfilled

A city which no longer qualifies for city status under Article VII, Section 1 of the Constitution of Virginia shall change to town status under the provisions of this chapter. Until the court enters an order under § 15.2-4004 for such change, a city shall enjoy all the rights and obligations of city status.1971, Ex. Sess., c. 140, § 15.1-965.1; 1988, c. 881; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-4001 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 40 - Judicial Determination of City Status|§ 15.2-4001. Investigation by Commission on Local Government; certification of findings to governing body

If it appears from the most recent United States census that a city may not meet the requirements for city status under Article VII, Section 1 of the Constitution of Virginia, the Commission on Local Government shall commence an investigation of the population, assets, liabilities, rights and obligations of such city and certify the findings to the governing body.1971, Ex. Sess., c. 140, § 15.1-965.2; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-4002 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 40 - Judicial Determination of City Status|§ 15.2-4002. Report from Commission to be certified to circuit court; appointment of special court

When the governing body of any city receives a report compiled pursuant to § 15.2-4001 from the Commission on Local Government concluding that the city does not meet the requirements for city status under Article VII, Section 1 of the Constitution of Virginia, it shall petition the circuit court for the city for a determination of city status. All adjoining counties shall be given notice of the petition.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.1971, Ex. Sess., c. 140, § 15.1-965.3; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-4003 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 40 - Judicial Determination of City Status|§ 15.2-4003. Investigation by special court; public hearing

A special court appointed pursuant to this chapter shall investigate all matters contained in the report certified to the court under § 15.2-4002, and any other matters it deems pertinent to the purpose of the inquiry. The court shall fix a time and place for a public hearing on such report.1971, Ex. Sess., c. 140, § 15.1-965.6; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-4004 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 40 - Judicial Determination of City Status|§ 15.2-4004. Determination of city status

If the special court determines that the city no longer qualifies for city status, it shall enter an order changing the city to a town. The court shall have authority to impose such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate to ensure an orderly transition from city status to town status.1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-4005 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 40 - Judicial Determination of City Status|§ 15.2-4005. Effect when city becomes town; officers

When a city becomes a town under the provisions of this chapter, its ordinances shall become the ordinances of the town, insofar as they are applicable and consistent with law, until they are repealed, and the existence of such city as an independent city of the Commonwealth shall terminate, as shall the terms of office and the rights, powers, duties and compensation of its constitutional officers and their deputies and employees. All officers, agents and employees of the city, including the mayor and the members of city council, shall continue to serve as the officers, agents and employees of the town, until they are terminated as provided by law, or in the case of the mayor and members of council, until their successors are elected or appointed. The court shall order an election to be held pursuant to § 24.2-682 not less than thirty nor more than 180 days after the date of the court order granting town status, but at least thirty days before the effective date of the transition from city to town status, at which election the town council and other elected officers of the town shall be selected. The terms of such officers shall commence on the day the transition from city to town status becomes effective and shall continue, unless otherwise removed, until their successors have been elected and assume office. The successors or all such officers whose first election is herein provided for shall thereafter be elected at the time, in the manner and for the terms provided by general law.1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-4100 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 41 - Transition of City to Town Status|§ 15.2-4100. City may change to town status

A city may change to town status in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.1988, c. 881, § 15.1-965.9; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-4101 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 41 - Transition of City to Town Status|§ 15.2-4101. Ordinance petitioning court for town status; notice of motion

A. Any city in this Commonwealth with a population at the time of the latest United States decennial census of less than 50,000 people, after fulfilling the requirements of Chapter 29 (§ 15.2-2900 et seq.), may by ordinance passed by a recorded majority vote of all the members thereof, petition the circuit court for the city, alleging that the city meets the criteria set out in § 15.2-4106 for an order granting town status to the city. 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.B. Before instituting a proceeding under this chapter for a grant of town status, a city 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 adjoining county that it will, on a given day, petition the circuit court for a grant of town 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 city or adjoining county 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 having general circulation in the city and adjoining county. The notice and ordinance shall be returned after service to the clerk of the circuit court. Certification by the owner, editor or manager of the newspaper publishing the notice and ordinance shall be proof of publication.1988, c. 881, §§ 15.1-965.10, 15.1-965.11; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-4102 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 41 - Transition of City to Town Status|§ 15.2-4102. Citizen petition for town status

Voters equal in number to fifteen percent or more of the registered voters of the city as of January 1 of the year in which the petition is filed may petition the circuit court for the city, stating that it is desirable that such city make the transition to town status. All of the signatures on the petition shall have been made and filed within a twelve-month period. A copy of the petition shall be served on the city attorney and the county attorney, or if there is none, on the attorney for the Commonwealth for the county and on the mayor of the city and the chairman of the board of supervisors of the adjoining counties. A copy of the petition shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks in a newspaper having general circulation in the city and the adjoining county. The case shall proceed in all respects as though instituted in the manner prescribed in § 15.2-4101, and the court shall forthwith refer the petition to the Commission on Local Government for review pursuant to Chapter 29 (§ 15.2-2900 et seq.).1988, c. 881, § 15.1-965.10; 1997, cc. 178, 587.
VA Code § 15.2-4103 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 41 - Transition of City to Town Status|§ 15.2-4103. Parties

In any proceedings instituted under the provisions of this chapter, the adjoining county shall be made party to the case. Any qualified voter or property owner of the city or adjoining county may by petition become party to the proceedings.1988, c. 881, § 15.1-965.12; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-4104 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 41 - Transition of City to Town Status|§ 15.2-4104. Time limit for intervenors; publication of order

The special court shall by order fix a time within which a qualified voter, property owner, political subdivision, or other interested party not served may become a party to proceedings 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 city and county.1988, c. 881, § 15.1-965.13; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-4105 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 41 - Transition of City to Town Status|§ 15.2-4105. 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 city seeking to become a town and in 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 city seeking to become a town and in the county, 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;c. Population and population density of the city seeking to become a town and of the county;4. Long-term and short-term indebtedness of both the city and the county;5. Limitation or expansion of pretrial discovery procedures;6. Limitation of the number of expert witnesses; each expert witness who will testify shall file a statement of his qualifications;7. 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 for good cause before or during the trial or hearing.1988, c. 881, § 15.1-965.15; 1997, c. 587; 2010, cc. 386, 629.
VA Code § 15.2-4106 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 41 - Transition of City to Town Status|§ 15.2-4106. Hearing and decision by court

A. The special court shall enter an order granting town status if, after hearing the evidence, the court finds that:1. The city has a current population of less than 50,000 people;2. The adjoining county or counties have been made party defendants to the proceedings;3. The proposed change from city to town status will not substantially impair the ability of the adjoining county in which the town will be located to meet the service needs of its population;4. The proposed change from city to town status will not result in a substantially inequitable sharing of the resources and liabilities of the town and the county;5. The proposed change from city to town status is, in the balance of equities, in the best interests of the city, the county, the Commonwealth, and the people of the county and the city; and6. The proposed change from city status to town status is in the best interests of the Commonwealth in promoting strong and viable units of government.B. The court shall have authority to impose such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate to:1. Ensure an orderly transition from city status to town status;2. Adjust financial inequities;3. Balance the equities between the parties; and4. Ensure protection of the best interests of the city, the county, the Commonwealth, and the people of the county and the city.C. The court shall render a written opinion in every case brought under the provisions of this chapter.D. In the event the court enters an order declaring the city eligible for town status, a copy of the order shall be certified to the Secretary of the Commonwealth.1988, c. 881, § 15.1-965.16; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-4107 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 41 - Transition of City to Town Status|§ 15.2-4107. 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, to be subject to the usual rules of evidence. The court may determine the actual expense of preparing such evidence and may tax such expense as costs in the case; the costs, if so taxed, shall be paid by the clerk into the general fund of the state treasury, and credited to the agency furnishing the evidence.1988, c. 881, § 15.1-965.17; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-4108 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 41 - Transition of City to Town Status|§ 15.2-4108. (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.1988, c. 881, § 15.1-965.18; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-4108 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 41 - Transition of City to Town Status|§ 15.2-4108. (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.1988, c. 881, § 15.1-965.18; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-4109 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 41 - Transition of City to Town Status|§ 15.2-4109. Declining a grant of town status

In any proceedings brought under the provisions of this chapter, the governing body of the city, may, by ordinance or resolution, decline to accept eligibility for town status on the terms and conditions imposed by the special court at any time prior to twenty-one days after entry of an order granting eligibility for town status, 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.1988, c. 881, § 15.1-965.19; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-4110 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 41 - Transition of City to Town Status|§ 15.2-4110. Proceedings final for five years

In the event the special court determines the city to be ineligible for town status or in the event that town status is declined under the provisions of § 15.2-4109, no subsequent proceedings shall be brought under the provisions of this chapter within five years of the date of the final order.1988, c. 881, § 15.1-965.20; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-4111 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 41 - Transition of City to Town Status|§ 15.2-4111. Effective date of transition

The special court in its order granting town status shall specify the effective date of transition from city status to town status, but in no event shall such date be sooner than six months from the date of the court order.1988, c. 881, § 15.1-965.21; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-4112 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 41 - Transition of City to Town Status|§ 15.2-4112. Charter for resulting town

A. If a proposed charter for the resulting town has been approved by the General Assembly for adoption pending order of the special court pursuant to this chapter, such proposed charter shall be the charter of the town upon approval of the transition from city to town status.B. If no such proposed charter for the resulting town has been approved by the General Assembly, the court shall enter an order conforming the city charter to a town charter, which shall be the charter of the town until a new charter is granted by the General Assembly.1988, c. 881, § 15.1-965.22; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-4113 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 41 - Transition of City to Town Status|§ 15.2-4113. Restriction on subsequent change in status

Notwithstanding any contrary provision of law, general or special, a town created under this chapter shall not return to its previous independent city status.1996, cc. 337, 349, § 15.1-965.22:1; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-4114 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 41 - Transition of City to Town Status|§ 15.2-4114. Liabilities and assets of such city

Unless otherwise provided by agreement of the governing bodies of the city and county, or by order of the special court pursuant to § 15.2-4106, a town created under this chapter shall remain liable for all of the bonded indebtedness, current debts, obligations, and liabilities if incurred as a city. Unless otherwise provided by agreement of the governing bodies of the city and county, or by order of the court pursuant to § 15.2-4106, the title to all of the real and personal property of the former city and all of its rights and privileges under any contract, and all of its books, records, papers and other things of value, shall vest in and become the property of the town.1988, c. 881, § 15.1-965.23; 1997, c. 587.