reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
VA Code § 15.2-3549 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 35 - Consolidation of Localities|§ 15.2-3549. Powers of a tier-city

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this article, any city located entirely within the boundary of any county proposing to consolidate with such county, and which becomes a tier-city shall have, mutatis mutandis, all the powers, duties and responsibilities of a town together with such additional powers as may be granted it by law, general or special. The appropriate provisions of the charter for such city may be made a part of the consolidation agreement and in that event shall become the charter of such tier-city, subject to the subsequent approval of the General Assembly. Such tier-city established pursuant to this section shall continue to exercise such powers and elect such officers as the tier-city charter may authorize and such other powers as tier-cities or towns exercise under general law. Except for those powers reserved to the tier-city in the consolidation agreement, the consolidated county shall exercise such powers in the tier-city as are exercised by counties in towns. Tier-cities shall receive from the Commonwealth financial assistance in the same manner and to the same extent as is provided towns. A tier-city may transfer all or part of the revenues it receives, the services it performs, its facilities, or other assets to the county by agreement of the governing bodies. The governing bodies may provide by agreement for the assumption of all or part of the tier-city's debt by the consolidated county. The tier-city boundaries within the county may be established initially as agreed to and provided for in the consolidation agreement.1984, c. 695, § 15.1-1146.1:1; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3550 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 35 - Consolidation of Localities|§ 15.2-3550. Effect of consolidation into single county; exceptions for tier-city

If the consolidation agreement provides for the consolidation of counties, cities and towns or any of them into a single county, and such agreement is approved by a majority of the voters voting in the election provided for in this article, then the existence of such localities as governmental entities of the Commonwealth shall cease, except as to towns continued under the provisions of § 15.2-3548. The governmental powers and functions of the consolidated governmental entities shall be transferred to the county therein provided for, except as herein otherwise set forth. The streets of the former cities and towns shall become and remain a part of the primary state highway system unless otherwise provided in the consolidation agreement. All property, real and personal, of each such county, city or town shall be transferred to and vested in such consolidated county, except as may be otherwise provided for in the consolidation agreement providing for the establishment of a tier-city. All suits or actions or causes of action pending by or against any such county, city or town shall continue to exist and may be brought or continued by or against such consolidated county, except as may be otherwise provided for in the consolidation agreement providing for the establishment of a tier-city.Code 1950, § 15-231.2; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1147; 1975, c. 214; 1979, c. 85; 1984, c. 695; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3600 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 36 - Incorporation of Towns by Judicial Proceeding|§ 15.2-3600. Petition for incorporation of community; appointment of special court

A petition signed by 100 voters of any community may be presented to the circuit court for the county in which such community, or the greater part thereof, is situated, requesting that the community be incorporated as a town. A plat showing the boundaries of the community shall be attached to 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. The plat shall be prepared by a registered surveyor in a form suitable for recording in the clerk's office of the circuit court. A copy of the petition shall be served upon the county attorney or, if there is no county attorney, the attorney for the Commonwealth, and each member of the governing body of the county or counties wherein the area sought to be incorporated lies. The governing body at its option may become a party to the proceeding. The petition shall be accompanied by proof that:1. The petition has been available for public inspection in the office of the clerk of the circuit court; and2. The following have been published once a week for four successive weeks in a newspaper having general circulation in the county:a. Notice of the time and place the petition would be presented; andb. The text of the petition in full; orc. A descriptive summary of the petition and notice that the petition may be inspected at the circuit court clerk's office.Code 1950, § 15-66; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-966; 1964, c. 467; 1975, c. 629; 1976, c. 586; 1979, c. 85; 1980, c. 45; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3601 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 36 - Incorporation of Towns by Judicial Proceeding|§ 15.2-3601. Hearing before Commission on Local Government; notice; parties; finding of Commission

Upon request of the special court, the Commission on Local Government shall conduct a hearing to determine whether the criteria in § 15.2-3602 have been satisfied. The hearing shall be set no less than thirty days after receipt of the petition by the Commission. All interested parties may present evidence before the Commission, and any county in which is located the area proposed for incorporation shall be made parties to the Commission's hearing.1979, c. 85, § 15.1-966.1; 1980, c. 170; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3602 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 36 - Incorporation of Towns by Judicial Proceeding|§ 15.2-3602. Proof required and order for incorporation

A. The special court shall order that the proposed town be incorporated upon proof that:1. It will be in the interest of the inhabitants within the proposed town;2. The prayer of the petition is reasonable;3. The general good of the community will be promoted;4. The number of inhabitants of the proposed town exceeds 1,000;5. The area of land designated to be embraced within the town is not excessive;6. The population density of the county in which such community is located does not exceed 200 persons per square mile according to the last preceding United States census, or other census directed by the court; and7. The services required by the community cannot be provided by the establishment of a sanitary district, or under other arrangements provided by law, or through extension of existing services provided by the county in which the community is located.B. The order shall recite the substance of the petition and the due publication thereof, and that the requirements of subsection A have been met. The order shall (i) be entered upon the court's common-law order book, (ii) decree that the community is incorporated as a town by the name of "The Town of ____________________ (naming it)," and (iii) designate the metes and bounds of the town or incorporate by reference the recorded plat. Thereafter the inhabitants within such bounds shall be a body politic and corporate, with all the powers, privileges and duties conferred upon and appertaining to towns under the general law. However, such town shall perform no municipal services or contract any debt until its governing body is elected, qualifies and takes office. A copy of the order shall be certified by the court to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, who shall certify it to all proper officers of the Commonwealth. No town created under this section subsequent to January 1, 1972, and no city formed from such town shall consolidate with any county or portion thereof under the provisions of Article 2 (§ 15.2-3520 et seq.) of Chapter 35 of this title.Code 1950, § 15-67; 1950, p. 443; 1956, c. 217; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-967; 1964, c. 467; 1972, c. 863; 1979, c. 85; 1980, c. 45; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3603 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 36 - Incorporation of Towns by Judicial Proceeding|§ 15.2-3603. Request for charter

At the session of the General Assembly following its incorporation, the town shall request the General Assembly to grant it a charter.No judge shall grant a town a charter. Until a town is granted a charter by the General Assembly, the town's affairs shall be conducted exclusively under the provisions of general law.1980, c. 45, § 15.1-967.2; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3604 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 36 - Incorporation of Towns by Judicial Proceeding|§ 15.2-3604. How first election ordered and held

An order incorporating a town under this chapter shall order the first election of town officers and shall designate the time and place where the election shall be held in the town. The election shall be at least 90 days from the date of the order and not within 120 days of a general election. The electoral board of the county within which the town, or the greater part thereof, is situated shall, not less than 90 days before the election, determine the qualified voters within the town, and the general registrar for the county shall provide the appropriate notice, in accordance with § 24.2-114. At any time the books are not closed pursuant to § 24.2-416, any person residing in the town who has not registered shall be entitled to register and vote in the town if he would have been entitled to register and vote in the county. Five members of council shall be elected and shall serve until their successors, elected pursuant to charter provisions, qualify and take office. The officers of election shall comply with the requirements of Title 24.2. If, for any cause no election is held on the day fixed in the order, the court may, by an order entered in its common-law order book, fix another day for the election, which shall be held as required by this section.Code 1950, § 15-69; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-969; 1980, c. 45; 1997, c. 587; 2003, c. 1015.
VA Code § 15.2-3605 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 36 - Incorporation of Towns by Judicial Proceeding|§ 15.2-3605. (Effective until January 1, 2022) How appeals granted and heard

An appeal may be granted by the Supreme Court or any justice thereof. Court costs shall be awarded as the Supreme Court determines. The costs in the Supreme Court shall be awarded to the party substantially prevailing.Code 1950, § 15-71; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-971; 1979, c. 85; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3605 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 36 - Incorporation of Towns by Judicial Proceeding|§ 15.2-3605. (Effective January 1, 2022) How appeals granted and heard

An appeal may be granted by the Supreme Court or any justice thereof. Court costs shall be awarded as the Supreme Court determines. The costs in the Supreme Court shall be awarded to the party substantially prevailing.Code 1950, § 15-71; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-971; 1979, c. 85; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3700 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 37 - Annulment of Town Charters|§ 15.2-3700. Towns may annul charters

A town may annul its charter in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.1992, c. 453, § 15.1-965.28; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3701 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 37 - Annulment of Town Charters|§ 15.2-3701. Agreement required

Before initiating proceedings pursuant to this chapter, a town council shall enter into an agreement with the board of supervisors of the county or counties within which the town is located. The agreement shall provide for the transfer to the county or counties of all of the revenues the town receives, the services it performs, its facilities, including real and personal property, and other assets, including all debts due to the town, and for the assumption by the county or counties of all of the town's indebtedness, bonded and otherwise.The agreement required by this section may be an agreement between the governing body of the town and the governing bodies of two or more counties or cities, in one or more of which the town is located, which are parties to a consolidation agreement under Chapter 35 (§ 15.2-3500 et seq.) of this title and may provide that the agreement shall be binding on the consolidated jurisdiction upon the effective date of consolidation.1992, c. 453, § 15.1-965.29; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3702 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 37 - Annulment of Town Charters|§ 15.2-3702. Ordinance required

After the agreement required by § 15.2-3701 has been reached, the town council may, by ordinance passed by a recorded majority vote of all the members thereof, petition the circuit court for the county or counties in which the town is located for an order requiring a referendum on the question of whether the town charter shall be annulled and repealed.1992, c. 453, § 15.1-965.30; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3703 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 37 - Annulment of Town Charters|§ 15.2-3703. Notice of motion; service and publication; docketing

Upon adoption of the ordinance required by § 15.2-3702, the town shall serve notice on the attorney for the Commonwealth, or on the county attorney, if there is one, and on the chairman of the governing body of the county or counties in which the town is located that it will, on a given day, not less than thirty days thereafter, move the circuit court for an order as provided by § 15.2-3702. 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. The proof of service or certificate of service of the notice and ordinance shall be returned after service to the clerk of the circuit court. When the publication of the notice and ordinance is completed, the case shall be docketed for entry of the referendum order. Certification of the owner, editor or manager of the newspaper publishing the notice and ordinance shall be proof of publication.1992, c. 453, § 15.1-965.31; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3704 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 37 - Annulment of Town Charters|§ 15.2-3704. Order for election; conduct of election

When publication of the notice and ordinance is completed, the circuit court shall by order issued in accordance with § 24.2-684 require the regular election officers of the county or counties in which the town is located to open the polls on the day fixed in the order and take the sense of the qualified voters of the town on the question submitted as provided in this section. The regular election officers, at the time designated in the order, shall open the polls at the various voting places in the town and conduct the election in the manner provided by general law for other elections. The ballots used shall be printed and shall contain the following:"Shall the charter for the Town of ____________________ be annulled and repealed?[ ] Yes[ ] No."1992, c. 453, §§ 15.1-965.32, 15.1-965.33; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3705 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 37 - Annulment of Town Charters|§ 15.2-3705. Results of election

The ballots shall be counted and returns made and canvassed as in other elections and the results certified by the secretary of the electoral board to the judge of the circuit court. If the report of the secretary of the electoral board shows that a majority of the qualified voters of the town voting on the question submitted are in favor of the annulment, the judge shall enter such fact of record and shall notify the Secretary of the Commonwealth, and the annulment shall be effective on January 1 of the year following the year in which the order entering such fact of record is issued or, in the discretion of the court, on the second January 1 following the year in which issued. However, the court, upon joint petition of the governing bodies of the town and county or counties in which the town is located, may order the annulment effective on any other date or dates.1992, c. 453, § 15.1-965.34; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3706 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 37 - Annulment of Town Charters|§ 15.2-3706. Annulment of surrendered charter

Upon the effective date of the annulment, the town charter which is surrendered by the ordinance shall be annulled. The terms and conditions of the contract with the county or counties in which the town is located required by § 15.2-3701 shall be a binding and irrevocable contract in favor of the public, compliance with which in all its parts may be enforced, and violation of which may be prevented, by mandamus or injunction from the Supreme Court or from any circuit court at the suit or relation of any citizen or taxpayer.1992, c. 453, § 15.1-965.35; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3707 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 37 - Annulment of Town Charters|§ 15.2-3707. General effect of annulment

Upon the effective date of annulment, the town shall terminate, as shall the terms of office and the rights, powers, duties and compensation of the officers, agents and employees of the town.1992, c. 453, § 15.1-965.36; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3708 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 37 - Annulment of Town Charters|§ 15.2-3708. Transfer of property and indebtedness

Upon the effective date of annulment, the title to all property, real and personal, tangible and intangible, of the former town shall be vested in, and the indebtedness become a debt of, the county or counties in which the town was located without any further act or deed.1992, c. 453, § 15.1-965.37; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3709 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 37 - Annulment of Town Charters|§ 15.2-3709. Special debt district

If so provided in the agreement required by § 15.2-3701, the territory constituting the former town may be a special debt district for the purpose of repaying all or part of the existing indebtedness chargeable to the town before annulment. A special tax on real property within the special debt district shall be levied for a period not exceeding twenty years. The special tax may be different from and in addition to the general tax rate throughout the entire county or counties in which the town was located.1992, c. 453, § 15.1-965.38; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3710 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 37 - Annulment of Town Charters|§ 15.2-3710. Records and documents

All records and documents of the former town shall pass to and be held by the county or counties in which the town was located which shall be responsible for the preservation, maintenance and custody of these records and documents.1992, c. 453, § 15.1-965.39; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3711 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 37 - Annulment of Town Charters|§ 15.2-3711. Effect on pending suits

If at the time of annulment there are any pending actions or proceedings by or against the town, or if after the effective date of annulment an action or proceeding out of a cause of action which arose prior to the time of annulment, which but for the annulment would have been by or against the town, is instituted, the county or counties in which the town was located shall be substituted in place thereof and the proceeding may be perfected to judgment. The agreement required by § 15.2-3701 may provide that if judgment against the county or counties results from the proceeding, the liability shall be paid by the special debt district as provided in § 15.2-3709.1992, c. 453, § 15.1-965.40; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3712 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 37 - Annulment of Town Charters|§ 15.2-3712. Repeal of charter

After a town charter has been annulled in accordance with this chapter, the local governing body of the county or counties in which the town was located shall make a request to a state legislator representing that county that the General Assembly repeal the town charter at the next legislative session.1992, c. 453, § 15.1-965.41; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3800 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 38 - Transition of Towns to Cities|§ 15.2-3800. Ordinance petitioning court for city status; appointment of special court

Any town, except a town located within a county or any portion of a county granted immunity as provided by Chapter 33 (§ 15.2-3300 et seq.) from the incorporation of new cities within its boundaries, may, by ordinance passed by a recorded majority vote of all the members thereof, petition the circuit court for the county within which the town lies, alleging that the town meets the criteria set out in subsection A of § 15.2-3807, for an order granting city status to the town. 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.1979, c. 85, § 15.1-982.1; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3801 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 38 - Transition of Towns to Cities|§ 15.2-3801. Referendum

Prior to the adoption of an ordinance petitioning the court for city status, the town council shall petition the court to order a referendum held within the town on the question of seeking city status. The provisions of § 24.2-684 shall govern the order for a referendum. The question on the ballot shall be:"Shall the Town of ____________________ seek to become a city?[ ] Yes[ ] No."If a majority of the electorate voting in the referendum vote "No," the town council shall not proceed in seeking city status. If a majority of the electorate voting in such referendum vote "Yes," the town council shall proceed as provided in § 15.2-3800.1979, c. 85, § 15.1-982.2; 1982, c. 181; 1997, c. 587.
VA Code § 15.2-3802 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns|Chapter 38 - Transition of Towns to Cities|§ 15.2-3802. Town and county agreement concerning proposed city

No court proceedings shall be instituted until the governing bodies of the town and county have failed, in the sole opinion of the governing body of the town, to reach an agreement with respect to the proposed city. If the governing bodies reach an agreement, it shall be certified by order of the special court and a grant of city status shall be made upon a finding that the criteria set out in subsection A of § 15.2-3807 have been satisfied.1979, c. 85, § 15.1-982.2; 1982, c. 181; 1997, c. 587.