reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 13.1 - Corporations › Chapter 14 - Virginia Business Trust Act › § 13.1-1263.1. Abandonment of merger

A. Unless otherwise provided in the plan of merger or in the laws under which a foreign business trust or a domestic or foreign other business entity that is a party to a merger is organized or by which it is governed, after a plan of merger has been approved as required by this article, and at any time before the certificate of merger has become effective, the plan may be abandoned by a domestic business trust that is a party to the plan without action by its trustees or the holders of beneficial interests in accordance with any procedures set forth in the plan or, if no procedures are set forth in the plan, by a vote of the trustees and the holders of beneficial interests of the business trust that is equal to or greater than the vote cast for the plan pursuant to § 13.1-1258, subject to any contractual rights of other parties to the plan of merger.
B. If a merger is abandoned after articles of merger have been filed with the Commission but before the certificate of merger has become effective, in order for the certificate of merger to be abandoned, all parties to the plan of merger shall sign a statement of abandonment and deliver it to the Commission for filing prior to the effective time and date of the certificate of merger. If the Commission finds that the statement of abandonment complies with the requirements of law, it shall issue a certificate of abandonment, effective as of the date and time the statement of abandonment was received by the Commission, and the merger shall be deemed abandoned and shall not become effective.
C. The statement of abandonment shall contain:
1. The name of each domestic and foreign business trust and other business entity that is a party to the merger and its jurisdiction of formation and entity type;
2. When the survivor will be a domestic stock or nonstock corporation created by the merger, the name of the survivor set forth in the articles of merger;
3. The date on which the articles of merger were filed with the Commission;
4. The date and time on which the Commission's certificate of merger becomes effective; and
5. A statement that the merger is being abandoned in accordance with this section.
2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 487.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 13.1 - Corporations › Chapter 14 - Virginia Business Trust Act › § 13.1-1264. Definitions

As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Articles of organization" has the same meaning specified in § 13.1-1002.
"Converting entity" means the domestic or foreign business trust, corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership, partnership, or other entity that adopts a plan of domestication or plan of entity conversion pursuant to this article.
"Corporation" and "domestic corporation" have the same meaning specified in § 13.1-603.
"Domesticated business trust" means the domesticating business trust as it continues in existence after a domestication.
"Domesticating business trust" means the domestic business trust that approves a plan of domestication pursuant to § 13.1-1267 or the foreign business trust that approves a domestication pursuant to the organic law of the foreign business trust.
"Domestication" means a transaction pursuant to this article, including domestication of a foreign business trust as a domestic business trust or domestication of a domestic business trust in another jurisdiction, where the other jurisdiction authorizes such a transaction even if by another name.
"Domestic entity" means a domestic corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership, partnership, or other entity.
"Foreign corporation" has the same meaning specified in § 13.1-603.
"Foreign entity" means a foreign business trust, corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership, partnership, or other entity.
"Foreign limited liability company" has the same meaning specified in § 13.1-1002.
"Foreign limited partnership" has the same meaning specified in § 50-73.1.
"Foreign partnership" has the same meaning specified in § 13.1-1002.
"Limited liability company" and "domestic limited liability company" have the same meaning specified in § 13.1-1002.
"Limited partnership" and "domestic limited partnership" have the same meaning specified in § 50-73.1.
"Member" has the same meaning specified in § 13.1-1002.
"Membership interest" or "interest" has the same meaning specified in § 13.1-1002.
"Other entity" means a domestic real estate investment trust or common law trust.
"Partnership" and "domestic partnership" mean an association of two or more persons to carry on as co-owners a business for profit formed under § 50-73.88, or predecessor law of this Commonwealth, and includes, for all purposes of the laws of this Commonwealth, a registered limited liability partnership.
"Resulting entity" means the domestic limited liability company or business trust that is in existence upon consummation of an entity conversion pursuant to this article.
"Surviving entity" means the domestic business trust that is in existence upon consummation of a domestication pursuant to this article.
2002, c. 621; 2016, c. 288; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 487.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 13.1 - Corporations › Chapter 14 - Virginia Business Trust Act › § 13.1-1265. Domestication

A. A foreign business trust may become a domestic business trust if the laws of the jurisdiction in which the foreign entity is formed authorize it to domesticate in another jurisdiction. The laws of this Commonwealth shall govern the effect of domesticating in this Commonwealth pursuant to this article.
B. A domestic business trust not required by law to be a domestic business trust may become a foreign business trust if the jurisdiction in which the business trust intends to domesticate allows for the domestication. Regardless of whether the laws of the foreign jurisdiction require the adoption of a plan of domestication, the domestication shall be approved in the manner provided in this article. The laws of the jurisdiction in which the business trust domesticates shall govern the effect of domesticating in that jurisdiction.
2002, c. 621; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 487.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 13.1 - Corporations › Chapter 14 - Virginia Business Trust Act › § 13.1-1266. Plan of domestication

A. The plan of domestication shall set forth:
1. The name of the state or other jurisdiction under whose laws the domestic business trust or foreign entity is formed, organized, or incorporated;
2. A statement of the jurisdiction in which the domestic business trust or foreign entity is to be domesticated;
3. The terms and conditions of the domestication, provided that such terms and conditions may not alter the ownership proportion or the relative rights, preferences and limitations of the interests of the beneficial owners except to the extent required to conform to the requirements of this chapter; and
4. For a foreign entity that is to become a domestic business trust, as a referenced attachment, the amended and restated articles of trust that comply with § 13.1-1212 as they will be in effect upon consummation of the domestication.
B. The plan of domestication may include any other provision relating to the domestication.
C. The plan of domestication may also include a provision that the management of the converting entity may amend the plan at any time prior to issuance of the certificate of domestication or such other document required by the laws of the other jurisdiction to consummate the domestication. An amendment made subsequent to the submission of the plan to the beneficial owners of the foreign entity, if required, shall not alter or change any of the terms or conditions of the plan if the change would adversely affect the interests of the beneficial owners.
2002, c. 621; 2012, c. 130.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 13.1 - Corporations › Chapter 14 - Virginia Business Trust Act › § 13.1-1267. Action on plan of domestication by a domestic business trust

A. The plan of domestication shall be approved by the trustees of the domestic business trust in the manner provided in the business trust's governing instrument or articles of trust for amendments or, if no such provision is made in a governing instrument or articles of trust, by the sole trustee or a majority of the trustees of the business trust.
B. The business trust shall notify each trustee, whether or not entitled to vote, and each member of a voting group of the proposed trustees' meeting at which the plan of domestication is to be submitted for approval. The notice, which shall be given no less than twenty-five nor more than sixty days before the meeting date, shall state that a purpose of the meeting is to consider the plan of domestication and shall contain or be accompanied by a copy of the plan.
2002, c. 621.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 13.1 - Corporations › Chapter 14 - Virginia Business Trust Act › § 13.1-1268. Articles of domestication

A. After the domestication of a foreign entity is approved in the manner required by the laws of the jurisdiction in which the foreign entity is formed, the foreign entity shall file with the Commission articles of domestication setting forth:
1. The name of the foreign entity immediately prior to the filing of the articles of domestication and, if that name is unavailable for use in the Commonwealth or the foreign entity desires to change its name in connection with the domestication, a name that satisfies the requirements of § 13.1-1214;
2. The plan of domestication;
3. The original jurisdiction, entity type and date of formation of the foreign entity, and each subsequent jurisdiction, entity type and date the foreign entity was domesticated in each such jurisdiction or converted to a new entity type, if any, prior to the filing of the articles of domestication; and
4. A statement that the domestication is permitted by the laws of the jurisdiction in which the business trust is formed and that the business trust has complied with those laws in effecting the domestication.
B. If the Commission finds that the articles of domestication comply with the requirements of law and that all required fees have been paid, it shall issue a certificate of domestication.
C. The certificate of domestication shall become effective pursuant to § 13.1-1203.
D. A foreign entity's existence as a domestic business trust shall begin when the certificate of domestication is effective. Upon becoming effective, the certificate of domestication shall be conclusive evidence that all conditions precedent required to be performed by the foreign business trust have been complied with and that the business trust has been formed under this chapter.
E. If the foreign business trust is authorized to transact business in the Commonwealth under Article 9 (§ 13.1-1241 et seq.), its certificate of authority shall be canceled automatically on the effective date of the certificate of domestication issued by the Commission.
2002, c. 621; 2012, c. 130.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 13.1 - Corporations › Chapter 14 - Virginia Business Trust Act › § 13.1-1269. Surrender of articles of trust upon domestication

A. Whenever a domestic business trust has adopted and approved, in the manner required by this article, a plan of domestication providing for the business trust to be domesticated under the laws of another jurisdiction, the business trust shall file with the Commission articles of trust surrender setting forth:
1. The name of the business trust;
2. The business trust's new jurisdiction of formation;
3. The business trust's new entity type, if any;
4. The plan of domestication;
5. A statement that the articles of trust surrender are being filed in connection with the domestication of the business trust as a foreign entity to be formed under the laws of another jurisdiction and that the business trust is surrendering its charter under the laws of this Commonwealth;
6. A statement that the plan was adopted by the business trust in accordance with § 13.1-1267;
7. A statement that the domestic business trust revokes the authority of its registered agent to accept service on its behalf and appoints the clerk of the Commission as its agent for service of process in any proceeding based on a cause of action arising during the time it was formed in this Commonwealth;
8. A mailing address to which the clerk may mail a copy of any process served on him under subdivision 7; and
9. A commitment to notify the clerk of the Commission in the future of any change in the mailing address of the business trust.
B. If the Commission finds that the articles of trust surrender comply with the requirements of law and that all required fees have been paid, it shall issue a certificate of trust surrender.
C. The business trust shall automatically cease to be a domestic business trust when the certificate of trust surrender becomes effective.
D. If the former domestic business trust intends to continue to transact business in the Commonwealth, then, within thirty days after the effective date of the certificate of trust surrender, it shall deliver to the Commission an application for a certificate of authority to transact business in the Commonwealth pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Code of Virginia for the resulting entity type of the former domestic business trust.
2002, c. 621.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 13.1 - Corporations › Chapter 14 - Virginia Business Trust Act › § 13.1-1270. Effect of domestication

A. When a foreign business trust's certificate of domestication in this Commonwealth becomes effective, with respect to that business trust:
1. The title to all real estate and other property remains in the business trust without reversion or impairment;
2. The liabilities remain the liabilities of the business trust;
3. A proceeding pending may be continued by or against the business trust as if the domestication did not occur;
4. The articles of trust attached to the articles of domestication constitute the articles of trust of the business trust; and
5. The business trust is deemed to:
a. Be formed under the laws of this Commonwealth for all purposes;
b. Be the same business trust as the business trust that existed under the laws of the jurisdiction or jurisdictions in which it was originally formed or formerly domiciled; and
c. Have been formed on the date it was originally formed or organized.
B. Any trustee of a foreign business trust that domesticates into this Commonwealth who, prior to the domestication, was liable for the liabilities or obligations of the business trust is not released from those liabilities or obligations by reason of the domestication.
2002, c. 621.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 13.1 - Corporations › Chapter 14 - Virginia Business Trust Act › § 13.1-1271. Abandonment of domestication

A. Unless otherwise provided in the plan of domestication, after a plan of domestication has been approved by a domestic business trust as required by this article, and at any time before the certificate of trust surrender or certificate of domestication has become effective, the plan may be abandoned by the business trust without action by its trustees in accordance with any procedures set forth in the plan or, if no such procedures are set forth in the plan, by a vote of the trustees that is equal to or greater than the vote cast for the plan of domestication pursuant to § 13.1-1267.
B. A domesticating business trust that is a foreign business trust may abandon its domestication to a domestic business trust in the manner prescribed by its organic law.
C. If a domestication is abandoned after articles of trust surrender or articles of domestication have been filed with the Commission but before the certificate of trust surrender or certificate of domestication has become effective, a statement of abandonment signed by the domesticating business trust shall be delivered to the Commission for filing prior to the effective time and date of the certificate of trust surrender or certificate of domestication. If the Commission finds that the statement of abandonment complies with the requirements of law, it shall issue a certificate of abandonment, effective as of the date and time the statement of abandonment was received by the Commission, and the domestication shall be deemed abandoned and shall not become effective.
D. The statement of abandonment shall contain:
1. The name of the domesticating business trust and its jurisdiction of formation;
2. When the domesticating business trust is a foreign business trust, the name of the domesticated business trust set forth in the articles of domestication;
3. The date on which the articles of trust surrender or articles of domestication were filed with the Commission;
4. The date and time on which the Commission's certificate of trust surrender or certificate of domestication becomes effective; and
5. A statement that the domestication is being abandoned in accordance with this section or, when the domesticating business trust is a foreign business trust, a statement that the foreign business trust abandoned the domestication as required by its organic law.
2002, c. 621; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 487.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 13.1 - Corporations › Chapter 14 - Virginia Business Trust Act › § 13.1-1272. Entity conversion

A. A domestic business trust may become a domestic limited liability company pursuant to a plan of entity conversion that is approved by the domestic business trust in accordance with the provisions of this article.
B. A domestic limited liability company may become a domestic business trust pursuant to a plan of entity conversion that is approved by the limited liability company in accordance with the provisions of Article 15 (§ 13.1-1081 et seq.) of Chapter 12.
C. Unless otherwise provided for in Chapter 2.2 (§ 50-73.79 et seq.) of Title 50, a domestic partnership that has filed either a statement of partnership authority or a statement of registration as a registered limited liability partnership with the Commission that is not canceled may become a domestic business trust pursuant to a plan of entity conversion that is approved by the domestic partnership in accordance with the provisions of this article.
D. Unless otherwise provided for in Chapter 2.1 (§ 50-73.1 et seq.) of Title 50, a domestic limited partnership that has filed a certificate of limited partnership with the Commission that is not canceled may become a domestic business trust pursuant to a plan of entity conversion that is approved by the domestic limited partnership in accordance with the provisions of this article.
E. An other entity may become a domestic business trust pursuant to a plan of entity conversion that is approved by the other entity in accordance with the provisions of its governing instrument for amendments to the governing instrument.
2002, c. 621; 2016, c. 288.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 13.1 - Corporations › Chapter 14 - Virginia Business Trust Act › § 13.1-1274. Action on plan of entity conversion

A. In the case of a domestic business trust that is a converting entity, unless the articles of trust or governing instrument of the business trust provides otherwise, the plan of entity conversion shall be approved by the trustees of the business trust in the manner provided in a written governing instrument for amendments to the governing instrument by the trustees or, if no provision is made in the governing instrument, by the sole trustee or a majority of the trustees.
B. In the case of a partnership that is a converting entity, the plan of entity conversion shall be approved by the partners of the partnership in the manner provided in a written partnership agreement for amendments to the partnership agreement by the partners or, if no provision is made in the partnership agreement, by all the partners.
C. In the case of a limited partnership that is a converting entity, the plan of entity conversion shall be approved by the partners of the limited partnership in the manner provided in a written partnership agreement for amendments to the partnership agreement by the partners or, if no provision is made in the partnership agreement, by all the partners.
D. In the case of an other entity that is a converting entity, the plan of entity conversion shall be approved by the persons who have authority to approve the entity conversion in the manner provided in a written governing instrument for amendments to the governing instrument by those persons or, if no provision is made in the governing instrument, by all the persons who have authority to approve the entity conversion on behalf of the other entity.
2002, c. 621; 2016, c. 288.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 13.1 - Corporations › Chapter 14 - Virginia Business Trust Act › § 13.1-1277. Abandonment of entity conversion

A. Unless otherwise provided in the plan of entity conversion, after a plan of entity conversion has been approved by the converting entity in the manner required by this article and at any time before the certificate of entity conversion has become effective, the plan may be abandoned by the converting entity without action by its trustees or partners, as the case may be, in accordance with any procedures set forth in the plan or, if no such procedures are set forth in the plan:
1. When the converting entity is a business trust, by a vote of the trustees of the business trust that is equal to or greater than the vote cast for the plan of entity conversion pursuant to subsection A of § 13.1-1274;
2. When the converting entity is a domestic partnership, by a vote of the partners of the domestic partnership that is equal to or greater than the vote cast for the plan of entity conversion pursuant to subsection B of § 13.1-1274;
3. When the converting entity is a domestic limited partnership, by a vote of the partners of the domestic limited partnership that is equal to or greater than the vote cast for the plan of entity conversion pursuant to subsection C of § 13.1-1274; and
4. When the converting entity is an other entity, by a vote of the persons who had authority to approve the entity conversion on behalf of the other entity that is equal to or greater than the vote cast for the plan of entity conversion pursuant to subsection D of § 13.1-1274.
B. If an entity conversion is abandoned after articles of entity conversion have been filed with the Commission but before the certificate of entity conversion has become effective, a statement of abandonment shall be signed on behalf of the converting entity and delivered to the Commission for filing prior to the effective time and date of the certificate of entity conversion. If the Commission finds that the statement of abandonment complies with the requirements of law, it shall issue a certificate of abandonment, effective as of the date and time the statement of abandonment was received by the Commission, and the entity conversion shall be deemed abandoned and shall not become effective.
C. The statement of abandonment shall contain:
1. The name of the converting entity and its entity type;
2. The name of the resulting entity set forth in the articles of entity conversion;
3. The date on which the articles of the entity conversion were filed with the Commission;
4. The date and time on which the Commission's certificate of entity conversion becomes effective; and
5. A statement that the entity conversion is being abandoned in accordance with this section.
2002, c. 621; 2016, c. 288; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 487.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 13.1 - Corporations › Chapter 14 - Virginia Business Trust Act › § 13.1-1278. Trust records

A. A business trust shall keep minutes of all meetings of its beneficial owners and trustees, a record of all actions taken by the beneficial owners or trustees without a meeting, and a record of all actions taken by a committee of the trustees on behalf of the business trust.
B. A business trust shall maintain appropriate accounting records.
C. A business trust or its agent shall maintain a record of its beneficial owners, in a form that permits preparation of a list of the names and addresses of all beneficial owners, in alphabetical order by class and series, if any, of beneficial interests showing the number and class and series, if any, of beneficial interests held by each.
D. A business trust shall maintain its records in written form or in another form capable of conversion into written form within a reasonable time.
E. A business trust shall keep a copy of the following records:
1. Its articles or restated articles of trust and all amendments to them currently in effect;
2. Its governing instrument and all amendments to it currently in effect;
3. Resolutions adopted by its trustees creating one or more classes or series of beneficial interests, and fixing their relative rights, preferences, and limitations, if beneficial interests issued pursuant to those resolutions are outstanding;
4. The minutes of all meetings of beneficial owners, and records of all action taken by beneficial owners without a meeting, for the past three years;
5. All written communications to beneficial owners generally within the past three years; and
6. A list of the names and business addresses of its current trustees and officers.
2002, c. 621.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 13.1 - Corporations › Chapter 14 - Virginia Business Trust Act › § 13.1-1279. Inspection of records by beneficial owners

A. Subject to subsection C of § 13.1-1280, a beneficial owner of a business trust is entitled to inspect and copy, during regular business hours at the business trust's principal office, any of the records of the business trust described in subsection E of § 13.1-1278 if he gives the business trust written notice of his demand at least five business days before the date on which he wishes to inspect and copy.
B. A beneficial owner of a business trust is entitled to inspect and copy, during regular business hours at a reasonable location specified by the business trust, any of the following records of the business trust if the beneficial owner meets the requirements of subsection C of this section and gives the business trust written notice of his demand at least five business days before the date on which he wishes to inspect and copy:
1. Excerpts from minutes of any meeting of the trustees, records of any action of a committee of the trustees while acting in or on behalf of the business trust, minutes of any meeting of the beneficial owners, and records of action taken by the beneficial owners or trustees without a meeting, to the extent not subject to inspection under subsection A of this section;
2. Accounting records of the business trust; and
3. The record of beneficial owners.
C. A beneficial owner may inspect and copy the records identified in subsection B of this section only if:
1. He has been a beneficial owner of record for at least six months immediately preceding his demand or is the holder of record of at least five percent of all of the outstanding beneficial interests;
2. His demand is made in good faith and for a proper purpose;
3. He describes with reasonable particularity his purpose and the records he desires to inspect; and
4. The records are directly connected with his purpose.
D. The right of inspection granted by this section may not be abolished or limited by a business trust's articles of trust or governing instrument.
E. This section shall not affect:
1. The right of a beneficial owner to inspect records, if the beneficial owner is in litigation with the business trust, to the same extent as any other litigant; or
2. The power of a court, independently of this chapter, to compel the production of trust records for examination.
2002, c. 621.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 13.1 - Corporations › Chapter 14 - Virginia Business Trust Act › § 13.1-1280. Scope of inspection right

A. A beneficial owner's agent or attorney has the same inspection and copying rights as the beneficial owner he represents.
B. The right to copy records under § 13.1-1279 includes, if reasonable, the right to receive copies made by photographic or other means.
C. The business trust may impose a reasonable charge, covering the costs of labor and material, for copies of any documents provided to the beneficial owner. The charge may not exceed the estimated cost of production or reproduction of the records.
D. The business trust may comply with a beneficial owner's demand to inspect the record of beneficial owners under subdivision 3 of subsection B of § 13.1-1279 by providing him with a list of its beneficial owners that was compiled no earlier than the date of the beneficial owner's demand.
2002, c. 621.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 13.1 - Corporations › Chapter 14 - Virginia Business Trust Act › § 13.1-1281. Court-ordered inspection

A. If a business trust does not allow a beneficial owner who complies with subsection A of § 13.1-1279 to inspect and copy any records required by that subsection to be available for inspection, the circuit court in the city or county where the business trust's principal office is located, or, if none in this Commonwealth, where its registered office is located, may summarily order inspection and copying of the records demanded at the business trust's expense upon application of the beneficial owner.
B. If a business trust does not within a reasonable time allow a beneficial owner to inspect and copy any other record, the beneficial owner who complies with subsections B and C of § 13.1-1269 may apply to the circuit court in the city or county where the business trust's principal office is located, or, if none in this Commonwealth, where its registered office is located, for an order to permit inspection and copying of the records demanded. The court shall dispose of an application under this subsection on an expedited basis.
C. If the court orders inspection and copying of the records demanded, it may also order the business trust to pay the beneficial owner's costs, including reasonable counsel fees, incurred to obtain the order if the beneficial owner proves that the business trust refused inspection without a reasonable basis of doubt about the right of the beneficial owner to inspect the records demanded.
D. If the court orders inspection and copying of the records demanded, it may impose reasonable restrictions on the use or distribution of the records by the demanding beneficial owner.
2002, c. 621.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 13.1 - Corporations › Chapter 14 - Virginia Business Trust Act › § 13.1-1282. Construction and application of chapter and governing instrument

A. The rule that statutes in derogation of the common law are to be strictly construed shall have no application to this chapter.
B. This chapter shall be construed in furtherance of the policies of giving maximum effect to the principle of freedom of contract and of enforcing governing instruments.
C. To the extent any provision of this chapter is inconsistent with the provisions of Sections 856 through 859 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor provision, such provisions of the Internal Revenue Code shall prevail with respect to any business trust formed under this chapter that also qualifies as a real estate investment trust under such provisions.
2002, c. 621.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 13.1 - Corporations › Chapter 14 - Virginia Business Trust Act › § 13.1-1284. Application to existing real estate investment trusts and foreign business trusts

Unless otherwise provided, the provisions of this chapter shall apply to all real estate investment trusts created under former Chapter 9 (§ 6-577 et seq.) of Title 6 and Chapter 9 (§ 6.1-343 et seq.) of Title 6.1 as in effect immediately prior to the effective date of this chapter. The declaration of trust of every such real estate investment trust heretofore organized in this Commonwealth shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter.
2002, c. 621.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 13.1 - Corporations › Chapter 14 - Virginia Business Trust Act › § 13.1-1285. Property title records

A. Whenever the records in the office of the clerk of the Commission reflect that a domestic or foreign business trust has changed or corrected its name, merged into a domestic or foreign corporation, limited liability company, business trust, limited partnership or partnership, converted into a domestic or foreign corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership or partnership, or domesticated in or from another jurisdiction, the clerk of the Commission, upon request, shall issue a certificate reciting such change, correction, merger, conversion or domestication. The certificate may be admitted to record in the deed books, in accordance with § 17.1-227, of any clerk's office within the jurisdiction of which any property of the business trust is located in order to maintain the continuity of title records. The person filing the certificate shall pay a fee of $10 to the clerk of the court, but no tax shall be due thereon.
B. Whenever a foreign business trust has changed or corrected its name, merged into a corporation, limited liability company, business trust, limited partnership or partnership, converted into another type of business entity, or domesticated in another jurisdiction, and it cannot or chooses not to obtain a certificate reciting such change, correction, merger, conversion or domestication from the clerk of the Commission pursuant to subsection A, a similar certificate by any competent authority of the foreign business trust's jurisdiction of formation may be admitted to record in the deed books, in accordance with § 17.1-227, of any clerk's office within the jurisdiction of which any property of the business trust is located in order to maintain the continuity of title records. The person filing the certificate shall pay a fee of $10 to the clerk of the court, but no tax shall be due thereon.
2007, c. 771.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 1 - General Provisions › § 15.2-100. Charter powers not affected by title

Except when otherwise expressly provided by the words, "Notwithstanding any contrary provision of law, general or special," or words of similar import, the provisions of this title shall not repeal, amend, impair or affect any power, right or privilege conferred on counties, cities and towns by charter.
Code 1950, § 15-2; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-1; 1997, c. 587.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 1 - General Provisions › § 15.2-101. Certain laws and ordinances not affected by repeal of Title 15.1; validation of laws and ordinances adopted under § 15.1-522

A. The repeal of Title 15.1 effective as of December 1, 1997, shall not affect the powers of any locality with respect to any ordinance, resolution or by-law adopted and not repealed or rescinded prior to such date.
B. The repeal of § 15.1-522 by this title shall not affect the exercise, by ordinance or otherwise, of any power conferred by this section upon any county which on November 30, 1997, was vested with such power and on or before such date exercised the power; and every power so conferred, vested and exercised is hereby continued in such cases.
C. For the purposes of this section, all laws and ordinances heretofore adopted by any county authorized to adopt such law or ordinance under former § 15.1-522 are hereby ratified, validated and confirmed, notwithstanding noncompliance with any technical requirement of such section.
1997, c. 587.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 1 - General Provisions › § 15.2-102. Definitions

As used in this title unless such construction would be inconsistent with the context or manifest intent of the statute:
"Board of supervisors" means the governing body of a county.
"City" means any independent incorporated community which became a city as provided by law before noon on the first day of July, nineteen hundred seventy-one, or which has within defined boundaries a population of 5,000 or more and which has become a city as provided by law.
"Constitutional officer" means an officer provided for pursuant to Article VII, § 4 of the Constitution.
"Council" means the governing body of a city or town.
"Councilman" or "member of the council" means a member of the governing body of a city or town.
"County" means any existing county or such unit hereafter created.
"Governing body" means the board of supervisors of a county, council of a city, or council of a town, as the context may require.
"Locality" or "local government" shall be construed to mean a county, city, or town as the context may require.
"Municipality," "incorporated communities," "municipal corporation," and words or terms of similar import shall be construed to relate only to cities and towns.
"Supervisor" means a member of the board of supervisors of a county.
"Town" means any existing town or an incorporated community within one or more counties which became a town before noon, July one, nineteen hundred seventy-one, as provided by law or which has within defined boundaries a population of 1,000 or more and which has become a town as provided by law.
"Voter" means a qualified voter as defined in § 24.2-101.
Code 1950, § 15-1; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-6; 1997, c. 587.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 1 - General Provisions › § 15.2-103. Name "Mount Vernon" reserved

The name "Mount Vernon" is reserved for the home and tomb of the late General George Washington in Fairfax County. The General Assembly shall not grant to any locality the right to use the name "Mount Vernon."
Code 1950, § 15-24.4; 1956, c. 42; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-34; 1997, c. 587.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 1 - General Provisions › § 15.2-104. Liens against real estate

Notwithstanding any provision contained in this title to the contrary, wherever this title provides for or authorizes a lien upon real estate for a local assessment, fee, rent or charge, other than real estate taxes, not paid when due, such lien shall not bind or affect a subsequent bona fide purchaser of the real estate for valuable consideration without actual notice of the lien unless, at the time of the transfer of record of the real estate to the purchaser, a statement containing the name of the record owner of the real estate and the amount of such unpaid assessments, fees, rents or charges is entered in the judgment lien book in the clerk's office where deeds are recorded or is contained in records maintained by the local treasurer for real estate tax liens pursuant to § 58.1-3930 with respect to the real estate against which the lien is asserted. Any such lien binding on the owner of the real estate at the time of sale or other disposition shall be paid from the sale or other proceeds as real estate taxes assessed thereon are required to be paid. The clerk shall cause such statement to be entered and properly indexed against the record owner of the real estate, for which the clerk shall be entitled to a fee of two dollars per entry, or such other fee as may be specifically provided for such purpose in this title, to be paid by the locality or other political subdivision asserting the lien and to be added to the amount of the lien. If the amount of such lien and all accrued interest due thereon are paid in full, the locality or other political subdivision asserting the lien shall deliver a certificate evidencing such payment to the person paying the same, and, upon presentation of such certificate, the clerk having record of the lien shall mark the entry of such lien satisfied, for which he shall be entitled to a fee of one dollar, or such other fee as may be specifically provided for such purpose in this title.
1994, c. 525, § 15.1-37.3:13; 1996, c. 612; 1997, c. 587.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 1 - General Provisions › § 15.2-105. Penalty and interest for failure to pay accounts when due

Any person failing to pay, pursuant to an ordinance, any account due a locality on or before its due date, other than taxes which are provided for in Title 58.1, may, at the option of the locality, incur a penalty thereon of ten dollars or an amount not exceeding ten percent. The penalty shall be added to the amount of the account due from such person. No penalty shall be imposed for failure to pay any account if such failure was not in any way the fault of the debtor.
Interest at the rate of ten percent annually from the first day following the day such account is due may be collected upon the principal and penalty of all such accounts.
1984, c. 520, § 15.1-37.3:6; 1985, c. 342; 1989, c. 366; 1992, c. 229; 1997, cc. 587, 700.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 1 - General Provisions › § 15.2-106. Ordinances providing fee for passing bad checks to localities

Any locality may by ordinance provide for a fee, not exceeding $50, for the uttering, publishing or passing of any check, draft, or order for payment of taxes or any other sums due, which is subsequently returned for insufficient funds or because there is no account or the account has been closed, or because such check, draft, or order was returned because of a stop-payment order placed in bad faith on the check, draft, or order by the drawer.
1973, c. 103, § 15.1-29.4; 1982, c. 20; 1997, c. 587; 1998, c. 502; 2004, c. 565; 2010, c. 708; 2011, c. 255.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 1 - General Provisions › § 15.2-107. Advertisement and enactment of certain fees and levies

All levies and fees imposed or increased by a locality pursuant to the provisions of Chapters 21 (§ 15.2-2100 et seq.) or 22 (§ 15.2-2200 et seq.) shall be adopted by ordinance. The advertising requirements of subsection F of § 15.2-1427, or § 15.2-2204, as appropriate, shall apply, except as modified in this section.
The advertisement shall include the following:
1. The time, date, and place of the public hearing.
2. The actual dollar amount or percentage change, if any, of the proposed levy, fee or increase.
3. A specific reference to the Code of Virginia section or other legal authority granting the legal authority for enactment of such proposed levy, fee, or increase.
4. A designation of the place or places where the complete ordinance, and information concerning the documentation for the proposed fee, levy or increase are available for examination by the public no later than the time of the first publication.
1987, c. 389, § 15.1-29.14; 1997, c. 587; 2005, c. 72.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 1 - General Provisions › § 15.2-107.2. Alternative method for local government to give notice by mail

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, general or special, a locality may give notice by regular mail in any instance in which two or more notices are required for the same action, the first notice is required to be sent by certified or registered mail, and at least one notice has previously been sent by certified or registered mail. Such notice shall be sent to the last address available through government records.
2011, c. 127.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 1 - General Provisions › § 15.2-108.1. Local fees charged to places of worship

Localities shall not charge any fee to any church, synagogue, or other place of worship unless authorized by general law or special act of the General Assembly. Nothing in this section shall apply to any fire prevention inspection fees.
2012, c. 804.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 1 - General Provisions › § 15.2-109. Regulations on political campaign signs

No locality shall have the authority to prohibit the display of political campaign signs on private property if the signs are in compliance with zoning and right-of-way restrictions applicable to temporary nonpolitical signs, if the signs have been posted with the permission of the owner. The provisions of this section shall supersede the provisions of any local ordinance or regulation in conflict with this section. This section shall have no effect upon the regulations of the Virginia Department of Transportation.
2004, c. 388.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 1 - General Provisions › § 15.2-110. Authority to require approval by common interest community association

No locality shall require, prior to the issuance of any permit, certificate, or license, including a building permit or a license for a business, profession, or child care facility, that the governing board of an association subject to the Property Owners' Association Act (§ 55.1-1800 et seq.), the Virginia Condominium Act (§ 55.1-1900 et seq.), or the Virginia Real Estate Cooperative Act (§ 55.1-2100 et seq.) consent to the activity for which the permit, certificate, or license is sought. The provisions of this section shall not be applied to limit or otherwise impinge upon the provisions of a condominium instrument as defined in § 55.1-1900, the declaration of a common interest community as defined in § 54.1-2345, or the declaration of a cooperative as defined in § 55.1-2100.
2016, cc. 254, 458.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 1 - General Provisions › § 15.2-111. Rescheduling or continuing meetings for weather

By resolution adopted at a regular meeting, any political subdivision, board of zoning appeals, or other local government board, commission, or authority may fix the day or days to which a regular meeting shall be continued if the chairman, or vice-chairman if the chairman is unable to act, finds and declares that weather or other conditions are such that it is hazardous for members to attend the regular meeting. Such findings shall be communicated to the members and the press as promptly as possible. All hearings and other matters previously advertised shall be conducted at the continued meeting, and no further advertising is required.
2020, c. 1143.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 2 - Local Government Charters › § 15.2-200. Required procedure for obtaining new charter or amendment

No charter shall be granted to a locality by the General Assembly and no charter of a locality shall be amended by the General Assembly except as provided in this chapter or in Chapter 34 (§ 15.2-3400 et seq.) of this title.
Code 1950, § 15-65.1; 1958, c. 329; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-833; 1979, c. 297; 1985, c. 387; 1986, c. 312; 1997, c. 587.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 2 - Local Government Charters › § 15.2-201. Charter elections; subsequent procedure; procedure when bill not introduced or fails to pass in General Assembly

A locality may provide for holding an election to be conducted as provided in § 24.2-681 et seq. of Title 24.2 to determine if the voters of the locality desire that it request the General Assembly to grant to the locality a new charter or to amend its existing charter. At least ten days prior to the holding of such election, the text or an informative summary of the new charter or amendment desired shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the locality.
If a majority of the voters voting in such election vote in favor of such request, the locality shall transmit two certified copies of the results of such election together with the publisher's affidavit and the new charter or the amendments to the existing charter, to one or more members of the General Assembly representing such locality for introduction as a bill in the succeeding session of the General Assembly.
If a bill incorporating such charter or amendments is not introduced at the succeeding session of the General Assembly, the approval of the voters for such charter or amendments shall be void. If, at such session, members of the General Assembly fail to enact or pass by indefinitely and do not carry over such a bill incorporating such charter or amendments, the charter or amendments shall again be presented to the voters for their approval or submitted to a public hearing pursuant to § 15.2-202 before reintroduction in the General Assembly.
Code 1950, § 15-65.2; 1958, c. 329; 1962, cc. 1, 623, § 15.1-834; 1979, c. 297; 1985, c. 387; 1997, c. 587.