reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 11 - Powers of Cities and Towns › § 15.2-1116. Smoke; fuel-burning equipment

A municipal corporation may regulate the emission of smoke, the construction, installation and maintenance of fuel-burning equipment, and the methods of firing and stoking furnaces and boilers.
Code 1950, § 15-77.32; 1958, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-868; 1997, c. 587.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 11 - Powers of Cities and Towns › § 15.2-1117. Light, ventilation, sanitation and use and occupancy of buildings

A municipal corporation may regulate the light, ventilation, sanitation and use and occupancy of buildings heretofore or hereafter constructed, altered, remodeled or improved, and the sanitation of premises surrounding the building.
Code 1950, § 15-77.33; 1958, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-869; 1997, c. 587.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 11 - Powers of Cities and Towns › § 15.2-1119. Hospitals, sanatoria, homes, clinics, etc.

A municipal corporation may provide and operate, within or outside the municipal corporation, hospitals, sanatoria, homes, clinics, institutions and facilities for the care, treatment and maintenance of the sick, of children, the aged, destitute and indigent; may contract with others for supplying such services; and may charge and collect compensation for such care, treatment and maintenance.
Code 1950, § 15-77.45; 1958, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-881; 1997, c. 587.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 11 - Powers of Cities and Towns › § 15.2-1120. Detentive, correctional and penal institutions

A municipal corporation may provide and operate, within or outside the municipal corporation, detentive, correctional and penal institutions; or may contract with others for supplying the services and facilities provided at such institutions.
Code 1950, § 15-77.46; 1958, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-882; 1997, c. 587.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 11 - Powers of Cities and Towns › § 15.2-1121. Cemeteries

A municipal corporation may provide and operate, within or outside the municipal corporation, cemeteries; may contract for the perpetual care of lots and burial spaces therein; and may charge compensation for lots and burial spaces and services in connection with interments and the maintenance and operation of such cemeteries.
Code 1950, § 15-77.47; 1958, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-883; 1997, c. 587.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 11 - Powers of Cities and Towns › § 15.2-1122. Parking or storage of vehicles

A municipal corporation may provide and operate places for, and limited to, the parking or storage of vehicles by the public, which shall include but shall not be limited to parking lots, garages, buildings and other land, structures, equipment and facilities; provide for their management and operation by an agency of the municipality; contract with others for the operation and management thereof upon such terms and conditions as shall be prescribed by the municipal corporation; and charge or authorize the charging of compensation for the parking or storage of vehicles.
Code 1950, § 15-77.48; 1958, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-884; 1997, c. 587.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 11 - Powers of Cities and Towns › § 15.2-1123. Airports and facilities

A. A municipal corporation may provide and operate within or outside the municipal corporation airports and lands, structures, equipment and facilities appurtenant thereto; provide for their management and operation by an agency of the municipality; contract with others for the operation and management thereof upon such terms and conditions as shall be prescribed by the municipal corporation; and charge or authorize the charging of compensation for the use of the airport or any of its appurtenances or facilities.
B. A municipal corporation located in Planning District 11 or a political subdivision located in Planning District 6 or 7 may apply any deicing agent containing urea for the purpose of deicing an airport that is classified by the Virginia Air Transportation System Plan as a Commercial Service airport or General Aviation Regional airport, provided the application does not exceed Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System stormwater permit requirements.
Code 1950, § 15-77.49; 1958, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-885; 1997, c. 587; 2013, c. 758.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 11 - Powers of Cities and Towns › § 15.2-1123.1. Lynchburg Regional Airport police department

The City of Lynchburg may by ordinance establish an airport police department at the Lynchburg Regional Airport. The authority of the airport police department shall be limited to real property owned, leased, or controlled by the Airport. Such authority shall not supersede the authority, duties, or jurisdiction vested by law with the local police department or sheriff's office, including as provided in §§ 15.2-1609 and 15.2-1704. The airport police department and airport police officers shall be subject to and comply with the Constitution of the United States; the Constitution of Virginia; the laws governing municipal police departments, including the provisions of §§ 9.1-600, 15.2-1705 through 15.2-1708, 15.2-1719, 15.2-1721, 15.2-1721.1, and 15.2-1722; and any regulations adopted by the Criminal Justice Services Board that the Department of Criminal Justice Services designates as applicable to private police departments. Any person employed as an airport police officer pursuant to this section shall meet all requirements, including the minimum compulsory training requirements, for law-enforcement officers pursuant to Chapter 1 (§ 9.1-100 et seq.) of Title 9.1. An airport police officer is not entitled to benefits under the Line of Duty Act (§ 9.1-400 et seq.) or under the Virginia Retirement System, is not a "qualified law-enforcement officer" or "qualified retired law-enforcement officer" within the meaning of the federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act, 18 U.S.C. § 926B et seq., and shall not be deemed an employee of the Commonwealth. The airport police department may use the word "police" to describe its sworn officers and may join a regional criminal justice academy created pursuant to Article 5 (§ 15.2-1747 et seq.) of Chapter 17 of Title 15.2.
2015, c. 213; 2020, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 37, 55.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 11 - Powers of Cities and Towns › § 15.2-1124. Police jurisdiction over lands, buildings and structures; jurisdiction of offenses; appeals; jurisdiction in certain public buildings with magistrate's offices

A. Lands, buildings or structures provided and operated by a municipality for any purpose defined in this article shall be under the police jurisdiction of the municipal corporation for the enforcement of its regulations respecting the use or occupancy thereof. All police officers of the municipal corporation shall have jurisdiction to make arrests on such land and in such buildings or structures for violations of such regulations. Such criminal case shall be prosecuted in the locality in which the offense was committed.
B. In any public building that is located in Henry County adjoining a municipal corporation and that contains a magistrate's office which serves the municipal corporation, the sheriff, any deputy sheriff, and any police officer of the municipal corporation shall have the same powers which such sheriff, deputy sheriff or police officer would have in the municipal corporation itself. The courts of the municipal corporation and the locality in which such public building is located shall have concurrent jurisdiction of any offense committed against or any escape from any such sheriff, deputy sheriff, or police officer in such public building, provided that the sheriff, deputy sheriff, or police officer was present in the public building while in the performance of his official duties. Such police powers and concurrent jurisdiction shall also apply during travel between the municipal corporation and the public building by such sheriff, deputy sheriffs, and police officers while in the performance of their official duties. For purposes of this subsection, a "public building" shall include the surrounding grounds of such building.
Code 1950, § 15-77.51; 1958, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-887; 1997, cc. 587, 739; 2007, c. 813; 2014, c. 543.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 11 - Powers of Cities and Towns › § 15.2-1125. Licenses and permits; fees; bonds or insurance

Whenever in the judgment of the municipal corporation it is advisable in the exercise of any of its powers or in the enforcement of any ordinance or regulation, it may provide for the issuance of licenses or permits in connection therewith; fix a fee to be charged the licensee or permittee and require from the licensee or permittee a bond or insurance contract of such character and in such amount and upon such terms and conditions as the municipal corporation may determine.
Code 1950, § 15-77.69; 1958, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-906; 1997, c. 587.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 11 - Powers of Cities and Towns › § 15.2-1126. Posting of bond not prerequisite to exercise of right by municipality

Whenever the law requires the posting of a bond, with or without surety, as a condition precedent to the exercise of any right, a municipal corporation, without giving such bond, may exercise such right, provided all other conditions precedent are complied with, and no action shall be delayed or refused because the municipal corporation has not filed or executed the bond that might otherwise be required, and the municipal corporation shall be bound to the same extent that it would have been bound had the bond been given.
Code 1950, § 15-77.70; 1958, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-907; 1997, c. 587.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 11 - Powers of Cities and Towns › § 15.2-1127. Vacant building registration; civil penalty

The Town of Clifton Forge, the Town of Pulaski, in a conservation and rehabilitation district of the town, the Town of Timberville, and any city, by ordinance, may require the owner or owners of buildings that have been vacant for a continuous period of 12 months or more, and which meet the definition of "derelict building" under § 15.2-907.1, to register such buildings on an annual basis and may impose an annual registration fee not to exceed $100 to defray the cost of processing such registration. The registration of buildings shall be on forms designated by the locality and filed with the agency designated by the locality. Failure to register shall be a $200 civil penalty; however, failure to register in conservation and rehabilitation districts designated by the governing body, or in other areas designated as blighted pursuant to § 36-49.1:1, shall be punishable by a civil penalty not exceeding $400. Notice shall be mailed to the owner or owners, at the address to which property tax notices are sent, at least 30 days prior to the assessment of the civil penalty.
1993, c. 829, § 15.1-29.24; 1997, c. 587; 1999, c. 250; 2006, c. 299; 2013, cc. 253, 355, 405; 2020, c. 145.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 11 - Powers of Cities and Towns › § 15.2-1128. City of Norfolk authorized to exchange information regarding criminal history

Applicants for employment as paramedics or emergency medical technicians making application to the personnel office of the City of Norfolk shall be required to submit to fingerprinting and to provide personal descriptive information to be forwarded along with the applicant's fingerprints through the Central Criminal Records Exchange and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the purpose of obtaining criminal history record information regarding such applicant; however, such applicants may be required, if required by local ordinance, to pay the cost of the fingerprinting or criminal records check or both.
The Central Criminal Records Exchange, upon receipt of an applicant's record or notification that no record exists, shall make a report to the City of Norfolk. If an applicant is denied employment because of information appearing in his criminal history record, the City of Norfolk shall provide a copy of the information obtained from the Central Criminal Records Exchange to the applicant. The information shall not be disseminated except as provided in this section.
1995, c. 328, § 15.1-29.25; 1997, c. 587; 2019, c. 632.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 11 - Powers of Cities and Towns › § 15.2-1129. Encouragement of use of city facilities in certain cities

Any city having a population of more than 75,000 and owning a city auditorium, civic center, coliseum, convention hall, stadium, theater, exhibition hall or combination thereof or other place of public assembly, may, in order to further the best interest of the public and lead to greater use of any such facilities, do all things necessary and proper to encourage the use thereof by arranging or engaging shows, plays, exhibitions, performances and all other entertainments of whatsoever nature, except motion pictures produced expressly for commercial exhibition, exclusively of a motion picture shown as a part of and related to a live program or a show, or a motion picture which has been generally removed from commercial exhibition in motion picture theaters, or a motion picture which is not shown or exhibited in such place more than twice and then only on one day, and exclusive of travelogues, educational or trade show films which are exhibited by educational, civic, trade, or religious organizations, to view which no admission fee is charged or the net proceeds of any admission fee charged are fully utilized for educational, religious or charitable purposes. Such encouragement may, without limitations as to other permissible activities, include the expenditure of city funds to promote such activities and to bring notice to the public of entertainments at such public facilities, engaging persons to bring entertainments thereto from which the city may derive income, and the payment of funds to such persons in advance or out of proceeds derived therefrom for payment therewith; and may include entering into agreements with such other persons guaranteeing minimum sums to be payable to such persons for future performances provided that at no time shall the aggregate amount of all outstanding guarantees be more than such sums as may be fixed by the governing body of such city. Notwithstanding any provision of any city charter, the council of any such city may appropriate funds to a special or revolving account in order to engage, advertise and promote any such entertainment and to operate any of the foregoing facilities, and when such fund is created such person or persons as may be designated by ordinance of such governing body, after providing fidelity bond with corporate surety payable to the city in a penalty not less than the authorized amount of such special or revolving fund, may sign checks against said fund and expend cash therefrom for any of the foregoing purposes.
1964, c. 508, § 15.1-37.2; 1970, c. 505; 1997, c. 587.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 11 - Powers of Cities and Towns › § 15.2-1129.2. Creation of local economic revitalization zones

A. Any city or town may establish by ordinance one or more economic revitalization zones for the purpose of providing incentives to private entities to purchase real property and interests in real property to assemble parcels suitable for economic development. Each city or town establishing an economic revitalization zone may grant incentives and provide regulatory flexibility. Such zones shall be reasonably compact, shall not encompass the entire city or town, and shall constitute one or more tax parcels not commonly owned. Properties that are acquired through the use of eminent domain shall not be eligible for the incentives and regulatory flexibility provided by the ordinance.
B. The incentives may include, but not be limited to: (i) reduction of permit fees, (ii) reduction of user fees, (iii) reduction of any type of gross receipts tax, and (iv) waiver of tax liens to facilitate the sale of property.
C. Incentives established pursuant to this section may extend for a period of up to 10 years from the date of initial establishment of the economic revitalization zone; however, the extent and duration of any incentive shall conform to the requirements of applicable federal and state law.
D. The regulatory flexibility provided in an economic revitalization zone may include (i) special zoning for the district, (ii) the use of a special permit process, (iii) exemption from certain specified ordinances, excluding ordinances or provisions of ordinances adopted pursuant to the requirements of the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act (§ 62.1-44.15:67 et seq.), the Erosion and Sediment Control Law (§ 62.1-44.15:51 et seq.), and the Virginia Stormwater Management Act (§ 62.1-44.15:24 et seq.), and (iv) any other incentives adopted by ordinance, which shall be binding upon the locality for a period of up to 10 years.
E. The governing body may establish a service district for the provision of additional public services pursuant to Chapter 24 (§ 15.2-2400 et seq.) of Title 15.2.
F. This section shall not authorize any local government powers that are not expressly granted herein.
G. Prior to adopting or amending any ordinance pursuant to this section, a locality shall provide for notice and public hearing in accordance with subsection A of § 15.2-2204.
2007, c. 262; 2013, cc. 756, 793; 2019, c. 721.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 11 - Powers of Cities and Towns › § 15.2-1130. Liability for failure to provide adequate security or crowd control

The Cities of Chesapeake and Portsmouth may provide by ordinance that any person who has negligently failed to provide adequate security or crowd control at a sporting event, restaurant, night club, or other business or commercial activity that draws large crowds of people may be liable in a separate civil action for the cost associated with any emergency response by the law-enforcement agency or emergency medical services personnel of such city caused by the sponsor, owner, or tenant of any sporting event, restaurant, night club, or other business or commercial establishment who negligently failed to provide adequate security or crowd control. Such person shall be liable to the city in an amount not to exceed $1,000.
1995, cc. 291, 408, § 15.1-132.2; 1997, c. 587; 2000, cc. 829, 840; 2019, c. 632.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 11 - Powers of Cities and Towns › § 15.2-1131. Establishment of personnel system for city administrative officials and employees

Notwithstanding any contrary provisions of law, general or special, in the Cities of Norfolk, Richmond, or Virginia Beach, the city council, upon receiving any recommendations submitted to it by the city manager, may establish a personnel system for the city administrative officials and employees. Such system shall be based on merit and professional ability and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, religion, sex, age, disabilities, political affiliation, marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The personnel system shall consist of rules and regulations that provide for the general administration of personnel matters, a classification plan for employees, a uniform pay plan, and a procedure for resolving grievances of employees as provided by general law for either local government or state government employees.
1997, c. 211, § 15.1-37.10; 2007, c. 813; 2020, c. 1137.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 11 - Powers of Cities and Towns › § 15.2-1132. Volunteer property maintenance and zoning inspectors in certain cities

The Cities of Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Portsmouth, Richmond, and Virginia Beach may provide that the agency charged with the enforcement of local ordinances adopted pursuant to §§ 15.2-901, 15.2-903, 15.2-904, 15.2-905, and 15.2-908 or city charter relating to the external maintenance of property or local zoning ordinances relating to motor vehicles or trailers as defined in § 46.2-100 may utilize supervised, trained, and qualified volunteers to issue notices of noncompliance with such ordinances. Such volunteers shall have any and all immunity provided to an employee of the locality doing an identical job.
Acts 2000, c. 673; 2002, cc. 31, 451; 2005, cc. 265, 318; 2010, c. 202; 2018, c. 542.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 12 - General Powers and Procedures of Counties › § 15.2-1200. General powers of counties

Any county may adopt such measures as it deems expedient to secure and promote the health, safety and general welfare of its inhabitants which are not inconsistent with the general laws of the Commonwealth. Such power shall include, but shall not be limited to, the adoption of quarantine regulations affecting both persons and animals, the adoption of necessary regulations to prevent the spread of contagious diseases among persons or animals and the adoption of regulations for the prevention of the pollution of water which is dangerous to the health or lives of persons residing in the county.
Code 1950, § 15-8; 1954, c. 529; 1956, cc. 218, 664; 1956, Ex. Sess., c. 40; 1958, c. 279; 1960, c. 606; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-510; 1997, c. 587.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 12 - General Powers and Procedures of Counties › § 15.2-1201. County boards of supervisors vested with powers and authority of councils of cities and towns; exceptions

The boards of supervisors of counties are hereby vested with the same powers and authority as the councils of cities and towns by virtue of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia or the acts of the General Assembly passed in pursuance thereof. However, with the exception of ordinances expressly authorized under Chapter 13 of Title 46.2, no ordinance shall be enacted under authority of this section regulating the equipment, operation, lighting or speed of motor-propelled vehicles operated on the public highways of a county unless it is uniform with the general laws of the Commonwealth regulating such equipment, operation, lighting or speed and with the regulations of the Commonwealth Transportation Board adopted pursuant to such laws. Nothing in this section shall be construed to give the boards of supervisors any power to control or exercise supervision over signs, signals, marking or traffic lights on any roads constructed and maintained by the Commonwealth Transportation Board. No powers or authority conferred upon the boards of supervisors of counties solely by this section shall be exercised within the corporate limits of any incorporated town except by agreement with the town council.
In the County of Fairfax an ordinance may be adopted by the board of supervisors under this section after a descriptive notice of intention to propose the same for passage has been published once a week for two successive weeks in a newspaper having a general circulation in the county. After the enactment of such ordinance by the board of supervisors, no publication of the ordinance shall be required and such ordinance shall become effective upon adoption or upon a date fixed by the board of supervisors.
Code 1950, § 15-10; 1950, p. 113; 1958, c. 190; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-522; 1966, cc. 405, 495; 1975, c. 575; 1997, c. 587.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 12 - General Powers and Procedures of Counties › § 15.2-1201.1. Discharging employee for service on board prohibited; civil penalty

A board member in Buchanan County shall not be discharged from employment as a result of his absence from employment due to attendance at regular board meetings upon giving reasonable notice to his employer of such absence. Any employer violating the provisions of this section shall be subject to a civil penalty of up to $2,500.
1997, c. 613, § 15.1-539.1; 2019, c. 632.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 12 - General Powers and Procedures of Counties › § 15.2-1201.2. Discount for early payment of taxes

Counties may by ordinance establish a discount for the early payment of any tax or assessment imposed by the county. For purposes of this section, "early payment" may include payment of real property taxes in full on or before the due date of such tax.
2003, c. 216; 2012, c. 585.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 12 - General Powers and Procedures of Counties › § 15.2-1202. Appropriation of money to incorporated towns

The governing body of any county may appropriate such sums as it desires to any incorporated town or towns within the boundaries of the county.
Code 1950, § 15-249; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-544; 1966, c. 495; 1997, c. 587.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 12 - General Powers and Procedures of Counties › § 15.2-1203. Governing body may require treasurer to pay claims

The governing body of any county may require the treasurer of the county to pay all claims or other obligations for which the governing body has appropriated funds. The treasurer of the county shall, before paying any funds as authorized by this section, first comply with § 58.1-3132.
Code 1950, § 15-551.7; 1950, p. 415; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-121; 1964, c. 413; 1997, c. 587.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 12 - General Powers and Procedures of Counties › § 15.2-1204. Appropriations for advertising resources, etc., by counties

The governing body of any county may appropriate funds for advertising and giving publicity to the resources and advantages of their county, and in securing and promoting economic development of the county. For the purposes set out in this section the county governing body may make such appropriation to chambers of commerce or similar organizations within such county, or to employ suitable persons to secure and promote economic development of the county.
Code 1950, § 15-12; 1962, c. 580, § 15.1-10.1; 1981, c. 77; 1994, c. 594; 1997, c. 587.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 12 - General Powers and Procedures of Counties › § 15.2-1205. Allocation of county funds or property to authorities created by county

The governing body of any county may give, lend or advance in any manner that it deems proper funds or other county property, not otherwise specifically allocated or obligated, to any authority created by such governing body pursuant to law.
1966, c. 132, § 15.1-511.1; 1997, c. 587.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 12 - General Powers and Procedures of Counties › § 15.2-1207. Pistols and revolvers; reports of sales

The power of any governing body of any county to require sellers of pistols and revolvers to furnish the clerk of the circuit court of the county, after sale of any such weapon, with the name and address of the purchaser, the date of purchase, and the number, make and caliber of the weapon sold is hereby repealed. The clerk shall destroy every record of the reports previously received.
Code 1950, § 59-142; 1968, c. 439, § 15.1-524; 1997, c. 587; 2010, c. 495.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 12 - General Powers and Procedures of Counties › § 15.2-1208. Same; in certain counties

Chapter 297 of the Acts of Assembly of 1944, approved March 29, 1944, requiring permits to sell or purchase pistols or revolvers in any county having a density of population of more than 1,000 a square mile, is repealed. Any records or copies thereof that were created pursuant to this section that are in the custody of any county shall be destroyed no later than July 31, 2004. Upon destroying the records, the county shall certify to the circuit court that such destruction has been completed.
Code 1950, § 59-144; 1968, c. 439, § 15.1-525; 1997, c. 587; 2004, cc. 62, 393.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 12 - General Powers and Procedures of Counties › § 15.2-1209. Prohibiting outdoor shooting of firearms or arrows from bows or arrowguns in certain areas

Any county may prohibit the outdoor shooting of firearms or arrows from bows or arrowguns in any areas of the county which are in the opinion of the governing body so heavily populated as to make such conduct dangerous to the inhabitants thereof.
For purposes of this section, "bow" includes all compound bows, crossbows, slingbows, longbows, and recurve bows having a peak draw weight of 10 pounds or more. The term "bow" does not include bows that have a peak draw weight of less than 10 pounds or that are designed or intended to be used principally as toys. The term "arrow" means a shaft-like projectile intended to be shot from a bow.
Any county that prohibits the outdoor shooting of firearms or arrows from bows or arrowguns shall provide an exemption for the killing of deer pursuant to § 29.1-529. Such exemption for the shooting of firearms or arrowguns shall apply on land of at least five acres that is zoned for agricultural use. Such exemption for the shooting of arrows from bows shall apply on land of at least two acres that is zoned for agricultural use.
Code 1950, § 15-20.3; 1954, c. 223; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-518; 1968, c. 294; 1992, c. 600; 1993, c. 367; 1995, c. 284; 1997, c. 587; 2000, c. 229; 2004, c. 930; 2005, c. 564; 2017, c. 530; 2018, cc. 557, 558.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 12 - General Powers and Procedures of Counties › § 15.2-1209.1. Counties may regulate carrying of loaded firearms on public highways

The governing body of any county is hereby empowered to adopt ordinances making it unlawful for any person to carry or have in his possession, for the purpose of hunting, while on any part of a public highway within such county a loaded firearm when such person is not authorized to hunt on the private property on both sides of the highway along which he is standing or walking; and to provide a penalty for violation of such ordinance not to exceed a fine of $100. The provisions of this section shall not apply to persons carrying loaded firearms in moving vehicles or for purposes other than hunting, or to persons acting at the time in defense of persons or property.
Code 1950, § 18.1-272; 1975, cc. 14, 15, § 18.2-287; 2004, c. 462; 2007, c. 203.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 12 - General Powers and Procedures of Counties › § 15.2-1210. Prohibiting hunting in certain areas

Any county may by ordinance prohibit all hunting with firearms or other weapons in, or within one-half mile of, any subdivision or other area of such county which, in the opinion of the governing body, is so heavily populated as to make such hunting dangerous to the inhabitants thereof. Any such ordinance shall clearly describe each area in which hunting is prohibited, and shall further provide that appropriate signs shall be erected designating the boundaries of such area.
Code 1950, § 15-20.3:1; 1962, c. 163, § 15.1-518.1; 1997, c. 587.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 12 - General Powers and Procedures of Counties › § 15.2-1211. Boundaries of magisterial and election districts

A. County magisterial district boundary lines and names shall be as the governing bodies may establish. Subject to the provisions of § 24.2-304.1, whenever the boundaries of a county have been altered, the governing body shall, as may be necessary, redistrict the county into magisterial districts, change the boundaries of existing districts, change the name of any district, or increase or diminish the number of districts.
B. Whenever redistricting of magisterial or election districts is required as a result of annexation, the governing body of such county shall, within a reasonable time from the effective date of such annexation, not to exceed ninety days, commence the redistricting process which shall be completed within a reasonable time thereafter, not to exceed twelve months.
C. A county may by ordinance provide that the magisterial districts of the county shall remain the same, but that representation on the governing body shall be by election districts, in which event all sections of this Code providing for election or appointment on the basis of magisterial districts shall be construed to provide for election or appointment on the basis of election districts, including appointment to a school board as prescribed by §§ 22.1-36 and 22.1-44.
1971, Ex. Sess., c. 200, § 15.1-571.1; 1976, c. 398; 1979, c. 288; 1980, c. 559; 1995, c. 249; 1997, c. 587.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 12 - General Powers and Procedures of Counties › § 15.2-1213.1. Referendum in Page County on election of the county chairman from the county at large

A. On or before August 15, 2004, the circuit court for Page County shall order a referendum to be held on the question of whether the qualified voters of the County shall elect a chairman of the board of supervisors from the county at large to serve as chairman and as an additional member of the board. The referendum shall be held at the time of the 2004 November general election. The question to be placed on the ballot shall be as follows:
"Shall the chairman of the county board of supervisors, to be known as the county chairman, be elected by the voters of the county at large?
[ ] Yes
[ ] No"
The election shall be held and the results certified as provided in §§ 24.2-682 and 24.2-684
B. Following certification of the election results by the electoral board, the court shall enter an order proclaiming the results of such election and a duly certified copy of such order shall be transmitted to the board of supervisors of the County and the State Board of Elections. If a majority of the voters voting in the referendum vote in favor of the election of a chairman at large, the first election for a chairman shall be held at the November 2005 general election, and the candidate elected shall serve for a term of four years.
C. The county chairman shall be the chairman of the county board of supervisors and preside at the meetings thereof. The chairman shall represent the County at official functions and ceremonial events. The chairman shall have all voting and other rights, privileges, and duties of other members of the board and additional rights, privileges, and duties not in conflict with general law as the board may prescribe. At the first meeting at the beginning of its term and any time thereafter when necessary, the board of supervisors shall elect a vice chairman from its membership, who shall perform the duties of the chairman in his absence.
2004, cc. 18, 890.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 12 - General Powers and Procedures of Counties › § 15.2-1214. County may provide motor vehicle liability insurance to protect operators of motor vehicles owned or leased by county, school board, etc.

The governing body of any county may provide motor vehicle liability insurance for the purpose of protecting all operators of motor vehicles owned or leased by the county, the county school board, or any sanitary district, authority, or other governmental unit established by the governing body, and may make such appropriations and expenditures from any available funds for the purpose of paying such insurance. All previous expenditures for any such purpose by any county are ratified.
1966, c. 140, § 15.1-19.1; 1997, c. 587.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 12 - General Powers and Procedures of Counties › § 15.2-1215. Authority to cut growth of grass or lawn area in counties

A. Any county may by ordinance require that the owner of occupied residential real property therein cut the grass or lawn area of less than one-half acre on such property or any part thereof at such time or times as the governing body shall prescribe when growth on such grass or lawn area exceeds 12 inches in height; or may whenever the governing body deems it necessary, after reasonable notice, have such grass or lawn area cut by its agents or employees, in which event, the cost and expenses thereof shall be chargeable to and paid by the owner of such property and may be collected by the county as taxes and levies are collected. No such ordinance adopted by the county shall have any force and effect within the corporate limits of any town. Violation of such ordinance may be punishable by a civil penalty not to exceed $100.
B. No such ordinance shall be applicable to land zoned for or in active farming operation.
1988, c. 625, § 15.1-11.01; 1990, c. 155; 1991, cc. 314, 315; 1997, cc. 587, 614; 1998, cc. 640, 756; 2005, c. 309; 2006, c. 700; 2009, c. 252; 2010, c. 396; 2014, c. 385.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 12 - General Powers and Procedures of Counties › § 15.2-1216. Provision of information to prospective buyers in planned development units

Any county having an urban county executive or county executive form of government, or any county adjacent to any two or more such counties, may by ordinance require that the sellers of new homes provide to home buyers access to copies of the approved subdivision plat, all development plans approved as part of the zoning for the planned unit development, proffered conditions accepted pursuant to subsection A of § 15.2-2286 as part of the zoning approval for the development, and the comprehensive plan for the area of the county, all of which documents shall include the property for sale and shall be current as of the date access to such documents is provided. The ordinance may require that, prior to execution of an offer to buy:
1. Such documents be located on the site of the property encompassed by the subdivision, plat, or planned unit development in which the property for sale is located, or at an office in its immediate vicinity; and
2. The seller of the new home notify the prospective home buyers of the location of these documents and provide a reasonable opportunity for such prospective buyers to inspect these documents.
Any violation of such an ordinance shall be punishable by a civil fine of not more than $100.
1983, c. 409, § 15.1-29.10; 1997, cc. 547, 587.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 12 - General Powers and Procedures of Counties › § 15.2-1217. Regulation of emission of smoke from fuel-burning equipment

Any county may regulate the emission of smoke and the methods of firing and stoking furnaces and boilers and may charge such reasonable fees for the issuance of permits and the performing of inspections as the governing body may from time to time fix. However, counties shall not apply or enforce such regulations in incorporated towns which have in force ordinances prescribing equal or greater standards in regulating the construction, maintenance and repair of buildings and other structures, the installation, maintenance, operation and repair of plumbing, electrical, heating, elevator, escalator, boiler, unfired pressure vessel and air conditioning installations in or appurtenant to buildings and structures, the emission of smoke, the construction, installation and maintenance of fuel-burning equipment, and the methods of firing and stoking furnaces and boilers, and the light, ventilation, sanitation and use and occupancy of buildings.
1966, c. 290, §§ 15.1-510.1, 15.1-510.4, 15.1-510.6; 1970, cc. 211, 212; 1983, c. 508; 1997, c. 587.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 12 - General Powers and Procedures of Counties › § 15.2-1218. Prevention of trespassing; animals running at large on highways

Any county may prevent trespassing by persons and animals and prevent animals from running at large upon the public highways, whether such highways are enclosed by a fence or not.
Code 1950, § 15-8; 1954, c. 529; 1956, cc. 218, 664; 1956, Ex. Sess., c. 40; 1958, c. 279; 1960, c. 606; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-512; 1997, c. 587.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 12 - General Powers and Procedures of Counties › § 15.2-1219. Prohibiting sale on highways of plants, shrubs or trees

Any county may prohibit the sale or the offering for sale of any plants, shrubs or trees or any part or parts thereof upon any public highway or right-of-way of any public highway located within such county. However, nothing in this section shall apply to any business in which real property is owned, leased or occupied in any way adjacent to such highway or right-of-way by such business. No penalty for the violation of any ordinance enacted pursuant to this section shall impose a fine exceeding fifty dollars.
Code 1950, § 15-8.1; 1958, c. 620; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-513; 1997, c. 587.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 12 - General Powers and Procedures of Counties › § 15.2-1220. Regulation by certain counties of persons and vehicles

The Counties of Franklin, Pulaski, and York may by ordinance impose reasonable regulations to provide for the comfort, safety and health of the general public and persons assembled, or traveling to assemble, for any outdoor occasion.
Such regulations may cover the following: (i) hours of operation, (ii) sanitary facility requirements, (iii) security personnel requirements, and (iv) maximum noise levels.
1986, c. 98, § 15.1-514.2; 1988, c. 148; 1997, c. 587; 2007, c. 813.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 12 - General Powers and Procedures of Counties › § 15.2-1222. Regulation of certain motion pictures shown at drive-in theaters

Any county may, by ordinance, regulate the screening of motion pictures, classified by the motion picture industry as being suitable for display to adult audiences only, in drive-in theaters where such motion pictures are visible to the traveling public from a highway, street or other public way for the purpose of protecting the health, safety and welfare of the public.
1979, c. 368, § 15.1-515.2; 1997, c. 587.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 12 - General Powers and Procedures of Counties › § 15.2-1223. Regulation of horse riding schools

Any county may by ordinance provide for the licensing, inspection and regulation of horse riding schools for the purpose of preventing any violation of § 3.2-6570 or any local ordinance of similar import.
For the purposes of this section, "horse riding school" means any establishment operated for profit in connection with which one or more horses are let for hire to be ridden or driven, either with or without the furnishing of riding or driving instructions.
Code 1950, § 15-20.4; 1956, c. 461; 1960, c. 359; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-519; 1997, c. 587.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 12 - General Powers and Procedures of Counties › § 15.2-1224. Authority to equip and maintain television transmission and relay facilities

A. Any county may equip and maintain television transmission and relay facilities in areas which are so remote from regular transmission points of large television stations that television reception is impossible without special equipment and in which adequate, economical and proper television is not available by private sources, if a majority of the voters voting in a referendum held pursuant to subsection B vote in favor thereof.
B. If on or before the fifteenth day of July in any year a petition signed by two hundred or more qualified voters of a county is filed with the circuit court of such county asking that a referendum be held on the question set forth in this subsection, then such court shall, on or before the fifteenth day of August of such year, issue an order requiring the county election officials to open the polls at the regular election to be held in November of each year on the following question:
Shall the governing body be authorized to equip and maintain television transmission and relay facilities?
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
The election shall conform in all respects with the requirements of general law.
1970, c. 139, § 15.1-526.1; 1975, c. 517; 1997, c. 587.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 12 - General Powers and Procedures of Counties › § 15.2-1226. Authority of certain counties over Smith Mountain Lake

A. The governing bodies of Bedford, Franklin, and Pittsylvania Counties may by ordinance regulate the land of their respective counties in and around Smith Mountain Lake below the 800-foot contour concerning the location, size, and length of wharves, piers, boathouses, docks, bulkheads, and similar structures to provide for safe navigation of the lake. Such ordinance shall not conflict with the provisions of the Uniform Statewide Building Code or with the rights and responsibilities accorded Appalachian Power Company under its federal license to operate the Smith Mountain Project. The ordinance may include:
1. Procedures for approval of construction of such by the governing body or its designated agent; and
2. Penalties for violation of the ordinance.
B. Such governing bodies may act jointly in the enactment, administration, and enforcement of such an ordinance pursuant to § 15.2-1300.
1988, c. 876, § 15.1-12.1; 1997, c. 587.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 12 - General Powers and Procedures of Counties › § 15.2-1227. Well covers in Caroline County

Caroline County may by ordinance provide that owners of property keep covers on water wells and may after reasonable notice cover uncovered water wells by its own agents or employees, in which event the cost or expense thereof shall be chargeable to and paid by the owners of such property and may be collected by the county as taxes are collected.
Code 1950, § 15-14; 1962, cc. 400, 623, § 15.1-11; 1964, c. 31; 1968, c. 423; 1974, c. 655; 1978, c. 533; 1983, cc. 192, 390; 1990, c. 177; 1992, c. 649; 1994, c. 167; 1997, c. 587.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 15.2 - Counties, Cities and Towns › Chapter 12 - General Powers and Procedures of Counties › § 15.2-1228. Repair of foundation damage in Chesterfield County

Chesterfield County may by ordinance provide that the county may use public funds to repair existing residential dwellings damaged by foundation failures caused by high clay content soil subject to moisture-related shrinking and swelling. Such ordinance may place conditions on the use or expenditure of such public funds. The expenditure of such public funds by the county under this section during a fiscal year shall not exceed two percent of the county's locally derived revenues from that fiscal year.
For purposes of this section, "public funds" includes only general tax revenues from real and personal property and does not include any special fee assessment, or other tax or charge, however denominated.
The county shall keep funds collected for building permit fees and any funds received from any other fees collected under any special act in separate accounts, and separate from other locally derived revenues, and may not use fees collected for building permits or fees collected under any special act, directly or indirectly, for purposes authorized under this section.
1988, c. 862, § 15.1-37.3:9; 1993, c. 791; 1995, c. 393; 1997, c. 587; 2019, c. 632.