{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/10.1-1004.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/10.1-1004.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/10.1-1004.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/10.1-1004.html"}],"law_id":68726,"edition_id":1,"section_id":68726,"structure_id":14468,"section_number":"10.1-1004","catch_line":"Vandalism; penalties","history":"1979, c. 252, \u00a7 10-150.13; 1982, c. 81; 1988, c. 891.","full_text":"A\n\nIt shall be unlawful for any person, without express, prior, written permission of the owner, to:1\n\nBreak, break off, crack, carve upon, write, burn, or otherwise mark upon, remove, or in any manner destroy, disturb, deface, mar, or harm the surfaces of any cave or any natural material which may be found therein, whether attached or broken, including speleothems, speleogens, and sedimentary deposits. The provisions of this section shall not prohibit minimal disturbance for scientific exploration.2\n\nBreak, force, tamper with, or otherwise disturb a lock, gate, door, or other obstruction designed to control or prevent access to any cave, even though entrance thereto may not be gained.3\n\nRemove, deface, or tamper with a sign stating that a cave is posted or citing provisions of this chapter.4\n\nExcavate, remove, destroy, injure, deface, or in any manner disturb any burial grounds, historic or prehistoric resources, archaeological or paleontological site or any part thereof, including relics, inscriptions, saltpeter workings, fossils, bones, remains of historical human activity, or any other such features which may be found in any cave, except those caves owned by the Commonwealth or designated as Commonwealth archaeological sites or zones, and which are subject to the provisions of the Virginia Antiquities Act (§ 10.1-2300 et seq.).B\n\nEntering or remaining in a cave which has not been posted by the owner shall not by itself constitute a violation of this section.C\n\nAny violation of this section shall be punished as a Class 1 misdemeanor.D\n\nThe provisions of this section shall not apply to an owner of a cave on his own property.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":248794,"text":"It shall be unlawful for any person, without express, prior, written permission of the owner, to:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":248795,"text":"Break, break off, crack, carve upon, write, burn, or otherwise mark upon, remove, or in any manner destroy, disturb, deface, mar, or harm the surfaces of any cave or any natural material which may be found therein, whether attached or broken, including speleothems, speleogens, and sedimentary deposits. The provisions of this section shall not prohibit minimal disturbance for scientific exploration.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":248796,"text":"Break, force, tamper with, or otherwise disturb a lock, gate, door, or other obstruction designed to control or prevent access to any cave, even though entrance thereto may not be gained.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":248797,"text":"Remove, deface, or tamper with a sign stating that a cave is posted or citing provisions of this chapter.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"A4"},"4":{"id":248798,"text":"Excavate, remove, destroy, injure, deface, or in any manner disturb any burial grounds, historic or prehistoric resources, archaeological or paleontological site or any part thereof, including relics, inscriptions, saltpeter workings, fossils, bones, remains of historical human activity, or any other such features which may be found in any cave, except those caves owned by the Commonwealth or designated as Commonwealth archaeological sites or zones, and which are subject to the provisions of the Virginia Antiquities Act (§ 10.1-2300 et seq.).","type":"section","prefixes":["A","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"A4","prefix_anchor":"A4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"B"},"5":{"id":248799,"text":"Entering or remaining in a cave which has not been posted by the owner shall not by itself constitute a violation of this section.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A4","next_prefix":"C"},"6":{"id":248800,"text":"Any violation of this section shall be punished as a Class 1 misdemeanor.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"7":{"id":248801,"text":"The provisions of this section shall not apply to an owner of a cave on his own property.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14468,"edition_id":1,"name":"Cave Protection Act","identifier":"10","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12893,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:48:14","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:48:14","permalink":{"id":143473,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14468,"identifier":"10","token":"10.1\/I\/10","url":"\/10.1\/I\/10\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12893,"edition_id":1,"name":"Activities Administered by the Department of Conservation and Recreation","identifier":"I","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12740,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:59","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:59","permalink":{"id":143315,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12893,"identifier":"I","token":"10.1\/I","url":"\/10.1\/I\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12740,"edition_id":1,"name":"Conservation","identifier":"10.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":143313,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12740,"identifier":"10.1","token":"10.1","url":"\/10.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":81377,"structure_id":14468,"section_number":"10.1-1000","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/10.1-1000\/","token":"10.1\/I\/10\/10.1-1000","metadata":false},{"id":55851,"structure_id":14468,"section_number":"10.1-1001","catch_line":"Cave Board; qualifications; officers","url":"\/10.1-1001\/","token":"10.1\/I\/10\/10.1-1001","metadata":false},{"id":79694,"structure_id":14468,"section_number":"10.1-1002","catch_line":"Powers and duties of Cave Board","url":"\/10.1-1002\/","token":"10.1\/I\/10\/10.1-1002","metadata":false},{"id":83857,"structure_id":14468,"section_number":"10.1-1003","catch_line":"Permits for excavation and scientific investigation; how obtained; penalties","url":"\/10.1-1003\/","token":"10.1\/I\/10\/10.1-1003","metadata":false},{"id":68726,"structure_id":14468,"section_number":"10.1-1004","catch_line":"Vandalism; penalties","url":"\/10.1-1004\/","token":"10.1\/I\/10\/10.1-1004","metadata":false},{"id":58884,"structure_id":14468,"section_number":"10.1-1005","catch_line":"Pollution; penalties","url":"\/10.1-1005\/","token":"10.1\/I\/10\/10.1-1005","metadata":false},{"id":82069,"structure_id":14468,"section_number":"10.1-1006","catch_line":"Disturbance of naturally occurring organisms; scientific collecting permits; penalties","url":"\/10.1-1006\/","token":"10.1\/I\/10\/10.1-1006","metadata":false},{"id":68345,"structure_id":14468,"section_number":"10.1-1007","catch_line":"Sale of speleothems; penalties","url":"\/10.1-1007\/","token":"10.1\/I\/10\/10.1-1007","metadata":false},{"id":82450,"structure_id":14468,"section_number":"10.1-1008","catch_line":"Liability of owners and agents limited; sovereign immunity of Commonwealth not waived","url":"\/10.1-1008\/","token":"10.1\/I\/10\/10.1-1008","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":83857,"structure_id":14468,"section_number":"10.1-1003","catch_line":"Permits for excavation and scientific investigation; how obtained; penalties","url":"\/10.1-1003\/","token":"10.1\/I\/10\/10.1-1003","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":58884,"structure_id":14468,"section_number":"10.1-1005","catch_line":"Pollution; penalties","url":"\/10.1-1005\/","token":"10.1\/I\/10\/10.1-1005","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/10.1-1004\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1979. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 252 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1979 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 2 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1982, chapter 81; in 1988, chapter 891.<\/p>","references":[{"id":83857,"section_number":"10.1-1003","catch_line":"Permits for excavation and scientific investigation; how obtained; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/10.1-1003\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":66299,"section_number":"10.1-2300","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/10.1-2300\/"}],"permalink":{"id":143491,"object_type":"law","relational_id":68726,"identifier":"10.1-1004","token":"10.1\/I\/10\/10.1-1004","url":"\/10.1-1004\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/10.1-1004\/","token":"10.1\/I\/10\/10.1-1004","dublin_core":{"Title":"Vandalism; penalties","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 10.1-1004","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> It shall be unlawful for any person<\/span>, without express, prior, written permission of the owner<\/span>, to: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Break, break off, crack, carve upon, write, burn, or otherwise mark upon, remove, or in any manner destroy, disturb, deface, mar, or harm the surfaces of any cave<\/span> or any natural material<\/span> which may be found therein, whether attached or broken, including speleothems<\/span>, speleogens<\/span>, and sedimentary deposits. The provisions of this section shall not prohibit minimal disturbance for scientific exploration. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Break, force, tamper with, or otherwise disturb a lock, gate<\/span>, door, or other obstruction designed to control or prevent access to any cave<\/span>, even though entrance thereto may not be gained. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Remove, deface, or tamper with a sign stating that a cave<\/span> is posted or citing provisions of this chapter. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Excavate, remove, destroy, injure, deface, or in any manner disturb any burial grounds, historic or prehistoric resources, archaeological or paleontological site or any part thereof, including relics, inscriptions, saltpeter workings, fossils, bones, remains of historical human activity, or any other such features which may be found in any cave<\/span>, except those caves<\/span> owned by the Commonwealth or designated as Commonwealth archaeological sites or zones, and which are subject to the provisions of the Virginia Antiquities Act (§ 10.1-2300<\/a> et seq.). <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Entering or remaining in a cave<\/span> which has not been posted by the owner<\/span> shall not by itself constitute a violation of this section. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Any violation of this section shall be punished as a Class 1 misdemeanor<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> The provisions of this section shall not apply to an owner<\/span> of a cave<\/span> on his own property. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nVANDALISM; PENALTIES (\u00a7 10.1-1004)\n\nA. It shall be unlawful for any person, without express, prior, written\npermission of the owner, to:\n\n 1. Break, break off, crack, carve upon, write, burn, or otherwise mark upon,\n remove, or in any manner destroy, disturb, deface, mar, or harm the surfaces\n of any cave or any natural material which may be found therein, whether\n attached or broken, including speleothems, speleogens, and sedimentary\n deposits. The provisions of this section shall not prohibit minimal\n disturbance for scientific exploration.\n\n 2. Break, force, tamper with, or otherwise disturb a lock, gate, door, or\n other obstruction designed to control or prevent access to any cave, even\n though entrance thereto may not be gained.\n\n 3. Remove, deface, or tamper with a sign stating that a cave is posted or\n citing provisions of this chapter.\n\n 4. Excavate, remove, destroy, injure, deface, or in any manner disturb any\n burial grounds, historic or prehistoric resources, archaeological or\n paleontological site or any part thereof, including relics, inscriptions,\n saltpeter workings, fossils, bones, remains of historical human activity, or\n any other such features which may be found in any cave, except those caves\n owned by the Commonwealth or designated as Commonwealth archaeological sites\n or zones, and which are subject to the provisions of the Virginia Antiquities\n Act (§ 10.1-2300 et seq.).\n\nB. Entering or remaining in a cave which has not been posted by the owner shall\nnot by itself constitute a violation of this section.\n\nC. Any violation of this section shall be punished as a Class 1 misdemeanor.\n\nD. The provisions of this section shall not apply to an owner of a cave on his\nown property.\n\nHISTORY: 1979, c. 252, \u00a7 10-150.13; 1982, c. 81; 1988, c. 891.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}