{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/10.1-615.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/10.1-615.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/10.1-615.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/10.1-615.html"}],"law_id":78696,"edition_id":1,"section_id":78696,"structure_id":14928,"section_number":"10.1-615","catch_line":"Petition for establishment; what to set forth","history":"1956, c. 668, \u00a7 21-112.2; 1964, c. 512; 1970, c. 480; 1977, c. 40; 1981, c. 156; 1988, c. 891.","full_text":"A\n\nAny twenty-five owners of land lying within the limits of a proposed watershed improvement district, or a majority of such owners if there are fewer than fifty, may file a petition with the directors of the soil and water conservation district or districts in which the proposed watershed improvement district is situated asking that a watershed improvement district be organized to function in the territory described in the petition. The petition shall set forth:1\n\nThe proposed name of the watershed improvement district;2\n\nThat there is need, in the interest of the public health, safety, and welfare, for a watershed improvement district to function in the territory described in the petition;3\n\nA description of the territory proposed to be organized as a watershed improvement district, which description shall be deemed sufficient if generally accurate;4\n\nThat the territory described in the petition is contiguous and is the same watershed, or is two or more contiguous watersheds;5\n\nA request that the territory described in the petition be organized as a watershed improvement district;6\n\nThe method for financing the proposed district, whether by means of a tax on all real estate in the proposed district or a service charge on the increase in the fair market value of all real estate in the proposed district caused by the district’s project.B\n\nLand lying within the limits of one watershed improvement district shall not be included in another watershed improvement district.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":281998,"text":"Any twenty-five owners of land lying within the limits of a proposed watershed improvement district, or a majority of such owners if there are fewer than fifty, may file a petition with the directors of the soil and water conservation district or districts in which the proposed watershed improvement district is situated asking that a watershed improvement district be organized to function in the territory described in the petition. The petition shall set forth:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":281999,"text":"The proposed name of the watershed improvement district;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":282000,"text":"That there is need, in the interest of the public health, safety, and welfare, for a watershed improvement district to function in the territory described in the petition;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":282001,"text":"A description of the territory proposed to be organized as a watershed improvement district, which description shall be deemed sufficient if generally accurate;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"A4"},"4":{"id":282002,"text":"That the territory described in the petition is contiguous and is the same watershed, or is two or more contiguous watersheds;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"A4","prefix_anchor":"A4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"A5"},"5":{"id":282003,"text":"A request that the territory described in the petition be organized as a watershed improvement district;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"A5","prefix_anchor":"A5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A4","next_prefix":"A6"},"6":{"id":282004,"text":"The method for financing the proposed district, whether by means of a tax on all real estate in the proposed district or a service charge on the increase in the fair market value of all real estate in the proposed district caused by the district’s project.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"A6","prefix_anchor":"A6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A5","next_prefix":"B"},"7":{"id":282005,"text":"Land lying within the limits of one watershed improvement district shall not be included in another watershed improvement district.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A6"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14928,"edition_id":1,"name":"Watershed Improvements Districts","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12894,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:50:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:50:51","permalink":{"id":144567,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14928,"identifier":"3","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/3","url":"\/10.1\/I\/6\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12894,"edition_id":1,"name":"Flood Protection and Dam Safety","identifier":"6","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12893,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:59","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:59","permalink":{"id":144271,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12894,"identifier":"6","token":"10.1\/I\/6","url":"\/10.1\/I\/6\/","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":65094,"structure_id":14928,"section_number":"10.1-614","catch_line":"Establishment within soil and water conservation district authorized","url":"\/10.1-614\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/3\/10.1-614","metadata":false},{"id":78696,"structure_id":14928,"section_number":"10.1-615","catch_line":"Petition for establishment; what to set forth","url":"\/10.1-615\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/3\/10.1-615","metadata":false},{"id":86266,"structure_id":14928,"section_number":"10.1-616","catch_line":"Notice and hearing on petition; determination of need for district and defining boundaries","url":"\/10.1-616\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/3\/10.1-616","metadata":false},{"id":61004,"structure_id":14928,"section_number":"10.1-617","catch_line":"Determination of whether operation of proposed district is feasible; referendum","url":"\/10.1-617\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/3\/10.1-617","metadata":false},{"id":71841,"structure_id":14928,"section_number":"10.1-618","catch_line":"Ballots used in such referendum","url":"\/10.1-618\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/3\/10.1-618","metadata":false},{"id":83793,"structure_id":14928,"section_number":"10.1-619","catch_line":"Consideration of results of referendum; simple majority vote required","url":"\/10.1-619\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/3\/10.1-619","metadata":false},{"id":87289,"structure_id":14928,"section_number":"10.1-620","catch_line":"Declaration of organization of district; certification to Board","url":"\/10.1-620\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/3\/10.1-620","metadata":false},{"id":58708,"structure_id":14928,"section_number":"10.1-621","catch_line":"Establishment of watershed improvement district situated in more than one soil and water conservation district","url":"\/10.1-621\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/3\/10.1-621","metadata":false},{"id":72406,"structure_id":14928,"section_number":"10.1-622","catch_line":"Inclusion of additional territory","url":"\/10.1-622\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/3\/10.1-622","metadata":false},{"id":85712,"structure_id":14928,"section_number":"10.1-623","catch_line":"Governing body of district; trustees","url":"\/10.1-623\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/3\/10.1-623","metadata":false},{"id":79912,"structure_id":14928,"section_number":"10.1-624","catch_line":"Officers, agents and employees; surety bonds; annual audit","url":"\/10.1-624\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/3\/10.1-624","metadata":false},{"id":63948,"structure_id":14928,"section_number":"10.1-625","catch_line":"Status and general powers of district; power to levy tax or service charge; approval of landowners required","url":"\/10.1-625\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/3\/10.1-625","metadata":false},{"id":61659,"structure_id":14928,"section_number":"10.1-626","catch_line":"Levy of tax or service charge; when district in two or more counties or cities; landbooks certified to treasurers","url":"\/10.1-626\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/3\/10.1-626","metadata":false},{"id":56972,"structure_id":14928,"section_number":"10.1-627","catch_line":"Collection of tax or service charge; proceeds kept in special account; expenditures from such account","url":"\/10.1-627\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/3\/10.1-627","metadata":false},{"id":73686,"structure_id":14928,"section_number":"10.1-628","catch_line":"Fiscal powers of governing body; may poll landowners on question of incurring indebtedness or issuing bonds","url":"\/10.1-628\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/3\/10.1-628","metadata":false},{"id":75513,"structure_id":14928,"section_number":"10.1-629","catch_line":"Order authorizing governing body to incur indebtedness or issue bonds","url":"\/10.1-629\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/3\/10.1-629","metadata":false},{"id":79764,"structure_id":14928,"section_number":"10.1-630","catch_line":"Type of indebtedness incurred or bonds issued","url":"\/10.1-630\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/3\/10.1-630","metadata":false},{"id":60643,"structure_id":14928,"section_number":"10.1-631","catch_line":"Annual tax for payment of interest or to amortize indebtedness or bonds","url":"\/10.1-631\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/3\/10.1-631","metadata":false},{"id":85104,"structure_id":14928,"section_number":"10.1-632","catch_line":"Powers granted additional to powers of soil and water conservation district; soil and water conservation district to continue to exercise its powers","url":"\/10.1-632\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/3\/10.1-632","metadata":false},{"id":78187,"structure_id":14928,"section_number":"10.1-633","catch_line":"Power to incur debts and accept gifts, etc.; watershed improvement district to have same powers as soil and water conservation district","url":"\/10.1-633\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/3\/10.1-633","metadata":false},{"id":77216,"structure_id":14928,"section_number":"10.1-634","catch_line":"Question to be submitted to qualified voters; approval required","url":"\/10.1-634\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/3\/10.1-634","metadata":false},{"id":70110,"structure_id":14928,"section_number":"10.1-634.1","catch_line":"Conduct of referenda","url":"\/10.1-634.1\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/3\/10.1-634.1","metadata":false},{"id":76303,"structure_id":14928,"section_number":"10.1-635","catch_line":"Power of eminent domain","url":"\/10.1-635\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/3\/10.1-635","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":65094,"structure_id":14928,"section_number":"10.1-614","catch_line":"Establishment within soil and water conservation district authorized","url":"\/10.1-614\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/3\/10.1-614","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":86266,"structure_id":14928,"section_number":"10.1-616","catch_line":"Notice and hearing on petition; determination of need for district and defining boundaries","url":"\/10.1-616\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/3\/10.1-616","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/10.1-615\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1956. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 668 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 1956 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 5 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 1964, chapter 512; in 1970, chapter 480; in 1977, chapter 40; in 1981, chapter 156; in 1988, chapter 891.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":144573,"object_type":"law","relational_id":78696,"identifier":"10.1-615","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/3\/10.1-615","url":"\/10.1-615\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/10.1-615\/","token":"10.1\/I\/6\/3\/10.1-615","dublin_core":{"Title":"Petition for establishment; what to set forth","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 10.1-615","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Any twenty-five owners of land lying within the limits of a proposed watershed improvement district, or a majority of such owners if there are fewer than fifty, may file a petition<\/span> with the directors<\/span> of the soil and water conservation district or districts in which the proposed watershed improvement district is situated asking that a watershed improvement district be organized to function in the territory described in the petition<\/span>. The petition<\/span> shall set forth: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> The proposed name of the watershed improvement district; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> That there is need, in the interest of the public health, safety, and welfare, for a watershed improvement district to function in the territory described in the petition<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> A description of the territory proposed to be organized as a watershed improvement district, which description shall be deemed sufficient if generally accurate; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> That the territory described in the petition<\/span> is contiguous and is the same watershed, or is two or more contiguous watersheds; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> A request that the territory described in the petition<\/span> be organized as a watershed improvement district; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> The method for financing the proposed district, whether by means of a tax on all real estate in the proposed district or a service charge on the increase in the fair market value of all real estate in the proposed district caused by the district’s project. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Land lying within the limits of one watershed improvement district shall not be included in another watershed improvement district. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPETITION FOR ESTABLISHMENT; WHAT TO SET FORTH (\u00a7 10.1-615)\n\nA. Any twenty-five owners of land lying within the limits of a proposed\nwatershed improvement district, or a majority of such owners if there are fewer\nthan fifty, may file a petition with the directors of the soil and water\nconservation district or districts in which the proposed watershed improvement\ndistrict is situated asking that a watershed improvement district be organized\nto function in the territory described in the petition. The petition shall set\nforth:\n\n 1. The proposed name of the watershed improvement district;\n\n 2. That there is need, in the interest of the public health, safety, and\n welfare, for a watershed improvement district to function in the territory\n described in the petition;\n\n 3. A description of the territory proposed to be organized as a watershed\n improvement district, which description shall be deemed sufficient if\n generally accurate;\n\n 4. That the territory described in the petition is contiguous and is the same\n watershed, or is two or more contiguous watersheds;\n\n 5. A request that the territory described in the petition be organized as a\n watershed improvement district;\n\n 6. The method for financing the proposed district, whether by means of a tax\n on all real estate in the proposed district or a service charge on the\n increase in the fair market value of all real estate in the proposed district\n caused by the district’s project.\n\nB. Land lying within the limits of one watershed improvement district shall not\nbe included in another watershed improvement district.\n\nHISTORY: 1956, c. 668, \u00a7 21-112.2; 1964, c. 512; 1970, c. 480; 1977, c. 40;\n1981, c. 156; 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}}