{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-1115.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-1115.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-1115.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-1115.html"}],"law_id":70224,"edition_id":1,"section_id":70224,"structure_id":12912,"section_number":"15.2-1115","catch_line":"Abatement or removal of nuisances","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 15-77.31; 1958, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, \u00a7 15.1-867; 1997, c. 587; 2004, cc. 533, 968; 2017, cc. 118, 610.","full_text":"A\n\nA municipal corporation may compel the abatement or removal of all nuisances, including but not limited to the removal of weeds from private and public property and snow from sidewalks; the covering or removal of offensive, unwholesome, unsanitary or unhealthy substances allowed to accumulate in or on any place or premises; the filling in to the street level, fencing or protection by other means, of the portion of any lot adjacent to a street where the difference in level between the lot and the street constitutes a danger to life and limb; the raising or draining of grounds subject to be covered by stagnant water; and the razing or repair of all unsafe, dangerous or unsanitary public or private buildings, walls or structures which constitute a menace to the health and safety of the occupants thereof or the public. If after such reasonable notice as the municipal corporation may prescribe the owner or owners, occupant or occupants of the property or premises affected by the provisions of this section shall fail to abate or obviate the condition or nuisance, the municipal corporation may do so and charge and collect the cost thereof from the owner or owners, occupant or occupants of the property affected in any manner provided by law for the collection of state or local taxes.B\n\nEvery charge authorized by this section in excess of $200 which has been assessed against the owner of any such property and which remains unpaid shall constitute a lien against such property. Such liens shall have the same priority as liens for other unpaid local real estate taxes and shall be enforceable in the same manner as provided in Articles 3 (&#xA7; 58.1-3940 et seq.) and 4 (&#xA7; 58.1-3965 et seq.) of Chapter 39 of Title 58.1. A locality may waive such liens in order to facilitate the sale of the property. Such liens may be waived only as to a purchaser who is unrelated by blood or marriage to the owner and who has no business association with the owner. All such liens shall remain a personal obligation of the owner of the property at the time the liens were imposed.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":253557,"text":"A municipal corporation may compel the abatement or removal of all nuisances, including but not limited to the removal of weeds from private and public property and snow from sidewalks; the covering or removal of offensive, unwholesome, unsanitary or unhealthy substances allowed to accumulate in or on any place or premises; the filling in to the street level, fencing or protection by other means, of the portion of any lot adjacent to a street where the difference in level between the lot and the street constitutes a danger to life and limb; the raising or draining of grounds subject to be covered by stagnant water; and the razing or repair of all unsafe, dangerous or unsanitary public or private buildings, walls or structures which constitute a menace to the health and safety of the occupants thereof or the public. If after such reasonable notice as the municipal corporation may prescribe the owner or owners, occupant or occupants of the property or premises affected by the provisions of this section shall fail to abate or obviate the condition or nuisance, the municipal corporation may do so and charge and collect the cost thereof from the owner or owners, occupant or occupants of the property affected in any manner provided by law for the collection of state or local taxes.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":253558,"text":"Every charge authorized by this section in excess of $200 which has been assessed against the owner of any such property and which remains unpaid shall constitute a lien against such property. Such liens shall have the same priority as liens for other unpaid local real estate taxes and shall be enforceable in the same manner as provided in Articles 3 (&#xA7; 58.1-3940 et seq.) and 4 (&#xA7; 58.1-3965 et seq.) of Chapter 39 of Title 58.1. A locality may waive such liens in order to facilitate the sale of the property. Such liens may be waived only as to a purchaser who is unrelated by blood or marriage to the owner and who has no business association with the owner. All such liens shall remain a personal obligation of the owner of the property at the time the liens were imposed.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A"}},"ancestry":[{"id":12912,"edition_id":1,"name":"Uniform Charter Powers","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12911,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:00","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:00","permalink":{"id":152373,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12912,"identifier":"1","token":"15.2\/II\/11\/1","url":"\/15.2\/II\/11\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12911,"edition_id":1,"name":"Powers of Cities and Towns","identifier":"11","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12733,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:00","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:00","permalink":{"id":152371,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12911,"identifier":"11","token":"15.2\/II\/11","url":"\/15.2\/II\/11\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12733,"edition_id":1,"name":"Powers of Local Government","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12720,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","permalink":{"id":152369,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12733,"identifier":"II","token":"15.2\/II","url":"\/15.2\/II\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12720,"edition_id":1,"name":"Counties, Cities and Towns","identifier":"15.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":151279,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12720,"identifier":"15.2","token":"15.2","url":"\/15.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":63972,"structure_id":12912,"section_number":"15.2-1100","catch_line":"Powers conferred; exercised by council","url":"\/15.2-1100\/","token":"15.2\/II\/11\/1\/15.2-1100","metadata":false},{"id":60920,"structure_id":12912,"section_number":"15.2-1101","catch_line":"Exercise of powers outside boundaries","url":"\/15.2-1101\/","token":"15.2\/II\/11\/1\/15.2-1101","metadata":false},{"id":67310,"structure_id":12912,"section_number":"15.2-1102","catch_line":"General grant of power; enumeration of powers not exclusive; limitations on exercise of power","url":"\/15.2-1102\/","token":"15.2\/II\/11\/1\/15.2-1102","metadata":false},{"id":82498,"structure_id":12912,"section_number":"15.2-1103","catch_line":"Charter provisions not affected; conflict between chapter and charter","url":"\/15.2-1103\/","token":"15.2\/II\/11\/1\/15.2-1103","metadata":false},{"id":69883,"structure_id":12912,"section_number":"15.2-1104","catch_line":"Taxes and assessments","url":"\/15.2-1104\/","token":"15.2\/II\/11\/1\/15.2-1104","metadata":false},{"id":68568,"structure_id":12912,"section_number":"15.2-1104.1","catch_line":"Tax on admissions to charitable events","url":"\/15.2-1104.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/11\/1\/15.2-1104.1","metadata":false},{"id":85204,"structure_id":12912,"section_number":"15.2-1105","catch_line":"Borrowing money and issuing evidence of indebtedness","url":"\/15.2-1105\/","token":"15.2\/II\/11\/1\/15.2-1105","metadata":false},{"id":55157,"structure_id":12912,"section_number":"15.2-1106","catch_line":"Control and management of affairs; books, records, accounts, etc., of agencies","url":"\/15.2-1106\/","token":"15.2\/II\/11\/1\/15.2-1106","metadata":false},{"id":58138,"structure_id":12912,"section_number":"15.2-1107","catch_line":"Departments, offices, boards, etc","url":"\/15.2-1107\/","token":"15.2\/II\/11\/1\/15.2-1107","metadata":false},{"id":58712,"structure_id":12912,"section_number":"15.2-1108","catch_line":"Gifts, donations, bequests or grants","url":"\/15.2-1108\/","token":"15.2\/II\/11\/1\/15.2-1108","metadata":false},{"id":54458,"structure_id":12912,"section_number":"15.2-1109","catch_line":"Milk, food and food products","url":"\/15.2-1109\/","token":"15.2\/II\/11\/1\/15.2-1109","metadata":false},{"id":57405,"structure_id":12912,"section_number":"15.2-1110","catch_line":"Swimming pools, lakes and other waters","url":"\/15.2-1110\/","token":"15.2\/II\/11\/1\/15.2-1110","metadata":false},{"id":54024,"structure_id":12912,"section_number":"15.2-1111","catch_line":"Regulation of cemeteries and burials","url":"\/15.2-1111\/","token":"15.2\/II\/11\/1\/15.2-1111","metadata":false},{"id":83237,"structure_id":12912,"section_number":"15.2-1112","catch_line":"Aid to military units","url":"\/15.2-1112\/","token":"15.2\/II\/11\/1\/15.2-1112","metadata":false},{"id":70796,"structure_id":12912,"section_number":"15.2-1113","catch_line":"Dangerous, etc., business or employment; transportation of offensive substances; explosive or inflammable substances; fireworks","url":"\/15.2-1113\/","token":"15.2\/II\/11\/1\/15.2-1113","metadata":false},{"id":63889,"structure_id":12912,"section_number":"15.2-1113.1","catch_line":"Prohibiting hunting in certain areas","url":"\/15.2-1113.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/11\/1\/15.2-1113.1","metadata":false},{"id":55523,"structure_id":12912,"section_number":"15.2-1114","catch_line":"Auctions; pawnshops; secondhand dealers; peddling; fraud and deceit in sales; weights and measures","url":"\/15.2-1114\/","token":"15.2\/II\/11\/1\/15.2-1114","metadata":false},{"id":70224,"structure_id":12912,"section_number":"15.2-1115","catch_line":"Abatement or removal of nuisances","url":"\/15.2-1115\/","token":"15.2\/II\/11\/1\/15.2-1115","metadata":false},{"id":60497,"structure_id":12912,"section_number":"15.2-1116","catch_line":"Smoke; fuel-burning equipment","url":"\/15.2-1116\/","token":"15.2\/II\/11\/1\/15.2-1116","metadata":false},{"id":58253,"structure_id":12912,"section_number":"15.2-1117","catch_line":"Light, ventilation, sanitation and use and occupancy of buildings","url":"\/15.2-1117\/","token":"15.2\/II\/11\/1\/15.2-1117","metadata":false},{"id":68157,"structure_id":12912,"section_number":"15.2-1118","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/15.2-1118\/","token":"15.2\/II\/11\/1\/15.2-1118","metadata":false},{"id":61882,"structure_id":12912,"section_number":"15.2-1119","catch_line":"Hospitals, sanatoria, homes, clinics, etc","url":"\/15.2-1119\/","token":"15.2\/II\/11\/1\/15.2-1119","metadata":false},{"id":56988,"structure_id":12912,"section_number":"15.2-1120","catch_line":"Detentive, correctional and penal institutions","url":"\/15.2-1120\/","token":"15.2\/II\/11\/1\/15.2-1120","metadata":false},{"id":75579,"structure_id":12912,"section_number":"15.2-1121","catch_line":"Cemeteries","url":"\/15.2-1121\/","token":"15.2\/II\/11\/1\/15.2-1121","metadata":false},{"id":74115,"structure_id":12912,"section_number":"15.2-1122","catch_line":"Parking or storage of vehicles","url":"\/15.2-1122\/","token":"15.2\/II\/11\/1\/15.2-1122","metadata":false},{"id":73888,"structure_id":12912,"section_number":"15.2-1123","catch_line":"Airports and facilities","url":"\/15.2-1123\/","token":"15.2\/II\/11\/1\/15.2-1123","metadata":false},{"id":65104,"structure_id":12912,"section_number":"15.2-1123.1","catch_line":"Lynchburg Regional Airport police department","url":"\/15.2-1123.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/11\/1\/15.2-1123.1","metadata":false},{"id":78905,"structure_id":12912,"section_number":"15.2-1124","catch_line":"Police jurisdiction over lands, buildings and structures; jurisdiction of offenses; appeals; jurisdiction in certain public buildings with magistrate's offices","url":"\/15.2-1124\/","token":"15.2\/II\/11\/1\/15.2-1124","metadata":false},{"id":71981,"structure_id":12912,"section_number":"15.2-1125","catch_line":"Licenses and permits; fees; bonds or insurance","url":"\/15.2-1125\/","token":"15.2\/II\/11\/1\/15.2-1125","metadata":false},{"id":64872,"structure_id":12912,"section_number":"15.2-1126","catch_line":"Posting of bond not prerequisite to exercise of right by municipality","url":"\/15.2-1126\/","token":"15.2\/II\/11\/1\/15.2-1126","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":55523,"structure_id":12912,"section_number":"15.2-1114","catch_line":"Auctions; pawnshops; secondhand dealers; peddling; fraud and deceit in sales; weights and measures","url":"\/15.2-1114\/","token":"15.2\/II\/11\/1\/15.2-1114","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":60497,"structure_id":12912,"section_number":"15.2-1116","catch_line":"Smoke; fuel-burning equipment","url":"\/15.2-1116\/","token":"15.2\/II\/11\/1\/15.2-1116","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-1115\/","history_text":"<p>The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\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 1958, chapter 328; in 1962, chapter 623; in 1997, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?971+ful+CHAP0587\">587<\/a>; in 2004, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?041+ful+CHAP0533\">533<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?041+ful+CHAP0968\">968<\/a>; in 2017, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?171+ful+CHAP0118\">118<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?171+ful+CHAP0610\">610<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":79608,"section_number":"36-49.1:1","catch_line":"Spot blight abatement authorized; procedure","order_by":null,"url":"\/36-49.1_1\/"},{"id":67418,"section_number":"53.1-128","catch_line":"Workforces and authorized work places","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-128\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":72311,"section_number":"58.1-3940","catch_line":"Limitation on collection of local taxes","order_by":null,"url":"\/58.1-3940\/"},{"id":70850,"section_number":"58.1-3965","catch_line":"When land may be sold for delinquent taxes; notice of sale; owner's right of redemption","order_by":null,"url":"\/58.1-3965\/"}],"permalink":{"id":152443,"object_type":"law","relational_id":70224,"identifier":"15.2-1115","token":"15.2\/II\/11\/1\/15.2-1115","url":"\/15.2-1115\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-1115\/","token":"15.2\/II\/11\/1\/15.2-1115","dublin_core":{"Title":"Abatement or removal of nuisances","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-1115","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> A municipal corporation may compel the abatement or removal of all nuisances, including but not limited to the removal of weeds from private and public property and snow from sidewalks; the covering or removal of offensive, unwholesome, unsanitary or unhealthy substances allowed to accumulate in or on any place or premises; the filling in to the street level, fencing or protection by other means, of the portion of any lot adjacent to a street where the difference in level between the lot and the street constitutes a danger to life and limb; the raising or draining of grounds subject to be covered by stagnant water; and the razing or repair of all unsafe, dangerous or unsanitary public or private buildings, walls or structures which constitute a menace to the health and safety of the occupants thereof or the public. If after such reasonable notice as the municipal corporation may prescribe the owner or owners, occupant or occupants of the property or premises affected by the provisions of this section shall fail to abate or obviate the condition or nuisance, the municipal corporation may do so and charge and collect the cost thereof from the owner or owners, occupant or occupants of the property affected in any manner provided by <span class=\"dictionary\">law<\/span> for the collection of state or local taxes. <a id=\"paragraph-253557\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/15.2-1115\/#A\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">B.<\/span> Every charge authorized by this section in excess of $200 which has been assessed against the owner of any such property and which remains unpaid shall constitute a <span class=\"dictionary\">lien<\/span> against such property. Such <span class=\"dictionary\">liens<\/span> shall have the same priority as <span class=\"dictionary\">liens<\/span> for other unpaid local real estate taxes and shall be enforceable in the same manner as provided in Articles 3 (&#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Limitation on collection of local taxes\" href=\"\/58.1-3940\/\">58.1-3940<\/a> et seq.) and 4 (&#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"When land may be sold for delinquent taxes; notice of sale; owner&#039;s right of redemption\" href=\"\/58.1-3965\/\">58.1-3965<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 39 of Title 58.1. A <span class=\"dictionary\">locality<\/span> may <span class=\"dictionary\">waive<\/span> such <span class=\"dictionary\">liens<\/span> in <span class=\"dictionary\">order<\/span> to facilitate the sale of the property. Such <span class=\"dictionary\">liens<\/span> may be waived only as to a purchaser who is unrelated by blood or marriage to the owner and who has no business association with the owner. All such <span class=\"dictionary\">liens<\/span> shall remain a personal obligation of the owner of the property at the time the <span class=\"dictionary\">liens<\/span> were imposed. <a id=\"paragraph-253558\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/15.2-1115\/#B\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nABATEMENT OR REMOVAL OF NUISANCES (\u00a7 15.2-1115)\n\nA. A municipal corporation may compel the abatement or removal of all nuisances,\nincluding but not limited to the removal of weeds from private and public\nproperty and snow from sidewalks; the covering or removal of offensive,\nunwholesome, unsanitary or unhealthy substances allowed to accumulate in or on\nany place or premises; the filling in to the street level, fencing or protection\nby other means, of the portion of any lot adjacent to a street where the\ndifference in level between the lot and the street constitutes a danger to life\nand limb; the raising or draining of grounds subject to be covered by stagnant\nwater; and the razing or repair of all unsafe, dangerous or unsanitary public or\nprivate buildings, walls or structures which constitute a menace to the health\nand safety of the occupants thereof or the public. If after such reasonable\nnotice as the municipal corporation may prescribe the owner or owners, occupant\nor occupants of the property or premises affected by the provisions of this\nsection shall fail to abate or obviate the condition or nuisance, the municipal\ncorporation may do so and charge and collect the cost thereof from the owner or\nowners, occupant or occupants of the property affected in any manner provided by\nlaw for the collection of state or local taxes.\n\nB. Every charge authorized by this section in excess of $200 which has been\nassessed against the owner of any such property and which remains unpaid shall\nconstitute a lien against such property. Such liens shall have the same priority\nas liens for other unpaid local real estate taxes and shall be enforceable in\nthe same manner as provided in Articles 3 (&#xA7; 58.1-3940 et seq.) and 4\n(&#xA7; 58.1-3965 et seq.) of Chapter 39 of Title 58.1. A locality may waive\nsuch liens in order to facilitate the sale of the property. Such liens may be\nwaived only as to a purchaser who is unrelated by blood or marriage to the owner\nand who has no business association with the owner. All such liens shall remain\na personal obligation of the owner of the property at the time the liens were\nimposed.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 15-77.31; 1958, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, \u00a7 15.1-867; 1997,\nc. 587; 2004, cc. 533, 968; 2017, cc. 118, 610.","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}}