{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-1215.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-1215.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-1215.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-1215.html"}],"law_id":55919,"edition_id":1,"section_id":55919,"structure_id":13987,"section_number":"15.2-1215","catch_line":"Authority to cut growth of grass or lawn area in counties","history":"1988, c. 625, \u00a7 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.","full_text":"A\n\nAny 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\n\nNo such ordinance shall be applicable to land zoned for or in active farming operation.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":204851,"text":"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.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":204852,"text":"No such ordinance shall be applicable to land zoned for or in active farming operation.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13987,"edition_id":1,"name":"Miscellaneous Powers","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13986,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:31","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:31","permalink":{"id":152535,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13987,"identifier":"1","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1","url":"\/15.2\/II\/12\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13986,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Powers and Procedures of Counties","identifier":"12","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12733,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:31","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:31","permalink":{"id":152533,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13986,"identifier":"12","token":"15.2\/II\/12","url":"\/15.2\/II\/12\/","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":64928,"structure_id":13987,"section_number":"15.2-1200","catch_line":"General powers of counties","url":"\/15.2-1200\/","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1\/15.2-1200","metadata":false},{"id":67531,"structure_id":13987,"section_number":"15.2-1201","catch_line":"County boards of supervisors vested with powers and authority of councils of cities and towns; exceptions","url":"\/15.2-1201\/","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1\/15.2-1201","metadata":false},{"id":61801,"structure_id":13987,"section_number":"15.2-1201.1","catch_line":"Discharging employee for service on board prohibited; civil penalty","url":"\/15.2-1201.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1\/15.2-1201.1","metadata":false},{"id":78605,"structure_id":13987,"section_number":"15.2-1201.2","catch_line":"Discount for early payment of taxes","url":"\/15.2-1201.2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1\/15.2-1201.2","metadata":false},{"id":60420,"structure_id":13987,"section_number":"15.2-1202","catch_line":"Appropriation of money to incorporated towns","url":"\/15.2-1202\/","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1\/15.2-1202","metadata":false},{"id":72803,"structure_id":13987,"section_number":"15.2-1203","catch_line":"Governing body may require treasurer to pay claims","url":"\/15.2-1203\/","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1\/15.2-1203","metadata":false},{"id":57530,"structure_id":13987,"section_number":"15.2-1204","catch_line":"Appropriations for advertising resources, etc., by counties","url":"\/15.2-1204\/","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1\/15.2-1204","metadata":false},{"id":85957,"structure_id":13987,"section_number":"15.2-1205","catch_line":"Allocation of county funds or property to authorities created by county","url":"\/15.2-1205\/","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1\/15.2-1205","metadata":false},{"id":75578,"structure_id":13987,"section_number":"15.2-1206","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/15.2-1206\/","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1\/15.2-1206","metadata":false},{"id":70512,"structure_id":13987,"section_number":"15.2-1207","catch_line":"Pistols and revolvers; reports of sales","url":"\/15.2-1207\/","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1\/15.2-1207","metadata":false},{"id":55059,"structure_id":13987,"section_number":"15.2-1208","catch_line":"Same; in certain counties","url":"\/15.2-1208\/","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1\/15.2-1208","metadata":false},{"id":86923,"structure_id":13987,"section_number":"15.2-1209","catch_line":"Prohibiting outdoor shooting of firearms or arrows from bows or arrowguns in certain areas","url":"\/15.2-1209\/","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1\/15.2-1209","metadata":false},{"id":74296,"structure_id":13987,"section_number":"15.2-1209.1","catch_line":"Counties may regulate carrying of loaded firearms on public highways","url":"\/15.2-1209.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1\/15.2-1209.1","metadata":false},{"id":83786,"structure_id":13987,"section_number":"15.2-1210","catch_line":"Prohibiting hunting in certain areas","url":"\/15.2-1210\/","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1\/15.2-1210","metadata":false},{"id":62554,"structure_id":13987,"section_number":"15.2-1211","catch_line":"Boundaries of magisterial and election districts","url":"\/15.2-1211\/","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1\/15.2-1211","metadata":false},{"id":76991,"structure_id":13987,"section_number":"15.2-1212","catch_line":"Frederick County; resolution of board of supervisors; referendum; election","url":"\/15.2-1212\/","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1\/15.2-1212","metadata":false},{"id":74707,"structure_id":13987,"section_number":"15.2-1213","catch_line":"Referendum in Loudoun County on election of the county chairman from the county at large","url":"\/15.2-1213\/","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1\/15.2-1213","metadata":false},{"id":75929,"structure_id":13987,"section_number":"15.2-1213.1","catch_line":"Referendum in Page County on election of the county chairman from the county at large","url":"\/15.2-1213.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1\/15.2-1213.1","metadata":false},{"id":62213,"structure_id":13987,"section_number":"15.2-1214","catch_line":"County may provide motor vehicle liability insurance to protect operators of motor vehicles owned or leased by county, school board, etc","url":"\/15.2-1214\/","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1\/15.2-1214","metadata":false},{"id":55919,"structure_id":13987,"section_number":"15.2-1215","catch_line":"Authority to cut growth of grass or lawn area in counties","url":"\/15.2-1215\/","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1\/15.2-1215","metadata":false},{"id":75811,"structure_id":13987,"section_number":"15.2-1216","catch_line":"Provision of information to prospective buyers in planned development units","url":"\/15.2-1216\/","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1\/15.2-1216","metadata":false},{"id":79571,"structure_id":13987,"section_number":"15.2-1217","catch_line":"Regulation of emission of smoke from fuel-burning equipment","url":"\/15.2-1217\/","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1\/15.2-1217","metadata":false},{"id":60715,"structure_id":13987,"section_number":"15.2-1218","catch_line":"Prevention of trespassing; animals running at large on highways","url":"\/15.2-1218\/","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1\/15.2-1218","metadata":false},{"id":63895,"structure_id":13987,"section_number":"15.2-1219","catch_line":"Prohibiting sale on highways of plants, shrubs or trees","url":"\/15.2-1219\/","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1\/15.2-1219","metadata":false},{"id":67091,"structure_id":13987,"section_number":"15.2-1220","catch_line":"Regulation by certain counties of persons and vehicles","url":"\/15.2-1220\/","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1\/15.2-1220","metadata":false},{"id":62144,"structure_id":13987,"section_number":"15.2-1221","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/15.2-1221\/","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1\/15.2-1221","metadata":false},{"id":56589,"structure_id":13987,"section_number":"15.2-1222","catch_line":"Regulation of certain motion pictures shown at drive-in theaters","url":"\/15.2-1222\/","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1\/15.2-1222","metadata":false},{"id":81659,"structure_id":13987,"section_number":"15.2-1223","catch_line":"Regulation of horse riding schools","url":"\/15.2-1223\/","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1\/15.2-1223","metadata":false},{"id":71968,"structure_id":13987,"section_number":"15.2-1224","catch_line":"Authority to equip and maintain television transmission and relay facilities","url":"\/15.2-1224\/","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1\/15.2-1224","metadata":false},{"id":76105,"structure_id":13987,"section_number":"15.2-1225","catch_line":"Authority to establish hospitals","url":"\/15.2-1225\/","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1\/15.2-1225","metadata":false},{"id":59880,"structure_id":13987,"section_number":"15.2-1226","catch_line":"Authority of certain counties over Smith Mountain Lake","url":"\/15.2-1226\/","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1\/15.2-1226","metadata":false},{"id":66989,"structure_id":13987,"section_number":"15.2-1227","catch_line":"Well covers in Caroline County","url":"\/15.2-1227\/","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1\/15.2-1227","metadata":false},{"id":64754,"structure_id":13987,"section_number":"15.2-1228","catch_line":"Repair of foundation damage in Chesterfield County","url":"\/15.2-1228\/","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1\/15.2-1228","metadata":false},{"id":79314,"structure_id":13987,"section_number":"15.2-1229","catch_line":"Petty cash funds","url":"\/15.2-1229\/","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1\/15.2-1229","metadata":false},{"id":60698,"structure_id":13987,"section_number":"15.2-1230","catch_line":"Monthly financial reports of officers and offices","url":"\/15.2-1230\/","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1\/15.2-1230","metadata":false},{"id":61869,"structure_id":13987,"section_number":"15.2-1231","catch_line":"Centralized competitive purchasing by chief administrative officer","url":"\/15.2-1231\/","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1\/15.2-1231","metadata":false},{"id":68490,"structure_id":13987,"section_number":"15.2-1232","catch_line":"Posting of bond not prerequisite to exercise of right by county","url":"\/15.2-1232\/","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1\/15.2-1232","metadata":false},{"id":73885,"structure_id":13987,"section_number":"15.2-1232.1","catch_line":"Auctions; pawnshops; secondhand dealers; peddling; fraud and deceit in sales; weights and measures","url":"\/15.2-1232.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1\/15.2-1232.1","metadata":false},{"id":59310,"structure_id":13987,"section_number":"15.2-1232.2","catch_line":"Creation of local economic revitalization zones","url":"\/15.2-1232.2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1\/15.2-1232.2","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":62213,"structure_id":13987,"section_number":"15.2-1214","catch_line":"County may provide motor vehicle liability insurance to protect operators of motor vehicles owned or leased by county, school board, etc","url":"\/15.2-1214\/","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1\/15.2-1214","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":75811,"structure_id":13987,"section_number":"15.2-1216","catch_line":"Provision of information to prospective buyers in planned development units","url":"\/15.2-1216\/","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1\/15.2-1216","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-1215\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 1988. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 625 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 1988 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 9 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 1990, chapter 155; in 1991, chapters 314 and 315; in 1997, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?971+ful+CHAP0587\">587<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?971+ful+CHAP0614\">614<\/a>; in 1998, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?981+ful+CHAP0640\">640<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?981+ful+CHAP0756\">756<\/a>; in 2005, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?051+ful+CHAP0309\">309<\/a>; in 2006, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?061+ful+CHAP0700\">700<\/a>; in 2009, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?091+ful+CHAP0252\">252<\/a>; in 2010, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?101+ful+CHAP0396\">396<\/a>; in 2014, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?141+ful+CHAP0385\">385<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":152613,"object_type":"law","relational_id":55919,"identifier":"15.2-1215","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1\/15.2-1215","url":"\/15.2-1215\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-1215\/","token":"15.2\/II\/12\/1\/15.2-1215","dublin_core":{"Title":"Authority to cut growth of grass or lawn area in counties","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-1215","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> Any <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span> may by <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinance<\/span> 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 <span class=\"dictionary\">governing body<\/span> shall prescribe when growth on such grass or lawn area exceeds 12 inches in height; or may whenever the <span class=\"dictionary\">governing body<\/span> 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 <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span> as taxes and levies are collected. No such <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinance<\/span> adopted by the <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span> shall have any force and effect within the corporate limits of any <span class=\"dictionary\">town<\/span>. Violation of such <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinance<\/span> may be punishable by a civil <span class=\"dictionary\">penalty<\/span> not to exceed $100. <a id=\"paragraph-204851\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/15.2-1215\/#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> No such <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinance<\/span> shall be applicable to land zoned for or in active farming operation. <a id=\"paragraph-204852\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/15.2-1215\/#B\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nAUTHORITY TO CUT GROWTH OF GRASS OR LAWN AREA IN COUNTIES (\u00a7 15.2-1215)\n\nA. Any county may by ordinance require that the owner of occupied residential\nreal property therein cut the grass or lawn area of less than one-half acre on\nsuch property or any part thereof at such time or times as the governing body\nshall prescribe when growth on such grass or lawn area exceeds 12 inches in\nheight; or may whenever the governing body deems it necessary, after reasonable\nnotice, have such grass or lawn area cut by its agents or employees, in which\nevent, the cost and expenses thereof shall be chargeable to and paid by the\nowner of such property and may be collected by the county as taxes and levies\nare collected. No such ordinance adopted by the county shall have any force and\neffect within the corporate limits of any town. Violation of such ordinance may\nbe punishable by a civil penalty not to exceed $100.\n\nB. No such ordinance shall be applicable to land zoned for or in active farming\noperation.\n\nHISTORY: 1988, c. 625, \u00a7 15.1-11.01; 1990, c. 155; 1991, cc. 314, 315; 1997,\ncc. 587, 614; 1998, cc. 640, 756; 2005, c. 309; 2006, c. 700; 2009, c. 252;\n2010, c. 396; 2014, c. 385.","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}}