{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-1644.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-1644.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-1644.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-1644.html"}],"law_id":82935,"edition_id":1,"section_id":82935,"structure_id":12878,"section_number":"15.2-1644","catch_line":"Petition for removal of county courthouse; writ of election","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 15-43; 1956, c. 95; 1962, c. 623, \u00a7 15.1-559; 1971, Ex. Sess., cc. 42, 245; 1975, c. 517; 1978, c. 380; 1997, c. 587; 2017, c. 487; 2018, c. 732.","full_text":"A\n\nWhenever a number of voters equal to at least one third of the voters of a county registered in the county on the January 1 preceding filing of the petition, petition the circuit court of such county, or whenever the governing body of any county by resolution duly adopted requests the circuit court for such county, for an election in such county on the question of the removal of the courthouse to one or more places specified in the petition or resolution, such court shall issue a writ of election in accordance with Article 5 (§ 24.2-681 et seq.) of Chapter 6 of Title 24.2, which shall fix the day of holding such election. Such petition shall also state the amount to be appropriated by the board of supervisors for the purchase of land, unless the land is to be donated, and for the erection of necessary buildings and improvements at the new location.B\n\nIf the courthouse is used before and after removal for any city as well as for the county, then the petition shall be signed by a number of voters equal to at least one-third of the total number of voters registered in the locality on the January 1 preceding filing of the petition. The registered voters of such city shall be eligible to sign the petition. The petition shall state the amounts to be appropriated by both the county and city. The voters of such city shall be eligible to vote in any election on the question of relocating the courthouse. The court shall issue a writ of election to such city the same as issued to and for the county.\n\t\t\tThe votes of such city voters shall be treated as if they were cast by qualified voters of the county for the purposes of these sections (§§ 15.2-1644 through 15.2-1654).C\n\nIn the case of the removal of a county courthouse that is not located in a city or town, and that is not being relocated to a city or town, such removal shall not require a petition or approval by the voters. However, this subsection shall not apply to the removal or relocation of any county courthouse, whether located on county or city property, that is entirely surrounded by a city, and any such courthouse shall be removed or relocated only in accordance with the provisions of subsections A and B.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":297251,"text":"Whenever a number of voters equal to at least one third of the voters of a county registered in the county on the January 1 preceding filing of the petition, petition the circuit court of such county, or whenever the governing body of any county by resolution duly adopted requests the circuit court for such county, for an election in such county on the question of the removal of the courthouse to one or more places specified in the petition or resolution, such court shall issue a writ of election in accordance with Article 5 (§ 24.2-681 et seq.) of Chapter 6 of Title 24.2, which shall fix the day of holding such election. Such petition shall also state the amount to be appropriated by the board of supervisors for the purchase of land, unless the land is to be donated, and for the erection of necessary buildings and improvements at the new location.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":297252,"text":"If the courthouse is used before and after removal for any city as well as for the county, then the petition shall be signed by a number of voters equal to at least one-third of the total number of voters registered in the locality on the January 1 preceding filing of the petition. The registered voters of such city shall be eligible to sign the petition. The petition shall state the amounts to be appropriated by both the county and city. The voters of such city shall be eligible to vote in any election on the question of relocating the courthouse. The court shall issue a writ of election to such city the same as issued to and for the county.\n\t\t\tThe votes of such city voters shall be treated as if they were cast by qualified voters of the county for the purposes of these sections (§§ 15.2-1644 through 15.2-1654).","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":297253,"text":"In the case of the removal of a county courthouse that is not located in a city or town, and that is not being relocated to a city or town, such removal shall not require a petition or approval by the voters. However, this subsection shall not apply to the removal or relocation of any county courthouse, whether located on county or city property, that is entirely surrounded by a city, and any such courthouse shall be removed or relocated only in accordance with the provisions of subsections A and B.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B"}},"ancestry":[{"id":12878,"edition_id":1,"name":"Courthouses","identifier":"8","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12877,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","permalink":{"id":153663,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12878,"identifier":"8","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/8","url":"\/15.2\/II\/16\/8\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12877,"edition_id":1,"name":"Local Constitutional Officers, Courthouses and Supplies","identifier":"16","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12733,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","permalink":{"id":153305,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12877,"identifier":"16","token":"15.2\/II\/16","url":"\/15.2\/II\/16\/","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":54980,"structure_id":12878,"section_number":"15.2-1638","catch_line":"County or city governing body to provide courthouse, clerk's office, jail and suitable facilities for attorney for the Commonwealth; acquisition of land","url":"\/15.2-1638\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/8\/15.2-1638","metadata":false},{"id":77491,"structure_id":12878,"section_number":"15.2-1638.1","catch_line":"Administrative assistants in offices of circuit court judges who are employees of a locality","url":"\/15.2-1638.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/8\/15.2-1638.1","metadata":false},{"id":65943,"structure_id":12878,"section_number":"15.2-1639","catch_line":"Providing offices for various officers, judges, etc","url":"\/15.2-1639\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/8\/15.2-1639","metadata":false},{"id":54006,"structure_id":12878,"section_number":"15.2-1640","catch_line":"Renting rooms in courthouse","url":"\/15.2-1640\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/8\/15.2-1640","metadata":false},{"id":58374,"structure_id":12878,"section_number":"15.2-1641","catch_line":"Leasing or other use of other buildings","url":"\/15.2-1641\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/8\/15.2-1641","metadata":false},{"id":82120,"structure_id":12878,"section_number":"15.2-1642","catch_line":"Certain conveyances of courthouse grounds validated","url":"\/15.2-1642\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/8\/15.2-1642","metadata":false},{"id":68081,"structure_id":12878,"section_number":"15.2-1643","catch_line":"Circuit courts to order court facilities to be repaired","url":"\/15.2-1643\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/8\/15.2-1643","metadata":false},{"id":82935,"structure_id":12878,"section_number":"15.2-1644","catch_line":"Petition for removal of county courthouse; writ of election","url":"\/15.2-1644\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/8\/15.2-1644","metadata":false},{"id":69629,"structure_id":12878,"section_number":"15.2-1645","catch_line":"How election held and conducted","url":"\/15.2-1645\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/8\/15.2-1645","metadata":false},{"id":81736,"structure_id":12878,"section_number":"15.2-1646","catch_line":"Certification of result to board of supervisors; procuring land and buildings; relocation to contiguous or nearby land","url":"\/15.2-1646\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/8\/15.2-1646","metadata":false},{"id":74262,"structure_id":12878,"section_number":"15.2-1647","catch_line":"Removal of court","url":"\/15.2-1647\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/8\/15.2-1647","metadata":false},{"id":84668,"structure_id":12878,"section_number":"15.2-1648","catch_line":"Donation of land and money","url":"\/15.2-1648\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/8\/15.2-1648","metadata":false},{"id":84635,"structure_id":12878,"section_number":"15.2-1649","catch_line":"Town may issue bonds to finance donation; election on bonds","url":"\/15.2-1649\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/8\/15.2-1649","metadata":false},{"id":76544,"structure_id":12878,"section_number":"15.2-1650","catch_line":"When and how council to issue bonds; payment of interest; sinking fund","url":"\/15.2-1650\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/8\/15.2-1650","metadata":false},{"id":85541,"structure_id":12878,"section_number":"15.2-1651","catch_line":"When supervisors may issue bonds of county","url":"\/15.2-1651\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/8\/15.2-1651","metadata":false},{"id":84384,"structure_id":12878,"section_number":"15.2-1652","catch_line":"Form of ballots for county election on removal and appropriation; certificate of electoral board","url":"\/15.2-1652\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/8\/15.2-1652","metadata":false},{"id":81259,"structure_id":12878,"section_number":"15.2-1653","catch_line":"Ascertaining results","url":"\/15.2-1653\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/8\/15.2-1653","metadata":false},{"id":63752,"structure_id":12878,"section_number":"15.2-1654","catch_line":"Contest of election","url":"\/15.2-1654\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/8\/15.2-1654","metadata":false},{"id":58199,"structure_id":12878,"section_number":"15.2-1655","catch_line":"No other election held for ten years","url":"\/15.2-1655\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/8\/15.2-1655","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":68081,"structure_id":12878,"section_number":"15.2-1643","catch_line":"Circuit courts to order court facilities to be repaired","url":"\/15.2-1643\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/8\/15.2-1643","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":69629,"structure_id":12878,"section_number":"15.2-1645","catch_line":"How election held and conducted","url":"\/15.2-1645\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/8\/15.2-1645","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-1644\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 7 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 1956, chapter 95; in 1962, chapter 623; in 1975, chapter 517; in 1978, chapter 380; in 1997, chapter 587<\/a>; in 2017, chapter 487<\/a>; in 2018, chapter 732<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":82935,"section_number":"15.2-1644","catch_line":"Petition for removal of county courthouse; writ of election","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-1644\/"},{"id":69629,"section_number":"15.2-1645","catch_line":"How election held and conducted","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-1645\/"},{"id":81736,"section_number":"15.2-1646","catch_line":"Certification of result to board of supervisors; procuring land and buildings; relocation to contiguous or nearby land","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-1646\/"},{"id":84384,"section_number":"15.2-1652","catch_line":"Form of ballots for county election on removal and appropriation; certificate of electoral board","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-1652\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":82935,"section_number":"15.2-1644","catch_line":"Petition for removal of county courthouse; writ of election","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-1644\/"},{"id":63752,"section_number":"15.2-1654","catch_line":"Contest of election","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-1654\/"},{"id":58078,"section_number":"24.2-681","catch_line":"How special elections superintended and determined","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-681\/"}],"permalink":{"id":153693,"object_type":"law","relational_id":82935,"identifier":"15.2-1644","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/8\/15.2-1644","url":"\/15.2-1644\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-1644\/","token":"15.2\/II\/16\/8\/15.2-1644","dublin_core":{"Title":"Petition for removal of county courthouse; writ of election","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-1644","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Whenever a number of voters<\/span> equal to at least one third of the voters<\/span> of a county<\/span> registered in the county<\/span> on the January 1 preceding filing of the petition<\/span>, petition<\/span> the circuit<\/span> court<\/span> of such county<\/span>, or whenever the governing body<\/span> of any county<\/span> by resolution duly adopted requests the circuit<\/span> court<\/span> for such county<\/span>, for an election in such county<\/span> on the question of the removal of the courthouse to one or more places specified in the petition<\/span> or resolution, such court<\/span> shall issue<\/span> a writ<\/span> of election in accordance with Article 5 (§ 24.2-681<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 6 of Title 24.2, which shall fix the day of holding such election. Such petition<\/span> shall also state the amount to be appropriated by the board of supervisors<\/span> for the purchase of land, unless the land is to be donated, and for the erection of necessary buildings and improvements at the new location. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> If the courthouse is used before and after removal for any city<\/span> as well as for the county<\/span>, then the petition<\/span> shall be signed by a number of voters<\/span> equal to at least one-third of the total number of voters<\/span> registered in the locality<\/span> on the January 1 preceding filing of the petition<\/span>. The registered voters<\/span> of such city<\/span> shall be eligible to sign the petition<\/span>. The petition<\/span> shall state the amounts to be appropriated by both the county<\/span> and city<\/span>. The voters<\/span> of such city<\/span> shall be eligible to vote in any election on the question of relocating the courthouse. The court<\/span> shall issue<\/span> a writ<\/span> of election to such city<\/span> the same as issued to and for the county<\/span>.\n\t\t\tThe votes of such city<\/span> voters<\/span> shall be treated as if they were cast by qualified voters<\/span> of the county<\/span> for the purposes of these sections (§§ 15.2-1644<\/a> through 15.2-1654<\/a>). <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> In the case of the removal of a county<\/span> courthouse that is not located in a city<\/span> or town<\/span>, and that is not being relocated to a city<\/span> or town<\/span>, such removal shall not require a petition<\/span> or approval by the voters<\/span>. However, this subsection shall not apply to the removal or relocation of any county<\/span> courthouse, whether located on county<\/span> or city<\/span> property, that is entirely surrounded by a city<\/span>, and any such courthouse shall be removed or relocated only in accordance with the provisions of subsections A and B. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPETITION FOR REMOVAL OF COUNTY COURTHOUSE; WRIT OF ELECTION (\u00a7 15.2-1644)\n\nA. Whenever a number of voters equal to at least one third of the voters of a\ncounty registered in the county on the January 1 preceding filing of the\npetition, petition the circuit court of such county, or whenever the governing\nbody of any county by resolution duly adopted requests the circuit court for\nsuch county, for an election in such county on the question of the removal of\nthe courthouse to one or more places specified in the petition or resolution,\nsuch court shall issue a writ of election in accordance with Article 5 (§\n24.2-681 et seq.) of Chapter 6 of Title 24.2, which shall fix the day of holding\nsuch election. Such petition shall also state the amount to be appropriated by\nthe board of supervisors for the purchase of land, unless the land is to be\ndonated, and for the erection of necessary buildings and improvements at the new\nlocation.\n\nB. If the courthouse is used before and after removal for any city as well as\nfor the county, then the petition shall be signed by a number of voters equal to\nat least one-third of the total number of voters registered in the locality on\nthe January 1 preceding filing of the petition. The registered voters of such\ncity shall be eligible to sign the petition. The petition shall state the\namounts to be appropriated by both the county and city. The voters of such city\nshall be eligible to vote in any election on the question of relocating the\ncourthouse. The court shall issue a writ of election to such city the same as\nissued to and for the county.\n\t\t\tThe votes of such city voters shall be treated as if they were cast by\nqualified voters of the county for the purposes of these sections (§§\n15.2-1644 through 15.2-1654).\n\nC. In the case of the removal of a county courthouse that is not located in a\ncity or town, and that is not being relocated to a city or town, such removal\nshall not require a petition or approval by the voters. However, this subsection\nshall not apply to the removal or relocation of any county courthouse, whether\nlocated on county or city property, that is entirely surrounded by a city, and\nany such courthouse shall be removed or relocated only in accordance with the\nprovisions of subsections A and B.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 15-43; 1956, c. 95; 1962, c. 623, \u00a7 15.1-559; 1971, Ex.\nSess., cc. 42, 245; 1975, c. 517; 1978, c. 380; 1997, c. 587; 2017, c. 487;\n2018, c. 732.","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}}