{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-3202.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-3202.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-3202.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-3202.html"}],"law_id":61095,"edition_id":1,"section_id":61095,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3202","catch_line":"Ordinance for annexation by city or town; appointment of special court","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 15-152.3; 1952, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, \u00a7 15.1-1033; 1997, c. 587.","full_text":"The council of any city or town may by an ordinance passed by a recorded affirmative vote of a majority of all the members elected to the council, petition the circuit court for the county in which any territory adjacent to the city or town lies, for the annexation of such territory. The circuit court with which the petition is filed shall notify the Supreme Court, which shall appoint a special court to hear the case as prescribed by Chapter 30 (\u00a7 15.2-3000 et seq.) of this title.\n\t\tThe ordinance shall set forth the necessity for or expediency of annexation and shall contain the following detailed information:\n\n1\n\nMetes and bounds and size of area sought;2\n\nInformation, which may be shown on a map annexed to the ordinance, of the area sought to be annexed, indicating generally subdivisions, industrial areas, farm areas, vacant areas and others, together with any other information deemed relevant as to possible future uses of property within the area. If a map is not annexed as part of the ordinance, then such information shall be set forth in the ordinance;3\n\nA general statement of the terms and conditions upon which annexation is sought, and the provisions planned for the future improvement of the annexed territory, including the provision of public utilities and services therein.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":223346,"text":"The council of any city or town may by an ordinance passed by a recorded affirmative vote of a majority of all the members elected to the council, petition the circuit court for the county in which any territory adjacent to the city or town lies, for the annexation of such territory. The circuit court with which the petition is filed shall notify the Supreme Court, which shall appoint a special court to hear the case as prescribed by Chapter 30 (\u00a7 15.2-3000 et seq.) of this title.\n\t\tThe ordinance shall set forth the necessity for or expediency of annexation and shall contain the following detailed information:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":223347,"text":"Metes and bounds and size of area sought;","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":223348,"text":"Information, which may be shown on a map annexed to the ordinance, of the area sought to be annexed, indicating generally subdivisions, industrial areas, farm areas, vacant areas and others, together with any other information deemed relevant as to possible future uses of property within the area. If a map is not annexed as part of the ordinance, then such information shall be set forth in the ordinance;","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":223349,"text":"A general statement of the terms and conditions upon which annexation is sought, and the provisions planned for the future improvement of the annexed territory, including the provision of public utilities and services therein.","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14197,"edition_id":1,"name":"Annexation","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14196,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:14","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:14","permalink":{"id":157029,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14197,"identifier":"1","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1","url":"\/15.2\/III\/32\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14196,"edition_id":1,"name":"Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities","identifier":"32","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13062,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:14","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:14","permalink":{"id":157027,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14196,"identifier":"32","token":"15.2\/III\/32","url":"\/15.2\/III\/32\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13062,"edition_id":1,"name":"Boundary Adjustments and Changes of Status of Counties, Cities and Towns","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12720,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:12","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:12","permalink":{"id":156919,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13062,"identifier":"III","token":"15.2\/III","url":"\/15.2\/III\/","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":55382,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3200","catch_line":"Boundaries of cities and towns to remain as established until changed","url":"\/15.2-3200\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3200","metadata":false},{"id":59036,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3201","catch_line":"Temporary restrictions on granting of city charters, filing annexation notices, institutions of annexation proceedings, and county immunity proceedings","url":"\/15.2-3201\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3201","metadata":false},{"id":61095,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3202","catch_line":"Ordinance for annexation by city or town; appointment of special court","url":"\/15.2-3202\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3202","metadata":false},{"id":86092,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3203","catch_line":"Petition by voters of adjacent territory, or governing body of adjacent county or town, for annexation; voluntary agreement by governing body to reject annexation","url":"\/15.2-3203\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3203","metadata":false},{"id":68591,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3204","catch_line":"Notice of motion; service and publication","url":"\/15.2-3204\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3204","metadata":false},{"id":58157,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3205","catch_line":"Additional parties","url":"\/15.2-3205\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3205","metadata":false},{"id":59962,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3206","catch_line":"Conflicting petitions for same territory; petition seeking territory lying in two or more counties; procedure","url":"\/15.2-3206\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3206","metadata":false},{"id":60706,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3207","catch_line":"Pretrial conference; matters considered","url":"\/15.2-3207\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3207","metadata":false},{"id":86591,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3208","catch_line":"Assistance of state agencies","url":"\/15.2-3208\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3208","metadata":false},{"id":82850,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3209","catch_line":"Hearing and decision","url":"\/15.2-3209\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3209","metadata":false},{"id":78006,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3210","catch_line":"Boundary line where territory fronts on river, bay, etc","url":"\/15.2-3210\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3210","metadata":false},{"id":78982,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3211","catch_line":"Powers of court and rules of decision; terms and conditions","url":"\/15.2-3211\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3211","metadata":false},{"id":77661,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3212","catch_line":"Determination of value of public improvements","url":"\/15.2-3212\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3212","metadata":false},{"id":84741,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3213","catch_line":"Declining to accept annexation on terms and conditions imposed by court","url":"\/15.2-3213\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3213","metadata":false},{"id":67908,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3214","catch_line":"Costs","url":"\/15.2-3214\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3214","metadata":false},{"id":68243,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3215","catch_line":"County reimbursement for town annexation proceedings","url":"\/15.2-3215\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3215","metadata":false},{"id":55866,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3216","catch_line":"Proceedings not to fail for technical or procedural defects or errors","url":"\/15.2-3216\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3216","metadata":false},{"id":78542,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3217","catch_line":"Court granting annexation to exist for 10 years","url":"\/15.2-3217\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3217","metadata":false},{"id":83032,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3218","catch_line":"Continued existence of court under certain conditions","url":"\/15.2-3218\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3218","metadata":false},{"id":58153,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3219","catch_line":"Reduced taxation on real estate in territory added to corporate limits","url":"\/15.2-3219\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3219","metadata":false},{"id":84911,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3220","catch_line":"Mandamus and prohibition","url":"\/15.2-3220\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3220","metadata":false},{"id":80539,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3221","catch_line":"Appeals; how heard","url":"\/15.2-3221\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3221","metadata":false},{"id":66778,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3222","catch_line":"What order to be entered by the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeals","url":"\/15.2-3222\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3222","metadata":false},{"id":71173,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3223","catch_line":"What order and proceedings clerk to certify, and where same shall be recorded; fees","url":"\/15.2-3223\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3223","metadata":false},{"id":76192,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3224","catch_line":"Commissioner of revenue for the county to certify list of real estate in annexed territory to commissioner of revenue","url":"\/15.2-3224\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3224","metadata":false},{"id":56194,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3225","catch_line":"County or district officers resident in annexed territory to remain in office; reelection","url":"\/15.2-3225\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3225","metadata":false},{"id":59682,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3226","catch_line":"Redistricting and elections in city or town following annexation; registration and transfer of registration of voters in annexed territory","url":"\/15.2-3226\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3226","metadata":false},{"id":76459,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3227","catch_line":"Annexation proceedings final for 10 years","url":"\/15.2-3227\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3227","metadata":false},{"id":60831,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3228","catch_line":"County not to be reduced to insufficient area, population or sources of revenue","url":"\/15.2-3228\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3228","metadata":false},{"id":71498,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3229","catch_line":"Annexation of whole town","url":"\/15.2-3229\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3229","metadata":false},{"id":72086,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3230","catch_line":"Article not applicable to consolidation of two cities","url":"\/15.2-3230\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3230","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":59036,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3201","catch_line":"Temporary restrictions on granting of city charters, filing annexation notices, institutions of annexation proceedings, and county immunity proceedings","url":"\/15.2-3201\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3201","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":86092,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3203","catch_line":"Petition by voters of adjacent territory, or governing body of adjacent county or town, for annexation; voluntary agreement by governing body to reject annexation","url":"\/15.2-3203\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3203","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-3202\/","history_text":"<p>The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 3 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 1952, chapter 328; in 1962, chapter 623; in 1997, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?971+ful+CHAP0587\">587<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":86092,"section_number":"15.2-3203","catch_line":"Petition by voters of adjacent territory, or governing body of adjacent county or town, for annexation; voluntary agreement by governing body to reject annexation","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3203\/"},{"id":59682,"section_number":"15.2-3226","catch_line":"Redistricting and elections in city or town following annexation; registration and transfer of registration of voters in annexed territory","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3226\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":85081,"section_number":"15.2-3000","catch_line":"Special court to hear certain cases","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3000\/"}],"permalink":{"id":157039,"object_type":"law","relational_id":61095,"identifier":"15.2-3202","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3202","url":"\/15.2-3202\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-3202\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3202","dublin_core":{"Title":"Ordinance for annexation by city or town; appointment of special court","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-3202","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>The <span class=\"dictionary\">council<\/span> of any <span class=\"dictionary\">city<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">town<\/span> may by an <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinance<\/span> passed by a recorded affirmative vote of a majority of all the members elected to the <span class=\"dictionary\">council<\/span>, <span class=\"dictionary\">petition<\/span> the <span class=\"dictionary\">circuit<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> for the <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span> in which any territory adjacent to the <span class=\"dictionary\">city<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">town<\/span> lies, for the annexation of such territory. The <span class=\"dictionary\">circuit<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> with which the <span class=\"dictionary\">petition<\/span> is filed shall notify the Supreme <span class=\"dictionary\">Court<\/span>, which shall appoint a special <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> to hear the case as prescribed by Chapter 30 (\u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Special court to hear certain cases\" href=\"\/15.2-3000\/\">15.2-3000<\/a> et seq.) of this title.\n\t\tThe <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinance<\/span> shall set forth the necessity for or expediency of annexation and shall contain the following detailed information:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">1.<\/span> Metes and bounds and size of area sought; <a id=\"paragraph-223347\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/15.2-3202\/#1\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"2\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">2.<\/span> Information, which may be shown on a map annexed to the <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinance<\/span>, of the area sought to be annexed, indicating generally subdivisions, industrial areas, farm areas, vacant areas and others, together with any other information deemed relevant as to possible future uses of property within the area. If a map is not annexed as part of the <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinance<\/span>, then such information shall be set forth in the <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinance<\/span>; <a id=\"paragraph-223348\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/15.2-3202\/#2\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"3\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">3.<\/span> A general statement of the terms and conditions upon which annexation is sought, and the provisions planned for the future improvement of the annexed territory, including the provision of public utilities and services therein. <a id=\"paragraph-223349\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/15.2-3202\/#3\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nORDINANCE FOR ANNEXATION BY CITY OR TOWN; APPOINTMENT OF SPECIAL COURT (\u00a7\n15.2-3202)\n\nThe council of any city or town may by an ordinance passed by a recorded\naffirmative vote of a majority of all the members elected to the council,\npetition the circuit court for the county in which any territory adjacent to the\ncity or town lies, for the annexation of such territory. The circuit court with\nwhich the petition is filed shall notify the Supreme Court, which shall appoint\na special court to hear the case as prescribed by Chapter 30 (\u00a7 15.2-3000 et\nseq.) of this title.\n\t\tThe ordinance shall set forth the necessity for or expediency of annexation\nand shall contain the following detailed information:\n\n1. Metes and bounds and size of area sought;\n\n2. Information, which may be shown on a map annexed to the ordinance, of the\narea sought to be annexed, indicating generally subdivisions, industrial areas,\nfarm areas, vacant areas and others, together with any other information deemed\nrelevant as to possible future uses of property within the area. If a map is not\nannexed as part of the ordinance, then such information shall be set forth in\nthe ordinance;\n\n3. A general statement of the terms and conditions upon which annexation is\nsought, and the provisions planned for the future improvement of the annexed\nterritory, including the provision of public utilities and services therein.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 15-152.3; 1952, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, \u00a7 15.1-1033; 1997,\nc. 587.","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}}