{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-3203.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-3203.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-3203.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-3203.html"}],"law_id":86092,"edition_id":1,"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","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 15-152.4; 1952, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, \u00a7 15.1-1034; 1979, c. 85; 1983, c. 594; 1985, c. 478; 1997, c. 587.","full_text":"A\n\nWhenever fifty-one percent of the voters of any territory adjacent to any city or town or fifty-one percent of the owners of real estate in number and land area in a designated area, or the governing body of the county in which such territory is located, or of the town desiring to annex such territory petition the circuit court for the county, stating that it is desirable that such territory be annexed to the city or town and setting forth the metes and bounds thereof, a copy of such petition shall be served on the city or town council, and published in the manner prescribed in § 15.2-3204. The case shall, except as otherwise provided in this chapter, proceed in all respects as though instituted in the manner prescribed in § 15.2-3202; however, the special court shall not increase the area of the territory described in the petition.B\n\nAny city or town to which the annexation is proposed may reject such annexation by ordinance, duly adopted by a majority of the elected members of the governing body of the city or town, if such ordinance is adopted either prior to the pretrial conference provided for in § 15.2-3207 or within the time limits set forth in § 15.2-3213.C\n\nAny county, city or town may enter into a voluntary agreement with any other county, city or town or combination thereof, whereby such city or town agrees to reject any annexations initiated under subsection A. Such agreement may be for such period of time as specified by the parties to such agreement with respect to all or a portion of the county.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":308245,"text":"Whenever fifty-one percent of the voters of any territory adjacent to any city or town or fifty-one percent of the owners of real estate in number and land area in a designated area, or the governing body of the county in which such territory is located, or of the town desiring to annex such territory petition the circuit court for the county, stating that it is desirable that such territory be annexed to the city or town and setting forth the metes and bounds thereof, a copy of such petition shall be served on the city or town council, and published in the manner prescribed in § 15.2-3204. The case shall, except as otherwise provided in this chapter, proceed in all respects as though instituted in the manner prescribed in § 15.2-3202; however, the special court shall not increase the area of the territory described in the petition.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":308246,"text":"Any city or town to which the annexation is proposed may reject such annexation by ordinance, duly adopted by a majority of the elected members of the governing body of the city or town, if such ordinance is adopted either prior to the pretrial conference provided for in § 15.2-3207 or within the time limits set forth in § 15.2-3213.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":308247,"text":"Any county, city or town may enter into a voluntary agreement with any other county, city or town or combination thereof, whereby such city or town agrees to reject any annexations initiated under subsection A. Such agreement may be for such period of time as specified by the parties to such agreement with respect to all or a portion of the county.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B"}},"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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-3203\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 6 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 1979, chapter 85; in 1983, chapter 594; in 1985, chapter 478; in 1997, chapter 587<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":59036,"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","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3201\/"},{"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\/"},{"id":72866,"section_number":"15.2-3306","catch_line":"Limitations to immunity","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3306\/"},{"id":75841,"section_number":"15.2-3400","catch_line":"Voluntary settlements among local governments","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3400\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":61095,"section_number":"15.2-3202","catch_line":"Ordinance for annexation by city or town; appointment of special court","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3202\/"},{"id":68591,"section_number":"15.2-3204","catch_line":"Notice of motion; service and publication","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3204\/"},{"id":60706,"section_number":"15.2-3207","catch_line":"Pretrial conference; matters considered","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3207\/"}],"permalink":{"id":157043,"object_type":"law","relational_id":86092,"identifier":"15.2-3203","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3203","url":"\/15.2-3203\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-3203\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3203","dublin_core":{"Title":"Petition by voters of adjacent territory, or governing body of adjacent county or town, for annexation; voluntary agreement by governing body to reject annexation","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-3203","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Whenever fifty-one percent of the voters<\/span> of any territory adjacent to any city<\/span> or town<\/span> or fifty-one percent of the owners of real estate in number and land area in a designated area, or the governing body<\/span> of the county<\/span> in which such territory is located, or of the town<\/span> desiring to annex such territory petition<\/span> the circuit<\/span> court<\/span> for the county<\/span>, stating that it is desirable that such territory be annexed to the city<\/span> or town<\/span> and setting forth the metes and bounds thereof, a copy of such petition<\/span> shall be served on the city<\/span> or town<\/span> council<\/span>, and published in the manner prescribed in § 15.2-3204<\/a>. The case shall, except as otherwise provided in this chapter, proceed in all respects as though instituted in the manner prescribed in § 15.2-3202<\/a>; however, the special court<\/span> shall not increase the area of the territory described in the petition<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Any city<\/span> or town<\/span> to which the annexation is proposed may reject such annexation by ordinance<\/span>, duly adopted by a majority of the elected members of the governing body<\/span> of the city<\/span> or town<\/span>, if such ordinance<\/span> is adopted either prior to the pretrial conference<\/span> provided for in § 15.2-3207<\/a> or within the time limits set forth in § 15.2-3213<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Any county<\/span>, city<\/span> or town<\/span> may enter into a voluntary agreement with any other county<\/span>, city<\/span> or town<\/span> or combination thereof, whereby such city<\/span> or town<\/span> agrees to reject any annexations initiated under subsection A. Such agreement may be for such period of time as specified by the parties to such agreement with respect to all or a portion of the county<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPETITION BY VOTERS OF ADJACENT TERRITORY, OR GOVERNING BODY OF ADJACENT COUNTY\nOR TOWN, FOR ANNEXATION; VOLUNTARY AGREEMENT BY GOVERNING BODY TO REJECT\nANNEXATION (\u00a7 15.2-3203)\n\nA. Whenever fifty-one percent of the voters of any territory adjacent to any\ncity or town or fifty-one percent of the owners of real estate in number and\nland area in a designated area, or the governing body of the county in which\nsuch territory is located, or of the town desiring to annex such territory\npetition the circuit court for the county, stating that it is desirable that\nsuch territory be annexed to the city or town and setting forth the metes and\nbounds thereof, a copy of such petition shall be served on the city or town\ncouncil, and published in the manner prescribed in § 15.2-3204. The case\nshall, except as otherwise provided in this chapter, proceed in all respects as\nthough instituted in the manner prescribed in § 15.2-3202; however, the\nspecial court shall not increase the area of the territory described in the\npetition.\n\nB. Any city or town to which the annexation is proposed may reject such\nannexation by ordinance, duly adopted by a majority of the elected members of\nthe governing body of the city or town, if such ordinance is adopted either\nprior to the pretrial conference provided for in § 15.2-3207 or within the\ntime limits set forth in § 15.2-3213.\n\nC. Any county, city or town may enter into a voluntary agreement with any other\ncounty, city or town or combination thereof, whereby such city or town agrees to\nreject any annexations initiated under subsection A. Such agreement may be for\nsuch period of time as specified by the parties to such agreement with respect\nto all or a portion of the county.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 15-152.4; 1952, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, \u00a7 15.1-1034; 1979,\nc. 85; 1983, c. 594; 1985, c. 478; 1997, c. 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}}