{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-3210.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-3210.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-3210.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-3210.html"}],"law_id":78006,"edition_id":1,"section_id":78006,"structure_id":14197,"section_number":"15.2-3210","catch_line":"Boundary line where territory fronts on river, bay, etc","history":"1976, c. 662, \u00a7 15.1-1041.1; 1997, c. 587.","full_text":"A\n\nIn any proceeding under the provisions of this chapter to annex territory, when such territory fronts on a river or creek, the petition may ask that the boundary line be established along the centerline of such river or creek. If any territory is awarded in such proceeding that borders on a river or creek, the decision may order that the boundary line be the centerline of the river or creek that flows beside such territory.B\n\nIf the territory sought to be annexed fronts on a bay, lake or similar type body of water, the boundary line shall be by metes and bounds in such bay, lake or similar type body of water. If a river or creek flows into such bay, lake or similar type body of water and such river or creek fronts all or a portion of the territory sought to be annexed, the metes and bounds shall run only to the point where such river or creek enters the bay, lake or similar type body of water and thereafter the centerline of the river or creek may be the boundary line to the extent applicable.C\n\nFor purposes of this article, if any city is bisected by a river or any branch thereof then such river or branch shall lie within the boundaries of such city to the extent that there are portions of such city on both opposite shores of such river or branch.D\n\nFor purposes of this article, if any river in the Commonwealth is bordered on both sides by cities of a population of 100,000 or more, according to the 1970 census, to the extent that such cities’ borders along the river are in opposition, including the border across any branch as provided in subsection C, the boundaries of such cities shall be the centerline of the river and such cities shall be contiguous one to the other, notwithstanding any judicial decree to the contrary entered prior to 1976. Nothing in this subsection shall apply to that body of water known as Hampton Roads, located between Norfolk, Portsmouth and Suffolk on the south and Newport News and Hampton on the north.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":279687,"text":"In any proceeding under the provisions of this chapter to annex territory, when such territory fronts on a river or creek, the petition may ask that the boundary line be established along the centerline of such river or creek. If any territory is awarded in such proceeding that borders on a river or creek, the decision may order that the boundary line be the centerline of the river or creek that flows beside such territory.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":279688,"text":"If the territory sought to be annexed fronts on a bay, lake or similar type body of water, the boundary line shall be by metes and bounds in such bay, lake or similar type body of water. If a river or creek flows into such bay, lake or similar type body of water and such river or creek fronts all or a portion of the territory sought to be annexed, the metes and bounds shall run only to the point where such river or creek enters the bay, lake or similar type body of water and thereafter the centerline of the river or creek may be the boundary line to the extent applicable.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":279689,"text":"For purposes of this article, if any city is bisected by a river or any branch thereof then such river or branch shall lie within the boundaries of such city to the extent that there are portions of such city on both opposite shores of such river or branch.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":279690,"text":"For purposes of this article, if any river in the Commonwealth is bordered on both sides by cities of a population of 100,000 or more, according to the 1970 census, to the extent that such cities’ borders along the river are in opposition, including the border across any branch as provided in subsection C, the boundaries of such cities shall be the centerline of the river and such cities shall be contiguous one to the other, notwithstanding any judicial decree to the contrary entered prior to 1976. Nothing in this subsection shall apply to that body of water known as Hampton Roads, located between Norfolk, Portsmouth and Suffolk on the south and Newport News and Hampton on the north.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-3210\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1976. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 662 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 1976 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 1 time. 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. That modification is as follows: in 1997, chapter 587<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":157071,"object_type":"law","relational_id":78006,"identifier":"15.2-3210","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3210","url":"\/15.2-3210\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-3210\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3210","dublin_core":{"Title":"Boundary line where territory fronts on river, bay, etc","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-3210","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> In any proceeding under the provisions of this chapter to annex territory, when such territory fronts on a river or creek, the petition<\/span> may ask that the boundary line be established along the centerline of such river or creek. If any territory is awarded in such proceeding that borders on a river or creek, the decision may order<\/span> that the boundary line be the centerline of the river or creek that flows beside such territory. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> If the territory sought to be annexed fronts on a bay, lake or similar type body of water, the boundary line shall be by metes and bounds in such bay, lake or similar type body of water. If a river or creek flows into such bay, lake or similar type body of water and such river or creek fronts all or a portion of the territory sought to be annexed, the metes and bounds shall run only to the point where such river or creek enters the bay, lake or similar type body of water and thereafter the centerline of the river or creek may be the boundary line to the extent applicable. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> For purposes of this article, if any city<\/span> is bisected by a river or any branch thereof then such river or branch shall lie within the boundaries of such city<\/span> to the extent that there are portions of such city<\/span> on both opposite shores of such river or branch. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> For purposes of this article, if any river in the Commonwealth is bordered on both sides by cities of a population of 100,000 or more, according to the 1970 census, to the extent that such cities’ borders along the river are in opposition, including the border across any branch as provided in subsection C, the boundaries of such cities shall be the centerline of the river and such cities shall be contiguous one to the other, notwithstanding any judicial decree<\/span> to the contrary entered prior to 1976. Nothing in this subsection shall apply to that body of water known as Hampton Roads, located between Norfolk, Portsmouth and Suffolk on the south and Newport News and Hampton on the north. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nBOUNDARY LINE WHERE TERRITORY FRONTS ON RIVER, BAY, ETC (\u00a7 15.2-3210)\n\nA. In any proceeding under the provisions of this chapter to annex territory,\nwhen such territory fronts on a river or creek, the petition may ask that the\nboundary line be established along the centerline of such river or creek. If any\nterritory is awarded in such proceeding that borders on a river or creek, the\ndecision may order that the boundary line be the centerline of the river or\ncreek that flows beside such territory.\n\nB. If the territory sought to be annexed fronts on a bay, lake or similar type\nbody of water, the boundary line shall be by metes and bounds in such bay, lake\nor similar type body of water. If a river or creek flows into such bay, lake or\nsimilar type body of water and such river or creek fronts all or a portion of\nthe territory sought to be annexed, the metes and bounds shall run only to the\npoint where such river or creek enters the bay, lake or similar type body of\nwater and thereafter the centerline of the river or creek may be the boundary\nline to the extent applicable.\n\nC. For purposes of this article, if any city is bisected by a river or any\nbranch thereof then such river or branch shall lie within the boundaries of such\ncity to the extent that there are portions of such city on both opposite shores\nof such river or branch.\n\nD. For purposes of this article, if any river in the Commonwealth is bordered on\nboth sides by cities of a population of 100,000 or more, according to the 1970\ncensus, to the extent that such cities’ borders along the river are in\nopposition, including the border across any branch as provided in subsection C,\nthe boundaries of such cities shall be the centerline of the river and such\ncities shall be contiguous one to the other, notwithstanding any judicial decree\nto the contrary entered prior to 1976. Nothing in this subsection shall apply to\nthat body of water known as Hampton Roads, located between Norfolk, Portsmouth\nand Suffolk on the south and Newport News and Hampton on the north.\n\nHISTORY: 1976, c. 662, \u00a7 15.1-1041.1; 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}}