{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-3502.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-3502.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-3502.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-3502.html"}],"law_id":60605,"edition_id":1,"section_id":60605,"structure_id":13099,"section_number":"15.2-3502","catch_line":"Agreement for consolidation","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 15-163; 1962, c. 623, \u00a7 15.1-1072; 1997, c. 587.","full_text":"The governing bodies of any two or more adjoining localities desiring to consolidate into a consolidated locality in accordance with this article may enter into an agreement for the consolidation, setting forth in such consolidation agreement:\n\n1\n\nThe names of the localities which are proposed to be consolidated;2\n\nThe name of the proposed consolidated locality, which name shall be such as to distinguish it from the name of any other like unit of government in Virginia;3\n\nThe property, real and personal, belonging to each locality and the fair value thereof in current money of the United States;4\n\nThe indebtedness, bonded and otherwise, of each locality;5\n\nThe proposed name and location of the county seat of the consolidated county or the address of the administrative offices of the city or town;6\n\nIf the counties have different forms of county organization and government, the proposed form of county organization and government of the consolidated county, or if the cities or towns are to adopt the charter of one of the cities or towns, the name of the city or town whose charter is adopted; and7\n\nThe other terms of the agreement.\n\t\t\tThe governing body of each of the localities may appoint an advisory committee composed of three persons to assist in the preparation of such agreement and may pay the members of such advisory committee reasonable compensation, approved by the judge of the circuit court for the locality.\n\t\t\tIn counties, no consolidation agreement shall become effective unless approved by a referendum. In cities and towns, the consolidation agreement may include a provision requiring approval by referendum.\n\t\t\tThe original of the consolidation agreement and, if appropriate, a petition on behalf of the several governing bodies asking for a referendum on the question of consolidation shall be filed with the judge or one of the judges of the circuit courts for the localities; there shall be filed with each of the other judges a copy of the consolidation agreement and of the petition.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":221506,"text":"The governing bodies of any two or more adjoining localities desiring to consolidate into a consolidated locality in accordance with this article may enter into an agreement for the consolidation, setting forth in such consolidation agreement:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":221507,"text":"The names of the localities which are proposed to be consolidated;","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":221508,"text":"The name of the proposed consolidated locality, which name shall be such as to distinguish it from the name of any other like unit of government in Virginia;","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":221509,"text":"The property, real and personal, belonging to each locality and the fair value thereof in current money of the United States;","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":221510,"text":"The indebtedness, bonded and otherwise, of each locality;","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3","next_prefix":"5"},"5":{"id":221511,"text":"The proposed name and location of the county seat of the consolidated county or the address of the administrative offices of the city or town;","type":"section","prefixes":["5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"5","prefix_anchor":"5","level":1,"prior_prefix":"4","next_prefix":"6"},"6":{"id":221512,"text":"If the counties have different forms of county organization and government, the proposed form of county organization and government of the consolidated county, or if the cities or towns are to adopt the charter of one of the cities or towns, the name of the city or town whose charter is adopted; and","type":"section","prefixes":["6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"6","prefix_anchor":"6","level":1,"prior_prefix":"5","next_prefix":"7"},"7":{"id":221513,"text":"The other terms of the agreement.\n\t\t\tThe governing body of each of the localities may appoint an advisory committee composed of three persons to assist in the preparation of such agreement and may pay the members of such advisory committee reasonable compensation, approved by the judge of the circuit court for the locality.\n\t\t\tIn counties, no consolidation agreement shall become effective unless approved by a referendum. In cities and towns, the consolidation agreement may include a provision requiring approval by referendum.\n\t\t\tThe original of the consolidation agreement and, if appropriate, a petition on behalf of the several governing bodies asking for a referendum on the question of consolidation shall be filed with the judge or one of the judges of the circuit courts for the localities; there shall be filed with each of the other judges a copy of the consolidation agreement and of the petition.","type":"section","prefixes":["7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"7","prefix_anchor":"7","level":1,"prior_prefix":"6"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13099,"edition_id":1,"name":"Consolidation of Like Units of Local Government","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13098,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:17","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:17","permalink":{"id":157269,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13099,"identifier":"1","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/1","url":"\/15.2\/III\/35\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13098,"edition_id":1,"name":"Consolidation of Localities","identifier":"35","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13062,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:17","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:17","permalink":{"id":157267,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13098,"identifier":"35","token":"15.2\/III\/35","url":"\/15.2\/III\/35\/","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":71162,"structure_id":13099,"section_number":"15.2-3500","catch_line":"Application of article","url":"\/15.2-3500\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/1\/15.2-3500","metadata":false},{"id":73676,"structure_id":13099,"section_number":"15.2-3501","catch_line":"Authority to consolidate counties, cities or towns","url":"\/15.2-3501\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/1\/15.2-3501","metadata":false},{"id":60605,"structure_id":13099,"section_number":"15.2-3502","catch_line":"Agreement for consolidation","url":"\/15.2-3502\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/1\/15.2-3502","metadata":false},{"id":78673,"structure_id":13099,"section_number":"15.2-3503","catch_line":"Petition requesting agreement","url":"\/15.2-3503\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/1\/15.2-3503","metadata":false},{"id":84601,"structure_id":13099,"section_number":"15.2-3504","catch_line":"Publication of agreement","url":"\/15.2-3504\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/1\/15.2-3504","metadata":false},{"id":84014,"structure_id":13099,"section_number":"15.2-3505","catch_line":"Order for election","url":"\/15.2-3505\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/1\/15.2-3505","metadata":false},{"id":72393,"structure_id":13099,"section_number":"15.2-3506","catch_line":"Conduct of election","url":"\/15.2-3506\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/1\/15.2-3506","metadata":false},{"id":57181,"structure_id":13099,"section_number":"15.2-3507","catch_line":"Result of election","url":"\/15.2-3507\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/1\/15.2-3507","metadata":false},{"id":83387,"structure_id":13099,"section_number":"15.2-3508","catch_line":"Election or appointment of county officers","url":"\/15.2-3508\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/1\/15.2-3508","metadata":false},{"id":79155,"structure_id":13099,"section_number":"15.2-3509","catch_line":"Election or appointment of city or town officers","url":"\/15.2-3509\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/1\/15.2-3509","metadata":false},{"id":76880,"structure_id":13099,"section_number":"15.2-3510","catch_line":"General effect of consolidation","url":"\/15.2-3510\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/1\/15.2-3510","metadata":false},{"id":60969,"structure_id":13099,"section_number":"15.2-3511","catch_line":"Liabilities","url":"\/15.2-3511\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/1\/15.2-3511","metadata":false},{"id":66923,"structure_id":13099,"section_number":"15.2-3512","catch_line":"Suits and prosecutions","url":"\/15.2-3512\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/1\/15.2-3512","metadata":false},{"id":56981,"structure_id":13099,"section_number":"15.2-3513","catch_line":"Magisterial, school and election districts, etc","url":"\/15.2-3513\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/1\/15.2-3513","metadata":false},{"id":62474,"structure_id":13099,"section_number":"15.2-3514","catch_line":"Courts and judicial circuits","url":"\/15.2-3514\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/1\/15.2-3514","metadata":false},{"id":80444,"structure_id":13099,"section_number":"15.2-3515","catch_line":"Congressional and assembly districts","url":"\/15.2-3515\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/1\/15.2-3515","metadata":false},{"id":66680,"structure_id":13099,"section_number":"15.2-3516","catch_line":"Registration of voters","url":"\/15.2-3516\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/1\/15.2-3516","metadata":false},{"id":72581,"structure_id":13099,"section_number":"15.2-3517","catch_line":"Existing ordinances","url":"\/15.2-3517\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/1\/15.2-3517","metadata":false},{"id":69809,"structure_id":13099,"section_number":"15.2-3518","catch_line":"Determination of rights","url":"\/15.2-3518\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/1\/15.2-3518","metadata":false},{"id":54141,"structure_id":13099,"section_number":"15.2-3519","catch_line":"Repeal of certain charters","url":"\/15.2-3519\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/1\/15.2-3519","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":73676,"structure_id":13099,"section_number":"15.2-3501","catch_line":"Authority to consolidate counties, cities or towns","url":"\/15.2-3501\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/1\/15.2-3501","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":78673,"structure_id":13099,"section_number":"15.2-3503","catch_line":"Petition requesting agreement","url":"\/15.2-3503\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/1\/15.2-3503","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-3502\/","history_text":"<p>The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 2 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 1962, chapter 623; in 1997, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?971+ful+CHAP0587\">587<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":78673,"section_number":"15.2-3503","catch_line":"Petition requesting agreement","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3503\/"},{"id":84601,"section_number":"15.2-3504","catch_line":"Publication of agreement","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3504\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":157279,"object_type":"law","relational_id":60605,"identifier":"15.2-3502","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/1\/15.2-3502","url":"\/15.2-3502\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-3502\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/1\/15.2-3502","dublin_core":{"Title":"Agreement for consolidation","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-3502","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>The governing bodies of any two or more adjoining localities desiring to consolidate into a consolidated <span class=\"dictionary\">locality<\/span> in accordance with this article may enter into an agreement for the <span class=\"dictionary\">consolidation<\/span>, setting forth in such <span class=\"dictionary\">consolidation<\/span> agreement:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">1.<\/span> The names of the localities which are proposed to be consolidated; <a id=\"paragraph-221507\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/15.2-3502\/#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> The name of the proposed consolidated <span class=\"dictionary\">locality<\/span>, which name shall be such as to distinguish it from the name of any other like unit of government in Virginia; <a id=\"paragraph-221508\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/15.2-3502\/#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> The property, real and personal, belonging to each <span class=\"dictionary\">locality<\/span> and the fair value thereof in current money of the United States; <a id=\"paragraph-221509\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/15.2-3502\/#3\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"4\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">4.<\/span> The indebtedness, bonded and otherwise, of each <span class=\"dictionary\">locality<\/span>; <a id=\"paragraph-221510\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/15.2-3502\/#4\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"5\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">5.<\/span> The proposed name and location of the <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span> seat of the consolidated <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span> or the address of the administrative offices of the <span class=\"dictionary\">city<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">town<\/span>; <a id=\"paragraph-221511\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/15.2-3502\/#5\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"6\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">6.<\/span> If the counties have different forms of <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span> organization and government, the proposed form of <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span> organization and government of the consolidated <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span>, or if the cities or <span class=\"dictionary\">towns<\/span> are to adopt the charter of one of the cities or <span class=\"dictionary\">towns<\/span>, the name of the <span class=\"dictionary\">city<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">town<\/span> whose charter is adopted; and <a id=\"paragraph-221512\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/15.2-3502\/#6\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"7\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">7.<\/span> The other terms of the agreement.\n\t\t\tThe <span class=\"dictionary\">governing body<\/span> of each of the localities may appoint an advisory committee composed of three persons to assist in the preparation of such agreement and may pay the members of such advisory committee reasonable compensation, approved by the <span class=\"dictionary\">judge<\/span> of the <span class=\"dictionary\">circuit<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> for the <span class=\"dictionary\">locality<\/span>.\n\t\t\tIn counties, no <span class=\"dictionary\">consolidation<\/span> agreement shall become effective unless approved by a <span class=\"dictionary\">referendum<\/span>. In cities and <span class=\"dictionary\">towns<\/span>, the <span class=\"dictionary\">consolidation<\/span> agreement may include a provision requiring approval by <span class=\"dictionary\">referendum<\/span>.\n\t\t\tThe original of the <span class=\"dictionary\">consolidation<\/span> agreement and, if appropriate, a <span class=\"dictionary\">petition<\/span> on behalf of the several governing bodies asking for a <span class=\"dictionary\">referendum<\/span> on the question of <span class=\"dictionary\">consolidation<\/span> shall be filed with the <span class=\"dictionary\">judge<\/span> or one of the <span class=\"dictionary\">judges<\/span> of the <span class=\"dictionary\">circuit<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">courts<\/span> for the localities; there shall be filed with each of the other <span class=\"dictionary\">judges<\/span> a copy of the <span class=\"dictionary\">consolidation<\/span> agreement and of the <span class=\"dictionary\">petition<\/span>. <a id=\"paragraph-221513\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/15.2-3502\/#7\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nAGREEMENT FOR CONSOLIDATION (\u00a7 15.2-3502)\n\nThe governing bodies of any two or more adjoining localities desiring to\nconsolidate into a consolidated locality in accordance with this article may\nenter into an agreement for the consolidation, setting forth in such\nconsolidation agreement:\n\n1. The names of the localities which are proposed to be consolidated;\n\n2. The name of the proposed consolidated locality, which name shall be such as\nto distinguish it from the name of any other like unit of government in\nVirginia;\n\n3. The property, real and personal, belonging to each locality and the fair\nvalue thereof in current money of the United States;\n\n4. The indebtedness, bonded and otherwise, of each locality;\n\n5. The proposed name and location of the county seat of the consolidated county\nor the address of the administrative offices of the city or town;\n\n6. If the counties have different forms of county organization and government,\nthe proposed form of county organization and government of the consolidated\ncounty, or if the cities or towns are to adopt the charter of one of the cities\nor towns, the name of the city or town whose charter is adopted; and\n\n7. The other terms of the agreement.\n\t\t\tThe governing body of each of the localities may appoint an advisory\ncommittee composed of three persons to assist in the preparation of such\nagreement and may pay the members of such advisory committee reasonable\ncompensation, approved by the judge of the circuit court for the locality.\n\t\t\tIn counties, no consolidation agreement shall become effective unless\napproved by a referendum. In cities and towns, the consolidation agreement may\ninclude a provision requiring approval by referendum.\n\t\t\tThe original of the consolidation agreement and, if appropriate, a petition\non behalf of the several governing bodies asking for a referendum on the\nquestion of consolidation shall be filed with the judge or one of the judges of\nthe circuit courts for the localities; there shall be filed with each of the\nother judges a copy of the consolidation agreement and of the petition.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 15-163; 1962, c. 623, \u00a7 15.1-1072; 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}}