{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-3541.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-3541.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-3541.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-3541.html"}],"law_id":85286,"edition_id":1,"section_id":85286,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3541","catch_line":"General effect of consolidation; officers","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 15-227; 1962, c. 623, \u00a7 15.1-1141; 1979, c. 85; 1984, c. 695; 1997, c. 587.","full_text":"Upon the effective date of consolidation, the localities so consolidated, other than the consolidated county or city or town, and other than townships as provided by \u00a7 15.2-3548, shall terminate, as shall the terms of office and the rights, powers, duties and compensation of the officers, agents and employees of each such county, city or town. When such agreement provides for consolidation of the area into a county or city, or when such agreement provides for consolidation of the area into a county in which a tier-city will exist, then the judge or judges of the court or courts having jurisdiction within the area comprised by the consolidated county or city shall order an election to be held not less than thirty nor more than 185 days after the date upon which the referendum provided for in \u00a7\u00a7 15.2-3538, 15.2-3539 and 15.2-3540 was held, but at least thirty days before the effective date of such consolidation agreement, at which election officers for the new consolidated county or city, or for the new consolidated county and tier-city shall be elected.\n\t\tThe officers so elected shall take office upon the effective date of consolidation and shall serve until their successors have been elected, qualified and taken office. Their successors shall be elected at the next regular election time for such officers as provided for by general law.\n\t\tNo election required by this section or by \u00a7 15.2-3538 shall be held on the day of a primary election nor within the sixty days prior to a general or primary election. Should the final day by which either such election must be held fall within the sixty days prior to a general election, the required election must be held on the same day as the general election. Should such final day fall within the sixty days prior to a primary election, the required election must be held not less than thirty nor more than forty-five days after the primary election.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":305599,"text":"Upon the effective date of consolidation, the localities so consolidated, other than the consolidated county or city or town, and other than townships as provided by \u00a7 15.2-3548, shall terminate, as shall the terms of office and the rights, powers, duties and compensation of the officers, agents and employees of each such county, city or town. When such agreement provides for consolidation of the area into a county or city, or when such agreement provides for consolidation of the area into a county in which a tier-city will exist, then the judge or judges of the court or courts having jurisdiction within the area comprised by the consolidated county or city shall order an election to be held not less than thirty nor more than 185 days after the date upon which the referendum provided for in \u00a7\u00a7 15.2-3538, 15.2-3539 and 15.2-3540 was held, but at least thirty days before the effective date of such consolidation agreement, at which election officers for the new consolidated county or city, or for the new consolidated county and tier-city shall be elected.\n\t\tThe officers so elected shall take office upon the effective date of consolidation and shall serve until their successors have been elected, qualified and taken office. Their successors shall be elected at the next regular election time for such officers as provided for by general law.\n\t\tNo election required by this section or by \u00a7 15.2-3538 shall be held on the day of a primary election nor within the sixty days prior to a general or primary election. Should the final day by which either such election must be held fall within the sixty days prior to a general election, the required election must be held on the same day as the general election. Should such final day fall within the sixty days prior to a primary election, the required election must be held not less than thirty nor more than forty-five days after the primary election.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":13191,"edition_id":1,"name":"Consolidation of Certain Counties, Cities and Towns","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13098,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:25","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:25","permalink":{"id":157351,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13191,"identifier":"2","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2","url":"\/15.2\/III\/35\/2\/","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":62773,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3520","catch_line":"Counties, cities and towns specified; alternative consolidations","url":"\/15.2-3520\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3520","metadata":false},{"id":76869,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3521","catch_line":"Proposed consolidated city; notice of motion; service and publication","url":"\/15.2-3521\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3521","metadata":false},{"id":76330,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3522","catch_line":"Petition; appointment of special court","url":"\/15.2-3522\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3522","metadata":false},{"id":77723,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3523","catch_line":"Parties","url":"\/15.2-3523\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3523","metadata":false},{"id":56869,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3524","catch_line":"Time limit for intervenors","url":"\/15.2-3524\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3524","metadata":false},{"id":63758,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3525","catch_line":"Pretrial conference; matters considered","url":"\/15.2-3525\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3525","metadata":false},{"id":72751,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3526","catch_line":"Hearing and decision by court","url":"\/15.2-3526\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3526","metadata":false},{"id":81937,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3527","catch_line":"Assistance of state agencies","url":"\/15.2-3527\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3527","metadata":false},{"id":74300,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3528","catch_line":"Appeals","url":"\/15.2-3528\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3528","metadata":false},{"id":67012,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3529","catch_line":"Consolidation agreement generally; advisory committee; filing agreement and referendum petition with court","url":"\/15.2-3529\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3529","metadata":false},{"id":57135,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3530","catch_line":"Continuation of services of Department of Transportation after consolidation","url":"\/15.2-3530\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3530","metadata":false},{"id":66517,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3531","catch_line":"Voters' petition requesting consolidation agreement and referendum","url":"\/15.2-3531\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3531","metadata":false},{"id":80311,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3532","catch_line":"Required provisions of consolidation agreement","url":"\/15.2-3532\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3532","metadata":false},{"id":54885,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3533","catch_line":"Transfer of property and indebtedness","url":"\/15.2-3533\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3533","metadata":false},{"id":57984,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3534","catch_line":"Optional provisions of consolidation agreement","url":"\/15.2-3534\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3534","metadata":false},{"id":55792,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3535","catch_line":"Advertising of charter","url":"\/15.2-3535\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3535","metadata":false},{"id":58929,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3536","catch_line":"Charter for consolidated city","url":"\/15.2-3536\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3536","metadata":false},{"id":74992,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3537","catch_line":"Publication of consolidation agreement","url":"\/15.2-3537\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3537","metadata":false},{"id":57289,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3538","catch_line":"Order for election","url":"\/15.2-3538\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3538","metadata":false},{"id":76047,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3539","catch_line":"Conduct of election","url":"\/15.2-3539\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3539","metadata":false},{"id":87413,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3540","catch_line":"Result of elections; determination of form of government","url":"\/15.2-3540\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3540","metadata":false},{"id":85286,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3541","catch_line":"General effect of consolidation; officers","url":"\/15.2-3541\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3541","metadata":false},{"id":84944,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3542","catch_line":"Governing body to be elected and take office before effective date of consolidation in certain cases; powers","url":"\/15.2-3542\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3542","metadata":false},{"id":67281,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3543","catch_line":"Electoral board, general registrar and officers of election","url":"\/15.2-3543\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3543","metadata":false},{"id":54206,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3544","catch_line":"Effect on pending suits","url":"\/15.2-3544\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3544","metadata":false},{"id":66202,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3545","catch_line":"Effect on assembly districts","url":"\/15.2-3545\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3545","metadata":false},{"id":81817,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3546","catch_line":"Effect on jurisdiction of courts","url":"\/15.2-3546\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3546","metadata":false},{"id":60743,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3547","catch_line":"Consolidation of entire county requires no action of town council","url":"\/15.2-3547\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3547","metadata":false},{"id":82967,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3548","catch_line":"Effect on town charter","url":"\/15.2-3548\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3548","metadata":false},{"id":66812,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3549","catch_line":"Powers of a tier-city","url":"\/15.2-3549\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3549","metadata":false},{"id":77012,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3550","catch_line":"Effect of consolidation into single county; exceptions for tier-city","url":"\/15.2-3550\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3550","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":87413,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3540","catch_line":"Result of elections; determination of form of government","url":"\/15.2-3540\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3540","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":84944,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3542","catch_line":"Governing body to be elected and take office before effective date of consolidation in certain cases; powers","url":"\/15.2-3542\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3542","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-3541\/","history_text":"<p>The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 4 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 1979, chapter 85; in 1984, chapter 695; in 1997, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?971+ful+CHAP0587\">587<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":84944,"section_number":"15.2-3542","catch_line":"Governing body to be elected and take office before effective date of consolidation in certain cases; powers","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3542\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":57289,"section_number":"15.2-3538","catch_line":"Order for election","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3538\/"},{"id":76047,"section_number":"15.2-3539","catch_line":"Conduct of election","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3539\/"},{"id":87413,"section_number":"15.2-3540","catch_line":"Result of elections; determination of form of government","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3540\/"},{"id":82967,"section_number":"15.2-3548","catch_line":"Effect on town charter","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3548\/"}],"permalink":{"id":157437,"object_type":"law","relational_id":85286,"identifier":"15.2-3541","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3541","url":"\/15.2-3541\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-3541\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3541","dublin_core":{"Title":"General effect of consolidation; officers","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-3541","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>Upon the effective date of <span class=\"dictionary\">consolidation<\/span>, the localities so consolidated, other than the consolidated <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">city<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">town<\/span>, and other than townships as provided by \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Effect on town charter\" href=\"\/15.2-3548\/\">15.2-3548<\/a>, shall terminate, as shall the terms of office and the rights, powers, duties and compensation of the officers, agents and employees of each such <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span>, <span class=\"dictionary\">city<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">town<\/span>. When such agreement provides for <span class=\"dictionary\">consolidation<\/span> of the area into a <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">city<\/span>, or when such agreement provides for <span class=\"dictionary\">consolidation<\/span> of the area into a <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span> in which a tier-<span class=\"dictionary\">city<\/span> will exist, then the <span class=\"dictionary\">judge<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">judges<\/span> of the <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">courts<\/span> having <span class=\"dictionary\">jurisdiction<\/span> within the area comprised by the consolidated <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">city<\/span> shall <span class=\"dictionary\">order<\/span> an election to be held not less than thirty nor more than 185 days after the date upon which the <span class=\"dictionary\">referendum<\/span> provided for in \u00a7\u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Order for election\" href=\"\/15.2-3538\/\">15.2-3538<\/a>, <a class=\"law\" title=\"Conduct of election\" href=\"\/15.2-3539\/\">15.2-3539<\/a> and <a class=\"law\" title=\"Result of elections; determination of form of government\" href=\"\/15.2-3540\/\">15.2-3540<\/a> was held, but at least thirty days before the effective date of such <span class=\"dictionary\">consolidation<\/span> agreement, at which election officers for the new consolidated <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">city<\/span>, or for the new consolidated <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span> and tier-<span class=\"dictionary\">city<\/span> shall be elected.\n\t\tThe officers so elected shall take office upon the effective date of <span class=\"dictionary\">consolidation<\/span> and shall serve until their successors have been elected, qualified and taken office. Their successors shall be elected at the next regular election time for such officers as provided for by general <span class=\"dictionary\">law<\/span>.\n\t\tNo election required by this section or by \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Order for election\" href=\"\/15.2-3538\/\">15.2-3538<\/a> shall be held on the day of a primary election nor within the sixty days prior to a general or primary election. Should the final day by which either such election must be held fall within the sixty days prior to a general election, the required election must be held on the same day as the general election. Should such final day fall within the sixty days prior to a primary election, the required election must be held not less than thirty nor more than forty-five days after the primary election.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nGENERAL EFFECT OF CONSOLIDATION; OFFICERS (\u00a7 15.2-3541)\n\nUpon the effective date of consolidation, the localities so consolidated, other\nthan the consolidated county or city or town, and other than townships as\nprovided by \u00a7 15.2-3548, shall terminate, as shall the terms of office and the\nrights, powers, duties and compensation of the officers, agents and employees of\neach such county, city or town. When such agreement provides for consolidation\nof the area into a county or city, or when such agreement provides for\nconsolidation of the area into a county in which a tier-city will exist, then\nthe judge or judges of the court or courts having jurisdiction within the area\ncomprised by the consolidated county or city shall order an election to be held\nnot less than thirty nor more than 185 days after the date upon which the\nreferendum provided for in \u00a7\u00a7 15.2-3538, 15.2-3539 and 15.2-3540 was held, but\nat least thirty days before the effective date of such consolidation agreement,\nat which election officers for the new consolidated county or city, or for the\nnew consolidated county and tier-city shall be elected.\n\t\tThe officers so elected shall take office upon the effective date of\nconsolidation and shall serve until their successors have been elected,\nqualified and taken office. Their successors shall be elected at the next\nregular election time for such officers as provided for by general law.\n\t\tNo election required by this section or by \u00a7 15.2-3538 shall be held on the\nday of a primary election nor within the sixty days prior to a general or\nprimary election. Should the final day by which either such election must be\nheld fall within the sixty days prior to a general election, the required\nelection must be held on the same day as the general election. Should such final\nday fall within the sixty days prior to a primary election, the required\nelection must be held not less than thirty nor more than forty-five days after\nthe primary election.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 15-227; 1962, c. 623, \u00a7 15.1-1141; 1979, c. 85; 1984, c.\n695; 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}}