{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-3548.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-3548.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-3548.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-3548.html"}],"law_id":82967,"edition_id":1,"section_id":82967,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3548","catch_line":"Effect on town charter","history":"1979, c. 85, \u00a7 15.1-1146.1; 1997, c. 587; 2011, cc. 337, 349.","full_text":"A\n\nNotwithstanding any other provision of this article, any town located within or partially within a county proposing to consolidate with another county or city, or combination thereof, into a consolidated county and which is not a party to the consolidation agreement, shall continue as a town in the consolidated county.B\n\nNotwithstanding any other provision of this article, in the event a proposed consolidation of a county with another county or city into a consolidated city is approved by the voters as provided in § 15.2-3540, any town located within or partially within a county and not a party to the consolidation agreement shall continue as a township. The charter of such town shall become the charter of the township. Such townships established pursuant to this subsection shall continue to exercise such powers and elect such officers as the township charter may authorize and shall exercise such other powers as towns exercise under general law. However, no township shall exercise the powers granted towns by Chapter 38 (§ 15.2-3800 et seq.) or by Article 1 (§ 15.2-3200 et seq.) of Chapter 32, or any extraterritorial authority granted towns by Chapter 22 (§ 15.2-2200 et seq.), except that a township created as a result of a consolidation of a city and county subsequent to July 1, 2011, may institute proceedings for annexation pursuant to Article 1 (§ 15.2-3200 et seq.) of Chapter 32 if the consolidation agreement permits a township to exercise such authority. The consolidated city shall exercise such powers in the township as were exercised by the county in the town prior to consolidation. Townships shall receive from the Commonwealth financial assistance in the same manner and to the same extent as is provided towns. A township may transfer all or part of the revenues it receives, the services it performs, its facilities, other assets, and debts to the consolidated city by agreement of the governing bodies.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":297359,"text":"Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, any town located within or partially within a county proposing to consolidate with another county or city, or combination thereof, into a consolidated county and which is not a party to the consolidation agreement, shall continue as a town in the consolidated county.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":297360,"text":"Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, in the event a proposed consolidation of a county with another county or city into a consolidated city is approved by the voters as provided in § 15.2-3540, any town located within or partially within a county and not a party to the consolidation agreement shall continue as a township. The charter of such town shall become the charter of the township. Such townships established pursuant to this subsection shall continue to exercise such powers and elect such officers as the township charter may authorize and shall exercise such other powers as towns exercise under general law. However, no township shall exercise the powers granted towns by Chapter 38 (§ 15.2-3800 et seq.) or by Article 1 (§ 15.2-3200 et seq.) of Chapter 32, or any extraterritorial authority granted towns by Chapter 22 (§ 15.2-2200 et seq.), except that a township created as a result of a consolidation of a city and county subsequent to July 1, 2011, may institute proceedings for annexation pursuant to Article 1 (§ 15.2-3200 et seq.) of Chapter 32 if the consolidation agreement permits a township to exercise such authority. The consolidated city shall exercise such powers in the township as were exercised by the county in the town prior to consolidation. Townships shall receive from the Commonwealth financial assistance in the same manner and to the same extent as is provided towns. A township may transfer all or part of the revenues it receives, the services it performs, its facilities, other assets, and debts to the consolidated city by agreement of the governing bodies.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A"}},"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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-3548\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1979. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 85 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 1979 \u201cActs\u201d aren\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 1997, chapter 587<\/a>; in 2011, chapters 337<\/a> and 349<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":85286,"section_number":"15.2-3541","catch_line":"General effect of consolidation; officers","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3541\/"},{"id":77012,"section_number":"15.2-3550","catch_line":"Effect of consolidation into single county; exceptions for tier-city","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3550\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":67218,"section_number":"15.2-2200","catch_line":"Declaration of legislative intent","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-2200\/"},{"id":55382,"section_number":"15.2-3200","catch_line":"Boundaries of cities and towns to remain as established until changed","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3200\/"},{"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":80368,"section_number":"15.2-3800","catch_line":"Ordinance petitioning court for city status; appointment of special court","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3800\/"}],"permalink":{"id":157465,"object_type":"law","relational_id":82967,"identifier":"15.2-3548","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3548","url":"\/15.2-3548\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-3548\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3548","dublin_core":{"Title":"Effect on town charter","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-3548","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, any town<\/span> located within or partially within a county<\/span> proposing to consolidate with another county<\/span> or city<\/span>, or combination thereof, into a consolidated county<\/span> and which is not a party<\/span> to the consolidation<\/span> agreement, shall continue as a town<\/span> in the consolidated county<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, in the event a proposed consolidation<\/span> of a county<\/span> with another county<\/span> or city<\/span> into a consolidated city<\/span> is approved by the voters<\/span> as provided in § 15.2-3540<\/a>, any town<\/span> located within or partially within a county<\/span> and not a party<\/span> to the consolidation<\/span> agreement shall continue as a township. The charter of such town<\/span> shall become the charter of the township. Such townships established pursuant to this subsection shall continue to exercise such powers and elect such officers as the township charter may authorize and shall exercise such other powers as towns<\/span> exercise under general law<\/span>. However, no township shall exercise the powers granted towns<\/span> by Chapter 38 (§ 15.2-3800<\/a> et seq.) or by Article 1 (§ 15.2-3200<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 32, or any extraterritorial authority granted towns<\/span> by Chapter 22 (§ 15.2-2200<\/a> et seq.), except that a township created as a result of a consolidation<\/span> of a city<\/span> and county<\/span> subsequent to July 1, 2011, may institute proceedings for annexation pursuant to Article 1 (§ 15.2-3200<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 32 if the consolidation<\/span> agreement permits a township to exercise such authority. The consolidated city<\/span> shall exercise such powers in the township as were exercised by the county<\/span> in the town<\/span> prior to consolidation<\/span>. Townships shall receive from the Commonwealth financial assistance in the same manner and to the same extent as is provided towns<\/span>. A township may transfer all or part of the revenues it receives, the services it performs, its facilities, other assets<\/span>, and debts to the consolidated city<\/span> by agreement of the governing bodies. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nEFFECT ON TOWN CHARTER (\u00a7 15.2-3548)\n\nA. Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, any town located within\nor partially within a county proposing to consolidate with another county or\ncity, or combination thereof, into a consolidated county and which is not a\nparty to the consolidation agreement, shall continue as a town in the\nconsolidated county.\n\nB. Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, in the event a proposed\nconsolidation of a county with another county or city into a consolidated city\nis approved by the voters as provided in § 15.2-3540, any town located\nwithin or partially within a county and not a party to the consolidation\nagreement shall continue as a township. The charter of such town shall become\nthe charter of the township. Such townships established pursuant to this\nsubsection shall continue to exercise such powers and elect such officers as the\ntownship charter may authorize and shall exercise such other powers as towns\nexercise under general law. However, no township shall exercise the powers\ngranted towns by Chapter 38 (§ 15.2-3800 et seq.) or by Article 1 (§\n15.2-3200 et seq.) of Chapter 32, or any extraterritorial authority granted\ntowns by Chapter 22 (§ 15.2-2200 et seq.), except that a township created\nas a result of a consolidation of a city and county subsequent to July 1, 2011,\nmay institute proceedings for annexation pursuant to Article 1 (§ 15.2-3200\net seq.) of Chapter 32 if the consolidation agreement permits a township to\nexercise such authority. The consolidated city shall exercise such powers in the\ntownship as were exercised by the county in the town prior to consolidation.\nTownships shall receive from the Commonwealth financial assistance in the same\nmanner and to the same extent as is provided towns. A township may transfer all\nor part of the revenues it receives, the services it performs, its facilities,\nother assets, and debts to the consolidated city by agreement of the governing\nbodies.\n\nHISTORY: 1979, c. 85, \u00a7 15.1-1146.1; 1997, c. 587; 2011, cc. 337, 349.","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}}