{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-3550.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-3550.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-3550.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-3550.html"}],"law_id":77012,"edition_id":1,"section_id":77012,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3550","catch_line":"Effect of consolidation into single county; exceptions for tier-city","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 15-231.2; 1962, c. 623, \u00a7 15.1-1147; 1975, c. 214; 1979, c. 85; 1984, c. 695; 1997, c. 587.","full_text":"If the consolidation agreement provides for the consolidation of counties, cities and towns or any of them into a single county, and such agreement is approved by a majority of the voters voting in the election provided for in this article, then the existence of such localities as governmental entities of the Commonwealth shall cease, except as to towns continued under the provisions of \u00a7 15.2-3548. The governmental powers and functions of the consolidated governmental entities shall be transferred to the county therein provided for, except as herein otherwise set forth. The streets of the former cities and towns shall become and remain a part of the primary state highway system unless otherwise provided in the consolidation agreement. All property, real and personal, of each such county, city or town shall be transferred to and vested in such consolidated county, except as may be otherwise provided for in the consolidation agreement providing for the establishment of a tier-city. All suits or actions or causes of action pending by or against any such county, city or town shall continue to exist and may be brought or continued by or against such consolidated county, except as may be otherwise provided for in the consolidation agreement providing for the establishment of a tier-city.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":276371,"text":"If the consolidation agreement provides for the consolidation of counties, cities and towns or any of them into a single county, and such agreement is approved by a majority of the voters voting in the election provided for in this article, then the existence of such localities as governmental entities of the Commonwealth shall cease, except as to towns continued under the provisions of \u00a7 15.2-3548. The governmental powers and functions of the consolidated governmental entities shall be transferred to the county therein provided for, except as herein otherwise set forth. The streets of the former cities and towns shall become and remain a part of the primary state highway system unless otherwise provided in the consolidation agreement. All property, real and personal, of each such county, city or town shall be transferred to and vested in such consolidated county, except as may be otherwise provided for in the consolidation agreement providing for the establishment of a tier-city. All suits or actions or causes of action pending by or against any such county, city or town shall continue to exist and may be brought or continued by or against such consolidated county, except as may be otherwise provided for in the consolidation agreement providing for the establishment of a tier-city.","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":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\/15.2-3550\/","history_text":"<p>The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 5 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 1975, chapter 214; 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":false,"refers_to":[{"id":82967,"section_number":"15.2-3548","catch_line":"Effect on town charter","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3548\/"}],"permalink":{"id":157473,"object_type":"law","relational_id":77012,"identifier":"15.2-3550","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3550","url":"\/15.2-3550\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-3550\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3550","dublin_core":{"Title":"Effect of consolidation into single county; exceptions for tier-city","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-3550","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>If the <span class=\"dictionary\">consolidation<\/span> agreement provides for the <span class=\"dictionary\">consolidation<\/span> of counties, cities and <span class=\"dictionary\">towns<\/span> or any of them into a single <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span>, and such agreement is approved by a majority of the <span class=\"dictionary\">voters<\/span> voting in the election provided for in this article, then the existence of such localities as governmental entities of the Commonwealth shall cease, except as to <span class=\"dictionary\">towns<\/span> continued under the provisions of \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Effect on town charter\" href=\"\/15.2-3548\/\">15.2-3548<\/a>. The governmental powers and functions of the consolidated governmental entities shall be transferred to the <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span> therein provided for, except as herein otherwise set forth. The streets of the former cities and <span class=\"dictionary\">towns<\/span> shall become and remain a part of the primary state highway system unless otherwise provided in the <span class=\"dictionary\">consolidation<\/span> agreement. All property, real and personal, of each such <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span>, <span class=\"dictionary\">city<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">town<\/span> shall be transferred to and vested in such consolidated <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span>, except as may be otherwise provided for in the <span class=\"dictionary\">consolidation<\/span> agreement providing for the establishment of a tier-<span class=\"dictionary\">city<\/span>. All suits or actions or causes of action pending by or against any such <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span>, <span class=\"dictionary\">city<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">town<\/span> shall continue to exist and may be brought or continued by or against such consolidated <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span>, except as may be otherwise provided for in the <span class=\"dictionary\">consolidation<\/span> agreement providing for the establishment of a tier-<span class=\"dictionary\">city<\/span>.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nEFFECT OF CONSOLIDATION INTO SINGLE COUNTY; EXCEPTIONS FOR TIER-CITY (\u00a7\n15.2-3550)\n\nIf the consolidation agreement provides for the consolidation of counties,\ncities and towns or any of them into a single county, and such agreement is\napproved by a majority of the voters voting in the election provided for in this\narticle, then the existence of such localities as governmental entities of the\nCommonwealth shall cease, except as to towns continued under the provisions of\n\u00a7 15.2-3548. The governmental powers and functions of the consolidated\ngovernmental entities shall be transferred to the county therein provided for,\nexcept as herein otherwise set forth. The streets of the former cities and towns\nshall become and remain a part of the primary state highway system unless\notherwise provided in the consolidation agreement. All property, real and\npersonal, of each such county, city or town shall be transferred to and vested\nin such consolidated county, except as may be otherwise provided for in the\nconsolidation agreement providing for the establishment of a tier-city. All\nsuits or actions or causes of action pending by or against any such county, city\nor town shall continue to exist and may be brought or continued by or against\nsuch consolidated county, except as may be otherwise provided for in the\nconsolidation agreement providing for the establishment of a tier-city.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 15-231.2; 1962, c. 623, \u00a7 15.1-1147; 1975, c. 214; 1979,\nc. 85; 1984, c. 695; 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}}