{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-3800.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-3800.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-3800.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-3800.html"}],"law_id":80368,"edition_id":1,"section_id":80368,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3800","catch_line":"Ordinance petitioning court for city status; appointment of special court","history":"1979, c. 85, \u00a7 15.1-982.1; 1997, c. 587.","full_text":"Any town, except a town located within a county or any portion of a county granted immunity as provided by Chapter 33 (\u00a7 15.2-3300 et seq.) from the incorporation of new cities within its boundaries, may, by ordinance passed by a recorded majority vote of all the members thereof, petition the circuit court for the county within which the town lies, alleging that the town meets the criteria set out in subsection A of \u00a7 15.2-3807, for an order granting city status to the town. The circuit court with which the petition is filed shall notify the Supreme Court, which shall appoint a special court to hear the case as prescribed by Chapter 30 (\u00a7 15.2-3000 et seq.) of this title.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":287866,"text":"Any town, except a town located within a county or any portion of a county granted immunity as provided by Chapter 33 (\u00a7 15.2-3300 et seq.) from the incorporation of new cities within its boundaries, may, by ordinance passed by a recorded majority vote of all the members thereof, petition the circuit court for the county within which the town lies, alleging that the town meets the criteria set out in subsection A of \u00a7 15.2-3807, for an order granting city status to the town. The circuit court with which the petition is filed shall notify the Supreme Court, which shall appoint a special court to hear the case as prescribed by Chapter 30 (\u00a7 15.2-3000 et seq.) of this title.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":13063,"edition_id":1,"name":"Transition of Towns to Cities","identifier":"38","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13062,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:12","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:12","permalink":{"id":157557,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13063,"identifier":"38","token":"15.2\/III\/38","url":"\/15.2\/III\/38\/","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":80368,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3800","catch_line":"Ordinance petitioning court for city status; appointment of special court","url":"\/15.2-3800\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3800","metadata":false},{"id":59085,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3801","catch_line":"Referendum","url":"\/15.2-3801\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3801","metadata":false},{"id":80173,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3802","catch_line":"Town and county agreement concerning proposed city","url":"\/15.2-3802\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3802","metadata":false},{"id":66107,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3803","catch_line":"Notice of motion; service and publication; answer or other pleading","url":"\/15.2-3803\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3803","metadata":false},{"id":84061,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3804","catch_line":"Parties","url":"\/15.2-3804\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3804","metadata":false},{"id":72646,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3805","catch_line":"Time limit for intervenors; publication of order","url":"\/15.2-3805\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3805","metadata":false},{"id":71867,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3806","catch_line":"Pretrial conference; matters considered","url":"\/15.2-3806\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3806","metadata":false},{"id":83950,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3807","catch_line":"Hearing and decision by court","url":"\/15.2-3807\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3807","metadata":false},{"id":67826,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3808","catch_line":"Assistance of state agencies","url":"\/15.2-3808\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3808","metadata":false},{"id":62141,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3809","catch_line":"Appeals","url":"\/15.2-3809\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3809","metadata":false},{"id":86663,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3810","catch_line":"Declining of grant of city status","url":"\/15.2-3810\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3810","metadata":false},{"id":68815,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3811","catch_line":"Proceeding final for three years","url":"\/15.2-3811\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3811","metadata":false},{"id":61530,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3812","catch_line":"Effect when town becomes city","url":"\/15.2-3812\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3812","metadata":false},{"id":70595,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3813","catch_line":"Town liabilities and assets","url":"\/15.2-3813\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3813","metadata":false},{"id":69704,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3814","catch_line":"Mayor of town to continue in office","url":"\/15.2-3814\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3814","metadata":false},{"id":59418,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3815","catch_line":"Council of town to continue in office; additional members","url":"\/15.2-3815\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3815","metadata":false},{"id":56370,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3816","catch_line":"Town treasurer to continue in office; appointment where town had no treasurer","url":"\/15.2-3816\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3816","metadata":false},{"id":87034,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3817","catch_line":"Commissioner of revenue or assessor to continue in office; appointment where town had no commissioner or assessor","url":"\/15.2-3817\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3817","metadata":false},{"id":74687,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3818","catch_line":"Town sergeant to continue in office","url":"\/15.2-3818\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3818","metadata":false},{"id":84553,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3819","catch_line":"Election and terms of office of mayor and councilmen after town becomes city","url":"\/15.2-3819\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3819","metadata":false},{"id":54116,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3820","catch_line":"Election and terms of other city officers","url":"\/15.2-3820\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3820","metadata":false},{"id":58702,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3821","catch_line":"Qualification of officers; vacancies","url":"\/15.2-3821\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3821","metadata":false},{"id":78502,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3822","catch_line":"Sharing of offices; transfer of jurisdiction","url":"\/15.2-3822\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3822","metadata":false},{"id":71166,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3823","catch_line":"Tenure and reelection of county officer whose homesite becomes part of city","url":"\/15.2-3823\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3823","metadata":false},{"id":66773,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3824","catch_line":"Town officers","url":"\/15.2-3824\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3824","metadata":false},{"id":71501,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3825","catch_line":"Courts","url":"\/15.2-3825\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3825","metadata":false},{"id":66417,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3826","catch_line":"Appointment of electoral board, sheriff, attorney for the Commonwealth and circuit court clerk","url":"\/15.2-3826\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3826","metadata":false},{"id":78169,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3827","catch_line":"Transfer of assessments to city books","url":"\/15.2-3827\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3827","metadata":false},{"id":61596,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3828","catch_line":"State, county and district taxes accruing before transition; county sales and use tax becomes city sales and use tax","url":"\/15.2-3828\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3828","metadata":false},{"id":61008,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3829","catch_line":"Assumption of debt; adjustment","url":"\/15.2-3829\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3829","metadata":false},{"id":69691,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3830","catch_line":"Certain costs and expenses to be apportioned between city and county","url":"\/15.2-3830\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3830","metadata":false},{"id":62813,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3831","catch_line":"Registrars and their duties","url":"\/15.2-3831\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3831","metadata":false},{"id":72807,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3832","catch_line":"Authority to city to provide by condemnation, etc., water, light, power and fuel","url":"\/15.2-3832\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3832","metadata":false},{"id":80329,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3833","catch_line":"Chapter not applicable to cities already existing","url":"\/15.2-3833\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3833","metadata":false},{"id":69864,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3834","catch_line":"Congressional, etc., districts and judicial circuit not changed","url":"\/15.2-3834\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3834","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":59085,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3801","catch_line":"Referendum","url":"\/15.2-3801\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3801","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-3800\/","history_text":"<p>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 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?971+ful+CHAP0587\">587<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":83819,"section_number":"15.2-1301","catch_line":"Voluntary economic growth-sharing agreements","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-1301\/"},{"id":67178,"section_number":"15.2-2316.2","catch_line":"Localities may provide for transfer of development rights","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-2316.2\/"},{"id":72089,"section_number":"15.2-2632","catch_line":"Certain debts that may be contracted by city on transition from town","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-2632\/"},{"id":85081,"section_number":"15.2-3000","catch_line":"Special court to hear certain cases","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3000\/"},{"id":79094,"section_number":"15.2-3301","catch_line":"Initiation of proceeding for declaration of immunity","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3301\/"},{"id":72866,"section_number":"15.2-3306","catch_line":"Limitations to immunity","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3306\/"},{"id":57984,"section_number":"15.2-3534","catch_line":"Optional provisions of consolidation agreement","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3534\/"},{"id":82967,"section_number":"15.2-3548","catch_line":"Effect on town charter","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3548\/"},{"id":59085,"section_number":"15.2-3801","catch_line":"Referendum","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3801\/"},{"id":63924,"section_number":"15.2-3916","catch_line":"Creation of townships; effect on town charters; right of certain townships to obtain city status","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3916\/"},{"id":79307,"section_number":"36-132.1","catch_line":"Commission on Local Government","order_by":null,"url":"\/36-132.1\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":85081,"section_number":"15.2-3000","catch_line":"Special court to hear certain cases","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3000\/"},{"id":63407,"section_number":"15.2-3300","catch_line":"Purposes of chapter","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3300\/"},{"id":83950,"section_number":"15.2-3807","catch_line":"Hearing and decision by court","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3807\/"}],"permalink":{"id":157559,"object_type":"law","relational_id":80368,"identifier":"15.2-3800","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3800","url":"\/15.2-3800\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-3800\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3800","dublin_core":{"Title":"Ordinance petitioning court for city status; appointment of special court","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-3800","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>Any <span class=\"dictionary\">town<\/span>, except a <span class=\"dictionary\">town<\/span> located within a <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span> or any portion of a <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span> granted immunity as provided by Chapter 33 (\u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Purposes of chapter\" href=\"\/15.2-3300\/\">15.2-3300<\/a> et seq.) from the incorporation of new cities within its boundaries, may, by <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinance<\/span> passed by a recorded majority vote of all the members thereof, <span class=\"dictionary\">petition<\/span> the <span class=\"dictionary\">circuit<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> for the <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span> within which the <span class=\"dictionary\">town<\/span> lies, alleging that the <span class=\"dictionary\">town<\/span> meets the criteria set out in subsection A of \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Hearing and decision by court\" href=\"\/15.2-3807\/\">15.2-3807<\/a>, for an <span class=\"dictionary\">order<\/span> granting <span class=\"dictionary\">city<\/span> status to the <span class=\"dictionary\">town<\/span>. The <span class=\"dictionary\">circuit<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> with which the <span class=\"dictionary\">petition<\/span> is filed shall notify the Supreme <span class=\"dictionary\">Court<\/span>, which shall appoint a special <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> to hear the case as prescribed by Chapter 30 (\u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Special court to hear certain cases\" href=\"\/15.2-3000\/\">15.2-3000<\/a> et seq.) of this title.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nORDINANCE PETITIONING COURT FOR CITY STATUS; APPOINTMENT OF SPECIAL COURT (\u00a7\n15.2-3800)\n\nAny town, except a town located within a county or any portion of a county\ngranted immunity as provided by Chapter 33 (\u00a7 15.2-3300 et seq.) from the\nincorporation of new cities within its boundaries, may, by ordinance passed by a\nrecorded majority vote of all the members thereof, petition the circuit court\nfor the county within which the town lies, alleging that the town meets the\ncriteria set out in subsection A of \u00a7 15.2-3807, for an order granting city\nstatus to the town. The circuit court with which the petition is filed shall\nnotify the Supreme Court, which shall appoint a special court to hear the case\nas prescribed by Chapter 30 (\u00a7 15.2-3000 et seq.) of this title.\n\nHISTORY: 1979, c. 85, \u00a7 15.1-982.1; 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}}