{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-3916.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-3916.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-3916.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-3916.html"}],"law_id":63924,"edition_id":1,"section_id":63924,"structure_id":13977,"section_number":"15.2-3916","catch_line":"Creation of townships; effect on town charters; right of certain townships to obtain city status","history":"1979, c. 85, \u00a7 15.1-977.17; 1997, c. 587.","full_text":"A\n\nEach town located within any county which becomes a city pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall automatically continue as a township within the city, and the charter of each such town shall become the charter of the township with the law governing the relationship of the town to the county continuing in effect. Such townships established pursuant to this subsection shall continue to exercise such powers and elect such officers as the township charter may authorize and such other powers as the former town previously exercised under general law. However, no township shall exercise the authority granted towns by Chapter 38 (§ 15.2-3800 et seq.) of this title or by Article 1 (§ 15.2-3200 et seq.) of Chapter 32 of this title, or any extraterritorial authority granted towns by Chapter 22 (§ 15.2-2200 et seq.) of this title. Townships shall receive from the Commonwealth financial assistance in the same manner and to the same extent as is provided towns. However, a township may transfer all or part of the revenues it receives, the services it performs, its facilities, other assets, and debts to the city by agreement of the governing bodies.B\n\nNotwithstanding the provisions of subsection A of this section, any town which in 1979 possessed a population in excess of 5,000 persons and was situated within a county possessing a population of 20,000 or more persons and a density of population of 300 or more persons per square mile, or a minimum population of 50,000 persons and a density of population of at least 140 persons per square mile, based on the United States census, on population estimates of the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service of the University of Virginia, or on a special census conducted under court supervision, shall retain as a township the right to obtain city status. Where such township seeks to become a city under the authority granted by this subsection and in accordance with § 15.2-3801 et seq., the special court shall be limited in its review, as provided in § 15.2-3809, to a determination of the township’s population and population density. Where the court determines that such township has a population of at least 5,000 persons and a density of at least 200 persons per square mile, it shall enter an order granting the township city status.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":232809,"text":"Each town located within any county which becomes a city pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall automatically continue as a township within the city, and the charter of each such town shall become the charter of the township with the law governing the relationship of the town to the county continuing in effect. Such townships established pursuant to this subsection shall continue to exercise such powers and elect such officers as the township charter may authorize and such other powers as the former town previously exercised under general law. However, no township shall exercise the authority granted towns by Chapter 38 (§ 15.2-3800 et seq.) of this title or by Article 1 (§ 15.2-3200 et seq.) of Chapter 32 of this title, or any extraterritorial authority granted towns by Chapter 22 (§ 15.2-2200 et seq.) of this title. Townships shall receive from the Commonwealth financial assistance in the same manner and to the same extent as is provided towns. However, a township may transfer all or part of the revenues it receives, the services it performs, its facilities, other assets, and debts to the city by agreement of the governing bodies.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":232810,"text":"Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A of this section, any town which in 1979 possessed a population in excess of 5,000 persons and was situated within a county possessing a population of 20,000 or more persons and a density of population of 300 or more persons per square mile, or a minimum population of 50,000 persons and a density of population of at least 140 persons per square mile, based on the United States census, on population estimates of the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service of the University of Virginia, or on a special census conducted under court supervision, shall retain as a township the right to obtain city status. Where such township seeks to become a city under the authority granted by this subsection and in accordance with § 15.2-3801 et seq., the special court shall be limited in its review, as provided in § 15.2-3809, to a determination of the township’s population and population density. Where the court determines that such township has a population of at least 5,000 persons and a density of at least 200 persons per square mile, it shall enter an order granting the township city status.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13977,"edition_id":1,"name":"Transition of Counties to Cities","identifier":"39","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13062,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:29","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:29","permalink":{"id":157699,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13977,"identifier":"39","token":"15.2\/III\/39","url":"\/15.2\/III\/39\/","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":78407,"structure_id":13977,"section_number":"15.2-3900","catch_line":"Transition authorized","url":"\/15.2-3900\/","token":"15.2\/III\/39\/15.2-3900","metadata":false},{"id":76616,"structure_id":13977,"section_number":"15.2-3901","catch_line":"Ordinance petitioning court to declare eligibility","url":"\/15.2-3901\/","token":"15.2\/III\/39\/15.2-3901","metadata":false},{"id":61945,"structure_id":13977,"section_number":"15.2-3902","catch_line":"Moratorium on annexation suits pending transition to city","url":"\/15.2-3902\/","token":"15.2\/III\/39\/15.2-3902","metadata":false},{"id":80983,"structure_id":13977,"section_number":"15.2-3903","catch_line":"Notice of motion; service and publication; answer","url":"\/15.2-3903\/","token":"15.2\/III\/39\/15.2-3903","metadata":false},{"id":70128,"structure_id":13977,"section_number":"15.2-3904","catch_line":"Parties","url":"\/15.2-3904\/","token":"15.2\/III\/39\/15.2-3904","metadata":false},{"id":78965,"structure_id":13977,"section_number":"15.2-3905","catch_line":"Time limit for intervenors; publication of order","url":"\/15.2-3905\/","token":"15.2\/III\/39\/15.2-3905","metadata":false},{"id":55673,"structure_id":13977,"section_number":"15.2-3906","catch_line":"Pretrial conference; matters considered","url":"\/15.2-3906\/","token":"15.2\/III\/39\/15.2-3906","metadata":false},{"id":61723,"structure_id":13977,"section_number":"15.2-3907","catch_line":"Hearing and decision by court","url":"\/15.2-3907\/","token":"15.2\/III\/39\/15.2-3907","metadata":false},{"id":72364,"structure_id":13977,"section_number":"15.2-3908","catch_line":"Assistance of state agencies","url":"\/15.2-3908\/","token":"15.2\/III\/39\/15.2-3908","metadata":false},{"id":55978,"structure_id":13977,"section_number":"15.2-3909","catch_line":"Appeals","url":"\/15.2-3909\/","token":"15.2\/III\/39\/15.2-3909","metadata":false},{"id":62362,"structure_id":13977,"section_number":"15.2-3910","catch_line":"Charter commission; appointment; compensation","url":"\/15.2-3910\/","token":"15.2\/III\/39\/15.2-3910","metadata":false},{"id":76353,"structure_id":13977,"section_number":"15.2-3911","catch_line":"Charter provisions generally","url":"\/15.2-3911\/","token":"15.2\/III\/39\/15.2-3911","metadata":false},{"id":67433,"structure_id":13977,"section_number":"15.2-3912","catch_line":"Optional charter provisions","url":"\/15.2-3912\/","token":"15.2\/III\/39\/15.2-3912","metadata":false},{"id":79171,"structure_id":13977,"section_number":"15.2-3913","catch_line":"Public hearing on charter; notice and publication; adoption of charter by governing body","url":"\/15.2-3913\/","token":"15.2\/III\/39\/15.2-3913","metadata":false},{"id":61609,"structure_id":13977,"section_number":"15.2-3914","catch_line":"Rejection or adoption of charter at election","url":"\/15.2-3914\/","token":"15.2\/III\/39\/15.2-3914","metadata":false},{"id":84387,"structure_id":13977,"section_number":"15.2-3915","catch_line":"Transition of county to independent city requires no action of town council","url":"\/15.2-3915\/","token":"15.2\/III\/39\/15.2-3915","metadata":false},{"id":63924,"structure_id":13977,"section_number":"15.2-3916","catch_line":"Creation of townships; effect on town charters; right of certain townships to obtain city status","url":"\/15.2-3916\/","token":"15.2\/III\/39\/15.2-3916","metadata":false},{"id":55047,"structure_id":13977,"section_number":"15.2-3917","catch_line":"Certain cities not affected by chapter","url":"\/15.2-3917\/","token":"15.2\/III\/39\/15.2-3917","metadata":false},{"id":79729,"structure_id":13977,"section_number":"15.2-3918","catch_line":"Optional status of streets","url":"\/15.2-3918\/","token":"15.2\/III\/39\/15.2-3918","metadata":false},{"id":78203,"structure_id":13977,"section_number":"15.2-3919","catch_line":"Legislative, etc., district and judicial circuit not affected","url":"\/15.2-3919\/","token":"15.2\/III\/39\/15.2-3919","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":84387,"structure_id":13977,"section_number":"15.2-3915","catch_line":"Transition of county to independent city requires no action of town council","url":"\/15.2-3915\/","token":"15.2\/III\/39\/15.2-3915","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":55047,"structure_id":13977,"section_number":"15.2-3917","catch_line":"Certain cities not affected by chapter","url":"\/15.2-3917\/","token":"15.2\/III\/39\/15.2-3917","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-3916\/","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 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 587<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":76353,"section_number":"15.2-3911","catch_line":"Charter provisions generally","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3911\/"}],"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":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\/"},{"id":59085,"section_number":"15.2-3801","catch_line":"Referendum","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3801\/"},{"id":62141,"section_number":"15.2-3809","catch_line":"Appeals","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3809\/"}],"permalink":{"id":157765,"object_type":"law","relational_id":63924,"identifier":"15.2-3916","token":"15.2\/III\/39\/15.2-3916","url":"\/15.2-3916\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-3916\/","token":"15.2\/III\/39\/15.2-3916","dublin_core":{"Title":"Creation of townships; effect on town charters; right of certain townships to obtain city status","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-3916","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Each town<\/span> located within any county<\/span> which becomes a city<\/span> pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall automatically continue as a township within the city<\/span>, and the charter of each such town<\/span> shall become the charter of the township with the law<\/span> governing the relationship of the town<\/span> to the county<\/span> continuing in effect. Such townships established pursuant to this subsection shall continue to exercise such powers and elect such officers as the township charter may authorize and such other powers as the former town<\/span> previously exercised under general law<\/span>. However, no township shall exercise the authority granted towns<\/span> by Chapter 38 (§ 15.2-3800<\/a> et seq.) of this title or by Article 1 (§ 15.2-3200<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 32 of this title, or any extraterritorial authority granted towns<\/span> by Chapter 22 (§ 15.2-2200<\/a> et seq.) of this title. Townships shall receive from the Commonwealth financial assistance in the same manner and to the same extent as is provided towns<\/span>. However, 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 city<\/span> by agreement of the governing bodies. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A of this section, any town<\/span> which in 1979 possessed a population in excess of 5,000 persons and was situated within a county<\/span> possessing a population of 20,000 or more persons and a density of population of 300 or more persons per square mile, or a minimum population of 50,000 persons and a density of population of at least 140 persons per square mile, based on the United States census, on population estimates of the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service of the University of Virginia, or on a special census conducted under court<\/span> supervision, shall retain as a township the right to obtain city<\/span> status. Where such township seeks to become a city<\/span> under the authority granted by this subsection and in accordance with § 15.2-3801<\/a> et seq., the special court<\/span> shall be limited in its review, as provided in § 15.2-3809<\/a>, to a determination of the township’s population and population density. Where the court<\/span> determines that such township has a population of at least 5,000 persons and a density of at least 200 persons per square mile, it shall enter an order<\/span> granting the township city<\/span> status. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCREATION OF TOWNSHIPS; EFFECT ON TOWN CHARTERS; RIGHT OF CERTAIN TOWNSHIPS TO\nOBTAIN CITY STATUS (\u00a7 15.2-3916)\n\nA. Each town located within any county which becomes a city pursuant to the\nprovisions of this chapter shall automatically continue as a township within the\ncity, and the charter of each such town shall become the charter of the township\nwith the law governing the relationship of the town to the county continuing in\neffect. Such townships established pursuant to this subsection shall continue to\nexercise such powers and elect such officers as the township charter may\nauthorize and such other powers as the former town previously exercised under\ngeneral law. However, no township shall exercise the authority granted towns by\nChapter 38 (§ 15.2-3800 et seq.) of this title or by Article 1 (§\n15.2-3200 et seq.) of Chapter 32 of this title, or any extraterritorial\nauthority granted towns by Chapter 22 (§ 15.2-2200 et seq.) of this title.\nTownships shall receive from the Commonwealth financial assistance in the same\nmanner and to the same extent as is provided towns. However, a township may\ntransfer all or part of the revenues it receives, the services it performs, its\nfacilities, other assets, and debts to the city by agreement of the governing\nbodies.\n\nB. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A of this section, any town\nwhich in 1979 possessed a population in excess of 5,000 persons and was situated\nwithin a county possessing a population of 20,000 or more persons and a density\nof population of 300 or more persons per square mile, or a minimum population of\n50,000 persons and a density of population of at least 140 persons per square\nmile, based on the United States census, on population estimates of the Weldon\nCooper Center for Public Service of the University of Virginia, or on a special\ncensus conducted under court supervision, shall retain as a township the right\nto obtain city status. Where such township seeks to become a city under the\nauthority granted by this subsection and in accordance with § 15.2-3801 et\nseq., the special court shall be limited in its review, as provided in §\n15.2-3809, to a determination of the township’s population and population\ndensity. Where the court determines that such township has a population of at\nleast 5,000 persons and a density of at least 200 persons per square mile, it\nshall enter an order granting the township city status.\n\nHISTORY: 1979, c. 85, \u00a7 15.1-977.17; 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}}