{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-4203.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-4203.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-4203.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-4203.html"}],"law_id":71788,"edition_id":1,"section_id":71788,"structure_id":15334,"section_number":"15.2-4203","catch_line":"Organization of planning district commission","history":"1968, c. 224, \u00a7 15.1-1403; 1970, cc. 303, 703; 1972, c. 595; 1973, c. 176; 1982, c. 660; 1989, c. 49; 1993, c. 838; 1995, cc. 732, 796; 1997, c. 587; 1998, cc. 668, 686; 2000, c. 984; 2005, c. 819; 2017, c. 377.","full_text":"A\n\nAt any time after the establishment of the geographic boundaries of a planning district, the localities or Indian tribes embracing at least 45 percent of the population within the district acting by their governing bodies may organize a planning district commission by written agreement. Any locality not a party to such charter agreement shall continue as a part of the planning district, but, until such time as such locality elects to become a part of the planning district commission as hereinafter provided, shall not be represented in the composition of the membership of the planning district commission. Any Indian tribe (i) whose land is located within the boundaries of the planning district and (ii) that is not a party to such charter agreement may elect to become part of the planning district commission at any time after its formation, and may negotiate the terms of such membership with the planning district commission. Whenever a planning district is created which contains only two counties, the governing body of either county may organize a planning district commission in accordance with the provisions of this chapter if the governing body of the other county does not agree to organize such a planning district commission.B\n\nThe charter agreement shall set forth:1\n\nThe name of the planning district. An entity organized as a planning district commission under this act may employ the name “regional council” or “regional commission” as a substitute for the name “planning district commission.”2\n\nThe locality in which its principal office shall be situated.3\n\nThe effective date of the organization of the planning district commission.4\n\nThe composition of the membership of the planning district commission. At least a majority of its members shall be elected officials of the governing bodies of the localities within the district, or members of the General Assembly, with each county, city and town of more than 3,500 population having at least one representative. In any planning district other than planning district number 23, a town of 3,500 or less population may petition the planning district commission to be represented thereon. The planning district commission may, in its discretion, grant representation to such town by a majority vote of the members of the commission. Other members shall be qualified voters and residents of the district. In planning districts number 4 and 14, the membership may also include representatives of higher education institutions. Should the charter agreement, as adopted, so provide, an alternate may serve in lieu of one of the elected officials of each of the governing bodies of the participating localities.5\n\nThe term of office of the members, their method of selection or removal and the method for the selection and the term of office of a chairman.6\n\nThe voting rights of members. Such voting rights need not be equal and may be weighed on the basis of the population of the locality represented by the member, the aggregation of the voting rights of members representing one locality, or otherwise.7\n\nThe procedure for amendment, for addition of other localities within the planning district which are not parties to the original charter agreement, and the withdrawal from the charter agreement by localities within the planning district electing to do so.C\n\nThe governing body of any locality which is a member of the planning district commission may provide for compensation to be paid by it for its commission members, except for any full-time salaried employees of the locality. The amount of such compensation shall not exceed the amount fixed by the planning district commission.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":258624,"text":"At any time after the establishment of the geographic boundaries of a planning district, the localities or Indian tribes embracing at least 45 percent of the population within the district acting by their governing bodies may organize a planning district commission by written agreement. Any locality not a party to such charter agreement shall continue as a part of the planning district, but, until such time as such locality elects to become a part of the planning district commission as hereinafter provided, shall not be represented in the composition of the membership of the planning district commission. Any Indian tribe (i) whose land is located within the boundaries of the planning district and (ii) that is not a party to such charter agreement may elect to become part of the planning district commission at any time after its formation, and may negotiate the terms of such membership with the planning district commission. Whenever a planning district is created which contains only two counties, the governing body of either county may organize a planning district commission in accordance with the provisions of this chapter if the governing body of the other county does not agree to organize such a planning district commission.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":258625,"text":"The charter agreement shall set forth:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B1"},"2":{"id":258626,"text":"The name of the planning district. An entity organized as a planning district commission under this act may employ the name “regional council” or “regional commission” as a substitute for the name “planning district commission.”","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"3":{"id":258627,"text":"The locality in which its principal office shall be situated.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"B3"},"4":{"id":258628,"text":"The effective date of the organization of the planning district commission.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"B3","prefix_anchor":"B3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"B4"},"5":{"id":258629,"text":"The composition of the membership of the planning district commission. At least a majority of its members shall be elected officials of the governing bodies of the localities within the district, or members of the General Assembly, with each county, city and town of more than 3,500 population having at least one representative. In any planning district other than planning district number 23, a town of 3,500 or less population may petition the planning district commission to be represented thereon. The planning district commission may, in its discretion, grant representation to such town by a majority vote of the members of the commission. Other members shall be qualified voters and residents of the district. In planning districts number 4 and 14, the membership may also include representatives of higher education institutions. Should the charter agreement, as adopted, so provide, an alternate may serve in lieu of one of the elected officials of each of the governing bodies of the participating localities.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"B4","prefix_anchor":"B4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B3","next_prefix":"B5"},"6":{"id":258630,"text":"The term of office of the members, their method of selection or removal and the method for the selection and the term of office of a chairman.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"B5","prefix_anchor":"B5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B4","next_prefix":"B6"},"7":{"id":258631,"text":"The voting rights of members. Such voting rights need not be equal and may be weighed on the basis of the population of the locality represented by the member, the aggregation of the voting rights of members representing one locality, or otherwise.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"B6","prefix_anchor":"B6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B5","next_prefix":"B7"},"8":{"id":258632,"text":"The procedure for amendment, for addition of other localities within the planning district which are not parties to the original charter agreement, and the withdrawal from the charter agreement by localities within the planning district electing to do so.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"B7","prefix_anchor":"B7","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B6","next_prefix":"C"},"9":{"id":258633,"text":"The governing body of any locality which is a member of the planning district commission may provide for compensation to be paid by it for its commission members, except for any full-time salaried employees of the locality. The amount of such compensation shall not exceed the amount fixed by the planning district commission.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B7"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15334,"edition_id":1,"name":"Regional Cooperation Act","identifier":"42","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12721,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:54:02","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:54:02","permalink":{"id":157899,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15334,"identifier":"42","token":"15.2\/IV\/42","url":"\/15.2\/IV\/42\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12721,"edition_id":1,"name":"Other Governmental Entities","identifier":"IV","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12720,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":157897,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12721,"identifier":"IV","token":"15.2\/IV","url":"\/15.2\/IV\/","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":58779,"structure_id":15334,"section_number":"15.2-4200","catch_line":"Short title","url":"\/15.2-4200\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/42\/15.2-4200","metadata":false},{"id":68634,"structure_id":15334,"section_number":"15.2-4201","catch_line":"Purpose of chapter","url":"\/15.2-4201\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/42\/15.2-4201","metadata":false},{"id":58368,"structure_id":15334,"section_number":"15.2-4202","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/15.2-4202\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/42\/15.2-4202","metadata":false},{"id":71788,"structure_id":15334,"section_number":"15.2-4203","catch_line":"Organization of planning district commission","url":"\/15.2-4203\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/42\/15.2-4203","metadata":false},{"id":66538,"structure_id":15334,"section_number":"15.2-4204","catch_line":"Disposition of earnings and assets of planning district commissions","url":"\/15.2-4204\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/42\/15.2-4204","metadata":false},{"id":70761,"structure_id":15334,"section_number":"15.2-4205","catch_line":"Powers of commission generally","url":"\/15.2-4205\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/42\/15.2-4205","metadata":false},{"id":64020,"structure_id":15334,"section_number":"15.2-4206","catch_line":"Additional powers of planning district commissions","url":"\/15.2-4206\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/42\/15.2-4206","metadata":false},{"id":86408,"structure_id":15334,"section_number":"15.2-4207","catch_line":"Purposes of commission","url":"\/15.2-4207\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/42\/15.2-4207","metadata":false},{"id":73451,"structure_id":15334,"section_number":"15.2-4208","catch_line":"General duties of planning district commissions","url":"\/15.2-4208\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/42\/15.2-4208","metadata":false},{"id":73965,"structure_id":15334,"section_number":"15.2-4209","catch_line":"Preparation and adoption of regional strategic plan","url":"\/15.2-4209\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/42\/15.2-4209","metadata":false},{"id":67641,"structure_id":15334,"section_number":"15.2-4210","catch_line":"Commission to act only in conformity with regional strategic plan","url":"\/15.2-4210\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/42\/15.2-4210","metadata":false},{"id":63747,"structure_id":15334,"section_number":"15.2-4211","catch_line":"Amendment of regional strategic plan","url":"\/15.2-4211\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/42\/15.2-4211","metadata":false},{"id":62612,"structure_id":15334,"section_number":"15.2-4212","catch_line":"Review of regional strategic plan by commission","url":"\/15.2-4212\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/42\/15.2-4212","metadata":false},{"id":70486,"structure_id":15334,"section_number":"15.2-4213","catch_line":"Commission to be informed of applications for state or federal aid by local governing bodies","url":"\/15.2-4213\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/42\/15.2-4213","metadata":false},{"id":69709,"structure_id":15334,"section_number":"15.2-4214","catch_line":"Cooperation and consultation with other agencies","url":"\/15.2-4214\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/42\/15.2-4214","metadata":false},{"id":81652,"structure_id":15334,"section_number":"15.2-4215","catch_line":"Annual report required","url":"\/15.2-4215\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/42\/15.2-4215","metadata":false},{"id":73566,"structure_id":15334,"section_number":"15.2-4216","catch_line":"State aid","url":"\/15.2-4216\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/42\/15.2-4216","metadata":false},{"id":60536,"structure_id":15334,"section_number":"15.2-4217","catch_line":"Regional Cooperation Incentive Fund created; administration thereof","url":"\/15.2-4217\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/42\/15.2-4217","metadata":false},{"id":61716,"structure_id":15334,"section_number":"15.2-4217.1","catch_line":"Specialized Transportation Incentive Fund","url":"\/15.2-4217.1\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/42\/15.2-4217.1","metadata":false},{"id":76668,"structure_id":15334,"section_number":"15.2-4218","catch_line":"Local governing bodies authorized to appropriate or lend funds","url":"\/15.2-4218\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/42\/15.2-4218","metadata":false},{"id":62810,"structure_id":15334,"section_number":"15.2-4219","catch_line":"Exemption of commission from taxation","url":"\/15.2-4219\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/42\/15.2-4219","metadata":false},{"id":76315,"structure_id":15334,"section_number":"15.2-4220","catch_line":"Dual membership authorized","url":"\/15.2-4220\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/42\/15.2-4220","metadata":false},{"id":78768,"structure_id":15334,"section_number":"15.2-4221","catch_line":"Merger of two planning district commissions","url":"\/15.2-4221\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/42\/15.2-4221","metadata":false},{"id":67114,"structure_id":15334,"section_number":"15.2-4222","catch_line":"Inconsistent laws inapplicable","url":"\/15.2-4222\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/42\/15.2-4222","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":58368,"structure_id":15334,"section_number":"15.2-4202","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/15.2-4202\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/42\/15.2-4202","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":66538,"structure_id":15334,"section_number":"15.2-4204","catch_line":"Disposition of earnings and assets of planning district commissions","url":"\/15.2-4204\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/42\/15.2-4204","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-4203\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1968. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 224 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 1968 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 12 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 1970, chapters 303 and 703; in 1972, chapter 595; in 1973, chapter 176; in 1982, chapter 660; in 1989, chapter 49; in 1993, chapter 838; in 1995, chapters 732<\/a> and 796<\/a>; in 1997, chapter 587<\/a>; in 1998, chapters 668<\/a> and 686<\/a>; in 2000, chapter 984<\/a>; in 2005, chapter 819<\/a>; in 2017, chapter 377<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":68930,"section_number":"15.2-1535","catch_line":"Members of governing body not to be elected or appointed by governing body to certain offices","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-1535\/"},{"id":78768,"section_number":"15.2-4221","catch_line":"Merger of two planning district commissions","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-4221\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":157913,"object_type":"law","relational_id":71788,"identifier":"15.2-4203","token":"15.2\/IV\/42\/15.2-4203","url":"\/15.2-4203\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-4203\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/42\/15.2-4203","dublin_core":{"Title":"Organization of planning district commission","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-4203","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> At any time after the establishment of the geographic boundaries of a planning district<\/span>, the localities or Indian tribes<\/span> embracing at least 45 percent of the population within the district acting by their governing bodies may organize a planning district<\/span> commission<\/span> by written agreement. Any locality<\/span> not a party<\/span> to such charter agreement shall continue as a part of the planning district<\/span>, but, until such time as such locality<\/span> elects to become a part of the planning district<\/span> commission<\/span> as hereinafter provided, shall not be represented in the composition of the membership of the planning district<\/span> commission<\/span>. Any Indian tribe<\/span> (i) whose land is located within the boundaries of the planning district<\/span> and (ii) that is not a party<\/span> to such charter agreement may elect to become part of the planning district<\/span> commission<\/span> at any time after its formation, and may negotiate the terms of such membership with the planning district<\/span> commission<\/span>. Whenever a planning district<\/span> is created which contains only two counties, the governing body<\/span> of either county<\/span> may organize a planning district<\/span> commission<\/span> in accordance with the provisions of this chapter if the governing body<\/span> of the other county<\/span> does not agree to organize such a planning district<\/span> commission<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The charter agreement shall set forth: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> The name of the planning district<\/span>. An entity organized as a planning district<\/span> commission<\/span> under this act may employ the name “regional council<\/span>” or “regional commission<\/span>” as a substitute for the name “planning district<\/span> commission<\/span>.” <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The locality<\/span> in which its principal office shall be situated. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> The effective date of the organization of the planning district<\/span> commission<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> The composition of the membership of the planning district<\/span> commission<\/span>. At least a majority of its members shall be elected officials of the governing bodies of the localities within the district, or members of the General Assembly, with each county<\/span>, city<\/span> and town<\/span> of more than 3,500 population having at least one representative. In any planning district<\/span> other than planning district<\/span> number 23, a town<\/span> of 3,500 or less population may petition<\/span> the planning district<\/span> commission<\/span> to be represented thereon. The planning district<\/span> commission<\/span> may, in its discretion, grant representation to such town<\/span> by a majority vote of the members of the commission<\/span>. Other members shall be qualified voters<\/span> and residents of the district. In planning districts<\/span> number 4 and 14, the membership may also include representatives of higher education institutions. Should the charter agreement, as adopted, so provide, an alternate may serve in lieu of one of the elected officials of each of the governing bodies of the participating localities. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> The term of office of the members, their method of selection or removal and the method for the selection and the term of office of a chairman. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> The voting rights of members. Such voting rights need not be equal and may be weighed on the basis of the population of the locality<\/span> represented by the member, the aggregation of the voting rights of members representing one locality<\/span>, or otherwise. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> The procedure for amendment, for addition of other localities within the planning district<\/span> which are not parties to the original charter agreement, and the withdrawal from the charter agreement by localities within the planning district<\/span> electing to do so. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The governing body<\/span> of any locality<\/span> which is a member of the planning district<\/span> commission<\/span> may provide for compensation to be paid by it for its commission<\/span> members, except for any full-time salaried employees of the locality<\/span>. The amount of such compensation shall not exceed the amount fixed by the planning district<\/span> commission<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nORGANIZATION OF PLANNING DISTRICT COMMISSION (\u00a7 15.2-4203)\n\nA. At any time after the establishment of the geographic boundaries of a\nplanning district, the localities or Indian tribes embracing at least 45 percent\nof the population within the district acting by their governing bodies may\norganize a planning district commission by written agreement. Any locality not a\nparty to such charter agreement shall continue as a part of the planning\ndistrict, but, until such time as such locality elects to become a part of the\nplanning district commission as hereinafter provided, shall not be represented\nin the composition of the membership of the planning district commission. Any\nIndian tribe (i) whose land is located within the boundaries of the planning\ndistrict and (ii) that is not a party to such charter agreement may elect to\nbecome part of the planning district commission at any time after its formation,\nand may negotiate the terms of such membership with the planning district\ncommission. Whenever a planning district is created which contains only two\ncounties, the governing body of either county may organize a planning district\ncommission in accordance with the provisions of this chapter if the governing\nbody of the other county does not agree to organize such a planning district\ncommission.\n\nB. The charter agreement shall set forth:\n\n 1. The name of the planning district. An entity organized as a planning\n district commission under this act may employ the name “regional\n council” or “regional commission” as a substitute for the\n name “planning district commission.”\n\n 2. The locality in which its principal office shall be situated.\n\n 3. The effective date of the organization of the planning district commission.\n\n 4. The composition of the membership of the planning district commission. At\n least a majority of its members shall be elected officials of the governing\n bodies of the localities within the district, or members of the General\n Assembly, with each county, city and town of more than 3,500 population having\n at least one representative. In any planning district other than planning\n district number 23, a town of 3,500 or less population may petition the\n planning district commission to be represented thereon. The planning district\n commission may, in its discretion, grant representation to such town by a\n majority vote of the members of the commission. Other members shall be\n qualified voters and residents of the district. In planning districts number 4\n and 14, the membership may also include representatives of higher education\n institutions. Should the charter agreement, as adopted, so provide, an\n alternate may serve in lieu of one of the elected officials of each of the\n governing bodies of the participating localities.\n\n 5. The term of office of the members, their method of selection or removal and\n the method for the selection and the term of office of a chairman.\n\n 6. The voting rights of members. Such voting rights need not be equal and may\n be weighed on the basis of the population of the locality represented by the\n member, the aggregation of the voting rights of members representing one\n locality, or otherwise.\n\n 7. The procedure for amendment, for addition of other localities within the\n planning district which are not parties to the original charter agreement, and\n the withdrawal from the charter agreement by localities within the planning\n district electing to do so.\n\nC. The governing body of any locality which is a member of the planning district\ncommission may provide for compensation to be paid by it for its commission\nmembers, except for any full-time salaried employees of the locality. The amount\nof such compensation shall not exceed the amount fixed by the planning district\ncommission.\n\nHISTORY: 1968, c. 224, \u00a7 15.1-1403; 1970, cc. 303, 703; 1972, c. 595; 1973, c.\n176; 1982, c. 660; 1989, c. 49; 1993, c. 838; 1995, cc. 732, 796; 1997, c. 587;\n1998, cc. 668, 686; 2000, c. 984; 2005, c. 819; 2017, c. 377.","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}}