{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-4302.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-4302.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-4302.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-4302.html"}],"law_id":61769,"edition_id":1,"section_id":61769,"structure_id":13499,"section_number":"15.2-4302","catch_line":"Definitions","history":"1977, c. 681, \u00a7 15.1-1508; 1979, c. 377; 1981, c. 54; 1987, c. 552; 1997, c. 587; 2011, cc. 344, 355.","full_text":"As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t“Advisory committee” means the agricultural and forestal districts advisory committee.\n\t\t“Agricultural products” means crops, livestock and livestock products, including but not limited to: field crops, fruits, vegetables, horticultural specialties, cattle, sheep, hogs, goats, horses, poultry, furbearing animals, milk, eggs and furs.\n\t\t“Agricultural production” means the production for commercial purposes of crops, livestock and livestock products, and includes the processing or retail sales by the producer of crops, livestock or livestock products which are produced on the parcel or in the district.\n\t\t“Agriculturally and forestally significant land” means land that has recently or historically produced agricultural and forestal products, is suitable for agricultural or forestal production or is considered appropriate to be retained for agricultural and forestal production as determined by such factors as soil quality, topography, climate, markets, farm structures, and other relevant factors.\n\t\t“Application” means the set of items a landowner or landowners must submit to the local governing body when applying for the creation of a district or an addition to an existing district.\n\t\t“District” means an agricultural, forestal, or agricultural and forestal district.\n\t\t“Forestal production” means the production for commercial purposes of forestal products and includes the processing or retail sales, by the producer, of forestal products which are produced on the parcel or in the district. “Forestal products” includes, but is not limited to, saw timber, pulpwood, posts, firewood, Christmas trees and other tree and wood products for sale or for farm use.\n\t\t“Landowner” or “owner of land” means any person holding a fee simple interest in property but does not mean the holder of an easement.\n\t\t“Program administrator” means the local governing body or local official appointed by the local governing body to administer the agricultural and forestal districts program.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":225565,"text":"As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t“Advisory committee” means the agricultural and forestal districts advisory committee.\n\t\t“Agricultural products” means crops, livestock and livestock products, including but not limited to: field crops, fruits, vegetables, horticultural specialties, cattle, sheep, hogs, goats, horses, poultry, furbearing animals, milk, eggs and furs.\n\t\t“Agricultural production” means the production for commercial purposes of crops, livestock and livestock products, and includes the processing or retail sales by the producer of crops, livestock or livestock products which are produced on the parcel or in the district.\n\t\t“Agriculturally and forestally significant land” means land that has recently or historically produced agricultural and forestal products, is suitable for agricultural or forestal production or is considered appropriate to be retained for agricultural and forestal production as determined by such factors as soil quality, topography, climate, markets, farm structures, and other relevant factors.\n\t\t“Application” means the set of items a landowner or landowners must submit to the local governing body when applying for the creation of a district or an addition to an existing district.\n\t\t“District” means an agricultural, forestal, or agricultural and forestal district.\n\t\t“Forestal production” means the production for commercial purposes of forestal products and includes the processing or retail sales, by the producer, of forestal products which are produced on the parcel or in the district. “Forestal products” includes, but is not limited to, saw timber, pulpwood, posts, firewood, Christmas trees and other tree and wood products for sale or for farm use.\n\t\t“Landowner” or “owner of land” means any person holding a fee simple interest in property but does not mean the holder of an easement.\n\t\t“Program administrator” means the local governing body or local official appointed by the local governing body to administer the agricultural and forestal districts program.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":13499,"edition_id":1,"name":"Agricultural and Forestal Districts Act","identifier":"43","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12721,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:04","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:04","permalink":{"id":157997,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13499,"identifier":"43","token":"15.2\/IV\/43","url":"\/15.2\/IV\/43\/","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":83266,"structure_id":13499,"section_number":"15.2-4300","catch_line":"Short title","url":"\/15.2-4300\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/43\/15.2-4300","metadata":false},{"id":78071,"structure_id":13499,"section_number":"15.2-4301","catch_line":"Declaration of policy findings and purpose","url":"\/15.2-4301\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/43\/15.2-4301","metadata":false},{"id":61769,"structure_id":13499,"section_number":"15.2-4302","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/15.2-4302\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/43\/15.2-4302","metadata":false},{"id":84802,"structure_id":13499,"section_number":"15.2-4303","catch_line":"Power of localities to enact ordinances; application form and fees; maps; sample form","url":"\/15.2-4303\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/43\/15.2-4303","metadata":false},{"id":67090,"structure_id":13499,"section_number":"15.2-4304","catch_line":"Agricultural and forestal districts advisory committee","url":"\/15.2-4304\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/43\/15.2-4304","metadata":false},{"id":55800,"structure_id":13499,"section_number":"15.2-4305","catch_line":"Application for creation of district in one or more localities; size and location of parcels","url":"\/15.2-4305\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/43\/15.2-4305","metadata":false},{"id":67788,"structure_id":13499,"section_number":"15.2-4306","catch_line":"Criteria for evaluating application","url":"\/15.2-4306\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/43\/15.2-4306","metadata":false},{"id":82465,"structure_id":13499,"section_number":"15.2-4307","catch_line":"Review of application; notice; hearing","url":"\/15.2-4307\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/43\/15.2-4307","metadata":false},{"id":54465,"structure_id":13499,"section_number":"15.2-4308","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/15.2-4308\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/43\/15.2-4308","metadata":false},{"id":58833,"structure_id":13499,"section_number":"15.2-4309","catch_line":"Hearing; creation of district; conditions; notice","url":"\/15.2-4309\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/43\/15.2-4309","metadata":false},{"id":56331,"structure_id":13499,"section_number":"15.2-4310","catch_line":"Additions to a district","url":"\/15.2-4310\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/43\/15.2-4310","metadata":false},{"id":78028,"structure_id":13499,"section_number":"15.2-4311","catch_line":"Review of districts","url":"\/15.2-4311\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/43\/15.2-4311","metadata":false},{"id":77285,"structure_id":13499,"section_number":"15.2-4312","catch_line":"Effects of districts","url":"\/15.2-4312\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/43\/15.2-4312","metadata":false},{"id":66279,"structure_id":13499,"section_number":"15.2-4313","catch_line":"Proposals as to land acquisition or construction within district","url":"\/15.2-4313\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/43\/15.2-4313","metadata":false},{"id":83920,"structure_id":13499,"section_number":"15.2-4314","catch_line":"Withdrawal of land from a district; termination of a district","url":"\/15.2-4314\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/43\/15.2-4314","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":78071,"structure_id":13499,"section_number":"15.2-4301","catch_line":"Declaration of policy findings and purpose","url":"\/15.2-4301\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/43\/15.2-4301","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":84802,"structure_id":13499,"section_number":"15.2-4303","catch_line":"Power of localities to enact ordinances; application form and fees; maps; sample form","url":"\/15.2-4303\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/43\/15.2-4303","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-4302\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1977. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 681 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 1977 \u201cActs\u201d aren\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 1979, chapter 377; in 1981, chapter 54; in 1987, chapter 552; in 1997, chapter 587<\/a>; in 2011, chapters 344<\/a> and 355<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"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\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":158007,"object_type":"law","relational_id":61769,"identifier":"15.2-4302","token":"15.2\/IV\/43\/15.2-4302","url":"\/15.2-4302\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-4302\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/43\/15.2-4302","dublin_core":{"Title":"Definitions","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-4302","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t“Advisory committee<\/span>” means the agricultural and forestal districts<\/span> advisory committee<\/span>.\n\t\t“Agricultural products<\/span>” means crops, livestock and livestock products, including but not limited to: field crops, fruits, vegetables, horticultural specialties, cattle, sheep, hogs, goats, horses, poultry, furbearing animals, milk, eggs and furs.\n\t\t“Agricultural production<\/span>” means the production for commercial purposes of crops, livestock and livestock products, and includes the processing or retail sales by the producer of crops, livestock or livestock products which are produced on the parcel or in the district<\/span>.\n\t\t“Agriculturally and forestally significant land<\/span>” means land that has recently or historically produced agricultural and forestal products<\/span>, is suitable for agricultural or forestal production<\/span> or is considered appropriate to be retained for agricultural and forestal production<\/span> as determined by such factors as soil quality, topography, climate, markets, farm structures, and other relevant factors.\n\t\t“Application<\/span>” means the set of items a landowner<\/span> or landowners<\/span> must submit to the local governing body<\/span> when applying for the creation of a district<\/span> or an addition to an existing district<\/span>.\n\t\t“District<\/span>” means an agricultural, forestal, or agricultural and forestal district<\/span>.\n\t\t“Forestal production<\/span>” means the production for commercial purposes of forestal products<\/span> and includes the processing or retail sales, by the producer, of forestal products<\/span> which are produced on the parcel or in the district<\/span>. “Forestal products<\/span>” includes, but is not limited to, saw timber, pulpwood, posts, firewood, Christmas trees and other tree and wood products for sale or for farm use.\n\t\t“Landowner<\/span>” or “owner of land<\/span>” means any person holding a fee simple interest in property but does not mean the holder of an easement.\n\t\t“Program administrator<\/span>” means the local governing body<\/span> or local official appointed by the local governing body<\/span> to administer the agricultural and forestal districts<\/span> program.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDEFINITIONS (\u00a7 15.2-4302)\n\nAs used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t“Advisory committee” means the agricultural and forestal districts\nadvisory committee.\n\t\t“Agricultural products” means crops, livestock and livestock\nproducts, including but not limited to: field crops, fruits, vegetables,\nhorticultural specialties, cattle, sheep, hogs, goats, horses, poultry,\nfurbearing animals, milk, eggs and furs.\n\t\t“Agricultural production” means the production for commercial\npurposes of crops, livestock and livestock products, and includes the processing\nor retail sales by the producer of crops, livestock or livestock products which\nare produced on the parcel or in the district.\n\t\t“Agriculturally and forestally significant land” means land that\nhas recently or historically produced agricultural and forestal products, is\nsuitable for agricultural or forestal production or is considered appropriate to\nbe retained for agricultural and forestal production as determined by such\nfactors as soil quality, topography, climate, markets, farm structures, and\nother relevant factors.\n\t\t“Application” means the set of items a landowner or landowners\nmust submit to the local governing body when applying for the creation of a\ndistrict or an addition to an existing district.\n\t\t“District” means an agricultural, forestal, or agricultural and\nforestal district.\n\t\t“Forestal production” means the production for commercial purposes\nof forestal products and includes the processing or retail sales, by the\nproducer, of forestal products which are produced on the parcel or in the\ndistrict. “Forestal products” includes, but is not limited to, saw\ntimber, pulpwood, posts, firewood, Christmas trees and other tree and wood\nproducts for sale or for farm use.\n\t\t“Landowner” or “owner of land” means any person\nholding a fee simple interest in property but does not mean the holder of an\neasement.\n\t\t“Program administrator” means the local governing body or local\nofficial appointed by the local governing body to administer the agricultural\nand forestal districts program.\n\nHISTORY: 1977, c. 681, \u00a7 15.1-1508; 1979, c. 377; 1981, c. 54; 1987, c. 552;\n1997, c. 587; 2011, cc. 344, 355.","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}}