{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-749.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-749.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-749.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-749.html"}],"law_id":58883,"edition_id":1,"section_id":58883,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-749","catch_line":"Certain referenda in certain counties","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 15-360.1; 1952, c. 49; 1962, c. 623, \u00a7 15.1-695; 1975, c. 517; 1997, c. 587; 2023, cc. 506, 507; 2024, cc. 225, 242.","full_text":"If on or before July 15 of any year in which such referendum is provided for by law a petition signed by 200 or more qualified voters of the county is filed with the circuit court of the county asking that a referendum be held on any question upon which a referendum is provided for by any applicable statute, then such court shall on or before August 1 of such year issue and enter of record an order requiring the county election officials to open the polls at the regular election to be held in November of such year on the question stated in such statute. If the statute providing for such referendum shall authorize or require the referendum to be held at a special election, then the petition hereinabove referred to shall be signed by 1,000 or more voters of the county and the court shall within fifteen days of the date such petition is filed enter an order requiring the election officials to open the polls and take the sense of the voters of the county on a date fixed in his order, which shall be in accordance with \u00a7 24.2-682. The clerk of the county shall cause a notice of such election to be published three times in a newspaper published or having general circulation in the county, with the first notice appearing no more than 35 days before and the third notice appearing no less than seven days before the date on which the referendum is held, and shall post a copy of the notice at the door of the county courthouse.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":215896,"text":"If on or before July 15 of any year in which such referendum is provided for by law a petition signed by 200 or more qualified voters of the county is filed with the circuit court of the county asking that a referendum be held on any question upon which a referendum is provided for by any applicable statute, then such court shall on or before August 1 of such year issue and enter of record an order requiring the county election officials to open the polls at the regular election to be held in November of such year on the question stated in such statute. If the statute providing for such referendum shall authorize or require the referendum to be held at a special election, then the petition hereinabove referred to shall be signed by 1,000 or more voters of the county and the court shall within fifteen days of the date such petition is filed enter an order requiring the election officials to open the polls and take the sense of the voters of the county on a date fixed in his order, which shall be in accordance with \u00a7 24.2-682. The clerk of the county shall cause a notice of such election to be published three times in a newspaper published or having general circulation in the county, with the first notice appearing no more than 35 days before and the third notice appearing no less than seven days before the date on which the referendum is held, and shall post a copy of the notice at the door of the county courthouse.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":13942,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Powers; County Manager Plan","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13941,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:22","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:22","permalink":{"id":151879,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13942,"identifier":"2","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2","url":"\/15.2\/I\/7\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13941,"edition_id":1,"name":"County Manager Plan of Government","identifier":"7","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13138,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:22","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:22","permalink":{"id":151867,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13941,"identifier":"7","token":"15.2\/I\/7","url":"\/15.2\/I\/7\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13138,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions; Charters; Other Forms and Organization of Counties","identifier":"I","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12720,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:20","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:20","permalink":{"id":151281,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13138,"identifier":"I","token":"15.2\/I","url":"\/15.2\/I\/","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":81778,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-702","catch_line":"County board; membership, terms, chairman, etc","url":"\/15.2-702\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-702","metadata":false},{"id":84414,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-702.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/15.2-702.1\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-702.1","metadata":false},{"id":84753,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-703","catch_line":"Interference by members of board in appointments and removals of personnel","url":"\/15.2-703\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-703","metadata":false},{"id":79639,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-704","catch_line":"Appointment of clerk of board; powers and duties; obligations and penalties","url":"\/15.2-704\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-704","metadata":false},{"id":80202,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-705","catch_line":"Election of members of board; filling vacancies","url":"\/15.2-705\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-705","metadata":false},{"id":85157,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-705.1","catch_line":"Instant runoff voting","url":"\/15.2-705.1\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-705.1","metadata":false},{"id":68323,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-706","catch_line":"Duties of county manager; compensation; appointment of officers and employees","url":"\/15.2-706\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-706","metadata":false},{"id":62617,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-707","catch_line":"Bonds of county officers and employees","url":"\/15.2-707\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-707","metadata":false},{"id":59246,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-708","catch_line":"Term of office of county manager; salary and performance of duties; acting manager in case of temporary absence or disability; removal or suspension","url":"\/15.2-708\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-708","metadata":false},{"id":66195,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-709","catch_line":"Investigation of county officers or employees","url":"\/15.2-709\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-709","metadata":false},{"id":77826,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-709.1","catch_line":"Applicant preemployment information in Arlington County","url":"\/15.2-709.1\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-709.1","metadata":false},{"id":61586,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-709.2","catch_line":"County auditor","url":"\/15.2-709.2\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-709.2","metadata":false},{"id":82185,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-710","catch_line":"Budget; county manager to be executive and administrative officer; financial condition of county","url":"\/15.2-710\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-710","metadata":false},{"id":72214,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-711","catch_line":"Certification and payment of payrolls","url":"\/15.2-711\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-711","metadata":false},{"id":55153,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-712","catch_line":"Certification and payment of certain vouchers","url":"\/15.2-712\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-712","metadata":false},{"id":63873,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-713","catch_line":"Means of transferring funds","url":"\/15.2-713\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-713","metadata":false},{"id":64908,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-714","catch_line":"Depository for county funds","url":"\/15.2-714\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-714","metadata":false},{"id":72151,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-715","catch_line":"Abolition of offices and distribution of duties","url":"\/15.2-715\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-715","metadata":false},{"id":60187,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-716","catch_line":"Referendum for establishment of department of real estate assessments; board of equalization; general reassessments in county where department established","url":"\/15.2-716\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-716","metadata":false},{"id":73122,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-716.1","catch_line":"Board of Equalization","url":"\/15.2-716.1\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-716.1","metadata":false},{"id":86535,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-717","catch_line":"Time in which to contest real property assessments","url":"\/15.2-717\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-717","metadata":false},{"id":84346,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-718","catch_line":"Postponement of payment of certain assessments","url":"\/15.2-718\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-718","metadata":false},{"id":55814,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-719","catch_line":"Immobilization, etc., of certain vehicles","url":"\/15.2-719\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-719","metadata":false},{"id":68805,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-719.1","catch_line":"Naming U.S. Route 29","url":"\/15.2-719.1\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-719.1","metadata":false},{"id":81735,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-720","catch_line":"Employee salary reduction agreements","url":"\/15.2-720\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-720","metadata":false},{"id":71742,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-720.1","catch_line":"Employee benefits; residence in county","url":"\/15.2-720.1\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-720.1","metadata":false},{"id":87230,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-721","catch_line":"Civil service commission","url":"\/15.2-721\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-721","metadata":false},{"id":83765,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-722","catch_line":"Personnel studies","url":"\/15.2-722\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-722","metadata":false},{"id":67529,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-723","catch_line":"Grievances by police officers","url":"\/15.2-723\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-723","metadata":false},{"id":85257,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-724","catch_line":"Choice of powers where sanitary district involved","url":"\/15.2-724\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-724","metadata":false},{"id":61930,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-725","catch_line":"Commission on human rights; subpoena requests","url":"\/15.2-725\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-725","metadata":false},{"id":76557,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-726","catch_line":"Acquisition of easements","url":"\/15.2-726\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-726","metadata":false},{"id":79003,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-727","catch_line":"Payment of certain assessments","url":"\/15.2-727\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-727","metadata":false},{"id":65246,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-728","catch_line":"Title insurance for county real estate","url":"\/15.2-728\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-728","metadata":false},{"id":81593,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-729","catch_line":"Relocation assistance programs","url":"\/15.2-729\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-729","metadata":false},{"id":63910,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-730","catch_line":"Civil penalties for violations of zoning ordinance","url":"\/15.2-730\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-730","metadata":false},{"id":64533,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-731","catch_line":"Retirement benefits for part-time employees","url":"\/15.2-731\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-731","metadata":false},{"id":57805,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-732","catch_line":"Peddlers; itinerant merchants","url":"\/15.2-732\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-732","metadata":false},{"id":85500,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-733","catch_line":"Summons for violations of litter control ordinances","url":"\/15.2-733\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-733","metadata":false},{"id":84718,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-734","catch_line":"Purchase, sale, exchange, or lease of real property","url":"\/15.2-734\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-734","metadata":false},{"id":82794,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-735","catch_line":"Local housing fund and voluntary coordinated housing preservation and development districts","url":"\/15.2-735\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-735","metadata":false},{"id":63692,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-735.1","catch_line":"Affordable dwelling unit ordinance; permitting certain densities in the comprehensive plan","url":"\/15.2-735.1\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-735.1","metadata":false},{"id":62979,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-736","catch_line":"State benefits for certain employees","url":"\/15.2-736\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-736","metadata":false},{"id":61946,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-737","catch_line":"Tenant relocation payments","url":"\/15.2-737\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-737","metadata":false},{"id":65650,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-738","catch_line":"Modification of grievance procedure","url":"\/15.2-738\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-738","metadata":false},{"id":65775,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-739","catch_line":"Diversion of certain waters","url":"\/15.2-739\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-739","metadata":false},{"id":54997,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-740","catch_line":"Authority to impose assessments for local improvements; purposes","url":"\/15.2-740\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-740","metadata":false},{"id":68797,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-741","catch_line":"Regulation of child-care services and facilities in certain counties","url":"\/15.2-741\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-741","metadata":false},{"id":73278,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-742","catch_line":"Lighting level regulation","url":"\/15.2-742\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-742","metadata":false},{"id":75816,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-743","catch_line":"Fee for certain vacations, encroachments, and abandonments","url":"\/15.2-743\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-743","metadata":false},{"id":74105,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-744","catch_line":"Authority of county board to impose civil penalties for wrongful demolition, razing or moving of historic buildings","url":"\/15.2-744\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-744","metadata":false},{"id":74318,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-745","catch_line":"Ordinance for installment collection of taxes","url":"\/15.2-745\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-745","metadata":false},{"id":68300,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-746","catch_line":"Board possesses general power of management","url":"\/15.2-746\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-746","metadata":false},{"id":66479,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-747","catch_line":"Board may prohibit and penalize acts which are misdemeanors under state law","url":"\/15.2-747\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-747","metadata":false},{"id":70678,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-748","catch_line":"Annexation by city","url":"\/15.2-748\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-748","metadata":false},{"id":58883,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-749","catch_line":"Certain referenda in certain counties","url":"\/15.2-749\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-749","metadata":false},{"id":67785,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-750","catch_line":"Board may accept dedication of rights to develop real property","url":"\/15.2-750\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-750","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":70678,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-748","catch_line":"Annexation by city","url":"\/15.2-748\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-748","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":67785,"structure_id":13942,"section_number":"15.2-750","catch_line":"Board may accept dedication of rights to develop real property","url":"\/15.2-750\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-750","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-749\/","history_text":"<p>The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 6 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 1952, chapter 49; in 1962, chapter 623; in 1975, chapter 517; in 1997, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?971+ful+CHAP0587\">587<\/a>; in 2023, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?231+ful+CHAP0506\">506<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?231+ful+CHAP0507\">507<\/a>; in 2024, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?241+ful+CHAP0225\">225<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?241+ful+CHAP0242\">242<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":71295,"section_number":"55.1-2164","catch_line":"Conversion buildings","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-2164\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":77612,"section_number":"24.2-682","catch_line":"Times for special elections","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-682\/"}],"permalink":{"id":152101,"object_type":"law","relational_id":58883,"identifier":"15.2-749","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-749","url":"\/15.2-749\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-749\/","token":"15.2\/I\/7\/2\/15.2-749","dublin_core":{"Title":"Certain referenda in certain counties","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-749","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>If on or before July 15 of any year in which such <span class=\"dictionary\">referendum<\/span> is provided for by <span class=\"dictionary\">law<\/span> a <span class=\"dictionary\">petition<\/span> signed by 200 or more qualified <span class=\"dictionary\">voters<\/span> of the <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span> is filed with the <span class=\"dictionary\">circuit<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> of the <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span> asking that a <span class=\"dictionary\">referendum<\/span> be held on any question upon which a <span class=\"dictionary\">referendum<\/span> is provided for by any applicable <span class=\"dictionary\">statute<\/span>, then such <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> shall on or before August 1 of such year <span class=\"dictionary\">issue<\/span> and enter of record an <span class=\"dictionary\">order<\/span> requiring the <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span> election officials to open the polls at the regular election to be held in November of such year on the question stated in such <span class=\"dictionary\">statute<\/span>. If the <span class=\"dictionary\">statute<\/span> providing for such <span class=\"dictionary\">referendum<\/span> shall authorize or require the <span class=\"dictionary\">referendum<\/span> to be held at a special election, then the <span class=\"dictionary\">petition<\/span> hereinabove referred to shall be signed by 1,000 or more <span class=\"dictionary\">voters<\/span> of the <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span> and the <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> shall within fifteen days of the date such <span class=\"dictionary\">petition<\/span> is filed enter an <span class=\"dictionary\">order<\/span> requiring the election officials to open the polls and take the sense of the <span class=\"dictionary\">voters<\/span> of the <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span> on a date fixed in his <span class=\"dictionary\">order<\/span>, which shall be in accordance with \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Times for special elections\" href=\"\/24.2-682\/\">24.2-682<\/a>. The clerk of the <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span> shall cause a notice of such election to be published three times in a newspaper published or having general circulation in the <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span>, with the first notice appearing no more than 35 days before and the third notice appearing no less than seven days before the date on which the <span class=\"dictionary\">referendum<\/span> is held, and shall post a copy of the notice at the door of the <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span> courthouse.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCERTAIN REFERENDA IN CERTAIN COUNTIES (\u00a7 15.2-749)\n\nIf on or before July 15 of any year in which such referendum is provided for by\nlaw a petition signed by 200 or more qualified voters of the county is filed\nwith the circuit court of the county asking that a referendum be held on any\nquestion upon which a referendum is provided for by any applicable statute, then\nsuch court shall on or before August 1 of such year issue and enter of record an\norder requiring the county election officials to open the polls at the regular\nelection to be held in November of such year on the question stated in such\nstatute. If the statute providing for such referendum shall authorize or require\nthe referendum to be held at a special election, then the petition hereinabove\nreferred to shall be signed by 1,000 or more voters of the county and the court\nshall within fifteen days of the date such petition is filed enter an order\nrequiring the election officials to open the polls and take the sense of the\nvoters of the county on a date fixed in his order, which shall be in accordance\nwith \u00a7 24.2-682. The clerk of the county shall cause a notice of such election\nto be published three times in a newspaper published or having general\ncirculation in the county, with the first notice appearing no more than 35 days\nbefore and the third notice appearing no less than seven days before the date on\nwhich the referendum is held, and shall post a copy of the notice at the door of\nthe county courthouse.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 15-360.1; 1952, c. 49; 1962, c. 623, \u00a7 15.1-695; 1975,\nc. 517; 1997, c. 587; 2023, cc. 506, 507; 2024, cc. 225, 242.","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}}