{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-802.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-802.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-802.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-802.html"}],"law_id":60402,"edition_id":1,"section_id":60402,"structure_id":14134,"section_number":"15.2-802","catch_line":"Powers of county vested in board of supervisors; membership, election, terms, etc., of board; vacancies; powers of chairman","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 15-384.17; 1960, c. 382; 1962, c. 623, \u00a7 15.1-729; 1966, c. 464; 1968, c. 797; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 158; 1972, c. 707; 1985, c. 138; 1994, c. 148; 1997, c. 587; 2012, c. 396.","full_text":"The powers of the county as a body politic and corporate shall be vested in an urban county board of supervisors, to consist of one member from each district of such county and to be known as the board of supervisors (the board). Each member shall be a qualified voter of his district and shall be elected by the qualified voters thereof. In addition to the above board members, the voters shall elect a county chairman who shall be a qualified voter of the county. No person may be a candidate for county chairman at the same time he is a candidate for membership on the county board from any district of the county. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the board and the chairman shall be included and counted.\n\t\tThe county chairman shall be the chairman of the board and preside at the meetings thereof. The chairman shall represent the county at official functions and ceremonial events. The chairman shall have all rights, privileges, and duties of other members of the board and such others, not in conflict with this article, as the board may prescribe. In addition, the chairman shall have the power to (i) call special meetings of the board in accordance with the procedures and restrictions of \u00a7 15.2-1418, mutatis mutandis; (ii) set the agenda for board meetings; however, any such agenda may be modified by an affirmative vote of the board; (iii) appoint county representatives to regional boards, authorities and commissions which are authorized in advance by the board; however, any such appointment shall be subject to revocation by an affirmative vote of a majority of all members elected to the board acting within the 30-day period following that appointment; and (iv) create and appoint committees of the board and name presiding members of such committees as authorized by the board; however, any such committee or appointment shall be subject to revocation by an affirmative vote of a majority of all members elected to the board.\n\t\tAt the first meeting at the beginning of its term and any time thereafter when necessary, the board shall elect a vice-chairman from its membership who shall perform the duties of the chairman in his absence.\n\t\tThe supervisors and chairman first elected under the provisions of this chapter shall hold office until January 1 following the next regular election provided by general law for the election of supervisors. At such election their successors shall be elected for terms of four years each.\n\t\tIf the number of districts in any such county is increased by redistricting or otherwise subsequent to a general election for supervisors, and such supervisors have taken office, then the board shall adopt a resolution requesting a judge of the circuit court for such county to call a special election for an additional supervisor or supervisors in accordance with the increase in the number of districts, such additional supervisor or supervisors to be elected from the county at large, and such election shall be held within 45 days from the date of such request. The qualifications of candidates and the election shall be as at general law applying to special elections. Any supervisors thereby elected shall hold office until January 1 following the next regular election provided by general law for the election of members of the board, and at the next regular election all supervisors of any such county shall be elected from districts as provided by law.\n\t\tIf a vacancy occurs on the board, the chief judge of the circuit court for such county shall call a special election, in the district if the vacancy is of a district supervisor, or in the county at large if the vacancy is of the chairman, to be held not fewer than 45 nor more than 90 days after the occurrence of the vacancy; however, if the vacancy occurs within 150 days prior to a general election, such special election may be held on the general election day; and if the vacancy occurs within 120 days prior to the date of a regular election for the board of supervisors, such vacancy shall be filled by appointment by the remaining members of the board within seven days of the occurrence of the vacancy, which appointment shall be for the duration of the term of office of the person whose absence from the board occasioned such vacancy. The qualification of candidates and the election shall be otherwise as at general law applying to special elections.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":220891,"text":"The powers of the county as a body politic and corporate shall be vested in an urban county board of supervisors, to consist of one member from each district of such county and to be known as the board of supervisors (the board). Each member shall be a qualified voter of his district and shall be elected by the qualified voters thereof. In addition to the above board members, the voters shall elect a county chairman who shall be a qualified voter of the county. No person may be a candidate for county chairman at the same time he is a candidate for membership on the county board from any district of the county. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the board and the chairman shall be included and counted.\n\t\tThe county chairman shall be the chairman of the board and preside at the meetings thereof. The chairman shall represent the county at official functions and ceremonial events. The chairman shall have all rights, privileges, and duties of other members of the board and such others, not in conflict with this article, as the board may prescribe. In addition, the chairman shall have the power to (i) call special meetings of the board in accordance with the procedures and restrictions of \u00a7 15.2-1418, mutatis mutandis; (ii) set the agenda for board meetings; however, any such agenda may be modified by an affirmative vote of the board; (iii) appoint county representatives to regional boards, authorities and commissions which are authorized in advance by the board; however, any such appointment shall be subject to revocation by an affirmative vote of a majority of all members elected to the board acting within the 30-day period following that appointment; and (iv) create and appoint committees of the board and name presiding members of such committees as authorized by the board; however, any such committee or appointment shall be subject to revocation by an affirmative vote of a majority of all members elected to the board.\n\t\tAt the first meeting at the beginning of its term and any time thereafter when necessary, the board shall elect a vice-chairman from its membership who shall perform the duties of the chairman in his absence.\n\t\tThe supervisors and chairman first elected under the provisions of this chapter shall hold office until January 1 following the next regular election provided by general law for the election of supervisors. At such election their successors shall be elected for terms of four years each.\n\t\tIf the number of districts in any such county is increased by redistricting or otherwise subsequent to a general election for supervisors, and such supervisors have taken office, then the board shall adopt a resolution requesting a judge of the circuit court for such county to call a special election for an additional supervisor or supervisors in accordance with the increase in the number of districts, such additional supervisor or supervisors to be elected from the county at large, and such election shall be held within 45 days from the date of such request. The qualifications of candidates and the election shall be as at general law applying to special elections. Any supervisors thereby elected shall hold office until January 1 following the next regular election provided by general law for the election of members of the board, and at the next regular election all supervisors of any such county shall be elected from districts as provided by law.\n\t\tIf a vacancy occurs on the board, the chief judge of the circuit court for such county shall call a special election, in the district if the vacancy is of a district supervisor, or in the county at large if the vacancy is of the chairman, to be held not fewer than 45 nor more than 90 days after the occurrence of the vacancy; however, if the vacancy occurs within 150 days prior to a general election, such special election may be held on the general election day; and if the vacancy occurs within 120 days prior to the date of a regular election for the board of supervisors, such vacancy shall be filled by appointment by the remaining members of the board within seven days of the occurrence of the vacancy, which appointment shall be for the duration of the term of office of the person whose absence from the board occasioned such vacancy. The qualification of candidates and the election shall be otherwise as at general law applying to special elections.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":14134,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14133,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:58","permalink":{"id":152111,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14134,"identifier":"1","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/1","url":"\/15.2\/I\/8\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14133,"edition_id":1,"name":"Urban County Executive Form of Government","identifier":"8","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13138,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:58","permalink":{"id":152109,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14133,"identifier":"8","token":"15.2\/I\/8","url":"\/15.2\/I\/8\/","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":58070,"structure_id":14134,"section_number":"15.2-800","catch_line":"Designation of form of government; applicability of chapter","url":"\/15.2-800\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/1\/15.2-800","metadata":false},{"id":63885,"structure_id":14134,"section_number":"15.2-801","catch_line":"Adoption of urban county executive form","url":"\/15.2-801\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/1\/15.2-801","metadata":false},{"id":60402,"structure_id":14134,"section_number":"15.2-802","catch_line":"Powers of county vested in board of supervisors; membership, election, terms, etc., of board; vacancies; powers of chairman","url":"\/15.2-802\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/1\/15.2-802","metadata":false},{"id":71067,"structure_id":14134,"section_number":"15.2-803","catch_line":"General powers of board of supervisors","url":"\/15.2-803\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/1\/15.2-803","metadata":false},{"id":87155,"structure_id":14134,"section_number":"15.2-804","catch_line":"Appointment, qualifications and compensation of urban county executive; to devote full time to work","url":"\/15.2-804\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/1\/15.2-804","metadata":false},{"id":58443,"structure_id":14134,"section_number":"15.2-805","catch_line":"Tenure of county executive; suspension or removal","url":"\/15.2-805\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/1\/15.2-805","metadata":false},{"id":83738,"structure_id":14134,"section_number":"15.2-806","catch_line":"Absence or disability of county executive","url":"\/15.2-806\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/1\/15.2-806","metadata":false},{"id":65130,"structure_id":14134,"section_number":"15.2-807","catch_line":"Appointment of county officers and employees; federal employment, etc., not to disqualify; discussions with board","url":"\/15.2-807\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/1\/15.2-807","metadata":false},{"id":70972,"structure_id":14134,"section_number":"15.2-808","catch_line":"Tenure of county officers and employees; suspension or removal","url":"\/15.2-808\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/1\/15.2-808","metadata":false},{"id":85295,"structure_id":14134,"section_number":"15.2-809","catch_line":"Compensation of officers and employees","url":"\/15.2-809\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/1\/15.2-809","metadata":false},{"id":82768,"structure_id":14134,"section_number":"15.2-810","catch_line":"Restrictions on activities of former officers and employees","url":"\/15.2-810\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/1\/15.2-810","metadata":false},{"id":77195,"structure_id":14134,"section_number":"15.2-811","catch_line":"Powers and duties of county executive","url":"\/15.2-811\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/1\/15.2-811","metadata":false},{"id":55276,"structure_id":14134,"section_number":"15.2-812","catch_line":"County executive may act as director or head of department","url":"\/15.2-812\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/1\/15.2-812","metadata":false},{"id":83953,"structure_id":14134,"section_number":"15.2-813","catch_line":"Certain officers not affected by adoption of plan","url":"\/15.2-813\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/1\/15.2-813","metadata":false},{"id":84977,"structure_id":14134,"section_number":"15.2-814","catch_line":"Inquiries and investigations by board of supervisors","url":"\/15.2-814\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/1\/15.2-814","metadata":false},{"id":75075,"structure_id":14134,"section_number":"15.2-815","catch_line":"Regulation of garbage, trash and refuse pickup and disposal services; contracting for such services in certain counties","url":"\/15.2-815\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/1\/15.2-815","metadata":false},{"id":85856,"structure_id":14134,"section_number":"15.2-816","catch_line":"Maintenance of certain sewer lines","url":"\/15.2-816\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/1\/15.2-816","metadata":false},{"id":60851,"structure_id":14134,"section_number":"15.2-816.1","catch_line":"Underground electric distribution, telecommunications, cable, and other utility facilities","url":"\/15.2-816.1\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/1\/15.2-816.1","metadata":false},{"id":78109,"structure_id":14134,"section_number":"15.2-817","catch_line":"No unincorporated area to be incorporated after adoption of urban county form of government","url":"\/15.2-817\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/1\/15.2-817","metadata":false},{"id":82761,"structure_id":14134,"section_number":"15.2-818","catch_line":"City may petition to become part of county","url":"\/15.2-818\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/1\/15.2-818","metadata":false},{"id":70153,"structure_id":14134,"section_number":"15.2-819","catch_line":"Demolition of historic structures; civil penalty","url":"\/15.2-819\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/1\/15.2-819","metadata":false},{"id":60424,"structure_id":14134,"section_number":"15.2-820","catch_line":"Donations to legal entities owning recreational facilities","url":"\/15.2-820\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/1\/15.2-820","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":63885,"structure_id":14134,"section_number":"15.2-801","catch_line":"Adoption of urban county executive form","url":"\/15.2-801\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/1\/15.2-801","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":71067,"structure_id":14134,"section_number":"15.2-803","catch_line":"General powers of board of supervisors","url":"\/15.2-803\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/1\/15.2-803","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-802\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 9 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 1960, chapter 382; in 1962, chapter 623; in 1966, chapter 464; in 1968, chapter 797; in 1972, chapter 707; in 1985, chapter 138; in 1994, chapter 148<\/a>; in 1997, chapter 587<\/a>; in 2012, chapter 396<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":64085,"section_number":"15.2-856","catch_line":"Changes in boundaries of districts","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-856\/"},{"id":84083,"section_number":"22.1-57.3","catch_line":"Election of school board members; election of tie breaker","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-57.3\/"},{"id":57783,"section_number":"24.2-219","catch_line":"Alternative for biennial county supervisor elections and staggered terms","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-219\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":57712,"section_number":"15.2-1418","catch_line":"Same; how called","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-1418\/"}],"permalink":{"id":152121,"object_type":"law","relational_id":60402,"identifier":"15.2-802","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/1\/15.2-802","url":"\/15.2-802\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-802\/","token":"15.2\/I\/8\/1\/15.2-802","dublin_core":{"Title":"Powers of county vested in board of supervisors; membership, election, terms, etc., of board; vacancies; powers of chairman","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-802","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

The powers of the county<\/span> as a body politic and corporate shall be vested in an urban county<\/span> board of supervisors<\/span>, to consist of one member from each district of such county<\/span> and to be known as the board of supervisors<\/span> (the board). Each member shall be a qualified voter<\/span> of his district and shall be elected by the qualified voters<\/span> thereof. In addition to the above board members, the voters<\/span> shall elect a county<\/span> chairman who shall be a qualified voter<\/span> of the county<\/span>. No person may be a candidate for county<\/span> chairman at the same time he is a candidate for membership on the county<\/span> board from any district of the county<\/span>. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the board and the chairman shall be included and counted.\n\t\tThe county<\/span> chairman shall be the chairman of the board and preside at the meetings thereof. The chairman shall represent the county<\/span> at official functions and ceremonial events. The chairman shall have all rights, privileges<\/span>, and duties of other members of the board and such others, not in conflict with this article, as the board may prescribe. In addition, the chairman shall have the power to (i) call special meetings of the board in accordance with the procedures and restrictions of \u00a7 15.2-1418<\/a>, mutatis mutandis<\/span>; (ii) set the agenda for board meetings; however, any such agenda may be modified by an affirmative vote of the board; (iii) appoint county<\/span> representatives to regional boards, authorities and commissions which are authorized in advance by the board; however, any such appointment shall be subject to revocation<\/span> by an affirmative vote of a majority of all members elected to the board acting within the 30-day period following that appointment; and (iv) create and appoint committees of the board and name presiding members of such committees as authorized by the board; however, any such committee or appointment shall be subject to revocation<\/span> by an affirmative vote of a majority of all members elected to the board.\n\t\tAt the first meeting at the beginning of its term and any time thereafter when necessary, the board shall elect a vice-chairman from its membership who shall perform the duties of the chairman in his absence.\n\t\tThe supervisors and chairman first elected under the provisions of this chapter shall hold office until January 1 following the next regular election provided by general law<\/span> for the election of supervisors. At such election their successors shall be elected for terms of four years each.\n\t\tIf the number of districts in any such county<\/span> is increased by redistricting or otherwise subsequent to a general election for supervisors, and such supervisors have taken office, then the board shall adopt a resolution requesting a judge of the circuit<\/span> court<\/span> for such county<\/span> to call a special election for an additional supervisor<\/span> or supervisors in accordance with the increase in the number of districts, such additional supervisor<\/span> or supervisors to be elected from the county<\/span> at large, and such election shall be held within 45 days from the date of such request. The qualifications of candidates and the election shall be as at general law<\/span> applying to special elections. Any supervisors thereby elected shall hold office until January 1 following the next regular election provided by general law<\/span> for the election of members of the board, and at the next regular election all supervisors of any such county<\/span> shall be elected from districts as provided by law<\/span>.\n\t\tIf a vacancy occurs on the board, the chief judge<\/span> of the circuit<\/span> court<\/span> for such county<\/span> shall call a special election, in the district if the vacancy is of a district supervisor<\/span>, or in the county<\/span> at large if the vacancy is of the chairman, to be held not fewer than 45 nor more than 90 days after the occurrence of the vacancy; however, if the vacancy occurs within 150 days prior to a general election, such special election may be held on the general election day; and if the vacancy occurs within 120 days prior to the date of a regular election for the board of supervisors<\/span>, such vacancy shall be filled by appointment by the remaining members of the board within seven days of the occurrence of the vacancy, which appointment shall be for the duration of the term of office of the person whose absence from the board occasioned such vacancy. The qualification of candidates and the election shall be otherwise as at general law<\/span> applying to special elections.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPOWERS OF COUNTY VESTED IN BOARD OF SUPERVISORS; MEMBERSHIP, ELECTION, TERMS,\nETC., OF BOARD; VACANCIES; POWERS OF CHAIRMAN (\u00a7 15.2-802)\n\nThe powers of the county as a body politic and corporate shall be vested in an\nurban county board of supervisors, to consist of one member from each district\nof such county and to be known as the board of supervisors (the board). Each\nmember shall be a qualified voter of his district and shall be elected by the\nqualified voters thereof. In addition to the above board members, the voters\nshall elect a county chairman who shall be a qualified voter of the county. No\nperson may be a candidate for county chairman at the same time he is a candidate\nfor membership on the county board from any district of the county. A quorum\nshall consist of a majority of the board and the chairman shall be included and\ncounted.\n\t\tThe county chairman shall be the chairman of the board and preside at the\nmeetings thereof. The chairman shall represent the county at official functions\nand ceremonial events. The chairman shall have all rights, privileges, and\nduties of other members of the board and such others, not in conflict with this\narticle, as the board may prescribe. In addition, the chairman shall have the\npower to (i) call special meetings of the board in accordance with the\nprocedures and restrictions of \u00a7 15.2-1418, mutatis mutandis; (ii) set the\nagenda for board meetings; however, any such agenda may be modified by an\naffirmative vote of the board; (iii) appoint county representatives to regional\nboards, authorities and commissions which are authorized in advance by the\nboard; however, any such appointment shall be subject to revocation by an\naffirmative vote of a majority of all members elected to the board acting within\nthe 30-day period following that appointment; and (iv) create and appoint\ncommittees of the board and name presiding members of such committees as\nauthorized by the board; however, any such committee or appointment shall be\nsubject to revocation by an affirmative vote of a majority of all members\nelected to the board.\n\t\tAt the first meeting at the beginning of its term and any time thereafter when\nnecessary, the board shall elect a vice-chairman from its membership who shall\nperform the duties of the chairman in his absence.\n\t\tThe supervisors and chairman first elected under the provisions of this\nchapter shall hold office until January 1 following the next regular election\nprovided by general law for the election of supervisors. At such election their\nsuccessors shall be elected for terms of four years each.\n\t\tIf the number of districts in any such county is increased by redistricting or\notherwise subsequent to a general election for supervisors, and such supervisors\nhave taken office, then the board shall adopt a resolution requesting a judge of\nthe circuit court for such county to call a special election for an additional\nsupervisor or supervisors in accordance with the increase in the number of\ndistricts, such additional supervisor or supervisors to be elected from the\ncounty at large, and such election shall be held within 45 days from the date of\nsuch request. The qualifications of candidates and the election shall be as at\ngeneral law applying to special elections. Any supervisors thereby elected shall\nhold office until January 1 following the next regular election provided by\ngeneral law for the election of members of the board, and at the next regular\nelection all supervisors of any such county shall be elected from districts as\nprovided by law.\n\t\tIf a vacancy occurs on the board, the chief judge of the circuit court for\nsuch county shall call a special election, in the district if the vacancy is of\na district supervisor, or in the county at large if the vacancy is of the\nchairman, to be held not fewer than 45 nor more than 90 days after the\noccurrence of the vacancy; however, if the vacancy occurs within 150 days prior\nto a general election, such special election may be held on the general election\nday; and if the vacancy occurs within 120 days prior to the date of a regular\nelection for the board of supervisors, such vacancy shall be filled by\nappointment by the remaining members of the board within seven days of the\noccurrence of the vacancy, which appointment shall be for the duration of the\nterm of office of the person whose absence from the board occasioned such\nvacancy. The qualification of candidates and the election shall be otherwise as\nat general law applying to special elections.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 15-384.17; 1960, c. 382; 1962, c. 623, \u00a7 15.1-729; 1966,\nc. 464; 1968, c. 797; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 158; 1972, c. 707; 1985, c. 138; 1994,\nc. 148; 1997, c. 587; 2012, c. 396.","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}}