{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-900.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-900.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-900.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-900.html"}],"law_id":81812,"edition_id":1,"section_id":81812,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-900","catch_line":"Abatement or removal of nuisances by localities; recovery of costs","history":"1990, c. 674, \u00a7 15.1-29.21; 1997, c. 587.","full_text":"In addition to the remedy provided by \u00a7 48-5 and any other remedy provided by law, any locality may maintain an action to compel a responsible party to abate, raze, or remove a public nuisance. If the public nuisance presents an imminent and immediate threat to life or property, then the locality may abate, raze, or remove such public nuisance, and a locality may bring an action against the responsible party to recover the necessary costs incurred for the provision of public emergency services reasonably required to abate any such public nuisance.\n\t\tThe term &#8220;nuisance&#8221; includes, but is not limited to, dangerous or unhealthy substances which have escaped, spilled, been released or which have been allowed to accumulate in or on any place and all unsafe, dangerous, or unsanitary public or private buildings, walls, or structures which constitute a menace to the health and safety of the occupants thereof or the public. The term &#8220;responsible party&#8221; includes, but is not limited to, the owner, occupier, or possessor of the premises where the nuisance is located, the owner or agent of the owner of the material which escaped, spilled, or was released and the owner or agent of the owner who was transporting or otherwise responsible for such material and whose acts or negligence caused such public nuisance.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":293129,"text":"In addition to the remedy provided by \u00a7 48-5 and any other remedy provided by law, any locality may maintain an action to compel a responsible party to abate, raze, or remove a public nuisance. If the public nuisance presents an imminent and immediate threat to life or property, then the locality may abate, raze, or remove such public nuisance, and a locality may bring an action against the responsible party to recover the necessary costs incurred for the provision of public emergency services reasonably required to abate any such public nuisance.\n\t\tThe term &#8220;nuisance&#8221; includes, but is not limited to, dangerous or unhealthy substances which have escaped, spilled, been released or which have been allowed to accumulate in or on any place and all unsafe, dangerous, or unsanitary public or private buildings, walls, or structures which constitute a menace to the health and safety of the occupants thereof or the public. The term &#8220;responsible party&#8221; includes, but is not limited to, the owner, occupier, or possessor of the premises where the nuisance is located, the owner or agent of the owner of the material which escaped, spilled, or was released and the owner or agent of the owner who was transporting or otherwise responsible for such material and whose acts or negligence caused such public nuisance.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":13288,"edition_id":1,"name":"Public Health and Safety; Nuisances","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13058,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:34","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:34","permalink":{"id":156359,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13288,"identifier":"1","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1","url":"\/15.2\/II\/9\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13058,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Powers of Local Governments","identifier":"9","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12733,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:11","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:11","permalink":{"id":156357,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13058,"identifier":"9","token":"15.2\/II\/9","url":"\/15.2\/II\/9\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12733,"edition_id":1,"name":"Powers of Local Government","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12720,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","permalink":{"id":152369,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12733,"identifier":"II","token":"15.2\/II","url":"\/15.2\/II\/","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":81812,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-900","catch_line":"Abatement or removal of nuisances by localities; recovery of costs","url":"\/15.2-900\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-900","metadata":false},{"id":69383,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-901","catch_line":"Locality may provide for removal or disposal of trash and clutter, cutting of grass, weeds, and running bamboo; penalty in certain counties; penalty","url":"\/15.2-901\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-901","metadata":false},{"id":84118,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-901.1","catch_line":"Locality may provide for control of running bamboo; civil penalty","url":"\/15.2-901.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-901.1","metadata":false},{"id":83896,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-902","catch_line":"Authority of locality to control certain noxious weeds","url":"\/15.2-902\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-902","metadata":false},{"id":72183,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-903","catch_line":"Ordinances taxing and regulating \"automobile graveyards,\" \"junkyards,\" and certain vacant and abandoned property","url":"\/15.2-903\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-903","metadata":false},{"id":64391,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-904","catch_line":"Authority to restrict keeping of inoperable motor vehicles, etc., on residential or commercial property; removal of such vehicles; penalty","url":"\/15.2-904\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-904","metadata":false},{"id":61931,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-905","catch_line":"Authority to restrict keeping of inoperable motor vehicles, etc., on residential or commercial property; removal of such vehicles","url":"\/15.2-905\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-905","metadata":false},{"id":73739,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-906","catch_line":"Authority to require removal, repair, etc., of buildings and other structures","url":"\/15.2-906\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-906","metadata":false},{"id":60153,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-906.1","catch_line":"Expired","url":"\/15.2-906.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-906.1","metadata":false},{"id":85083,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-907","catch_line":"Authority to require removal, repair, etc., of buildings and other structures harboring illegal drug use or other criminal activity","url":"\/15.2-907\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-907","metadata":false},{"id":62717,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-907.1","catch_line":"Authority to require removal, repair, etc., of buildings that are declared to be derelict; civil penalty","url":"\/15.2-907.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-907.1","metadata":false},{"id":82277,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-907.2","catch_line":"Authority of locality or land bank entity to be appointed to act as a receiver to repair derelict and blighted buildings in certain limited circumstances","url":"\/15.2-907.2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-907.2","metadata":false},{"id":78494,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-908","catch_line":"Authority of localities to remove or repair the defacement of buildings, walls, fences and other structures","url":"\/15.2-908\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-908","metadata":false},{"id":71776,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-908.1","catch_line":"Authority to require removal, repair, etc., of buildings and other structures harboring a bawdy place","url":"\/15.2-908.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-908.1","metadata":false},{"id":67539,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-909","catch_line":"Authority to require removal, repair, etc., of wharves, piers, pilings, bulkheads, vessels or abandoned, obstructing or hazardous property","url":"\/15.2-909\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-909","metadata":false},{"id":76283,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-910","catch_line":"Ordinance certifying boiler and pressure vessel operators; penalty","url":"\/15.2-910\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-910","metadata":false},{"id":86380,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-911","catch_line":"Regulation of alarm company operators","url":"\/15.2-911\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-911","metadata":false},{"id":69435,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-912","catch_line":"Regulation of tattoo parlors, body-piercing salons, and ear-piercing salons; definitions; exception","url":"\/15.2-912\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-912","metadata":false},{"id":71985,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-912.1","catch_line":"Regulation of martial arts instruction","url":"\/15.2-912.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-912.1","metadata":false},{"id":75291,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-912.2","catch_line":"Proceeds exempt from local taxation","url":"\/15.2-912.2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-912.2","metadata":false},{"id":75144,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-912.3","catch_line":"Regulation of dance halls by counties, cities, and towns","url":"\/15.2-912.3\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-912.3","metadata":false},{"id":86837,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-912.4","catch_line":"Regulation of tobacco and hemp product retail sale locations","url":"\/15.2-912.4\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-912.4","metadata":false},{"id":56493,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-913","catch_line":"Ordinances regulating certain vendors","url":"\/15.2-913\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-913","metadata":false},{"id":57565,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-914","catch_line":"Regulation of child-care services and facilities in cities and certain counties","url":"\/15.2-914\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-914","metadata":false},{"id":84864,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-915","catch_line":"Control of firearms; applicability to authorities and local governmental agencies","url":"\/15.2-915\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-915","metadata":false},{"id":80158,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-915.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/15.2-915.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-915.1","metadata":false},{"id":67020,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-915.2","catch_line":"Regulation of transportation of a loaded rifle or shotgun","url":"\/15.2-915.2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-915.2","metadata":false},{"id":62865,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-915.3","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/15.2-915.3\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-915.3","metadata":false},{"id":79348,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-915.4","catch_line":"Counties, cities and towns authorized to regulate use of pneumatic guns","url":"\/15.2-915.4\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-915.4","metadata":false},{"id":60687,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-915.5","catch_line":"Disposition of firearms acquired by localities","url":"\/15.2-915.5\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-915.5","metadata":false},{"id":80544,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-916","catch_line":"Prohibiting shooting of compound bows, slingbows, arrowguns, crossbows, longbows, and recurve bows","url":"\/15.2-916\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-916","metadata":false},{"id":65364,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-917","catch_line":"Applicability of local noise ordinances to certain sport shooting ranges","url":"\/15.2-917\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-917","metadata":false},{"id":61226,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-918","catch_line":"Locality may prohibit or regulate use of air cannons","url":"\/15.2-918\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-918","metadata":false},{"id":60285,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-919","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/15.2-919\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-919","metadata":false},{"id":83431,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-920","catch_line":"Regulation of outdoor lighting near certain facilities","url":"\/15.2-920\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-920","metadata":false},{"id":62987,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-921","catch_line":"Ordinances requiring fencing of swimming pools","url":"\/15.2-921\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-921","metadata":false},{"id":69895,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-922","catch_line":"Smoke alarms in certain buildings","url":"\/15.2-922\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-922","metadata":false},{"id":77237,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-922.1","catch_line":"Regulating or prohibiting the making of fires","url":"\/15.2-922.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-922.1","metadata":false},{"id":78259,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-922.2","catch_line":"Special fee for emergency services in certain counties","url":"\/15.2-922.2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-922.2","metadata":false},{"id":56155,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-923","catch_line":"Local water-saving ordinances","url":"\/15.2-923\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-923","metadata":false},{"id":59838,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-924","catch_line":"Water supply emergency ordinances","url":"\/15.2-924\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-924","metadata":false},{"id":54279,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-924.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/15.2-924.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-924.1","metadata":false},{"id":84035,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-925","catch_line":"Regulation, etc., of assemblies or movement of persons or vehicles under certain circumstances; curfew; penalty","url":"\/15.2-925\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-925","metadata":false},{"id":55521,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-925.1","catch_line":"Local notifications","url":"\/15.2-925.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-925.1","metadata":false},{"id":81894,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-926","catch_line":"Prohibiting loitering; frequenting amusements and curfew for minors; penalty","url":"\/15.2-926\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-926","metadata":false},{"id":57829,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-926.1","catch_line":"Bounties for coyotes","url":"\/15.2-926.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-926.1","metadata":false},{"id":64538,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-926.2","catch_line":"Adoption of ordinances prohibiting obscenity","url":"\/15.2-926.2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-926.2","metadata":false},{"id":78125,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-926.3","catch_line":"Local regulation of certain aircraft","url":"\/15.2-926.3\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-926.3","metadata":false},{"id":69443,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-926.4","catch_line":"Regulation of smoking in outdoor amphitheater or concert venue; civil penalty","url":"\/15.2-926.4\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-926.4","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":69383,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-901","catch_line":"Locality may provide for removal or disposal of trash and clutter, cutting of grass, weeds, and running bamboo; penalty in certain counties; penalty","url":"\/15.2-901\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-901","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-900\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 1990. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 674 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 1990 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 1 time. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. That modification is as follows: in 1997, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?971+ful+CHAP0587\">587<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":73739,"section_number":"15.2-906","catch_line":"Authority to require removal, repair, etc., of buildings and other structures","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-906\/"},{"id":62717,"section_number":"15.2-907.1","catch_line":"Authority to require removal, repair, etc., of buildings that are declared to be derelict; civil penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-907.1\/"},{"id":79608,"section_number":"36-49.1:1","catch_line":"Spot blight abatement authorized; procedure","order_by":null,"url":"\/36-49.1_1\/"},{"id":68945,"section_number":"48-5","catch_line":"Fines and costs; judgment of abatement","order_by":null,"url":"\/48-5\/"},{"id":66959,"section_number":"53.1-129","catch_line":"Order permitting prisoners to work on state, county, city, town, certain private property or nonprofit organization property; bond of person in charge of prisoners","order_by":null,"url":"\/53.1-129\/"},{"id":70850,"section_number":"58.1-3965","catch_line":"When land may be sold for delinquent taxes; notice of sale; owner's right of redemption","order_by":null,"url":"\/58.1-3965\/"},{"id":61813,"section_number":"58.1-3970.2","catch_line":"When delinquent taxes may be deemed paid in full","order_by":null,"url":"\/58.1-3970.2\/"},{"id":76585,"section_number":"58.1-3975","catch_line":"Nonjudicial sale of tax delinquent real properties of minimal size and value","order_by":null,"url":"\/58.1-3975\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":68945,"section_number":"48-5","catch_line":"Fines and costs; judgment of abatement","order_by":null,"url":"\/48-5\/"}],"permalink":{"id":156361,"object_type":"law","relational_id":81812,"identifier":"15.2-900","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-900","url":"\/15.2-900\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-900\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-900","dublin_core":{"Title":"Abatement or removal of nuisances by localities; recovery of costs","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-900","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>In addition to the remedy provided by \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Fines and costs; judgment of abatement\" href=\"\/48-5\/\">48-5<\/a> and any other remedy provided by <span class=\"dictionary\">law<\/span>, any <span class=\"dictionary\">locality<\/span> may maintain an action to compel a responsible <span class=\"dictionary\">party<\/span> to abate, raze, or remove a public nuisance. If the public nuisance presents an imminent and immediate threat to life or property, then the <span class=\"dictionary\">locality<\/span> may abate, raze, or remove such public nuisance, and a <span class=\"dictionary\">locality<\/span> may bring an action against the responsible <span class=\"dictionary\">party<\/span> to recover the necessary costs incurred for the provision of public emergency services reasonably required to abate any such public nuisance.\n\t\tThe term &#8220;nuisance&#8221; includes, but is not limited to, dangerous or unhealthy substances which have escaped, spilled, been released or which have been allowed to accumulate in or on any place and all unsafe, dangerous, or unsanitary public or private buildings, walls, or structures which constitute a menace to the health and safety of the occupants thereof or the public. The term &#8220;responsible <span class=\"dictionary\">party<\/span>&#8221; includes, but is not limited to, the owner, occupier, or possessor of the premises where the nuisance is located, the owner or agent of the owner of the <span class=\"dictionary\">material<\/span> which escaped, spilled, or was released and the owner or agent of the owner who was transporting or otherwise responsible for such <span class=\"dictionary\">material<\/span> and whose acts or <span class=\"dictionary\">negligence<\/span> caused such public nuisance.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nABATEMENT OR REMOVAL OF NUISANCES BY LOCALITIES; RECOVERY OF COSTS (\u00a7 15.2-900)\n\nIn addition to the remedy provided by \u00a7 48-5 and any other remedy provided by\nlaw, any locality may maintain an action to compel a responsible party to abate,\nraze, or remove a public nuisance. If the public nuisance presents an imminent\nand immediate threat to life or property, then the locality may abate, raze, or\nremove such public nuisance, and a locality may bring an action against the\nresponsible party to recover the necessary costs incurred for the provision of\npublic emergency services reasonably required to abate any such public nuisance.\n\t\tThe term &#8220;nuisance&#8221; includes, but is not limited to, dangerous or\nunhealthy substances which have escaped, spilled, been released or which have\nbeen allowed to accumulate in or on any place and all unsafe, dangerous, or\nunsanitary public or private buildings, walls, or structures which constitute a\nmenace to the health and safety of the occupants thereof or the public. The term\n&#8220;responsible party&#8221; includes, but is not limited to, the owner,\noccupier, or possessor of the premises where the nuisance is located, the owner\nor agent of the owner of the material which escaped, spilled, or was released\nand the owner or agent of the owner who was transporting or otherwise\nresponsible for such material and whose acts or negligence caused such public\nnuisance.\n\nHISTORY: 1990, c. 674, \u00a7 15.1-29.21; 1997, c. 587.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}