{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-911.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-911.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-911.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-911.html"}],"law_id":86380,"edition_id":1,"section_id":86380,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-911","catch_line":"Regulation of alarm company operators","history":"1978, c. 587, \u00a7 15.1-28.2; 1997, c. 587; 2022, cc. 43, 44.","full_text":"A\n\nAny locality may by ordinance regulate the installation and maintenance of alarm systems operated by alarm company operators.B\n\nAs used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Alarm company operator” means and includes any business operated for profit, engaged in the installation, maintenance, alteration, or servicing of alarm systems or which responds to such alarm systems. Such term, however, shall not include alarm systems maintained by governmental agencies or departments, nor shall it include a business which merely sells from a fixed location or manufactures alarm systems unless such business services, installs, monitors or responds to alarm systems at the protected premises.\n\t\t\t“Alarm system” means an assembly of equipment and devices arranged to signal the presence of a hazard requiring urgent attention and to which police or firefighters are expected to respond. Such system may be installed, maintained, altered or serviced by an alarm company operator in both commercial and residential premises.\n\t\t\t“Battery-charged fence security system” means a system intended for security that includes a fence, a battery-operated energizer connected to the fence and designed to periodically deliver voltage impulses to the fence, a battery-charging device used exclusively to charge the battery, and any other ancillary components and attached equipment. “Battery-charged fence security system” does not include fencing engineered to exclude or contain deer or livestock.C\n\n1. Any battery-charged fence security system shall (i) interface with a monitored alarm device in a manner that enables the system to transmit a signal intended to alert the owner or law enforcement; (ii) have an energizer powered by a commercial storage battery that provides not more than 12 volts of direct current and meets the standards set forth in the International Electrotechnical Commission Standard 60335-2-76; (iii) be located behind a nonelectric perimeter fence or wall that is at least five feet tall; (iv) be on property not zoned for residential use; (v) not be taller than 10 feet or two feet taller than the height of the perimeter fence or wall, whichever is taller; (vi) be marked with warning signs posted conspicuously on the fence at 30-foot intervals that state “Warning – Electric Fence”; and (vii) include a mechanism that allows first responders to deactivate the system during an emergency.2\n\nA locality may require: (i) a person who provides or operates a battery-charged fence security system to comply with this subsection; (ii) a person who provides or operates a battery-charged fence security system to comply with the ministerial requirements of an alarm company operator, including a permit or registration and payment of any accompanying fee, prior to providing or operating such battery-charged fence security system; and (iii) an installer, on completion of a newly installed battery-charged fence security system, to submit to the locality an affidavit that includes the address of the installation, name of the installer, date of the installation, and an affirmation that the criteria in this subsection are satisfied.3\n\nA locality may inspect a newly installed battery-charged fence security system after receipt of an affidavit to ensure the system meets the requirements of this subsection. If the battery-charged fence security system fails to comply with the criteria set forth in this subsection, the locality may issue a citation describing the specific noncompliance and requiring the battery-charged fence security system to come into compliance within a reasonable period of time. The locality may also impose a penalty not to exceed $500 for the first instance if the battery-charged fence security system is not made compliant within the specified period of time.4\n\nIf a battery-charged fence security system meets the requirements of subdivision 1, then a locality shall not establish or otherwise impose any product, installation, or operational requirements, fees, or approvals for a battery-charged fence security system nor prohibit the use of such a system.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":309332,"text":"Any locality may by ordinance regulate the installation and maintenance of alarm systems operated by alarm company operators.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":309333,"text":"As used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Alarm company operator” means and includes any business operated for profit, engaged in the installation, maintenance, alteration, or servicing of alarm systems or which responds to such alarm systems. Such term, however, shall not include alarm systems maintained by governmental agencies or departments, nor shall it include a business which merely sells from a fixed location or manufactures alarm systems unless such business services, installs, monitors or responds to alarm systems at the protected premises.\n\t\t\t“Alarm system” means an assembly of equipment and devices arranged to signal the presence of a hazard requiring urgent attention and to which police or firefighters are expected to respond. Such system may be installed, maintained, altered or serviced by an alarm company operator in both commercial and residential premises.\n\t\t\t“Battery-charged fence security system” means a system intended for security that includes a fence, a battery-operated energizer connected to the fence and designed to periodically deliver voltage impulses to the fence, a battery-charging device used exclusively to charge the battery, and any other ancillary components and attached equipment. “Battery-charged fence security system” does not include fencing engineered to exclude or contain deer or livestock.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":309334,"text":"1. Any battery-charged fence security system shall (i) interface with a monitored alarm device in a manner that enables the system to transmit a signal intended to alert the owner or law enforcement; (ii) have an energizer powered by a commercial storage battery that provides not more than 12 volts of direct current and meets the standards set forth in the International Electrotechnical Commission Standard 60335-2-76; (iii) be located behind a nonelectric perimeter fence or wall that is at least five feet tall; (iv) be on property not zoned for residential use; (v) not be taller than 10 feet or two feet taller than the height of the perimeter fence or wall, whichever is taller; (vi) be marked with warning signs posted conspicuously on the fence at 30-foot intervals that state “Warning – Electric Fence”; and (vii) include a mechanism that allows first responders to deactivate the system during an emergency.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"C2"},"3":{"id":309335,"text":"A locality may require: (i) a person who provides or operates a battery-charged fence security system to comply with this subsection; (ii) a person who provides or operates a battery-charged fence security system to comply with the ministerial requirements of an alarm company operator, including a permit or registration and payment of any accompanying fee, prior to providing or operating such battery-charged fence security system; and (iii) an installer, on completion of a newly installed battery-charged fence security system, to submit to the locality an affidavit that includes the address of the installation, name of the installer, date of the installation, and an affirmation that the criteria in this subsection are satisfied.","type":"section","prefixes":["C","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"C2","prefix_anchor":"C2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"C3"},"4":{"id":309336,"text":"A locality may inspect a newly installed battery-charged fence security system after receipt of an affidavit to ensure the system meets the requirements of this subsection. If the battery-charged fence security system fails to comply with the criteria set forth in this subsection, the locality may issue a citation describing the specific noncompliance and requiring the battery-charged fence security system to come into compliance within a reasonable period of time. The locality may also impose a penalty not to exceed $500 for the first instance if the battery-charged fence security system is not made compliant within the specified period of time.","type":"section","prefixes":["C","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"C3","prefix_anchor":"C3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C2","next_prefix":"C4"},"5":{"id":309337,"text":"If a battery-charged fence security system meets the requirements of subdivision 1, then a locality shall not establish or otherwise impose any product, installation, or operational requirements, fees, or approvals for a battery-charged fence security system nor prohibit the use of such a system.","type":"section","prefixes":["C","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"C4","prefix_anchor":"C4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C3"}},"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; 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This law was first created in 1978. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 587 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 1978 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 2 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 1997, chapter 587<\/a>; in 2022, chapters 43<\/a> and 44<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":68646,"section_number":"44-102.1","catch_line":"Rights, benefits and protections upon call to active duty; contract termination","order_by":null,"url":"\/44-102.1\/"},{"id":59010,"section_number":"59.1-207.48","catch_line":"Exemptions","order_by":null,"url":"\/59.1-207.48\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":156425,"object_type":"law","relational_id":86380,"identifier":"15.2-911","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-911","url":"\/15.2-911\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-911\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-911","dublin_core":{"Title":"Regulation of alarm company operators","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-911","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Any locality<\/span> may by ordinance<\/span> regulate the installation and maintenance of alarm systems<\/span> operated by alarm company operators<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> As used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Alarm company operator<\/span>” means and includes any business operated for profit, engaged in the installation, maintenance, alteration, or servicing of alarm systems<\/span> or which responds to such alarm systems<\/span>. Such term, however, shall not include alarm systems<\/span> maintained by governmental agencies or departments, nor shall it include a business which merely sells from a fixed location or manufactures alarm systems<\/span> unless such business services, installs, monitors or responds to alarm systems<\/span> at the protected premises.\n\t\t\t“Alarm system<\/span>” means an assembly of equipment and devices arranged to signal the presence of a hazard requiring urgent attention and to which police or firefighters are expected to respond. Such system may be installed, maintained, altered or serviced by an alarm company operator<\/span> in both commercial and residential premises.\n\t\t\t“Battery<\/span>-charged fence security system<\/span>” means a system intended for security that includes a fence, a battery<\/span>-operated energizer connected to the fence and designed to periodically deliver voltage impulses to the fence, a battery<\/span>-charging device used exclusively to charge the battery<\/span>, and any other ancillary components and attached equipment. “Battery<\/span>-charged fence security system<\/span>” does not include fencing engineered to exclude or contain deer or livestock. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> 1. Any battery<\/span>-charged fence security system<\/span> shall (i) interface with a monitored alarm device in a manner that enables the system to transmit a signal intended to alert the owner or law<\/span> enforcement; (ii) have an energizer powered by a commercial storage battery<\/span> that provides not more than 12 volts of direct current and meets the standards set forth in the International Electrotechnical Commission Standard 60335-2-76; (iii) be located behind a nonelectric perimeter fence or wall that is at least five feet tall; (iv) be on property not zoned for residential use; (v) not be taller than 10 feet or two feet taller than the height of the perimeter fence or wall, whichever is taller; (vi) be marked with warning signs posted conspicuously on the fence at 30-foot intervals that state “Warning – Electric Fence”; and (vii) include a mechanism that allows first responders to deactivate the system during an emergency. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> A locality<\/span> may require: (i) a person who provides or operates a battery<\/span>-charged fence security system<\/span> to comply with this subsection; (ii) a person who provides or operates a battery<\/span>-charged fence security system<\/span> to comply with the ministerial requirements of an alarm company operator<\/span>, including a permit or registration and payment of any accompanying fee, prior to providing or operating such battery<\/span>-charged fence security system<\/span>; and (iii) an installer, on completion of a newly installed battery<\/span>-charged fence security system<\/span>, to submit to the locality<\/span> an affidavit<\/span> that includes the address of the installation, name of the installer, date of the installation, and an affirmation that the criteria in this subsection are satisfied. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> A locality<\/span> may inspect a newly installed battery<\/span>-charged fence security system<\/span> after receipt of an affidavit<\/span> to ensure the system meets the requirements of this subsection. If the battery<\/span>-charged fence security system<\/span> fails to comply with the criteria set forth in this subsection, the locality<\/span> may issue<\/span> a citation<\/span> describing the specific noncompliance and requiring the battery<\/span>-charged fence security system<\/span> to come into compliance within a reasonable period of time. The locality<\/span> may also impose a penalty<\/span> not to exceed $500 for the first instance if the battery<\/span>-charged fence security system<\/span> is not made compliant within the specified period of time. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> If a battery<\/span>-charged fence security system<\/span> meets the requirements of subdivision 1, then a locality<\/span> shall not establish or otherwise impose any product, installation, or operational requirements, fees, or approvals for a battery<\/span>-charged fence security system<\/span> nor prohibit the use of such a system. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nREGULATION OF ALARM COMPANY OPERATORS (\u00a7 15.2-911)\n\nA. Any locality may by ordinance regulate the installation and maintenance of\nalarm systems operated by alarm company operators.\n\nB. As used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Alarm company operator” means and includes any business operated\nfor profit, engaged in the installation, maintenance, alteration, or servicing\nof alarm systems or which responds to such alarm systems. Such term, however,\nshall not include alarm systems maintained by governmental agencies or\ndepartments, nor shall it include a business which merely sells from a fixed\nlocation or manufactures alarm systems unless such business services, installs,\nmonitors or responds to alarm systems at the protected premises.\n\t\t\t“Alarm system” means an assembly of equipment and devices\narranged to signal the presence of a hazard requiring urgent attention and to\nwhich police or firefighters are expected to respond. Such system may be\ninstalled, maintained, altered or serviced by an alarm company operator in both\ncommercial and residential premises.\n\t\t\t“Battery-charged fence security system” means a system intended\nfor security that includes a fence, a battery-operated energizer connected to\nthe fence and designed to periodically deliver voltage impulses to the fence, a\nbattery-charging device used exclusively to charge the battery, and any other\nancillary components and attached equipment. “Battery-charged fence\nsecurity system” does not include fencing engineered to exclude or contain\ndeer or livestock.\n\nC. 1. Any battery-charged fence security system shall (i) interface with a\nmonitored alarm device in a manner that enables the system to transmit a signal\nintended to alert the owner or law enforcement; (ii) have an energizer powered\nby a commercial storage battery that provides not more than 12 volts of direct\ncurrent and meets the standards set forth in the International Electrotechnical\nCommission Standard 60335-2-76; (iii) be located behind a nonelectric perimeter\nfence or wall that is at least five feet tall; (iv) be on property not zoned for\nresidential use; (v) not be taller than 10 feet or two feet taller than the\nheight of the perimeter fence or wall, whichever is taller; (vi) be marked with\nwarning signs posted conspicuously on the fence at 30-foot intervals that state\n“Warning – Electric Fence”; and (vii) include a mechanism that\nallows first responders to deactivate the system during an emergency.\n\n 2. A locality may require: (i) a person who provides or operates a\n battery-charged fence security system to comply with this subsection; (ii) a\n person who provides or operates a battery-charged fence security system to\n comply with the ministerial requirements of an alarm company operator,\n including a permit or registration and payment of any accompanying fee, prior\n to providing or operating such battery-charged fence security system; and\n (iii) an installer, on completion of a newly installed battery-charged fence\n security system, to submit to the locality an affidavit that includes the\n address of the installation, name of the installer, date of the installation,\n and an affirmation that the criteria in this subsection are satisfied.\n\n 3. A locality may inspect a newly installed battery-charged fence security\n system after receipt of an affidavit to ensure the system meets the\n requirements of this subsection. If the battery-charged fence security system\n fails to comply with the criteria set forth in this subsection, the locality\n may issue a citation describing the specific noncompliance and requiring the\n battery-charged fence security system to come into compliance within a\n reasonable period of time. The locality may also impose a penalty not to\n exceed $500 for the first instance if the battery-charged fence security\n system is not made compliant within the specified period of time.\n\n 4. If a battery-charged fence security system meets the requirements of\n subdivision 1, then a locality shall not establish or otherwise impose any\n product, installation, or operational requirements, fees, or approvals for a\n battery-charged fence security system nor prohibit the use of such a system.\n\nHISTORY: 1978, c. 587, \u00a7 15.1-28.2; 1997, c. 587; 2022, cc. 43, 44.","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}}