{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-912.3.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-912.3.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-912.3.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-912.3.html"}],"law_id":75144,"edition_id":1,"section_id":75144,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-912.3","catch_line":"Regulation of dance halls by counties, cities, and towns","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 18.1-354; 1960, c. 358; 1962, c. 620; 1975, cc. 14, 15, \u00a7 18.2-433; 1978, c. 661; 1993, c. 866; 2004, c. 462; 2020, cc. 1113, 1114.","full_text":"For the purposes of this section, &#8220;public dance hall&#8221; means any place open to the general public where dancing is permitted; however, a restaurant located in any city licensed under subsection A of \u00a7 4.1-206.3 to serve food and beverages having a dance floor with an area not exceeding 10 percent of the total floor area of the establishment shall not be considered a public dance hall.\n\t\tAny locality may by ordinance regulate public dance halls in such locality and prescribe punishment for violation of such ordinance not to exceed that prescribed for a Class 3 misdemeanor.\n\t\tSuch ordinance shall prescribe for (i) the issuance of permits to operate public dance halls, grounds for revocation and procedure for revocation of such permits; (ii) a license tax not to exceed $600 on every person operating or conducting any such dance hall; and (iii) rules and regulations for the operation of such dance halls. Such ordinances may exempt from their operation dances held for benevolent or charitable purposes and dances conducted under the auspices of religious, educational, civic, or military organizations.\n\t\tNo county ordinance adopted under the provisions of this section shall be in effect in any town in which an ordinance adopted under the provisions of this section is in effect.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":269867,"text":"For the purposes of this section, &#8220;public dance hall&#8221; means any place open to the general public where dancing is permitted; however, a restaurant located in any city licensed under subsection A of \u00a7 4.1-206.3 to serve food and beverages having a dance floor with an area not exceeding 10 percent of the total floor area of the establishment shall not be considered a public dance hall.\n\t\tAny locality may by ordinance regulate public dance halls in such locality and prescribe punishment for violation of such ordinance not to exceed that prescribed for a Class 3 misdemeanor.\n\t\tSuch ordinance shall prescribe for (i) the issuance of permits to operate public dance halls, grounds for revocation and procedure for revocation of such permits; (ii) a license tax not to exceed $600 on every person operating or conducting any such dance hall; and (iii) rules and regulations for the operation of such dance halls. Such ordinances may exempt from their operation dances held for benevolent or charitable purposes and dances conducted under the auspices of religious, educational, civic, or military organizations.\n\t\tNo county ordinance adopted under the provisions of this section shall be in effect in any town in which an ordinance adopted under the provisions of this section is in effect.","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}],"previous_section":{"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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-912.3\/","history_text":"<p>The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 7 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 358; in 1962, chapter 620; in 1975, chapters 14 and 15; in 1978, chapter 661; in 1993, chapter 866; in 2004, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?041+ful+CHAP0462\">462<\/a>; in 2020, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?201+ful+CHAP1113\">1113<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?201+ful+CHAP1114\">1114<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":71341,"section_number":"4.1-206.3","catch_line":"Retail licenses","order_by":null,"url":"\/4.1-206.3\/"}],"permalink":{"id":156441,"object_type":"law","relational_id":75144,"identifier":"15.2-912.3","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-912.3","url":"\/15.2-912.3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-912.3\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-912.3","dublin_core":{"Title":"Regulation of dance halls by counties, cities, and towns","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-912.3","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>For the purposes of this section, &#8220;public dance hall&#8221; means any place open to the general public where dancing is permitted; however, a restaurant located in any <span class=\"dictionary\">city<\/span> licensed under subsection A of \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Retail licenses\" href=\"\/4.1-206.3\/\">4.1-206.3<\/a> to serve food and beverages having a dance floor with an area not exceeding 10 percent of the total floor area of the establishment shall not be considered a public dance hall.\n\t\tAny <span class=\"dictionary\">locality<\/span> may by <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinance<\/span> regulate public dance halls in such <span class=\"dictionary\">locality<\/span> and prescribe punishment for violation of such <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinance<\/span> not to exceed that prescribed for a Class 3 <span class=\"dictionary\">misdemeanor<\/span>.\n\t\tSuch <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinance<\/span> shall prescribe for (i) the issuance of permits to operate public dance halls, grounds for <span class=\"dictionary\">revocation<\/span> and procedure for <span class=\"dictionary\">revocation<\/span> of such permits; (ii) a license tax not to exceed $600 on every person operating or conducting any such dance hall; and (iii) rules and regulations for the operation of such dance halls. Such <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinances<\/span> may exempt from their operation dances held for benevolent or charitable purposes and dances conducted under the auspices of religious, educational, civic, or military organizations.\n\t\tNo <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinance<\/span> adopted under the provisions of this section shall be in effect in any <span class=\"dictionary\">town<\/span> in which an <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinance<\/span> adopted under the provisions of this section is in effect.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nREGULATION OF DANCE HALLS BY COUNTIES, CITIES, AND TOWNS (\u00a7 15.2-912.3)\n\nFor the purposes of this section, &#8220;public dance hall&#8221; means any\nplace open to the general public where dancing is permitted; however, a\nrestaurant located in any city licensed under subsection A of \u00a7 4.1-206.3 to\nserve food and beverages having a dance floor with an area not exceeding 10\npercent of the total floor area of the establishment shall not be considered a\npublic dance hall.\n\t\tAny locality may by ordinance regulate public dance halls in such locality and\nprescribe punishment for violation of such ordinance not to exceed that\nprescribed for a Class 3 misdemeanor.\n\t\tSuch ordinance shall prescribe for (i) the issuance of permits to operate\npublic dance halls, grounds for revocation and procedure for revocation of such\npermits; (ii) a license tax not to exceed $600 on every person operating or\nconducting any such dance hall; and (iii) rules and regulations for the\noperation of such dance halls. Such ordinances may exempt from their operation\ndances held for benevolent or charitable purposes and dances conducted under the\nauspices of religious, educational, civic, or military organizations.\n\t\tNo county ordinance adopted under the provisions of this section shall be in\neffect in any town in which an ordinance adopted under the provisions of this\nsection is in effect.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 18.1-354; 1960, c. 358; 1962, c. 620; 1975, cc. 14, 15,\n\u00a7 18.2-433; 1978, c. 661; 1993, c. 866; 2004, c. 462; 2020, cc. 1113, 1114.","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}}