{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-924.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-924.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-924.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-924.html"}],"law_id":59838,"edition_id":1,"section_id":59838,"structure_id":13288,"section_number":"15.2-924","catch_line":"Water supply emergency ordinances","history":"1978, c. 669, \u00a7 15.1-37.3:4; 1997, c. 587; 2001, c. 258.","full_text":"A\n\nWhenever the governing body of any locality finds that a water supply emergency exists or is reasonably likely to occur if water conservation measures are not taken, it may adopt an ordinance restricting the use of water by the citizens of such locality for the duration of such emergency or for a period of time necessary to prevent the occurrence of a water supply emergency. However, such ordinance shall apply only to water supplied by a locality, authority, or company distributing water for a fee or charge. Such ordinance may include appropriate penalties designed to prevent excessive use of water, including, but not limited to, a surcharge on excessive amounts used.B\n\nAfter such an emergency has been declared in any locality, any owner of a water supply system serving that locality may apply to the State Water Control Board for assistance. If the State Water Control Board confirms the existence of an emergency, and finds that such owner and such locality have exhausted available means to relieve the emergency and that the owner and locality are applying all feasible water conservation measures, and in addition finds that there is water available in neighboring localities in excess of the reasonable needs of such localities, and that there exists between such neighboring localities interconnections for the transmission of water, the Board shall so inform the Governor. The Governor, if requested jointly by the locality and the owner of the systems supplying the locality, may then appoint a committee consisting of one representative of the locality declaring the emergency, one representative of the system supplying the locality under emergency, and those two representatives shall choose a third representative and failing to choose such third representative within seven days he shall be selected by the Governor. The committee shall have the duty and authority to allocate the water available in such localities for the period of the emergency, provided that the period of the emergency shall not exceed that determined by the locality declaring the emergency or the State Water Control Board whichever period termination is earlier, so that the best water supply possible will be provided to all water users during the emergency as previously described. Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring the construction of pipeline interconnections between any locality or any water supply system.C\n\nAny water taken from one water supplier for the benefit of another shall be paid for by using the established rate schedule of the supplier for treated water. Raw water shall be furnished at rates which shall reflect all costs to the supplying locality, including, but not limited to, capital investment costs. Should there be imposed upon the supplier any additional obligation, water production costs or other capital or operating expenditures beyond those normal to the suppliers’ system, then the cost of same shall be chargeable to the receiving locality by single payment or by incorporation in a special rate structure, all of the same as shall be reasonable.D\n\nNothing contained in this section shall authorize any locality to regulate the use of water taken from a river or any flowing stream when such water is used for industrial purposes and the approximate same quantity of water is returned to such river or stream after such industrial usage.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":219204,"text":"Whenever the governing body of any locality finds that a water supply emergency exists or is reasonably likely to occur if water conservation measures are not taken, it may adopt an ordinance restricting the use of water by the citizens of such locality for the duration of such emergency or for a period of time necessary to prevent the occurrence of a water supply emergency. However, such ordinance shall apply only to water supplied by a locality, authority, or company distributing water for a fee or charge. Such ordinance may include appropriate penalties designed to prevent excessive use of water, including, but not limited to, a surcharge on excessive amounts used.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":219205,"text":"After such an emergency has been declared in any locality, any owner of a water supply system serving that locality may apply to the State Water Control Board for assistance. If the State Water Control Board confirms the existence of an emergency, and finds that such owner and such locality have exhausted available means to relieve the emergency and that the owner and locality are applying all feasible water conservation measures, and in addition finds that there is water available in neighboring localities in excess of the reasonable needs of such localities, and that there exists between such neighboring localities interconnections for the transmission of water, the Board shall so inform the Governor. The Governor, if requested jointly by the locality and the owner of the systems supplying the locality, may then appoint a committee consisting of one representative of the locality declaring the emergency, one representative of the system supplying the locality under emergency, and those two representatives shall choose a third representative and failing to choose such third representative within seven days he shall be selected by the Governor. The committee shall have the duty and authority to allocate the water available in such localities for the period of the emergency, provided that the period of the emergency shall not exceed that determined by the locality declaring the emergency or the State Water Control Board whichever period termination is earlier, so that the best water supply possible will be provided to all water users during the emergency as previously described. Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring the construction of pipeline interconnections between any locality or any water supply system.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":219206,"text":"Any water taken from one water supplier for the benefit of another shall be paid for by using the established rate schedule of the supplier for treated water. Raw water shall be furnished at rates which shall reflect all costs to the supplying locality, including, but not limited to, capital investment costs. Should there be imposed upon the supplier any additional obligation, water production costs or other capital or operating expenditures beyond those normal to the suppliers’ system, then the cost of same shall be chargeable to the receiving locality by single payment or by incorporation in a special rate structure, all of the same as shall be reasonable.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":219207,"text":"Nothing contained in this section shall authorize any locality to regulate the use of water taken from a river or any flowing stream when such water is used for industrial purposes and the approximate same quantity of water is returned to such river or stream after such industrial usage.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"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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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; 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civil penalty","url":"\/15.2-926.4\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-926.4","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-924\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1978. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 669 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 2001, chapter 258<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":156521,"object_type":"law","relational_id":59838,"identifier":"15.2-924","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-924","url":"\/15.2-924\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-924\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/1\/15.2-924","dublin_core":{"Title":"Water supply emergency ordinances","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-924","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Whenever the governing body<\/span> of any locality<\/span> finds that a water supply emergency exists or is reasonably likely to occur if water conservation measures are not taken, it may adopt an ordinance<\/span> restricting the use of water by the citizens of such locality<\/span> for the duration of such emergency or for a period of time necessary to prevent the occurrence of a water supply emergency. However, such ordinance<\/span> shall apply only to water supplied by a locality<\/span>, authority, or company distributing water for a fee or charge. Such ordinance<\/span> may include appropriate penalties designed to prevent excessive use of water, including, but not limited to, a surcharge on excessive amounts used. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> After such an emergency has been declared in any locality<\/span>, any owner of a water supply system serving that locality<\/span> may apply to the State Water Control Board for assistance. If the State Water Control Board confirms the existence of an emergency, and finds that such owner and such locality<\/span> have exhausted available means to relieve the emergency and that the owner and locality<\/span> are applying all feasible water conservation measures, and in addition finds that there is water available in neighboring localities in excess of the reasonable needs of such localities, and that there exists between such neighboring localities interconnections for the transmission of water, the Board shall so inform the Governor. The Governor, if requested jointly by the locality<\/span> and the owner of the systems supplying the locality<\/span>, may then appoint a committee consisting of one representative of the locality<\/span> declaring the emergency, one representative of the system supplying the locality<\/span> under emergency, and those two representatives shall choose a third representative and failing to choose such third representative within seven days he shall be selected by the Governor. The committee shall have the duty and authority to allocate the water available in such localities for the period of the emergency, provided that the period of the emergency shall not exceed that determined by the locality<\/span> declaring the emergency or the State Water Control Board whichever period termination is earlier, so that the best water supply possible will be provided to all water users during the emergency as previously described. Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring the construction of pipeline interconnections between any locality<\/span> or any water supply system. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Any water taken from one water supplier for the benefit of another shall be paid for by using the established rate schedule of the supplier for treated water. Raw water shall be furnished at rates which shall reflect all costs to the supplying locality<\/span>, including, but not limited to, capital investment costs. Should there be imposed upon the supplier any additional obligation, water production costs or other capital or operating expenditures beyond those normal to the suppliers’ system, then the cost of same shall be chargeable to the receiving locality<\/span> by single payment or by incorporation in a special rate structure, all of the same as shall be reasonable. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Nothing contained in this section shall authorize any locality<\/span> to regulate the use of water taken from a river or any flowing stream when such water is used for industrial purposes and the approximate same quantity of water is returned to such river or stream after such industrial usage. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nWATER SUPPLY EMERGENCY ORDINANCES (\u00a7 15.2-924)\n\nA. Whenever the governing body of any locality finds that a water supply\nemergency exists or is reasonably likely to occur if water conservation measures\nare not taken, it may adopt an ordinance restricting the use of water by the\ncitizens of such locality for the duration of such emergency or for a period of\ntime necessary to prevent the occurrence of a water supply emergency. However,\nsuch ordinance shall apply only to water supplied by a locality, authority, or\ncompany distributing water for a fee or charge. Such ordinance may include\nappropriate penalties designed to prevent excessive use of water, including, but\nnot limited to, a surcharge on excessive amounts used.\n\nB. After such an emergency has been declared in any locality, any owner of a\nwater supply system serving that locality may apply to the State Water Control\nBoard for assistance. If the State Water Control Board confirms the existence of\nan emergency, and finds that such owner and such locality have exhausted\navailable means to relieve the emergency and that the owner and locality are\napplying all feasible water conservation measures, and in addition finds that\nthere is water available in neighboring localities in excess of the reasonable\nneeds of such localities, and that there exists between such neighboring\nlocalities interconnections for the transmission of water, the Board shall so\ninform the Governor. The Governor, if requested jointly by the locality and the\nowner of the systems supplying the locality, may then appoint a committee\nconsisting of one representative of the locality declaring the emergency, one\nrepresentative of the system supplying the locality under emergency, and those\ntwo representatives shall choose a third representative and failing to choose\nsuch third representative within seven days he shall be selected by the\nGovernor. The committee shall have the duty and authority to allocate the water\navailable in such localities for the period of the emergency, provided that the\nperiod of the emergency shall not exceed that determined by the locality\ndeclaring the emergency or the State Water Control Board whichever period\ntermination is earlier, so that the best water supply possible will be provided\nto all water users during the emergency as previously described. Nothing in this\nsection shall be construed as requiring the construction of pipeline\ninterconnections between any locality or any water supply system.\n\nC. Any water taken from one water supplier for the benefit of another shall be\npaid for by using the established rate schedule of the supplier for treated\nwater. Raw water shall be furnished at rates which shall reflect all costs to\nthe supplying locality, including, but not limited to, capital investment costs.\nShould there be imposed upon the supplier any additional obligation, water\nproduction costs or other capital or operating expenditures beyond those normal\nto the suppliers’ system, then the cost of same shall be chargeable to the\nreceiving locality by single payment or by incorporation in a special rate\nstructure, all of the same as shall be reasonable.\n\nD. Nothing contained in this section shall authorize any locality to regulate\nthe use of water taken from a river or any flowing stream when such water is\nused for industrial purposes and the approximate same quantity of water is\nreturned to such river or stream after such industrial usage.\n\nHISTORY: 1978, c. 669, \u00a7 15.1-37.3:4; 1997, c. 587; 2001, c. 258.","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}}