{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/25.1-203.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/25.1-203.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/25.1-203.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/25.1-203.html"}],"law_id":67030,"edition_id":1,"section_id":67030,"structure_id":15977,"section_number":"25.1-203","catch_line":"Authority of certain condemnors to inspect property; reimbursement for damages; notice prior to entry","history":"1968, c. 415, \u00a7 25-232.1; 1970, c. 182; 2003, c. 940; 2005, c. 877; 2019, c. 788; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 60.","full_text":"A\n\nIn connection with any project wherein the power of eminent domain may be exercised, any locality or any petitioner exercising the procedure set forth in Chapter 3 (§ 25.1-300 et seq.), acting through its duly authorized officers, agents or employees, may enter upon any property without the written permission of its owner if the petitioner has requested the owner’s permission to inspect the property as provided in subsection B.B\n\n1. A request for permission to inspect shall (i) be on the petitioner’s official letterhead and signed by an authorized officer, agent, or employee of such entity; (ii) be sent to the owner by certified mail, return receipt requested, delivered by guaranteed overnight courier, or otherwise delivered to the owner in person with proof of delivery; (iii) be made not less than 30 days prior to the first date of the proposed inspection; and (iv) notify the owner that if permission is withheld, the petitioner shall be permitted to enter the property on the date of the proposed inspection. A mere citation of this section number of the Code of Virginia shall not satisfy the requirements of clause (iv). A request for permission to inspect shall be deemed to be made on the date of mailing, if mailed, or otherwise on the date of delivery.2\n\nA request for permission to inspect shall include (i) the specific date or dates such inspection is proposed to be made; (ii) the name of the entity entering the property; (iii) the number of persons for whom permission is sought; (iv) the purpose for which entry is made; and (v) the testing, appraisals, or examinations to be performed and other actions to be taken.3\n\nIf a request for permission is provided in accordance with subdivision 1, a petitioner may enter the property sooner than the 30 days indicated in the request only if the owner provides permission, in writing, to enter on an earlier date.C\n\nAny entry authorized by this section (i) shall be for the purpose of making surveys, tests, appraisals or examinations thereof in order to determine the suitability of such property for the project, and (ii) shall not be deemed a trespass.D\n\nThe petitioner shall make reimbursement for any actual damages resulting from entry upon the property. In any action filed under this section, the court may award the owner his reasonable (i) attorney fees, (ii) court costs, and (iii) fees for up to three experts or as many experts as are called by the petitioner, whichever is greater, who testified at trial if the court finds that the petitioner damaged the owner’s property. A proceeding under this subsection shall not preclude the owner from pursuing any additional remedies available at law or equity.E\n\nThe requirements of this section shall not apply to the practice of land surveying, as defined in § 54.1-400, when such surveying is not involved in any eminent domain or any proposed eminent domain matter.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":242946,"text":"In connection with any project wherein the power of eminent domain may be exercised, any locality or any petitioner exercising the procedure set forth in Chapter 3 (§ 25.1-300 et seq.), acting through its duly authorized officers, agents or employees, may enter upon any property without the written permission of its owner if the petitioner has requested the owner’s permission to inspect the property as provided in subsection B.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":242947,"text":"1. A request for permission to inspect shall (i) be on the petitioner’s official letterhead and signed by an authorized officer, agent, or employee of such entity; (ii) be sent to the owner by certified mail, return receipt requested, delivered by guaranteed overnight courier, or otherwise delivered to the owner in person with proof of delivery; (iii) be made not less than 30 days prior to the first date of the proposed inspection; and (iv) notify the owner that if permission is withheld, the petitioner shall be permitted to enter the property on the date of the proposed inspection. A mere citation of this section number of the Code of Virginia shall not satisfy the requirements of clause (iv). A request for permission to inspect shall be deemed to be made on the date of mailing, if mailed, or otherwise on the date of delivery.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B2"},"2":{"id":242948,"text":"A request for permission to inspect shall include (i) the specific date or dates such inspection is proposed to be made; (ii) the name of the entity entering the property; (iii) the number of persons for whom permission is sought; (iv) the purpose for which entry is made; and (v) the testing, appraisals, or examinations to be performed and other actions to be taken.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B3"},"3":{"id":242949,"text":"If a request for permission is provided in accordance with subdivision 1, a petitioner may enter the property sooner than the 30 days indicated in the request only if the owner provides permission, in writing, to enter on an earlier date.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"B3","prefix_anchor":"B3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"C"},"4":{"id":242950,"text":"Any entry authorized by this section (i) shall be for the purpose of making surveys, tests, appraisals or examinations thereof in order to determine the suitability of such property for the project, and (ii) shall not be deemed a trespass.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B3","next_prefix":"D"},"5":{"id":242951,"text":"The petitioner shall make reimbursement for any actual damages resulting from entry upon the property. In any action filed under this section, the court may award the owner his reasonable (i) attorney fees, (ii) court costs, and (iii) fees for up to three experts or as many experts as are called by the petitioner, whichever is greater, who testified at trial if the court finds that the petitioner damaged the owner’s property. A proceeding under this subsection shall not preclude the owner from pursuing any additional remedies available at law or equity.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"6":{"id":242952,"text":"The requirements of this section shall not apply to the practice of land surveying, as defined in § 54.1-400, when such surveying is not involved in any eminent domain or any proposed eminent domain matter.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15977,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13197,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 04:03:07","date_modified":"2026-06-26 04:03:07","permalink":{"id":189539,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15977,"identifier":"1","token":"25.1\/2\/1","url":"\/25.1\/2\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13197,"edition_id":1,"name":"Condemnation Procedures","identifier":"2","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13196,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:26","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:26","permalink":{"id":189537,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13197,"identifier":"2","token":"25.1\/2","url":"\/25.1\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13196,"edition_id":1,"name":"Eminent Domain","identifier":"25.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:26","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:26","permalink":{"id":189493,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13196,"identifier":"25.1","token":"25.1","url":"\/25.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":62316,"structure_id":15977,"section_number":"25.1-200","catch_line":"Chapter controls condemnation proceedings","url":"\/25.1-200\/","token":"25.1\/2\/1\/25.1-200","metadata":false},{"id":87259,"structure_id":15977,"section_number":"25.1-201","catch_line":"Jurisdiction of condemnation proceedings","url":"\/25.1-201\/","token":"25.1\/2\/1\/25.1-201","metadata":false},{"id":72884,"structure_id":15977,"section_number":"25.1-202","catch_line":"Nature of proceedings","url":"\/25.1-202\/","token":"25.1\/2\/1\/25.1-202","metadata":false},{"id":67030,"structure_id":15977,"section_number":"25.1-203","catch_line":"Authority of certain condemnors to inspect property; reimbursement for damages; notice prior to entry","url":"\/25.1-203\/","token":"25.1\/2\/1\/25.1-203","metadata":false},{"id":64662,"structure_id":15977,"section_number":"25.1-204","catch_line":"Effort to purchase required; prerequisite to effort to purchase or filing certificate","url":"\/25.1-204\/","token":"25.1\/2\/1\/25.1-204","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":72884,"structure_id":15977,"section_number":"25.1-202","catch_line":"Nature of proceedings","url":"\/25.1-202\/","token":"25.1\/2\/1\/25.1-202","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":64662,"structure_id":15977,"section_number":"25.1-204","catch_line":"Effort to purchase required; prerequisite to effort to purchase or filing certificate","url":"\/25.1-204\/","token":"25.1\/2\/1\/25.1-204","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/25.1-203\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1968. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 415 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 1968 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 4 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 1970, chapter 182; in 2003, chapter 940<\/a>; in 2005, chapter 877<\/a>; in 2019, chapter 788<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":67140,"section_number":"22.1-127","catch_line":"Condemnation of land for school purposes; right of entry; location of school outside boundaries of school division","order_by":null,"url":"\/22.1-127\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":83870,"section_number":"25.1-300","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/25.1-300\/"},{"id":76379,"section_number":"54.1-400","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-400\/"}],"permalink":{"id":189553,"object_type":"law","relational_id":67030,"identifier":"25.1-203","token":"25.1\/2\/1\/25.1-203","url":"\/25.1-203\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/25.1-203\/","token":"25.1\/2\/1\/25.1-203","dublin_core":{"Title":"Authority of certain condemnors to inspect property; reimbursement for damages; notice prior to entry","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 25.1-203","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> In connection with any project wherein the power of eminent domain may be exercised, any locality<\/span> or any petitioner<\/span> exercising the procedure set forth in Chapter 3 (§ 25.1-300<\/a> et seq.), acting through its duly authorized officers, agents or employees, may enter upon any property<\/span> without the written permission of its owner<\/span> if the petitioner<\/span> has requested the owner<\/span>’s permission to inspect the property<\/span> as provided in subsection B. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> 1. A request for permission to inspect shall (i) be on the petitioner<\/span>’s official letterhead and signed by an authorized officer, agent, or employee of such entity; (ii) be sent to the owner<\/span> by certified mail, return receipt requested, delivered by guaranteed overnight courier, or otherwise delivered to the owner<\/span> in person<\/span> with proof of delivery; (iii) be made not less than 30 days prior to the first date of the proposed inspection; and (iv) notify the owner<\/span> that if permission is withheld, the petitioner<\/span> shall be permitted to enter the property<\/span> on the date of the proposed inspection. A mere citation<\/span> of this section number of the Code of Virginia shall not satisfy the requirements of clause (iv). A request for permission to inspect shall be deemed to be made on the date of mailing, if mailed, or otherwise on the date of delivery. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> A request for permission to inspect shall include (i) the specific date or dates such inspection is proposed to be made; (ii) the name of the entity entering the property<\/span>; (iii) the number of persons<\/span> for whom permission is sought; (iv) the purpose for which entry is made; and (v) the testing, appraisals<\/span>, or examinations to be performed and other actions to be taken. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> If a request for permission is provided in accordance with subdivision 1, a petitioner<\/span> may enter the property<\/span> sooner than the 30 days indicated in the request only if the owner<\/span> provides permission, in writing, to enter on an earlier date. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Any entry authorized by this section (i) shall be for the purpose of making surveys, tests, appraisals<\/span> or examinations thereof in order<\/span> to determine the suitability of such property<\/span> for the project, and (ii) shall not be deemed a trespass. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> The petitioner<\/span> shall make reimbursement for any actual damages<\/span> resulting from entry upon the property<\/span>. In any action filed under this section, the court<\/span> may award the owner<\/span> his reasonable (i) attorney fees, (ii) court<\/span> costs, and (iii) fees for up to three experts or as many experts as are called by the petitioner<\/span>, whichever is greater, who testified at trial<\/span> if the court<\/span> finds that the petitioner<\/span> damaged the owner<\/span>’s property<\/span>. A proceeding under this subsection shall not preclude the owner<\/span> from pursuing any additional remedies available at law<\/span> or equity<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> The requirements of this section shall not apply to the practice of land<\/span> surveying, as defined in § 54.1-400<\/a>, when such surveying is not involved in any eminent domain or any proposed eminent domain matter. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nAUTHORITY OF CERTAIN CONDEMNORS TO INSPECT PROPERTY; REIMBURSEMENT FOR DAMAGES;\nNOTICE PRIOR TO ENTRY (\u00a7 25.1-203)\n\nA. In connection with any project wherein the power of eminent domain may be\nexercised, any locality or any petitioner exercising the procedure set forth in\nChapter 3 (§ 25.1-300 et seq.), acting through its duly authorized\nofficers, agents or employees, may enter upon any property without the written\npermission of its owner if the petitioner has requested the owner’s\npermission to inspect the property as provided in subsection B.\n\nB. 1. A request for permission to inspect shall (i) be on the petitioner’s\nofficial letterhead and signed by an authorized officer, agent, or employee of\nsuch entity; (ii) be sent to the owner by certified mail, return receipt\nrequested, delivered by guaranteed overnight courier, or otherwise delivered to\nthe owner in person with proof of delivery; (iii) be made not less than 30 days\nprior to the first date of the proposed inspection; and (iv) notify the owner\nthat if permission is withheld, the petitioner shall be permitted to enter the\nproperty on the date of the proposed inspection. A mere citation of this section\nnumber of the Code of Virginia shall not satisfy the requirements of clause\n(iv). A request for permission to inspect shall be deemed to be made on the date\nof mailing, if mailed, or otherwise on the date of delivery.\n\n 2. A request for permission to inspect shall include (i) the specific date or\n dates such inspection is proposed to be made; (ii) the name of the entity\n entering the property; (iii) the number of persons for whom permission is\n sought; (iv) the purpose for which entry is made; and (v) the testing,\n appraisals, or examinations to be performed and other actions to be taken.\n\n 3. If a request for permission is provided in accordance with subdivision 1, a\n petitioner may enter the property sooner than the 30 days indicated in the\n request only if the owner provides permission, in writing, to enter on an\n earlier date.\n\nC. Any entry authorized by this section (i) shall be for the purpose of making\nsurveys, tests, appraisals or examinations thereof in order to determine the\nsuitability of such property for the project, and (ii) shall not be deemed a\ntrespass.\n\nD. The petitioner shall make reimbursement for any actual damages resulting from\nentry upon the property. In any action filed under this section, the court may\naward the owner his reasonable (i) attorney fees, (ii) court costs, and (iii)\nfees for up to three experts or as many experts as are called by the petitioner,\nwhichever is greater, who testified at trial if the court finds that the\npetitioner damaged the owner’s property. A proceeding under this\nsubsection shall not preclude the owner from pursuing any additional remedies\navailable at law or equity.\n\nE. The requirements of this section shall not apply to the practice of land\nsurveying, as defined in § 54.1-400, when such surveying is not involved in\nany eminent domain or any proposed eminent domain matter.\n\nHISTORY: 1968, c. 415, \u00a7 25-232.1; 1970, c. 182; 2003, c. 940; 2005, c. 877;\n2019, c. 788; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 60.","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}}