{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/28.2-1302.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/28.2-1302.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/28.2-1302.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/28.2-1302.html"}],"law_id":62624,"edition_id":1,"section_id":62624,"structure_id":15898,"section_number":"28.2-1302","catch_line":"Adoption of wetlands zoning ordinance; terms of ordinance","history":"1972, c. 711, \u00a7\u00a7 62.1-13.1, 62.1-13.5; 1973, cc. 382, 388; 1975, c. 268; 1979, c. 418; 1982, c. 300; 1985, c. 541; 1988, c. 587; 1989, c. 360; 1992, c. 836; 1994, c. 274; 2014, cc. 112, 143; 2020, cc. 809, 958; 2023, cc. 99, 195.","full_text":"Any county, city or town may adopt the following ordinance, which, after January 1, 2024, shall serve as the only wetlands zoning ordinance under which any wetlands board is authorized to operate. Any county, city, or town that has adopted the ordinance prior to January 1, 2024, shall amend the ordinance to conform it to the ordinance contained herein by January 1, 2024.\n\t\tWetlands Zoning Ordinance\n\t\t\u00a7 1. The governing body of ________, acting pursuant to Chapter 13 (\u00a7 28.2-1300 et seq.) of Title 28.2 of the Code of Virginia, adopts this ordinance regulating the use and development of wetlands.\n\t\t\u00a7 2. As used in this ordinance, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t“Back Bay and its tributaries” means the following, as shown on the United States Geological Survey Quadrangle Sheets for Virginia Beach, North Bay, and Knotts Island: Back Bay north of the Virginia-North Carolina state line; Capsies Creek north of the Virginia-North Carolina state line; Deal Creek; Devil Creek; Nawney Creek; Redhead Bay, Sand Bay, Shipps Bay, North Bay, and the waters connecting them; Beggars Bridge Creek; Muddy Creek; Ashville Bridge Creek; Hells Point Creek; Black Gut; and all coves, ponds, and natural waterways adjacent to or connecting with the above-named bodies of water.\n\t\t“Commission” means the Virginia Marine Resources Commission.\n\t\t“Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Marine Resources.\n\t\t“Governmental activity” means any of the services provided by this ________ (county, city, or town) to its citizens for the purpose of maintaining this ________ (county, city, or town), including but not limited to such services as constructing, repairing, and maintaining roads; providing sewage facilities and street lights; supplying and treating water; and constructing public buildings.\n\t\t“Nonvegetated wetlands” means unvegetated lands lying contiguous to mean low water and between mean low water and mean high water, including those unvegetated areas of Back Bay and its tributaries and the North Landing River and its tributaries subject to flooding by normal and wind tides but not hurricane or tropical storm tides.\n\t\t“North Landing River and its tributaries” means the following, as shown on the United States Geological Survey Quadrangle Sheets for Pleasant Ridge, Creeds, and Fentress: the North Landing River from the Virginia-North Carolina line to Virginia Highway 165 at North Landing Bridge; the Chesapeake and Albemarle Canal from Virginia Highway 165 at North Landing Bridge to the locks at Great Bridge; and all named and unnamed streams, creeks, and rivers flowing into the North Landing River and the Chesapeake and Albemarle Canal except West Neck Creek north of Indian River Road, Pocaty River west of Blackwater Road, Blackwater River west of its forks located at a point approximately 6400 feet due west of the point where Blackwater Road crosses the Blackwater River at the village of Blackwater, and Millbank Creek west of Blackwater Road.\n\t\t“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, association, company, business, trust, joint venture, or other legal entity.\n\t\t“Vegetated wetlands” means lands lying between and contiguous to mean low water and an elevation above mean low water equal to the factor one and one-half times the mean tide range at the site of the proposed project in the county, city, or town in question, and upon which is growing any of the following species: saltmarsh cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora), saltmeadow hay (Spartina patens), saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), black needlerush (Juncus roemerianus), saltwort (Salicornia spp.), sea lavender (Limonium spp.), marsh elder (Iva frutescens), groundsel bush (Baccharis halimifolia), wax myrtle (Myrica sp.), sea oxeye (Borrichia frutescens), arrow arum (Peltandra virginica), pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), big cordgrass (Spartina cynosuroides), rice cutgrass (Leersia oryzoides), wildrice (Zizania aquatica), bulrush (Scirpus validus), spikerush (Eleocharis sp.), sea rocket (Cakile edentula), southern wildrice (Zizaniopsis miliacea), cattail (Typha spp.), three-square (Scirpus spp.), buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), bald cypress (Taxodium distichum), black gum (Nyssa sylvatica), tupelo (Nyssa aquatica), dock (Rumex spp.), yellow pond lily (Nuphar sp.), marsh fleabane (Pluchea purpurascens), royal fern (Osmunda regalis), marsh hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos), beggar’s tick (Bidens sp.), smartweed (Polygonum sp.), arrowhead (Sagittaria spp.), sweet flag (Acorus calamus), water hemp (Amaranthus cannabinus), reed grass (Phragmites communis), or switch grass (Panicum virgatum).\n\t\t“Vegetated wetlands of Back Bay and its tributaries” or “vegetated wetlands of the North Landing River and its tributaries” means all marshes subject to flooding by normal and wind tides but not hurricane or tropical storm tides, and upon which is growing any of the following species: saltmarsh cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora), saltmeadow hay (Spartina patens), black needlerush (Juncus roemerianus), marsh elder (Iva frutescens), groundsel bush (Baccharis halimifolia), wax myrtle (Myrica sp.), arrow arum (Peltandra virginica), pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), big cordgrass (Spartina cynosuroides), rice cutgrass (Leersia oryzoides), wildrice (Zizania aquatica), bulrush (Scirpus validus), spikerush (Eleocharis sp.), cattail (Typha spp.), three-square (Scirpus spp.), dock (Rumex sp.), smartweed (Polygonum sp.), yellow pond lily (Nuphar sp.), royal fern (Osmunda regalis), marsh hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos), beggar’s tick (Bidens sp.), arrowhead (Sagittaria sp.), water hemp (Amaranthus cannabinus), reed grass (Phragmites communis), or switch grass (Panicum virgatum).\n\t\t“Wetlands” means both vegetated and nonvegetated wetlands.\n\t\t“Wetlands board” or “board” means a board created pursuant to \u00a7 28.2-1303 of the Code of Virginia.\n\t\t\u00a7 3. The following uses of and activities in wetlands are authorized if otherwise permitted by law:\n\n1\n\nThe construction and maintenance of noncommercial catwalks, piers, boathouses, boat shelters, fences, duckblinds, wildlife management shelters, footbridges, observation decks, and shelters and other similar structures, provided that such structures are so constructed on pilings as to permit the reasonably unobstructed flow of the tide and preserve the natural contour of the wetlands;2\n\nThe cultivation and harvesting of shellfish, and worms for bait;3\n\nNoncommercial outdoor recreational activities, including hiking, boating, trapping, hunting, fishing, shellfishing, horseback riding, swimming, skeet and trap shooting, and shooting on shooting preserves, provided that no structure shall be constructed except as permitted in subdivision 1 of this section;4\n\nOther outdoor recreational activities, provided they do not impair the natural functions or alter the natural contour of the wetlands;5\n\nGrazing, haying, and cultivating and harvesting agricultural, forestry, or horticultural products;6\n\nConservation, repletion, and research activities of the Commission, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, the Department of Wildlife Resources and other conservation-related agencies;7\n\nThe construction or maintenance of aids to navigation that are authorized by governmental authority;8\n\nEmergency measures decreed by any duly appointed health officer of a governmental subdivision acting to protect the public health;9\n\nThe normal maintenance and repair of, or addition to, presently existing roads, highways, railroad beds, or facilities abutting on or crossing wetlands, provided that no waterway is altered and no additional wetlands are covered;10\n\nGovernmental activity in wetlands owned or leased by the Commonwealth or a political subdivision thereof;11\n\nThe normal maintenance of man-made drainage ditches, provided that no additional wetlands are covered. This subdivision does not authorize the construction of any drainage ditch; and12\n\nThe construction of living shoreline projects authorized pursuant to a general permit developed under subsection B of \u00a7 28.2-104.1.\n\t\t\t\u00a7 4. A. Any person who desires to use or develop any wetland within this ________ (county, city, or town), other than for the purpose of conducting the activities specified in \u00a7 3 of this ordinance, shall first file an application for a permit directly with the wetlands board or with the Commission.B\n\nThe permit application shall include the following: the name and address of the applicant; a detailed description of the proposed activities; a map, drawn to an appropriate and uniform scale, showing the area of wetlands directly affected, the location of the proposed work thereon, the area of existing and proposed fill and excavation, the location, width, depth, and length of any proposed channel and disposal area, and the location of all existing and proposed structures, sewage collection and treatment facilities, utility installations, roadways, and other related appurtenances or facilities, including those on adjacent uplands; a statement indicating whether use of a living shoreline as defined in § 28.2-104.1 for a shoreline management practice is not suitable, including reasons for the determination; a description of the type of equipment to be used and the means of equipment access to the activity site; the names and addresses of owners of record of adjacent land and known claimants of water rights in or adjacent to the wetland of whom the applicant has notice; an estimate of cost; the primary purpose of the project; any secondary purposes of the project, including further projects; the public benefit to be derived from the proposed project; a complete description of measures to be taken during and after the alteration to reduce detrimental offsite effects; the completion date of the proposed work, project, or structure; and such additional materials and documentation as the wetlands board may require.C\n\nA nonrefundable processing fee shall accompany each permit application. The fee shall be set by the applicable governing body with due regard for the services to be rendered, including the time, skill, and administrator’s expense involved.\n\t\t\t\t§ 5. All applications, maps, and documents submitted shall be open for public inspection at the office designated by the applicable governing body and specified in the public notice for public hearing required under § 6 of this ordinance.\n\t\t\t\t§ 6. Not later than 60 days after receipt of a complete application, the wetlands board shall hold a public hearing on the application. The applicant, local governing body, Commissioner, owner of record of any land adjacent to the wetlands in question, known claimants of water rights in or adjacent to the wetlands in question, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, the Department of Wildlife Resources, the State Water Control Board, the Department of Transportation, and any governmental agency expressing an interest in the application shall be notified of the hearing. The Commission or board shall mail or email these notices not less than 20 days prior to the date set for the hearing. The board shall also (i) cause notice of the hearing to be published at least once in the seven days prior to such hearing in a newspaper of general circulation in this _________ (county, city, or town); (ii) post a notice of the hearing on its website at least 14 days prior to such hearing; and (iii) provide a copy of such notice to the Commission for submittal to the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall. The published notice shall specify the place or places within this ________ (county, city, or town) where copies of the application may be examined. The costs of publication shall be paid by the applicant. In the event that the board submits a correct and timely notice for publication and the newspaper fails to publish the notice or publishes the notice incorrectly, the board shall be deemed to have met the notice requirements of this subsection so long as the notice is published in the next available edition of such newspaper.\n\t\t\t\t§ 7. A. Approval of a permit application shall require the affirmative vote of three members of a five-member board or four members of a seven-member board.B\n\nThe chairman of the board, or in his absence the acting chairman, may administer oaths and compel the attendance of witnesses. Any person may testify at the public hearing. Each witness at the hearing may submit a concise written statement of his testimony. The board shall make a record of the proceeding, which shall include the application, any written statements of witnesses, a summary of statements of all witnesses, the findings and decision of the board, and the rationale for the decision.C\n\nThe board shall make its determination within 30 days of the hearing. If the board fails to act within that time, the application shall be deemed approved. Within 48 hours of its determination, the board shall notify the applicant and the Commissioner of its determination. If the board fails to make a determination within the 30-day period, it shall promptly notify the applicant and the Commission that the application is deemed approved. For purposes of this section, “act” means taking a vote on the application. If the application receives less than four affirmative votes from a seven-member board or less than three affirmative votes from a five-member board, the permit shall be denied.D\n\nIf the board’s decision is reviewed or appealed, the board shall transmit the record of its hearing to the Commissioner. Upon a final determination by the Commission, the record shall be returned to the board. The record shall be open for public inspection at the same office as was designated under § 5 of this ordinance.\n\t\t\t\t§ 8. The board may require a reasonable bond or letter of credit in an amount and with surety and conditions satisfactory to it, securing to the Commonwealth compliance with the conditions and limitations set forth in the permit. The board may, after a hearing held pursuant to this ordinance, suspend or revoke a permit if the applicant has failed to comply with any of the conditions or limitations set forth in the permit or has exceeded the scope of the work described in the application. The board may, after a hearing, suspend a permit if the applicant fails to comply with the terms and conditions set forth in the application.\n\t\t\t\t§ 9. In fulfilling its responsibilities under this ordinance, the board shall preserve and prevent the despoliation and destruction of wetlands within its jurisdiction while accommodating necessary economic development in a manner consistent with wetlands preservation and any standards set by the Commonwealth in addition to those identified in § 28.2-1308 to ensure protection of shorelines and sensitive coastal habitats from sea level rise and coastal hazards, including the provisions of guidelines and minimum standards promulgated by the Commission pursuant to § 28.2-1301 of the Code of Virginia.\n\t\t\t\t§ 10. A. In deciding whether to grant, grant in modified form, or deny a permit, the board shall consider the following:1\n\nThe testimony of any person in support of or in opposition to the permit application;2\n\nThe impact of the proposed development on the public health, safety, and welfare; and3\n\nThe proposed development’s conformance with standards prescribed in \u00a7 28.2-1308 of the Code of Virginia and guidelines promulgated pursuant to \u00a7 28.2-1301 of the Code of Virginia.B\n\nThe board shall grant the permit if all of the following criteria are met:1\n\nThe anticipated public and private benefit of the proposed activity exceeds its anticipated public and private detriment.2\n\nThe proposed development conforms with the standards prescribed in § 28.2-1308 of the Code of Virginia and guidelines promulgated pursuant to § 28.2-1301 of the Code of Virginia.3\n\nThe proposed activity does not violate the purposes and intent of this ordinance or Chapter 13 (\u00a7 28.2-1300 et seq.) of Title 28.2 of the Code of Virginia.C\n\nIf the board finds that any of the criteria listed in subsection B of this section are not met, the board shall deny the permit application but allow the applicant to resubmit the application in modified form.\n\t\t\t\t§ 11. The permit shall be in writing and signed by the chairman of the board or his authorized representative. A copy of the permit shall be transmitted to the Commissioner.\n\t\t\t\t§ 12. No permit shall be granted without an expiration date established by the board. Upon proper application, the board may extend the permit expiration date.\n\t\t\t\t§ 13. No permit granted by a wetlands board shall in any way affect the applicable zoning and land use ordinances of this ________ (county, city, or town) or the right of any person to seek compensation for any injury in fact incurred by him because of the proposed activity.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":228323,"text":"Any county, city or town may adopt the following ordinance, which, after January 1, 2024, shall serve as the only wetlands zoning ordinance under which any wetlands board is authorized to operate. Any county, city, or town that has adopted the ordinance prior to January 1, 2024, shall amend the ordinance to conform it to the ordinance contained herein by January 1, 2024.\n\t\tWetlands Zoning Ordinance\n\t\t\u00a7 1. The governing body of ________, acting pursuant to Chapter 13 (\u00a7 28.2-1300 et seq.) of Title 28.2 of the Code of Virginia, adopts this ordinance regulating the use and development of wetlands.\n\t\t\u00a7 2. As used in this ordinance, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t“Back Bay and its tributaries” means the following, as shown on the United States Geological Survey Quadrangle Sheets for Virginia Beach, North Bay, and Knotts Island: Back Bay north of the Virginia-North Carolina state line; Capsies Creek north of the Virginia-North Carolina state line; Deal Creek; Devil Creek; Nawney Creek; Redhead Bay, Sand Bay, Shipps Bay, North Bay, and the waters connecting them; Beggars Bridge Creek; Muddy Creek; Ashville Bridge Creek; Hells Point Creek; Black Gut; and all coves, ponds, and natural waterways adjacent to or connecting with the above-named bodies of water.\n\t\t“Commission” means the Virginia Marine Resources Commission.\n\t\t“Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Marine Resources.\n\t\t“Governmental activity” means any of the services provided by this ________ (county, city, or town) to its citizens for the purpose of maintaining this ________ (county, city, or town), including but not limited to such services as constructing, repairing, and maintaining roads; providing sewage facilities and street lights; supplying and treating water; and constructing public buildings.\n\t\t“Nonvegetated wetlands” means unvegetated lands lying contiguous to mean low water and between mean low water and mean high water, including those unvegetated areas of Back Bay and its tributaries and the North Landing River and its tributaries subject to flooding by normal and wind tides but not hurricane or tropical storm tides.\n\t\t“North Landing River and its tributaries” means the following, as shown on the United States Geological Survey Quadrangle Sheets for Pleasant Ridge, Creeds, and Fentress: the North Landing River from the Virginia-North Carolina line to Virginia Highway 165 at North Landing Bridge; the Chesapeake and Albemarle Canal from Virginia Highway 165 at North Landing Bridge to the locks at Great Bridge; and all named and unnamed streams, creeks, and rivers flowing into the North Landing River and the Chesapeake and Albemarle Canal except West Neck Creek north of Indian River Road, Pocaty River west of Blackwater Road, Blackwater River west of its forks located at a point approximately 6400 feet due west of the point where Blackwater Road crosses the Blackwater River at the village of Blackwater, and Millbank Creek west of Blackwater Road.\n\t\t“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, association, company, business, trust, joint venture, or other legal entity.\n\t\t“Vegetated wetlands” means lands lying between and contiguous to mean low water and an elevation above mean low water equal to the factor one and one-half times the mean tide range at the site of the proposed project in the county, city, or town in question, and upon which is growing any of the following species: saltmarsh cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora), saltmeadow hay (Spartina patens), saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), black needlerush (Juncus roemerianus), saltwort (Salicornia spp.), sea lavender (Limonium spp.), marsh elder (Iva frutescens), groundsel bush (Baccharis halimifolia), wax myrtle (Myrica sp.), sea oxeye (Borrichia frutescens), arrow arum (Peltandra virginica), pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), big cordgrass (Spartina cynosuroides), rice cutgrass (Leersia oryzoides), wildrice (Zizania aquatica), bulrush (Scirpus validus), spikerush (Eleocharis sp.), sea rocket (Cakile edentula), southern wildrice (Zizaniopsis miliacea), cattail (Typha spp.), three-square (Scirpus spp.), buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), bald cypress (Taxodium distichum), black gum (Nyssa sylvatica), tupelo (Nyssa aquatica), dock (Rumex spp.), yellow pond lily (Nuphar sp.), marsh fleabane (Pluchea purpurascens), royal fern (Osmunda regalis), marsh hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos), beggar’s tick (Bidens sp.), smartweed (Polygonum sp.), arrowhead (Sagittaria spp.), sweet flag (Acorus calamus), water hemp (Amaranthus cannabinus), reed grass (Phragmites communis), or switch grass (Panicum virgatum).\n\t\t“Vegetated wetlands of Back Bay and its tributaries” or “vegetated wetlands of the North Landing River and its tributaries” means all marshes subject to flooding by normal and wind tides but not hurricane or tropical storm tides, and upon which is growing any of the following species: saltmarsh cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora), saltmeadow hay (Spartina patens), black needlerush (Juncus roemerianus), marsh elder (Iva frutescens), groundsel bush (Baccharis halimifolia), wax myrtle (Myrica sp.), arrow arum (Peltandra virginica), pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), big cordgrass (Spartina cynosuroides), rice cutgrass (Leersia oryzoides), wildrice (Zizania aquatica), bulrush (Scirpus validus), spikerush (Eleocharis sp.), cattail (Typha spp.), three-square (Scirpus spp.), dock (Rumex sp.), smartweed (Polygonum sp.), yellow pond lily (Nuphar sp.), royal fern (Osmunda regalis), marsh hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos), beggar’s tick (Bidens sp.), arrowhead (Sagittaria sp.), water hemp (Amaranthus cannabinus), reed grass (Phragmites communis), or switch grass (Panicum virgatum).\n\t\t“Wetlands” means both vegetated and nonvegetated wetlands.\n\t\t“Wetlands board” or “board” means a board created pursuant to \u00a7 28.2-1303 of the Code of Virginia.\n\t\t\u00a7 3. The following uses of and activities in wetlands are authorized if otherwise permitted by law:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":228324,"text":"The construction and maintenance of noncommercial catwalks, piers, boathouses, boat shelters, fences, duckblinds, wildlife management shelters, footbridges, observation decks, and shelters and other similar structures, provided that such structures are so constructed on pilings as to permit the reasonably unobstructed flow of the tide and preserve the natural contour of the wetlands;","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":228325,"text":"The cultivation and harvesting of shellfish, and worms for bait;","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":228326,"text":"Noncommercial outdoor recreational activities, including hiking, boating, trapping, hunting, fishing, shellfishing, horseback riding, swimming, skeet and trap shooting, and shooting on shooting preserves, provided that no structure shall be constructed except as permitted in subdivision 1 of this section;","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":228327,"text":"Other outdoor recreational activities, provided they do not impair the natural functions or alter the natural contour of the wetlands;","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3","next_prefix":"5"},"5":{"id":228328,"text":"Grazing, haying, and cultivating and harvesting agricultural, forestry, or horticultural products;","type":"section","prefixes":["5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"5","prefix_anchor":"5","level":1,"prior_prefix":"4","next_prefix":"6"},"6":{"id":228329,"text":"Conservation, repletion, and research activities of the Commission, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, the Department of Wildlife Resources and other conservation-related agencies;","type":"section","prefixes":["6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"6","prefix_anchor":"6","level":1,"prior_prefix":"5","next_prefix":"7"},"7":{"id":228330,"text":"The construction or maintenance of aids to navigation that are authorized by governmental authority;","type":"section","prefixes":["7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"7","prefix_anchor":"7","level":1,"prior_prefix":"6","next_prefix":"8"},"8":{"id":228331,"text":"Emergency measures decreed by any duly appointed health officer of a governmental subdivision acting to protect the public health;","type":"section","prefixes":["8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"8","prefix_anchor":"8","level":1,"prior_prefix":"7","next_prefix":"9"},"9":{"id":228332,"text":"The normal maintenance and repair of, or addition to, presently existing roads, highways, railroad beds, or facilities abutting on or crossing wetlands, provided that no waterway is altered and no additional wetlands are covered;","type":"section","prefixes":["9"],"prefix":"9","entire_prefix":"9","prefix_anchor":"9","level":1,"prior_prefix":"8","next_prefix":"10"},"10":{"id":228333,"text":"Governmental activity in wetlands owned or leased by the Commonwealth or a political subdivision thereof;","type":"section","prefixes":["10"],"prefix":"10","entire_prefix":"10","prefix_anchor":"10","level":1,"prior_prefix":"9","next_prefix":"11"},"11":{"id":228334,"text":"The normal maintenance of man-made drainage ditches, provided that no additional wetlands are covered. This subdivision does not authorize the construction of any drainage ditch; and","type":"section","prefixes":["11"],"prefix":"11","entire_prefix":"11","prefix_anchor":"11","level":1,"prior_prefix":"10","next_prefix":"12"},"12":{"id":228335,"text":"The construction of living shoreline projects authorized pursuant to a general permit developed under subsection B of \u00a7 28.2-104.1.\n\t\t\t\u00a7 4. A. Any person who desires to use or develop any wetland within this ________ (county, city, or town), other than for the purpose of conducting the activities specified in \u00a7 3 of this ordinance, shall first file an application for a permit directly with the wetlands board or with the Commission.","type":"section","prefixes":["12"],"prefix":"12","entire_prefix":"12","prefix_anchor":"12","level":1,"prior_prefix":"11","next_prefix":"12B"},"13":{"id":228336,"text":"The permit application shall include the following: the name and address of the applicant; a detailed description of the proposed activities; a map, drawn to an appropriate and uniform scale, showing the area of wetlands directly affected, the location of the proposed work thereon, the area of existing and proposed fill and excavation, the location, width, depth, and length of any proposed channel and disposal area, and the location of all existing and proposed structures, sewage collection and treatment facilities, utility installations, roadways, and other related appurtenances or facilities, including those on adjacent uplands; a statement indicating whether use of a living shoreline as defined in § 28.2-104.1 for a shoreline management practice is not suitable, including reasons for the determination; a description of the type of equipment to be used and the means of equipment access to the activity site; the names and addresses of owners of record of adjacent land and known claimants of water rights in or adjacent to the wetland of whom the applicant has notice; an estimate of cost; the primary purpose of the project; any secondary purposes of the project, including further projects; the public benefit to be derived from the proposed project; a complete description of measures to be taken during and after the alteration to reduce detrimental offsite effects; the completion date of the proposed work, project, or structure; and such additional materials and documentation as the wetlands board may require.","type":"section","prefixes":["12","B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"12B","prefix_anchor":"12B","level":2,"prior_prefix":"12","next_prefix":"12C"},"14":{"id":228337,"text":"A nonrefundable processing fee shall accompany each permit application. The fee shall be set by the applicable governing body with due regard for the services to be rendered, including the time, skill, and administrator’s expense involved.\n\t\t\t\t§ 5. All applications, maps, and documents submitted shall be open for public inspection at the office designated by the applicable governing body and specified in the public notice for public hearing required under § 6 of this ordinance.\n\t\t\t\t§ 6. Not later than 60 days after receipt of a complete application, the wetlands board shall hold a public hearing on the application. The applicant, local governing body, Commissioner, owner of record of any land adjacent to the wetlands in question, known claimants of water rights in or adjacent to the wetlands in question, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, the Department of Wildlife Resources, the State Water Control Board, the Department of Transportation, and any governmental agency expressing an interest in the application shall be notified of the hearing. The Commission or board shall mail or email these notices not less than 20 days prior to the date set for the hearing. The board shall also (i) cause notice of the hearing to be published at least once in the seven days prior to such hearing in a newspaper of general circulation in this _________ (county, city, or town); (ii) post a notice of the hearing on its website at least 14 days prior to such hearing; and (iii) provide a copy of such notice to the Commission for submittal to the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall. The published notice shall specify the place or places within this ________ (county, city, or town) where copies of the application may be examined. The costs of publication shall be paid by the applicant. In the event that the board submits a correct and timely notice for publication and the newspaper fails to publish the notice or publishes the notice incorrectly, the board shall be deemed to have met the notice requirements of this subsection so long as the notice is published in the next available edition of such newspaper.\n\t\t\t\t§ 7. A. Approval of a permit application shall require the affirmative vote of three members of a five-member board or four members of a seven-member board.","type":"section","prefixes":["12","C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"12C","prefix_anchor":"12C","level":2,"prior_prefix":"12B","next_prefix":"12B"},"15":{"id":228338,"text":"The chairman of the board, or in his absence the acting chairman, may administer oaths and compel the attendance of witnesses. Any person may testify at the public hearing. Each witness at the hearing may submit a concise written statement of his testimony. The board shall make a record of the proceeding, which shall include the application, any written statements of witnesses, a summary of statements of all witnesses, the findings and decision of the board, and the rationale for the decision.","type":"section","prefixes":["12","B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"12B","prefix_anchor":"12B","level":2,"prior_prefix":"12C","next_prefix":"12C"},"16":{"id":228339,"text":"The board shall make its determination within 30 days of the hearing. If the board fails to act within that time, the application shall be deemed approved. Within 48 hours of its determination, the board shall notify the applicant and the Commissioner of its determination. If the board fails to make a determination within the 30-day period, it shall promptly notify the applicant and the Commission that the application is deemed approved. For purposes of this section, “act” means taking a vote on the application. If the application receives less than four affirmative votes from a seven-member board or less than three affirmative votes from a five-member board, the permit shall be denied.","type":"section","prefixes":["12","C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"12C","prefix_anchor":"12C","level":2,"prior_prefix":"12B","next_prefix":"12D"},"17":{"id":228340,"text":"If the board’s decision is reviewed or appealed, the board shall transmit the record of its hearing to the Commissioner. Upon a final determination by the Commission, the record shall be returned to the board. The record shall be open for public inspection at the same office as was designated under § 5 of this ordinance.\n\t\t\t\t§ 8. The board may require a reasonable bond or letter of credit in an amount and with surety and conditions satisfactory to it, securing to the Commonwealth compliance with the conditions and limitations set forth in the permit. The board may, after a hearing held pursuant to this ordinance, suspend or revoke a permit if the applicant has failed to comply with any of the conditions or limitations set forth in the permit or has exceeded the scope of the work described in the application. The board may, after a hearing, suspend a permit if the applicant fails to comply with the terms and conditions set forth in the application.\n\t\t\t\t§ 9. In fulfilling its responsibilities under this ordinance, the board shall preserve and prevent the despoliation and destruction of wetlands within its jurisdiction while accommodating necessary economic development in a manner consistent with wetlands preservation and any standards set by the Commonwealth in addition to those identified in § 28.2-1308 to ensure protection of shorelines and sensitive coastal habitats from sea level rise and coastal hazards, including the provisions of guidelines and minimum standards promulgated by the Commission pursuant to § 28.2-1301 of the Code of Virginia.\n\t\t\t\t§ 10. A. In deciding whether to grant, grant in modified form, or deny a permit, the board shall consider the following:","type":"section","prefixes":["12","D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"12D","prefix_anchor":"12D","level":2,"prior_prefix":"12C","next_prefix":"1"},"18":{"id":228341,"text":"The testimony of any person in support of or in opposition to the permit application;","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"12D","next_prefix":"2"},"19":{"id":228342,"text":"The impact of the proposed development on the public health, safety, and welfare; and","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"20":{"id":228343,"text":"The proposed development’s conformance with standards prescribed in \u00a7 28.2-1308 of the Code of Virginia and guidelines promulgated pursuant to \u00a7 28.2-1301 of the Code of Virginia.","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"3B"},"21":{"id":228344,"text":"The board shall grant the permit if all of the following criteria are met:","type":"section","prefixes":["3","B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"3B","prefix_anchor":"3B","level":2,"prior_prefix":"3","next_prefix":"1"},"22":{"id":228345,"text":"The anticipated public and private benefit of the proposed activity exceeds its anticipated public and private detriment.","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3B","next_prefix":"2"},"23":{"id":228346,"text":"The proposed development conforms with the standards prescribed in § 28.2-1308 of the Code of Virginia and guidelines promulgated pursuant to § 28.2-1301 of the Code of Virginia.","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"24":{"id":228347,"text":"The proposed activity does not violate the purposes and intent of this ordinance or Chapter 13 (\u00a7 28.2-1300 et seq.) of Title 28.2 of the Code of Virginia.","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"3C"},"25":{"id":228348,"text":"If the board finds that any of the criteria listed in subsection B of this section are not met, the board shall deny the permit application but allow the applicant to resubmit the application in modified form.\n\t\t\t\t§ 11. The permit shall be in writing and signed by the chairman of the board or his authorized representative. A copy of the permit shall be transmitted to the Commissioner.\n\t\t\t\t§ 12. No permit shall be granted without an expiration date established by the board. Upon proper application, the board may extend the permit expiration date.\n\t\t\t\t§ 13. No permit granted by a wetlands board shall in any way affect the applicable zoning and land use ordinances of this ________ (county, city, or town) or the right of any person to seek compensation for any injury in fact incurred by him because of the proposed activity.","type":"section","prefixes":["3","C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"3C","prefix_anchor":"3C","level":2,"prior_prefix":"3"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15898,"edition_id":1,"name":"Wetlands Zoning Ordinance and Wetlands Boards","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":15027,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 04:01:28","date_modified":"2026-06-26 04:01:28","permalink":{"id":192007,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15898,"identifier":"2","token":"28.2\/III\/13\/2","url":"\/28.2\/III\/13\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":15027,"edition_id":1,"name":"Wetlands","identifier":"13","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13040,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:51:35","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:51:35","permalink":{"id":191995,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15027,"identifier":"13","token":"28.2\/III\/13","url":"\/28.2\/III\/13\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13040,"edition_id":1,"name":"Habitat","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12813,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:10","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:10","permalink":{"id":191915,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13040,"identifier":"III","token":"28.2\/III","url":"\/28.2\/III\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12813,"edition_id":1,"name":"Fisheries and Habitat of the Tidal Waters","identifier":"28.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:54","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:54","permalink":{"id":190589,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12813,"identifier":"28.2","token":"28.2","url":"\/28.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":62624,"structure_id":15898,"section_number":"28.2-1302","catch_line":"Adoption of wetlands zoning ordinance; terms of ordinance","url":"\/28.2-1302\/","token":"28.2\/III\/13\/2\/28.2-1302","metadata":false},{"id":75165,"structure_id":15898,"section_number":"28.2-1303","catch_line":"Appointment, terms, compensation, etc., of local wetlands boards; jurisdiction of county wetlands board over wetlands in town","url":"\/28.2-1303\/","token":"28.2\/III\/13\/2\/28.2-1303","metadata":false},{"id":83826,"structure_id":15898,"section_number":"28.2-1304","catch_line":"Officers, meetings, rules, etc., of wetlands boards; records and reports","url":"\/28.2-1304\/","token":"28.2\/III\/13\/2\/28.2-1304","metadata":false},{"id":61607,"structure_id":15898,"section_number":"28.2-1305","catch_line":"Local governing body to supply meeting space and services for wetlands board","url":"\/28.2-1305\/","token":"28.2\/III\/13\/2\/28.2-1305","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":75165,"structure_id":15898,"section_number":"28.2-1303","catch_line":"Appointment, terms, compensation, etc., of local wetlands boards; jurisdiction of county wetlands board over wetlands in town","url":"\/28.2-1303\/","token":"28.2\/III\/13\/2\/28.2-1303","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/28.2-1302\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1972. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 711 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 1972 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 12 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 1973, chapters 382 and 388; in 1975, chapter 268; in 1979, chapter 418; in 1982, chapter 300; in 1985, chapter 541; in 1988, chapter 587; in 1989, chapter 360; in 1992, chapter 836; in 1994, chapter 274<\/a>; in 2014, chapters 112<\/a> and 143<\/a>; in 2020, chapters 809<\/a> and 958<\/a>; in 2023, chapters 99<\/a> and 195<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":62122,"section_number":"28.2-1300","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/28.2-1300\/"},{"id":57296,"section_number":"28.2-1306","catch_line":"Permits required for certain activities; issuance of permits by Commission","order_by":null,"url":"\/28.2-1306\/"},{"id":57529,"section_number":"28.2-1309","catch_line":"Emergency sand grading activities on nonvegetated wetlands located on the Atlantic Shoreline of Virginia Beach","order_by":null,"url":"\/28.2-1309\/"},{"id":62427,"section_number":"28.2-1403","catch_line":"Certain counties, cities, and towns authorized to adopt coastal primary sand dune ordinance","order_by":null,"url":"\/28.2-1403\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":64559,"section_number":"28.2-104.1","catch_line":"Living shorelines; development of general permit; guidance","order_by":null,"url":"\/28.2-104.1\/"},{"id":62122,"section_number":"28.2-1300","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/28.2-1300\/"},{"id":64516,"section_number":"28.2-1301","catch_line":"Powers and duties of the Commission","order_by":null,"url":"\/28.2-1301\/"},{"id":75165,"section_number":"28.2-1303","catch_line":"Appointment, terms, compensation, etc., of local wetlands boards; jurisdiction of county wetlands board over wetlands in town","order_by":null,"url":"\/28.2-1303\/"},{"id":82717,"section_number":"28.2-1308","catch_line":"Standards for use and development of wetlands; utilization of guidelines","order_by":null,"url":"\/28.2-1308\/"}],"permalink":{"id":192009,"object_type":"law","relational_id":62624,"identifier":"28.2-1302","token":"28.2\/III\/13\/2\/28.2-1302","url":"\/28.2-1302\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/28.2-1302\/","token":"28.2\/III\/13\/2\/28.2-1302","dublin_core":{"Title":"Adoption of wetlands zoning ordinance; terms of ordinance","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 28.2-1302","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Any county, city or town may adopt the following ordinance, which, after January 1, 2024, shall serve as the only wetlands zoning ordinance<\/span> under which any wetlands board<\/span> is authorized to operate. Any county, city, or town<\/span> that has adopted the ordinance prior to January 1, 2024, shall amend<\/span> the ordinance to conform it to the ordinance contained herein by January 1, 2024.\n\t\tWetlands Zoning Ordinance<\/span>\n\t\t\u00a7 1. The governing body of ________, acting pursuant to Chapter 13 (\u00a7 28.2-1300<\/a> et seq.) of Title 28.2 of the Code of Virginia, adopts this ordinance regulating the use and development of wetlands.\n\t\t\u00a7 2. As used in this ordinance, unless the context requires a different meaning:\n\t\t“Back Bay and its tributaries<\/span>” means the following, as shown on the United States Geological Survey Quadrangle Sheets for Virginia Beach, North Bay, and Knotts Island: Back Bay north of the Virginia-North Carolina state line; Capsies Creek north of the Virginia-North Carolina state line; Deal Creek; Devil Creek; Nawney Creek; Redhead Bay, Sand Bay, Shipps Bay, North Bay, and the waters connecting them; Beggars Bridge Creek; Muddy Creek; Ashville Bridge Creek; Hells Point Creek; Black Gut; and all coves, ponds, and natural waterways adjacent to or connecting with the above-named bodies of water.\n\t\t“Commission<\/span>” means the Virginia Marine Resources Commission<\/span>.\n\t\t“Commissioner<\/span>” means the Commissioner<\/span> of Marine Resources.\n\t\t“Governmental activity<\/span>” means any of the services provided by this ________ (county, city, or town<\/span>) to its citizens for the purpose of maintaining this ________ (county, city, or town<\/span>), including but not limited to such services as constructing, repairing, and maintaining roads; providing sewage facilities and street lights; supplying and treating water; and constructing public buildings.\n\t\t“Nonvegetated wetlands<\/span>” means unvegetated lands lying contiguous to mean low water and between mean low water and mean high water, including those unvegetated areas of Back Bay and its tributaries<\/span> and the North Landing River and its tributaries<\/span> subject to flooding by normal and wind tides but not hurricane or tropical storm tides.\n\t\t“North Landing River and its tributaries<\/span>” means the following, as shown on the United States Geological Survey Quadrangle Sheets for Pleasant Ridge, Creeds, and Fentress: the North Landing River from the Virginia-North Carolina line to Virginia Highway 165 at North Landing Bridge; the Chesapeake and Albemarle Canal from Virginia Highway 165 at North Landing Bridge to the locks at Great Bridge; and all named and unnamed streams, creeks, and rivers flowing into the North Landing River and the Chesapeake and Albemarle Canal except West Neck Creek north of Indian River Road, Pocaty River west of Blackwater Road, Blackwater River west of its forks located at a point approximately 6400 feet due west of the point where Blackwater Road crosses the Blackwater River at the village of Blackwater, and Millbank Creek west of Blackwater Road.\n\t\t“Person<\/span>” means any individual, corporation, partnership, association, company, business, trust, joint venture, or other legal entity.\n\t\t“Vegetated wetlands” means lands lying between and contiguous to mean low water and an elevation above mean low water equal to the factor one and one-half times the mean tide range at the site of the proposed project in the county, city, or town<\/span> in question, and upon which is growing any of the following species: saltmarsh cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora), saltmeadow hay (Spartina patens), saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), black needlerush (Juncus roemerianus), saltwort (Salicornia spp.), sea lavender (Limonium spp.), marsh elder (Iva frutescens), groundsel bush (Baccharis halimifolia), wax myrtle (Myrica sp.), sea oxeye (Borrichia frutescens), arrow arum (Peltandra virginica), pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), big cordgrass (Spartina cynosuroides), rice cutgrass (Leersia oryzoides), wildrice (Zizania aquatica), bulrush (Scirpus validus), spikerush (Eleocharis sp.), sea rocket (Cakile edentula), southern wildrice (Zizaniopsis miliacea), cattail (Typha spp.), three-square (Scirpus spp.), buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), bald cypress (Taxodium distichum), black gum (Nyssa sylvatica), tupelo (Nyssa aquatica), dock (Rumex spp.), yellow pond lily (Nuphar sp.), marsh fleabane (Pluchea purpurascens), royal fern (Osmunda regalis), marsh hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos), beggar’s tick (Bidens sp.), smartweed (Polygonum sp.), arrowhead (Sagittaria spp.), sweet flag (Acorus calamus), water hemp (Amaranthus cannabinus), reed grass (Phragmites communis), or switch grass (Panicum virgatum).\n\t\t“Vegetated wetlands of Back Bay and its tributaries<\/span><\/span>” or “vegetated wetlands of the North Landing River and its tributaries<\/span><\/span>” means all marshes subject to flooding by normal and wind tides but not hurricane or tropical storm tides, and upon which is growing any of the following species: saltmarsh cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora), saltmeadow hay (Spartina patens), black needlerush (Juncus roemerianus), marsh elder (Iva frutescens), groundsel bush (Baccharis halimifolia), wax myrtle (Myrica sp.), arrow arum (Peltandra virginica), pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), big cordgrass (Spartina cynosuroides), rice cutgrass (Leersia oryzoides), wildrice (Zizania aquatica), bulrush (Scirpus validus), spikerush (Eleocharis sp.), cattail (Typha spp.), three-square (Scirpus spp.), dock (Rumex sp.), smartweed (Polygonum sp.), yellow pond lily (Nuphar sp.), royal fern (Osmunda regalis), marsh hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos), beggar’s tick (Bidens sp.), arrowhead (Sagittaria sp.), water hemp (Amaranthus cannabinus), reed grass (Phragmites communis), or switch grass (Panicum virgatum).\n\t\t“Wetlands” means both vegetated and nonvegetated wetlands<\/span>.\n\t\t“Wetlands board<\/span>” or “board” means a board created pursuant to \u00a7 28.2-1303<\/a> of the Code of Virginia.\n\t\t\u00a7 3. The following uses of and activities in wetlands are authorized if otherwise permitted by law<\/span>:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> The construction and maintenance of noncommercial catwalks, piers, boathouses, boat shelters, fences, duckblinds, wildlife management shelters, footbridges, observation decks, and shelters and other similar structures, provided that such structures are so constructed on pilings as to permit the reasonably unobstructed flow of the tide and preserve the natural contour of the wetlands; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The cultivation and harvesting of shellfish<\/span>, and worms for bait; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Noncommercial outdoor recreational activities, including hiking, boating, trapping, hunting, fishing<\/span>, shellfishing, horseback riding, swimming, skeet and trap shooting, and shooting on shooting preserves, provided that no structure shall be constructed except as permitted in subdivision 1 of this section; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Other outdoor recreational activities, provided they do not impair the natural functions or alter the natural contour of the wetlands; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Grazing, haying, and cultivating and harvesting agricultural, forestry, or horticultural products; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> Conservation, repletion, and research activities of the Commission<\/span>, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, the Department of Wildlife Resources and other conservation-related agencies; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> The construction or maintenance of aids to navigation that are authorized by governmental authority; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> Emergency measures decreed by any duly appointed health officer<\/span> of a governmental subdivision acting to protect the public health; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

9.<\/span> The normal maintenance and repair of, or addition to, presently existing roads, highways, railroad beds, or facilities abutting on or crossing wetlands, provided that no waterway is altered and no additional wetlands are covered; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

10.<\/span> Governmental activity<\/span> in wetlands owned or leased by the Commonwealth or a political subdivision thereof; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

11.<\/span> The normal maintenance of man-made drainage ditches, provided that no additional wetlands are covered. This subdivision does not authorize the construction of any drainage ditch; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

12.<\/span> The construction of living shoreline projects authorized pursuant to a general permit developed under subsection B of \u00a7 28.2-104.1<\/a>.\n\t\t\t\u00a7 4. A. Any person<\/span> who desires to use or develop any wetland within this ________ (county, city, or town<\/span>), other than for the purpose of conducting the activities specified in \u00a7 3 of this ordinance, shall first file an application for a permit directly with the wetlands board<\/span> or with the Commission<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The permit application shall include the following: the name and address of the applicant; a detailed description of the proposed activities; a map, drawn to an appropriate and uniform scale, showing the area of wetlands directly affected, the location of the proposed work thereon, the area of existing and proposed fill and excavation, the location, width, depth, and length of any proposed channel and disposal area, and the location of all existing and proposed structures, sewage collection and treatment facilities, utility installations, roadways, and other related appurtenances or facilities, including those on adjacent uplands; a statement indicating whether use of a living shoreline as defined in § 28.2-104.1<\/a> for a shoreline management practice is not suitable, including reasons for the determination; a description of the type of equipment to be used and the means of equipment access to the activity site; the names and addresses of owners of record of adjacent land and known claimants of water rights in or adjacent to the wetland of whom the applicant has notice; an estimate of cost; the primary purpose of the project; any secondary purposes of the project, including further projects; the public benefit to be derived from the proposed project; a complete description of measures to be taken during and after the alteration to reduce detrimental offsite effects; the completion date of the proposed work, project, or structure; and such additional materials<\/span> and documentation as the wetlands board<\/span> may require. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> A nonrefundable processing fee shall accompany each permit application. The fee shall be set by the applicable governing body with due regard for the services to be rendered, including the time, skill, and administrator’s expense involved.\n\t\t\t\t§ 5. All applications, maps, and documents submitted shall be open for public inspection at the office designated by the applicable governing body and specified in the public notice for public hearing<\/span> required under § 6 of this ordinance.\n\t\t\t\t§ 6. Not later than 60 days after receipt of a complete application, the wetlands board<\/span> shall hold a public hearing<\/span> on the application. The applicant, local governing body, Commissioner<\/span>, owner of record of any land adjacent to the wetlands in question, known claimants of water rights in or adjacent to the wetlands in question, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, the Department of Wildlife Resources, the State Water Control Board, the Department of Transportation, and any governmental agency expressing an interest in the application shall be notified of the hearing<\/span>. The Commission<\/span> or board shall mail or email these notices not less than 20 days prior to the date set for the hearing<\/span>. The board shall also (i) cause notice of the hearing<\/span> to be published at least once in the seven days prior to such hearing<\/span> in a newspaper of general circulation in this _________ (county, city, or town<\/span>); (ii) post a notice of the hearing<\/span> on its website at least 14 days prior to such hearing<\/span>; and (iii) provide a copy of such notice to the Commission<\/span> for submittal to the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall. The published notice shall specify the place or places within this ________ (county, city, or town<\/span>) where copies of the application may be examined. The costs of publication shall be paid by the applicant. In the event that the board submits a correct and timely notice for publication and the newspaper fails to publish the notice or publishes the notice incorrectly, the board shall be deemed to have met the notice requirements of this subsection so long as the notice is published in the next available edition of such newspaper.\n\t\t\t\t§ 7. A. Approval of a permit application shall require the affirmative vote of three members of a five-member board or four members of a seven-member board. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The chairman of the board, or in his absence the acting chairman, may administer oaths<\/span> and compel the attendance of witnesses. Any person<\/span> may testify at the public hearing<\/span>. Each witness<\/span> at the hearing<\/span> may submit a concise written statement of his testimony<\/span>. The board shall make a record of the proceeding, which shall include the application, any written statements of witnesses, a summary of statements of all witnesses, the findings<\/span> and decision of the board, and the rationale for the decision. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The board shall make its determination within 30 days of the hearing<\/span>. If the board fails to act<\/span> within that time, the application shall be deemed approved. Within 48 hours of its determination, the board shall notify the applicant and the Commissioner<\/span> of its determination. If the board fails to make a determination within the 30-day period, it shall promptly notify the applicant and the Commission<\/span> that the application is deemed approved. For purposes of this section, “act<\/span>” means taking a vote on the application. If the application receives less than four affirmative votes from a seven-member board or less than three affirmative votes from a five-member board, the permit shall be denied. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> If the board’s decision is reviewed or appealed, the board shall transmit the record of its hearing<\/span> to the Commissioner<\/span>. Upon a final determination by the Commission<\/span>, the record shall be returned to the board. The record shall be open for public inspection at the same office as was designated under § 5 of this ordinance.\n\t\t\t\t§ 8. The board may require a reasonable bond<\/span> or letter of credit in an amount and with surety<\/span> and conditions satisfactory to it, securing to the Commonwealth compliance with the conditions and limitations set forth in the permit. The board may, after a hearing<\/span> held pursuant to this ordinance, suspend or revoke a permit if the applicant has failed to comply with any of the conditions or limitations set forth in the permit or has exceeded the scope of the work described in the application. The board may, after a hearing<\/span>, suspend a permit if the applicant fails to comply with the terms and conditions set forth in the application.\n\t\t\t\t§ 9. In fulfilling its responsibilities under this ordinance, the board shall preserve and prevent the despoliation and destruction of wetlands within its jurisdiction<\/span> while accommodating necessary economic development in a manner consistent with wetlands preservation and any standards set by the Commonwealth in addition to those identified in § 28.2-1308<\/a> to ensure protection of shorelines and sensitive coastal habitats<\/span> from sea level rise and coastal hazards, including the provisions of guidelines and minimum standards promulgated by the Commission<\/span> pursuant to § 28.2-1301<\/a> of the Code of Virginia.\n\t\t\t\t§ 10. A. In deciding whether to grant, grant in modified form, or deny a permit, the board shall consider the following: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> The testimony<\/span> of any person<\/span> in support of or in opposition to the permit application; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The impact of the proposed development on the public health, safety, and welfare; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> The proposed development’s conformance with standards prescribed in \u00a7 28.2-1308<\/a> of the Code of Virginia and guidelines promulgated pursuant to \u00a7 28.2-1301<\/a> of the Code of Virginia. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The board shall grant the permit if all of the following criteria are met: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> The anticipated public and private benefit of the proposed activity exceeds its anticipated public and private detriment. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The proposed development conforms with the standards prescribed in § 28.2-1308<\/a> of the Code of Virginia and guidelines promulgated pursuant to § 28.2-1301<\/a> of the Code of Virginia. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> The proposed activity does not violate the purposes and intent<\/span> of this ordinance or Chapter 13 (\u00a7 28.2-1300<\/a> et seq.) of Title 28.2 of the Code of Virginia. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> If the board finds that any of the criteria listed in subsection B of this section are not met, the board shall deny the permit application but allow the applicant to resubmit the application in modified form.\n\t\t\t\t§ 11. The permit shall be in writing and signed by the chairman of the board or his authorized representative. A copy of the permit shall be transmitted to the Commissioner<\/span>.\n\t\t\t\t§ 12. No permit shall be granted without an expiration date established by the board. Upon proper application, the board may extend the permit expiration date.\n\t\t\t\t§ 13. No permit granted by a wetlands board<\/span> shall in any way affect the applicable zoning and land use ordinances<\/span> of this ________ (county, city, or town<\/span>) or the right of any person<\/span> to seek compensation for any injury in fact<\/span> incurred by him because of the proposed activity. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nADOPTION OF WETLANDS ZONING ORDINANCE; TERMS OF ORDINANCE (\u00a7 28.2-1302)\n\nAny county, city or town may adopt the following ordinance, which, after January\n1, 2024, shall serve as the only wetlands zoning ordinance under which any\nwetlands board is authorized to operate. Any county, city, or town that has\nadopted the ordinance prior to January 1, 2024, shall amend the ordinance to\nconform it to the ordinance contained herein by January 1, 2024.\n\t\tWetlands Zoning Ordinance\n\t\t\u00a7 1. The governing body of ________, acting pursuant to Chapter 13 (\u00a7\n28.2-1300 et seq.) of Title 28.2 of the Code of Virginia, adopts this ordinance\nregulating the use and development of wetlands.\n\t\t\u00a7 2. As used in this ordinance, unless the context requires a different\nmeaning:\n\t\t“Back Bay and its tributaries” means the following, as shown on\nthe United States Geological Survey Quadrangle Sheets for Virginia Beach, North\nBay, and Knotts Island: Back Bay north of the Virginia-North Carolina state\nline; Capsies Creek north of the Virginia-North Carolina state line; Deal Creek;\nDevil Creek; Nawney Creek; Redhead Bay, Sand Bay, Shipps Bay, North Bay, and the\nwaters connecting them; Beggars Bridge Creek; Muddy Creek; Ashville Bridge\nCreek; Hells Point Creek; Black Gut; and all coves, ponds, and natural waterways\nadjacent to or connecting with the above-named bodies of water.\n\t\t“Commission” means the Virginia Marine Resources Commission.\n\t\t“Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Marine Resources.\n\t\t“Governmental activity” means any of the services provided by this\n________ (county, city, or town) to its citizens for the purpose of maintaining\nthis ________ (county, city, or town), including but not limited to such\nservices as constructing, repairing, and maintaining roads; providing sewage\nfacilities and street lights; supplying and treating water; and constructing\npublic buildings.\n\t\t“Nonvegetated wetlands” means unvegetated lands lying contiguous\nto mean low water and between mean low water and mean high water, including\nthose unvegetated areas of Back Bay and its tributaries and the North Landing\nRiver and its tributaries subject to flooding by normal and wind tides but not\nhurricane or tropical storm tides.\n\t\t“North Landing River and its tributaries” means the following, as\nshown on the United States Geological Survey Quadrangle Sheets for Pleasant\nRidge, Creeds, and Fentress: the North Landing River from the Virginia-North\nCarolina line to Virginia Highway 165 at North Landing Bridge; the Chesapeake\nand Albemarle Canal from Virginia Highway 165 at North Landing Bridge to the\nlocks at Great Bridge; and all named and unnamed streams, creeks, and rivers\nflowing into the North Landing River and the Chesapeake and Albemarle Canal\nexcept West Neck Creek north of Indian River Road, Pocaty River west of\nBlackwater Road, Blackwater River west of its forks located at a point\napproximately 6400 feet due west of the point where Blackwater Road crosses the\nBlackwater River at the village of Blackwater, and Millbank Creek west of\nBlackwater Road.\n\t\t“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership,\nassociation, company, business, trust, joint venture, or other legal entity.\n\t\t“Vegetated wetlands” means lands lying between and contiguous to\nmean low water and an elevation above mean low water equal to the factor one and\none-half times the mean tide range at the site of the proposed project in the\ncounty, city, or town in question, and upon which is growing any of the\nfollowing species: saltmarsh cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora), saltmeadow hay\n(Spartina patens), saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), black needlerush (Juncus\nroemerianus), saltwort (Salicornia spp.), sea lavender (Limonium spp.), marsh\nelder (Iva frutescens), groundsel bush (Baccharis halimifolia), wax myrtle\n(Myrica sp.), sea oxeye (Borrichia frutescens), arrow arum (Peltandra\nvirginica), pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), big cordgrass (Spartina\ncynosuroides), rice cutgrass (Leersia oryzoides), wildrice (Zizania aquatica),\nbulrush (Scirpus validus), spikerush (Eleocharis sp.), sea rocket (Cakile\nedentula), southern wildrice (Zizaniopsis miliacea), cattail (Typha spp.),\nthree-square (Scirpus spp.), buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), bald\ncypress (Taxodium distichum), black gum (Nyssa sylvatica), tupelo (Nyssa\naquatica), dock (Rumex spp.), yellow pond lily (Nuphar sp.), marsh fleabane\n(Pluchea purpurascens), royal fern (Osmunda regalis), marsh hibiscus (Hibiscus\nmoscheutos), beggar’s tick (Bidens sp.), smartweed (Polygonum sp.),\narrowhead (Sagittaria spp.), sweet flag (Acorus calamus), water hemp (Amaranthus\ncannabinus), reed grass (Phragmites communis), or switch grass (Panicum\nvirgatum).\n\t\t“Vegetated wetlands of Back Bay and its tributaries” or\n“vegetated wetlands of the North Landing River and its tributaries”\nmeans all marshes subject to flooding by normal and wind tides but not hurricane\nor tropical storm tides, and upon which is growing any of the following species:\nsaltmarsh cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora), saltmeadow hay (Spartina patens),\nblack needlerush (Juncus roemerianus), marsh elder (Iva frutescens), groundsel\nbush (Baccharis halimifolia), wax myrtle (Myrica sp.), arrow arum (Peltandra\nvirginica), pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), big cordgrass (Spartina\ncynosuroides), rice cutgrass (Leersia oryzoides), wildrice (Zizania aquatica),\nbulrush (Scirpus validus), spikerush (Eleocharis sp.), cattail (Typha spp.),\nthree-square (Scirpus spp.), dock (Rumex sp.), smartweed (Polygonum sp.), yellow\npond lily (Nuphar sp.), royal fern (Osmunda regalis), marsh hibiscus (Hibiscus\nmoscheutos), beggar’s tick (Bidens sp.), arrowhead (Sagittaria sp.), water\nhemp (Amaranthus cannabinus), reed grass (Phragmites communis), or switch grass\n(Panicum virgatum).\n\t\t“Wetlands” means both vegetated and nonvegetated wetlands.\n\t\t“Wetlands board” or “board” means a board created\npursuant to \u00a7 28.2-1303 of the Code of Virginia.\n\t\t\u00a7 3. The following uses of and activities in wetlands are authorized if\notherwise permitted by law:\n\n1. The construction and maintenance of noncommercial catwalks, piers,\nboathouses, boat shelters, fences, duckblinds, wildlife management shelters,\nfootbridges, observation decks, and shelters and other similar structures,\nprovided that such structures are so constructed on pilings as to permit the\nreasonably unobstructed flow of the tide and preserve the natural contour of the\nwetlands;\n\n2. The cultivation and harvesting of shellfish, and worms for bait;\n\n3. Noncommercial outdoor recreational activities, including hiking, boating,\ntrapping, hunting, fishing, shellfishing, horseback riding, swimming, skeet and\ntrap shooting, and shooting on shooting preserves, provided that no structure\nshall be constructed except as permitted in subdivision 1 of this section;\n\n4. Other outdoor recreational activities, provided they do not impair the\nnatural functions or alter the natural contour of the wetlands;\n\n5. Grazing, haying, and cultivating and harvesting agricultural, forestry, or\nhorticultural products;\n\n6. Conservation, repletion, and research activities of the Commission, the\nVirginia Institute of Marine Science, the Department of Wildlife Resources and\nother conservation-related agencies;\n\n7. The construction or maintenance of aids to navigation that are authorized by\ngovernmental authority;\n\n8. Emergency measures decreed by any duly appointed health officer of a\ngovernmental subdivision acting to protect the public health;\n\n9. The normal maintenance and repair of, or addition to, presently existing\nroads, highways, railroad beds, or facilities abutting on or crossing wetlands,\nprovided that no waterway is altered and no additional wetlands are covered;\n\n10. Governmental activity in wetlands owned or leased by the Commonwealth or a\npolitical subdivision thereof;\n\n11. The normal maintenance of man-made drainage ditches, provided that no\nadditional wetlands are covered. This subdivision does not authorize the\nconstruction of any drainage ditch; and\n\n12. The construction of living shoreline projects authorized pursuant to a\ngeneral permit developed under subsection B of \u00a7 28.2-104.1.\n\t\t\t\u00a7 4. A. Any person who desires to use or develop any wetland within this\n________ (county, city, or town), other than for the purpose of conducting the\nactivities specified in \u00a7 3 of this ordinance, shall first file an application\nfor a permit directly with the wetlands board or with the Commission.\n\n B. The permit application shall include the following: the name and address of\n the applicant; a detailed description of the proposed activities; a map, drawn\n to an appropriate and uniform scale, showing the area of wetlands directly\n affected, the location of the proposed work thereon, the area of existing and\n proposed fill and excavation, the location, width, depth, and length of any\n proposed channel and disposal area, and the location of all existing and\n proposed structures, sewage collection and treatment facilities, utility\n installations, roadways, and other related appurtenances or facilities,\n including those on adjacent uplands; a statement indicating whether use of a\n living shoreline as defined in § 28.2-104.1 for a shoreline management\n practice is not suitable, including reasons for the determination; a\n description of the type of equipment to be used and the means of equipment\n access to the activity site; the names and addresses of owners of record of\n adjacent land and known claimants of water rights in or adjacent to the\n wetland of whom the applicant has notice; an estimate of cost; the primary\n purpose of the project; any secondary purposes of the project, including\n further projects; the public benefit to be derived from the proposed project;\n a complete description of measures to be taken during and after the alteration\n to reduce detrimental offsite effects; the completion date of the proposed\n work, project, or structure; and such additional materials and documentation\n as the wetlands board may require.\n\n C. A nonrefundable processing fee shall accompany each permit application. The\n fee shall be set by the applicable governing body with due regard for the\n services to be rendered, including the time, skill, and administrator’s\n expense involved.\n \t\t\t\t§ 5. All applications, maps, and documents submitted shall be open\n for public inspection at the office designated by the applicable governing\n body and specified in the public notice for public hearing required under\n § 6 of this ordinance.\n \t\t\t\t§ 6. Not later than 60 days after receipt of a complete application,\n the wetlands board shall hold a public hearing on the application. The\n applicant, local governing body, Commissioner, owner of record of any land\n adjacent to the wetlands in question, known claimants of water rights in or\n adjacent to the wetlands in question, the Virginia Institute of Marine\n Science, the Department of Wildlife Resources, the State Water Control Board,\n the Department of Transportation, and any governmental agency expressing an\n interest in the application shall be notified of the hearing. The Commission\n or board shall mail or email these notices not less than 20 days prior to the\n date set for the hearing. The board shall also (i) cause notice of the hearing\n to be published at least once in the seven days prior to such hearing in a\n newspaper of general circulation in this _________ (county, city, or town);\n (ii) post a notice of the hearing on its website at least 14 days prior to\n such hearing; and (iii) provide a copy of such notice to the Commission for\n submittal to the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall. The published notice shall\n specify the place or places within this ________ (county, city, or town) where\n copies of the application may be examined. The costs of publication shall be\n paid by the applicant. In the event that the board submits a correct and\n timely notice for publication and the newspaper fails to publish the notice or\n publishes the notice incorrectly, the board shall be deemed to have met the\n notice requirements of this subsection so long as the notice is published in\n the next available edition of such newspaper.\n \t\t\t\t§ 7. A. Approval of a permit application shall require the\n affirmative vote of three members of a five-member board or four members of a\n seven-member board.\n\n B. The chairman of the board, or in his absence the acting chairman, may\n administer oaths and compel the attendance of witnesses. Any person may\n testify at the public hearing. Each witness at the hearing may submit a\n concise written statement of his testimony. The board shall make a record of\n the proceeding, which shall include the application, any written statements of\n witnesses, a summary of statements of all witnesses, the findings and decision\n of the board, and the rationale for the decision.\n\n C. The board shall make its determination within 30 days of the hearing. If\n the board fails to act within that time, the application shall be deemed\n approved. Within 48 hours of its determination, the board shall notify the\n applicant and the Commissioner of its determination. If the board fails to\n make a determination within the 30-day period, it shall promptly notify the\n applicant and the Commission that the application is deemed approved. For\n purposes of this section, “act” means taking a vote on the\n application. If the application receives less than four affirmative votes from\n a seven-member board or less than three affirmative votes from a five-member\n board, the permit shall be denied.\n\n D. If the board’s decision is reviewed or appealed, the board shall\n transmit the record of its hearing to the Commissioner. Upon a final\n determination by the Commission, the record shall be returned to the board.\n The record shall be open for public inspection at the same office as was\n designated under § 5 of this ordinance.\n \t\t\t\t§ 8. The board may require a reasonable bond or letter of credit in\n an amount and with surety and conditions satisfactory to it, securing to the\n Commonwealth compliance with the conditions and limitations set forth in the\n permit. The board may, after a hearing held pursuant to this ordinance,\n suspend or revoke a permit if the applicant has failed to comply with any of\n the conditions or limitations set forth in the permit or has exceeded the\n scope of the work described in the application. The board may, after a\n hearing, suspend a permit if the applicant fails to comply with the terms and\n conditions set forth in the application.\n \t\t\t\t§ 9. In fulfilling its responsibilities under this ordinance, the\n board shall preserve and prevent the despoliation and destruction of wetlands\n within its jurisdiction while accommodating necessary economic development in\n a manner consistent with wetlands preservation and any standards set by the\n Commonwealth in addition to those identified in § 28.2-1308 to ensure\n protection of shorelines and sensitive coastal habitats from sea level rise\n and coastal hazards, including the provisions of guidelines and minimum\n standards promulgated by the Commission pursuant to § 28.2-1301 of the\n Code of Virginia.\n \t\t\t\t§ 10. A. In deciding whether to grant, grant in modified form, or\n deny a permit, the board shall consider the following:\n\n1. The testimony of any person in support of or in opposition to the permit\napplication;\n\n2. The impact of the proposed development on the public health, safety, and\nwelfare; and\n\n3. The proposed development’s conformance with standards prescribed in \u00a7\n28.2-1308 of the Code of Virginia and guidelines promulgated pursuant to \u00a7\n28.2-1301 of the Code of Virginia.\n\n B. The board shall grant the permit if all of the following criteria are met:\n\n1. The anticipated public and private benefit of the proposed activity exceeds\nits anticipated public and private detriment.\n\n2. The proposed development conforms with the standards prescribed in §\n28.2-1308 of the Code of Virginia and guidelines promulgated pursuant to §\n28.2-1301 of the Code of Virginia.\n\n3. The proposed activity does not violate the purposes and intent of this\nordinance or Chapter 13 (\u00a7 28.2-1300 et seq.) of Title 28.2 of the Code of\nVirginia.\n\n C. If the board finds that any of the criteria listed in subsection B of this\n section are not met, the board shall deny the permit application but allow the\n applicant to resubmit the application in modified form.\n \t\t\t\t§ 11. The permit shall be in writing and signed by the chairman of\n the board or his authorized representative. A copy of the permit shall be\n transmitted to the Commissioner.\n \t\t\t\t§ 12. No permit shall be granted without an expiration date\n established by the board. Upon proper application, the board may extend the\n permit expiration date.\n \t\t\t\t§ 13. No permit granted by a wetlands board shall in any way affect\n the applicable zoning and land use ordinances of this ________ (county, city,\n or town) or the right of any person to seek compensation for any injury in\n fact incurred by him because of the proposed activity.\n\nHISTORY: 1972, c. 711, \u00a7\u00a7 62.1-13.1, 62.1-13.5; 1973, cc. 382, 388; 1975, c.\n268; 1979, c. 418; 1982, c. 300; 1985, c. 541; 1988, c. 587; 1989, c. 360; 1992,\nc. 836; 1994, c. 274; 2014, cc. 112, 143; 2020, cc. 809, 958; 2023, cc. 99, 195.","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}}