{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/29.1-528.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/29.1-528.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/29.1-528.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/29.1-528.html"}],"law_id":70115,"edition_id":1,"section_id":70115,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-528","catch_line":"Board to develop model ordinances for hunting with firearms; counties or cities may adopt","history":"1976, c. 443, \u00a7 29-144.6; 1977, cc. 20, 377; 1978, c. 303; 1986, c. 342; 1987, c. 488; 1989, c. 421; 2007, c. 642; 2016, c. 64.","full_text":"A\n\nThe Board shall adopt regulations establishing model ordinances for hunting with firearms that may be adopted by counties or cities. Such model ordinances shall address items including firearm caliber; type of firearm, including rifle, shotgun, or muzzleloader; type of ammunition; and the hunting of groundhogs or coyotes.B\n\nThe governing body of any county or city may, by ordinance, (i) prohibit hunting in such county or city with a shotgun loaded with slugs, or with a rifle of a caliber larger than .22 rimfire; (ii) permit the hunting of groundhogs with a rifle of a caliber larger than .22 rimfire between March 1 and August 31; (iii) permit the use of muzzle-loading rifles during the prescribed open seasons for the hunting of game species; (iv) specify permissible types of ammunition to be used for hunting in the county or city; or (v) permit the hunting of coyotes with a rifle of a caliber larger than .22 rimfire.C\n\nNo such ordinance shall be enforceable unless the governing body notifies the Director by registered mail prior to May 1 of the year in which the ordinance is to take effect.D\n\nIn adopting an ordinance pursuant to the provisions of this section, the governing body of any county or city may provide that any person who violates the provisions of the ordinance is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":253186,"text":"The Board shall adopt regulations establishing model ordinances for hunting with firearms that may be adopted by counties or cities. Such model ordinances shall address items including firearm caliber; type of firearm, including rifle, shotgun, or muzzleloader; type of ammunition; and the hunting of groundhogs or coyotes.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":253187,"text":"The governing body of any county or city may, by ordinance, (i) prohibit hunting in such county or city with a shotgun loaded with slugs, or with a rifle of a caliber larger than .22 rimfire; (ii) permit the hunting of groundhogs with a rifle of a caliber larger than .22 rimfire between March 1 and August 31; (iii) permit the use of muzzle-loading rifles during the prescribed open seasons for the hunting of game species; (iv) specify permissible types of ammunition to be used for hunting in the county or city; or (v) permit the hunting of coyotes with a rifle of a caliber larger than .22 rimfire.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":253188,"text":"No such ordinance shall be enforceable unless the governing body notifies the Director by registered mail prior to May 1 of the year in which the ordinance is to take effect.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":253189,"text":"In adopting an ordinance pursuant to the provisions of this section, the governing body of any county or city may provide that any person who violates the provisions of the ordinance is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13514,"edition_id":1,"name":"Hunting and Trapping","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13513,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:06","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:06","permalink":{"id":193019,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13514,"identifier":"2","token":"29.1\/5\/2","url":"\/29.1\/5\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13513,"edition_id":1,"name":"Wildlife and Fish Laws","identifier":"5","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12934,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:06","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:06","permalink":{"id":192967,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13513,"identifier":"5","token":"29.1\/5","url":"\/29.1\/5\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12934,"edition_id":1,"name":"Wildlife, Inland Fisheries and Boating","identifier":"29.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:03","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:03","permalink":{"id":192277,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12934,"identifier":"29.1","token":"29.1","url":"\/29.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":57566,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-510","catch_line":"Big game; small game","url":"\/29.1-510\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-510","metadata":false},{"id":54765,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-511","catch_line":"Open season on nuisance species","url":"\/29.1-511\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-511","metadata":false},{"id":57429,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-512","catch_line":"Closed season on other species","url":"\/29.1-512\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-512","metadata":false},{"id":72077,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-513","catch_line":"Daily and season bag limits as promulgated by Board regulations","url":"\/29.1-513\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-513","metadata":false},{"id":57989,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-514","catch_line":"Nonmigratory game birds","url":"\/29.1-514\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-514","metadata":false},{"id":71454,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-515","catch_line":"Migratory game birds","url":"\/29.1-515\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-515","metadata":false},{"id":81835,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-516","catch_line":"Game animals","url":"\/29.1-516\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-516","metadata":false},{"id":61868,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-516.1","catch_line":"Using tracking dogs to retrieve bear, deer, or turkey","url":"\/29.1-516.1\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-516.1","metadata":false},{"id":86513,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-516.2","catch_line":"Hunting with dogs; dogs to wear tags","url":"\/29.1-516.2\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-516.2","metadata":false},{"id":83866,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-517","catch_line":"Trapping and shooting of fur-bearing animals during closed season","url":"\/29.1-517\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-517","metadata":false},{"id":81824,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-518","catch_line":"When killing of beaver permitted","url":"\/29.1-518\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-518","metadata":false},{"id":54547,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-519","catch_line":"Guns, pistols, revolvers, etc., which may be used; penalty","url":"\/29.1-519\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-519","metadata":false},{"id":65461,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-520","catch_line":"Times for hunting","url":"\/29.1-520\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-520","metadata":false},{"id":61787,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-521","catch_line":"Unlawful to hunt, trap, possess, sell, or transport wild birds and wild animals except as permitted; exception; penalty","url":"\/29.1-521\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-521","metadata":false},{"id":59428,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-521.1","catch_line":"Willfully impeding hunting or trapping; penalty","url":"\/29.1-521.1\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-521.1","metadata":false},{"id":54761,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-521.2","catch_line":"Violation of \u00a7 18.2-286 while hunting; revocation of license and privileges","url":"\/29.1-521.2\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-521.2","metadata":false},{"id":73558,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-521.3","catch_line":"Shooting wild birds and wild animals from stationary vehicles by disabled persons","url":"\/29.1-521.3\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-521.3","metadata":false},{"id":71465,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-522","catch_line":"Unlawful to kill male deer unless antlers visible above hair","url":"\/29.1-522\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-522","metadata":false},{"id":76993,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-523","catch_line":"Killing deer by use of certain lights; acts raising presumption of attempt to kill","url":"\/29.1-523\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-523","metadata":false},{"id":83109,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-523.1","catch_line":"Hunting deer with sights after dark; forfeiture of weapon and sighting device","url":"\/29.1-523.1\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-523.1","metadata":false},{"id":82330,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-524","catch_line":"Forfeiture of vehicles and weapons used for killing or attempt to kill","url":"\/29.1-524\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-524","metadata":false},{"id":68411,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-525","catch_line":"Employment of lights under certain circumstances upon places used by deer","url":"\/29.1-525\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-525","metadata":false},{"id":63880,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-525.1","catch_line":"Deer enclosures prohibited; exceptions; penalty","url":"\/29.1-525.1\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-525.1","metadata":false},{"id":73219,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-525.2","catch_line":"Fox and coyote enclosures prohibited; penalty","url":"\/29.1-525.2\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-525.2","metadata":false},{"id":71449,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-526","catch_line":"Counties and cities may prohibit hunting or trapping near primary and secondary highways","url":"\/29.1-526\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-526","metadata":false},{"id":60237,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-527","catch_line":"Counties, cities or towns may prohibit hunting near public schools and county, city, town or regional parks","url":"\/29.1-527\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-527","metadata":false},{"id":76925,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-527.1","catch_line":"Localities may prohibit feeding of migratory and nonmigratory waterfowl","url":"\/29.1-527.1\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-527.1","metadata":false},{"id":65690,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-527.2","catch_line":"Localities may prohibit feeding of deer","url":"\/29.1-527.2\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-527.2","metadata":false},{"id":70115,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-528","catch_line":"Board to develop model ordinances for hunting with firearms; counties or cities may adopt","url":"\/29.1-528\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-528","metadata":false},{"id":75511,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-528.1","catch_line":"Board to develop model ordinances for hunting with bow and arrow; counties or cities may adopt","url":"\/29.1-528.1\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-528.1","metadata":false},{"id":65161,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-528.2","catch_line":"Local tree stand ordinance; disabled hunter exempt","url":"\/29.1-528.2\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-528.2","metadata":false},{"id":76194,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-529","catch_line":"Killing of deer, elk or bear damaging fruit trees, crops, livestock, or personal property; wildlife creating a hazard to aircraft or motor vehicles","url":"\/29.1-529\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-529","metadata":false},{"id":83517,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-530","catch_line":"Open and closed season for trapping, bag limits, etc","url":"\/29.1-530\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-530","metadata":false},{"id":59296,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-530.1","catch_line":"Solid blaze orange or solid blaze pink clothing required at certain times","url":"\/29.1-530.1\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-530.1","metadata":false},{"id":54480,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-530.2","catch_line":"Unlawfully killing bear; penalty","url":"\/29.1-530.2\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-530.2","metadata":false},{"id":55295,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-530.3","catch_line":"Remote hunting prohibited; penalty","url":"\/29.1-530.3\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-530.3","metadata":false},{"id":62967,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-530.4","catch_line":"Duty of certain entities to report hunting incidents","url":"\/29.1-530.4\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-530.4","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":65690,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-527.2","catch_line":"Localities may prohibit feeding of deer","url":"\/29.1-527.2\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-527.2","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":75511,"structure_id":13514,"section_number":"29.1-528.1","catch_line":"Board to develop model ordinances for hunting with bow and arrow; counties or cities may adopt","url":"\/29.1-528.1\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-528.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/29.1-528\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 1976. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 443 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 1976 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 7 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1977, chapters 20 and 377; in 1978, chapter 303; in 1986, chapter 342; in 1987, chapter 488; in 1989, chapter 421; in 2007, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?071+ful+CHAP0642\">642<\/a>; in 2016, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?161+ful+CHAP0064\">64<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":193133,"object_type":"law","relational_id":70115,"identifier":"29.1-528","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-528","url":"\/29.1-528\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/29.1-528\/","token":"29.1\/5\/2\/29.1-528","dublin_core":{"Title":"Board to develop model ordinances for hunting with firearms; counties or cities may adopt","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 29.1-528","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> The <span class=\"dictionary\">Board<\/span> shall adopt <span class=\"dictionary\">regulations<\/span> establishing model <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinances<\/span> for hunting with <span class=\"dictionary\">firearms<\/span> that may be adopted by counties or cities. Such model <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinances<\/span> shall address items including <span class=\"dictionary\">firearm<\/span> caliber; type of <span class=\"dictionary\">firearm<\/span>, including <span class=\"dictionary\">rifle<\/span>, <span class=\"dictionary\">shotgun<\/span>, or <span class=\"dictionary\">muzzleloader<\/span>; type of ammunition; and the hunting of groundhogs or coyotes. <a id=\"paragraph-253186\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-528\/#A\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">B.<\/span> The governing body of any county or city may, by <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinance<\/span>, (i) prohibit hunting in such county or city with a <span class=\"dictionary\">shotgun<\/span> loaded with slugs, or with a <span class=\"dictionary\">rifle<\/span> of a caliber larger than .22 rimfire; (ii) permit the hunting of groundhogs with a <span class=\"dictionary\">rifle<\/span> of a caliber larger than .22 rimfire between March 1 and August 31; (iii) permit the use of muzzle-loading <span class=\"dictionary\">rifles<\/span> during the prescribed <span class=\"dictionary\">open seasons<\/span> for the hunting of <span class=\"dictionary\">game<\/span> species; (iv) specify permissible types of ammunition to be used for hunting in the county or city; or (v) permit the hunting of coyotes with a <span class=\"dictionary\">rifle<\/span> of a caliber larger than .22 rimfire. <a id=\"paragraph-253187\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-528\/#B\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">C.<\/span> No such <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinance<\/span> shall be enforceable unless the governing body notifies the <span class=\"dictionary\">Director<\/span> by registered mail prior to May 1 of the year in which the <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinance<\/span> is to take effect. <a id=\"paragraph-253188\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-528\/#C\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"D\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">D.<\/span> In adopting an <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinance<\/span> pursuant to the provisions of this section, the governing body of any county or city may provide that any person who violates the provisions of the <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinance<\/span> is guilty of a Class 3 <span class=\"dictionary\">misdemeanor<\/span>. <a id=\"paragraph-253189\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/29.1-528\/#D\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nBOARD TO DEVELOP MODEL ORDINANCES FOR HUNTING WITH FIREARMS; COUNTIES OR CITIES\nMAY ADOPT (\u00a7 29.1-528)\n\nA. The Board shall adopt regulations establishing model ordinances for hunting\nwith firearms that may be adopted by counties or cities. Such model ordinances\nshall address items including firearm caliber; type of firearm, including rifle,\nshotgun, or muzzleloader; type of ammunition; and the hunting of groundhogs or\ncoyotes.\n\nB. The governing body of any county or city may, by ordinance, (i) prohibit\nhunting in such county or city with a shotgun loaded with slugs, or with a rifle\nof a caliber larger than .22 rimfire; (ii) permit the hunting of groundhogs with\na rifle of a caliber larger than .22 rimfire between March 1 and August 31;\n(iii) permit the use of muzzle-loading rifles during the prescribed open seasons\nfor the hunting of game species; (iv) specify permissible types of ammunition to\nbe used for hunting in the county or city; or (v) permit the hunting of coyotes\nwith a rifle of a caliber larger than .22 rimfire.\n\nC. No such ordinance shall be enforceable unless the governing body notifies the\nDirector by registered mail prior to May 1 of the year in which the ordinance is\nto take effect.\n\nD. In adopting an ordinance pursuant to the provisions of this section, the\ngoverning body of any county or city may provide that any person who violates\nthe provisions of the ordinance is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.\n\nHISTORY: 1976, c. 443, \u00a7 29-144.6; 1977, cc. 20, 377; 1978, c. 303; 1986, c.\n342; 1987, c. 488; 1989, c. 421; 2007, c. 642; 2016, c. 64.","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}}