{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/3.2-703.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/3.2-703.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/3.2-703.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/3.2-703.html"}],"law_id":85406,"edition_id":1,"section_id":85406,"structure_id":14745,"section_number":"3.2-703","catch_line":"Authority to quarantine","history":"1975, c. 29, \u00a7 3.1-188.23; 1980, c. 291; 2008, c. 860.","full_text":"The Board may quarantine the Commonwealth or any portion thereof when it determines that such action is necessary to prevent or retard the spread of a pest into, within, or from the Commonwealth. Before a quarantine is adopted, the Board shall, after due public notice, hold a public hearing in accordance with the Administrative Process Act (\u00a7 2.2-4000 et seq.), at which hearing any interested party may appear and be heard either in person or by attorney. Notwithstanding the provisions of \u00a7 2.2-4002 or any other law to the contrary, the Commissioner may impose a temporary quarantine for a period not to exceed 90 days. A public hearing, as provided herein, shall be held if it appears that a quarantine for more than the 90-day period will be necessary to prevent or retard the spread of the pest. The Commissioner shall give notice of the establishment of the quarantine in a newspaper having general circulation in the area affected by the quarantine. The Commissioner may limit the application of the temporary or permanent quarantine to the infested area and appropriate environs, to be known as the regulated areas, and may without further hearing extend or reduce the regulated area upon publication of a notice to that effect in a newspaper having general circulation in the area affected by the quarantine or by direct written notice to those concerned. Any temporary quarantine imposed by the Commissioner or any extensions or reductions in the regulated areas pursuant to this section shall be reviewed by the Board at its next regularly scheduled meeting, such review by the Board shall be made within 90 days of the Commissioner’s action.\n\t\tFollowing establishment of a quarantine, no person shall move any regulated article described in the quarantine or move the pest against which the quarantine is established, within, from, into, or through the Commonwealth contrary to regulations.\n\t\tThe regulations may restrict the movement of the pest and any regulated articles from the regulated area in the Commonwealth into or through other parts of the Commonwealth or other states and from the regulated area in other states into or through the Commonwealth and shall impose such inspection, disinfection, certification, or permit and other requirements as the Commissioner deems necessary to effectuate the purposes of this article. The Commissioner may issue administrative instructions relating to the enforcement of regulations including acceptable certification procedures, regulated articles, and exemptions.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":305966,"text":"The Board may quarantine the Commonwealth or any portion thereof when it determines that such action is necessary to prevent or retard the spread of a pest into, within, or from the Commonwealth. Before a quarantine is adopted, the Board shall, after due public notice, hold a public hearing in accordance with the Administrative Process Act (\u00a7 2.2-4000 et seq.), at which hearing any interested party may appear and be heard either in person or by attorney. Notwithstanding the provisions of \u00a7 2.2-4002 or any other law to the contrary, the Commissioner may impose a temporary quarantine for a period not to exceed 90 days. A public hearing, as provided herein, shall be held if it appears that a quarantine for more than the 90-day period will be necessary to prevent or retard the spread of the pest. The Commissioner shall give notice of the establishment of the quarantine in a newspaper having general circulation in the area affected by the quarantine. The Commissioner may limit the application of the temporary or permanent quarantine to the infested area and appropriate environs, to be known as the regulated areas, and may without further hearing extend or reduce the regulated area upon publication of a notice to that effect in a newspaper having general circulation in the area affected by the quarantine or by direct written notice to those concerned. Any temporary quarantine imposed by the Commissioner or any extensions or reductions in the regulated areas pursuant to this section shall be reviewed by the Board at its next regularly scheduled meeting, such review by the Board shall be made within 90 days of the Commissioner’s action.\n\t\tFollowing establishment of a quarantine, no person shall move any regulated article described in the quarantine or move the pest against which the quarantine is established, within, from, into, or through the Commonwealth contrary to regulations.\n\t\tThe regulations may restrict the movement of the pest and any regulated articles from the regulated area in the Commonwealth into or through other parts of the Commonwealth or other states and from the regulated area in other states into or through the Commonwealth and shall impose such inspection, disinfection, certification, or permit and other requirements as the Commissioner deems necessary to effectuate the purposes of this article. The Commissioner may issue administrative instructions relating to the enforcement of regulations including acceptable certification procedures, regulated articles, and exemptions.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":14745,"edition_id":1,"name":"Pests","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14744,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:49:41","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:49:41","permalink":{"id":194243,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14745,"identifier":"1","token":"3.2\/I\/7\/1","url":"\/3.2\/I\/7\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14744,"edition_id":1,"name":"Tree and Crop Pests","identifier":"7","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13126,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:49:41","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:49:41","permalink":{"id":194241,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14744,"identifier":"7","token":"3.2\/I\/7","url":"\/3.2\/I\/7\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13126,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions; Protection and Promotion of Agriculture","identifier":"I","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12793,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:19","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:19","permalink":{"id":193941,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13126,"identifier":"I","token":"3.2\/I","url":"\/3.2\/I\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12793,"edition_id":1,"name":"Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food","identifier":"3.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","permalink":{"id":193939,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12793,"identifier":"3.2","token":"3.2","url":"\/3.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":81688,"structure_id":14745,"section_number":"3.2-700","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/3.2-700\/","token":"3.2\/I\/7\/1\/3.2-700","metadata":false},{"id":74648,"structure_id":14745,"section_number":"3.2-701","catch_line":"Administration; regulations","url":"\/3.2-701\/","token":"3.2\/I\/7\/1\/3.2-701","metadata":false},{"id":85305,"structure_id":14745,"section_number":"3.2-702","catch_line":"Abundance surveys; eradication or suppression of pests","url":"\/3.2-702\/","token":"3.2\/I\/7\/1\/3.2-702","metadata":false},{"id":85406,"structure_id":14745,"section_number":"3.2-703","catch_line":"Authority to quarantine","url":"\/3.2-703\/","token":"3.2\/I\/7\/1\/3.2-703","metadata":false},{"id":81359,"structure_id":14745,"section_number":"3.2-704","catch_line":"Quarantine against regulated articles in other states","url":"\/3.2-704\/","token":"3.2\/I\/7\/1\/3.2-704","metadata":false},{"id":56474,"structure_id":14745,"section_number":"3.2-705","catch_line":"Authority for abatement and other emergency measures; compensation to property owners","url":"\/3.2-705\/","token":"3.2\/I\/7\/1\/3.2-705","metadata":false},{"id":67943,"structure_id":14745,"section_number":"3.2-706","catch_line":"Authority for inspections; warrants","url":"\/3.2-706\/","token":"3.2\/I\/7\/1\/3.2-706","metadata":false},{"id":71637,"structure_id":14745,"section_number":"3.2-707","catch_line":"Cooperation with other agencies and private organizations","url":"\/3.2-707\/","token":"3.2\/I\/7\/1\/3.2-707","metadata":false},{"id":67689,"structure_id":14745,"section_number":"3.2-708","catch_line":"Cooperative Suppression Program Fund established","url":"\/3.2-708\/","token":"3.2\/I\/7\/1\/3.2-708","metadata":false},{"id":58063,"structure_id":14745,"section_number":"3.2-709","catch_line":"Authority for compensation to growers in infested areas","url":"\/3.2-709\/","token":"3.2\/I\/7\/1\/3.2-709","metadata":false},{"id":72746,"structure_id":14745,"section_number":"3.2-710","catch_line":"Penalties","url":"\/3.2-710\/","token":"3.2\/I\/7\/1\/3.2-710","metadata":false},{"id":66851,"structure_id":14745,"section_number":"3.2-711","catch_line":"Costs of administration; reimbursements to Commonwealth","url":"\/3.2-711\/","token":"3.2\/I\/7\/1\/3.2-711","metadata":false},{"id":72563,"structure_id":14745,"section_number":"3.2-712","catch_line":"Permit required to sell and transport plant pests","url":"\/3.2-712\/","token":"3.2\/I\/7\/1\/3.2-712","metadata":false},{"id":75234,"structure_id":14745,"section_number":"3.2-713","catch_line":"Judicial review","url":"\/3.2-713\/","token":"3.2\/I\/7\/1\/3.2-713","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":85305,"structure_id":14745,"section_number":"3.2-702","catch_line":"Abundance surveys; eradication or suppression of pests","url":"\/3.2-702\/","token":"3.2\/I\/7\/1\/3.2-702","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":81359,"structure_id":14745,"section_number":"3.2-704","catch_line":"Quarantine against regulated articles in other states","url":"\/3.2-704\/","token":"3.2\/I\/7\/1\/3.2-704","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/3.2-703\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1975. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 29 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 1975 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 2 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1980, chapter 291; in 2008, chapter 860<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":86911,"section_number":"2.2-4000","catch_line":"Short title; purpose","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-4000\/"},{"id":69625,"section_number":"2.2-4002","catch_line":"Exemptions from chapter generally","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-4002\/"}],"permalink":{"id":194257,"object_type":"law","relational_id":85406,"identifier":"3.2-703","token":"3.2\/I\/7\/1\/3.2-703","url":"\/3.2-703\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/3.2-703\/","token":"3.2\/I\/7\/1\/3.2-703","dublin_core":{"Title":"Authority to quarantine","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 3.2-703","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

The Board<\/span> may quarantine the Commonwealth or any portion thereof when it determines that such action is necessary to prevent or retard the spread of a pest<\/span> into, within, or from the Commonwealth. Before a quarantine is adopted, the Board<\/span> shall, after due public notice, hold a public hearing<\/span> in accordance with the Administrative Process Act (\u00a7 2.2-4000<\/a> et seq.), at which hearing<\/span> any interested party<\/span> may appear and be heard either in person<\/span> or by attorney. Notwithstanding the provisions of \u00a7 2.2-4002<\/a> or any other law<\/span> to the contrary, the Commissioner<\/span> may impose a temporary quarantine for a period not to exceed 90 days. A public hearing<\/span>, as provided herein, shall be held if it appears that a quarantine for more than the 90-day period will be necessary to prevent or retard the spread of the pest<\/span>. The Commissioner<\/span> shall give notice of the establishment of the quarantine in a newspaper having general circulation in the area affected by the quarantine. The Commissioner<\/span> may limit the application of the temporary or permanent quarantine to the infested<\/span> area and appropriate environs, to be known as the regulated areas, and may without further hearing<\/span> extend or reduce the regulated area upon publication of a notice to that effect in a newspaper having general circulation in the area affected by the quarantine or by direct written notice to those concerned. Any temporary quarantine imposed by the Commissioner<\/span> or any extensions or reductions in the regulated areas pursuant to this section shall be reviewed by the Board<\/span> at its next regularly scheduled meeting, such review by the Board<\/span> shall be made within 90 days of the Commissioner<\/span>’s action.\n\t\tFollowing establishment of a quarantine, no person<\/span> shall move<\/span> any regulated article<\/span> described in the quarantine or move<\/span> the pest<\/span> against which the quarantine is established, within, from, into, or through the Commonwealth contrary to regulations.\n\t\tThe regulations may restrict the movement of the pest<\/span> and any regulated articles<\/span> from the regulated area in the Commonwealth into or through other parts of the Commonwealth or other states and from the regulated area in other states into or through the Commonwealth and shall impose such inspection, disinfection, certification, or permit<\/span> and other requirements as the Commissioner<\/span> deems necessary to effectuate the purposes of this article. The Commissioner<\/span> may issue<\/span> administrative instructions relating to the enforcement of regulations including acceptable certification procedures, regulated articles<\/span>, and exemptions.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nAUTHORITY TO QUARANTINE (\u00a7 3.2-703)\n\nThe Board may quarantine the Commonwealth or any portion thereof when it\ndetermines that such action is necessary to prevent or retard the spread of a\npest into, within, or from the Commonwealth. Before a quarantine is adopted, the\nBoard shall, after due public notice, hold a public hearing in accordance with\nthe Administrative Process Act (\u00a7 2.2-4000 et seq.), at which hearing any\ninterested party may appear and be heard either in person or by attorney.\nNotwithstanding the provisions of \u00a7 2.2-4002 or any other law to the contrary,\nthe Commissioner may impose a temporary quarantine for a period not to exceed 90\ndays. A public hearing, as provided herein, shall be held if it appears that a\nquarantine for more than the 90-day period will be necessary to prevent or\nretard the spread of the pest. The Commissioner shall give notice of the\nestablishment of the quarantine in a newspaper having general circulation in the\narea affected by the quarantine. The Commissioner may limit the application of\nthe temporary or permanent quarantine to the infested area and appropriate\nenvirons, to be known as the regulated areas, and may without further hearing\nextend or reduce the regulated area upon publication of a notice to that effect\nin a newspaper having general circulation in the area affected by the quarantine\nor by direct written notice to those concerned. Any temporary quarantine imposed\nby the Commissioner or any extensions or reductions in the regulated areas\npursuant to this section shall be reviewed by the Board at its next regularly\nscheduled meeting, such review by the Board shall be made within 90 days of the\nCommissioner’s action.\n\t\tFollowing establishment of a quarantine, no person shall move any regulated\narticle described in the quarantine or move the pest against which the\nquarantine is established, within, from, into, or through the Commonwealth\ncontrary to regulations.\n\t\tThe regulations may restrict the movement of the pest and any regulated\narticles from the regulated area in the Commonwealth into or through other parts\nof the Commonwealth or other states and from the regulated area in other states\ninto or through the Commonwealth and shall impose such inspection, disinfection,\ncertification, or permit and other requirements as the Commissioner deems\nnecessary to effectuate the purposes of this article. The Commissioner may issue\nadministrative instructions relating to the enforcement of regulations including\nacceptable certification procedures, regulated articles, and exemptions.\n\nHISTORY: 1975, c. 29, \u00a7 3.1-188.23; 1980, c. 291; 2008, c. 860.","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}}