{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/33.2-707.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/33.2-707.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/33.2-707.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/33.2-707.html"}],"law_id":57419,"edition_id":1,"section_id":57419,"structure_id":14311,"section_number":"33.2-707","catch_line":"Duty of viewers","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 33-144; 1964, c. 565; 1970, c. 322, \u00a7 33.1-231; 2014, c. 805.","full_text":"The viewers or the county road engineer or county road manager shall, as early as practicable after receiving the order of the local governing body, proceed to make the view and may examine routes and locations other than that proposed and if of the opinion that there is a necessity to establish or alter the location of the public highway or bridge shall locate the same and make a report to the local governing body that includes a map or diagram of the location made and that states:\n\n1\n\nTheir reasons for preferring the location made;2\n\nThe probable cost of establishing or altering the location of such highway or bridge;3\n\nThe convenience and inconvenience that will result to individuals as well as to the public;4\n\nWhether the highway or bridge will be one of such mere private convenience as to make it proper that it should be opened, established, or altered and kept in order by the person for whose convenience it is desired;5\n\nWhether any yard, garden, or orchard will have to be taken;6\n\nThe names of the landowners on such route;7\n\nWhich of such landowners require compensation;8\n\nWhat will be a just compensation to the landowners requiring compensation for the land so taken and for the damages to the residue of the tract, if any, beyond the peculiar benefits to be derived in respect to such residue, from the highway or bridge to be established; and9\n\nAll other facts and circumstances in their opinion useful in enabling the local governing body to determine the expediency of establishing or altering the highway or bridge.\n\t\t\tThey shall file such report with the clerk of the local governing body.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":210396,"text":"The viewers or the county road engineer or county road manager shall, as early as practicable after receiving the order of the local governing body, proceed to make the view and may examine routes and locations other than that proposed and if of the opinion that there is a necessity to establish or alter the location of the public highway or bridge shall locate the same and make a report to the local governing body that includes a map or diagram of the location made and that states:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":210397,"text":"Their reasons for preferring the location made;","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":210398,"text":"The probable cost of establishing or altering the location of such highway or bridge;","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":210399,"text":"The convenience and inconvenience that will result to individuals as well as to the public;","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":210400,"text":"Whether the highway or bridge will be one of such mere private convenience as to make it proper that it should be opened, established, or altered and kept in order by the person for whose convenience it is desired;","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3","next_prefix":"5"},"5":{"id":210401,"text":"Whether any yard, garden, or orchard will have to be taken;","type":"section","prefixes":["5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"5","prefix_anchor":"5","level":1,"prior_prefix":"4","next_prefix":"6"},"6":{"id":210402,"text":"The names of the landowners on such route;","type":"section","prefixes":["6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"6","prefix_anchor":"6","level":1,"prior_prefix":"5","next_prefix":"7"},"7":{"id":210403,"text":"Which of such landowners require compensation;","type":"section","prefixes":["7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"7","prefix_anchor":"7","level":1,"prior_prefix":"6","next_prefix":"8"},"8":{"id":210404,"text":"What will be a just compensation to the landowners requiring compensation for the land so taken and for the damages to the residue of the tract, if any, beyond the peculiar benefits to be derived in respect to such residue, from the highway or bridge to be established; and","type":"section","prefixes":["8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"8","prefix_anchor":"8","level":1,"prior_prefix":"7","next_prefix":"9"},"9":{"id":210405,"text":"All other facts and circumstances in their opinion useful in enabling the local governing body to determine the expediency of establishing or altering the highway or bridge.\n\t\t\tThey shall file such report with the clerk of the local governing body.","type":"section","prefixes":["9"],"prefix":"9","entire_prefix":"9","prefix_anchor":"9","level":1,"prior_prefix":"8"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14311,"edition_id":1,"name":"Establishment, Alteration, and Discontinuance of Highways","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14310,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:42","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:42","permalink":{"id":206231,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14311,"identifier":"2","token":"33.2\/II\/7\/2","url":"\/33.2\/II\/7\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14310,"edition_id":1,"name":"Local Authority Over Highways","identifier":"7","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12830,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:42","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:42","permalink":{"id":206207,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14310,"identifier":"7","token":"33.2\/II\/7","url":"\/33.2\/II\/7\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12830,"edition_id":1,"name":"Modes of Transportation: Highways, Bridges, Ferries, Rail, and Public Transportation","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12806,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","permalink":{"id":205369,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12830,"identifier":"II","token":"33.2\/II","url":"\/33.2\/II\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12806,"edition_id":1,"name":"Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems","identifier":"33.2","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":204785,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12806,"identifier":"33.2","token":"33.2","url":"\/33.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":64641,"structure_id":14311,"section_number":"33.2-705","catch_line":"Continuance of powers of county authorities; alternative procedure","url":"\/33.2-705\/","token":"33.2\/II\/7\/2\/33.2-705","metadata":false},{"id":79364,"structure_id":14311,"section_number":"33.2-706","catch_line":"How highways and bridges in counties established or altered; examination and report; width and grade of highways; employing engineer","url":"\/33.2-706\/","token":"33.2\/II\/7\/2\/33.2-706","metadata":false},{"id":57419,"structure_id":14311,"section_number":"33.2-707","catch_line":"Duty of viewers","url":"\/33.2-707\/","token":"33.2\/II\/7\/2\/33.2-707","metadata":false},{"id":83987,"structure_id":14311,"section_number":"33.2-708","catch_line":"Pay to viewers, commissioners, and engineers","url":"\/33.2-708\/","token":"33.2\/II\/7\/2\/33.2-708","metadata":false},{"id":57940,"structure_id":14311,"section_number":"33.2-709","catch_line":"Consent of landowners","url":"\/33.2-709\/","token":"33.2\/II\/7\/2\/33.2-709","metadata":false},{"id":55597,"structure_id":14311,"section_number":"33.2-710","catch_line":"Proceedings on report; notice to owners","url":"\/33.2-710\/","token":"33.2\/II\/7\/2\/33.2-710","metadata":false},{"id":67130,"structure_id":14311,"section_number":"33.2-711","catch_line":"Guardian ad litem for persons under disability","url":"\/33.2-711\/","token":"33.2\/II\/7\/2\/33.2-711","metadata":false},{"id":67557,"structure_id":14311,"section_number":"33.2-712","catch_line":"Defense allowed; what board may do","url":"\/33.2-712\/","token":"33.2\/II\/7\/2\/33.2-712","metadata":false},{"id":80385,"structure_id":14311,"section_number":"33.2-713","catch_line":"Appointment of commissioners to assess damages","url":"\/33.2-713\/","token":"33.2\/II\/7\/2\/33.2-713","metadata":false},{"id":67141,"structure_id":14311,"section_number":"33.2-714","catch_line":"Enhancement in value of residue","url":"\/33.2-714\/","token":"33.2\/II\/7\/2\/33.2-714","metadata":false},{"id":80841,"structure_id":14311,"section_number":"33.2-715","catch_line":"Action of commissioners; report","url":"\/33.2-715\/","token":"33.2\/II\/7\/2\/33.2-715","metadata":false},{"id":56434,"structure_id":14311,"section_number":"33.2-716","catch_line":"Appeal to circuit court","url":"\/33.2-716\/","token":"33.2\/II\/7\/2\/33.2-716","metadata":false},{"id":64852,"structure_id":14311,"section_number":"33.2-717","catch_line":"Who shall pay costs, compensation, and damages","url":"\/33.2-717\/","token":"33.2\/II\/7\/2\/33.2-717","metadata":false},{"id":69631,"structure_id":14311,"section_number":"33.2-718","catch_line":"Highways not to be established through cemetery or seminary of learning without owners' consent","url":"\/33.2-718\/","token":"33.2\/II\/7\/2\/33.2-718","metadata":false},{"id":82641,"structure_id":14311,"section_number":"33.2-719","catch_line":" Abandonment of certain highways and railway crossings","url":"\/33.2-719\/","token":"33.2\/II\/7\/2\/33.2-719","metadata":false},{"id":74789,"structure_id":14311,"section_number":"33.2-720","catch_line":"Supervisors may issue process","url":"\/33.2-720\/","token":"33.2\/II\/7\/2\/33.2-720","metadata":false},{"id":80781,"structure_id":14311,"section_number":"33.2-721","catch_line":"Compensation of clerk of board","url":"\/33.2-721\/","token":"33.2\/II\/7\/2\/33.2-721","metadata":false},{"id":63462,"structure_id":14311,"section_number":"33.2-722","catch_line":"Discontinuance of gates on public highways","url":"\/33.2-722\/","token":"33.2\/II\/7\/2\/33.2-722","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":79364,"structure_id":14311,"section_number":"33.2-706","catch_line":"How highways and bridges in counties established or altered; examination and report; width and grade of highways; employing engineer","url":"\/33.2-706\/","token":"33.2\/II\/7\/2\/33.2-706","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":83987,"structure_id":14311,"section_number":"33.2-708","catch_line":"Pay to viewers, commissioners, and engineers","url":"\/33.2-708\/","token":"33.2\/II\/7\/2\/33.2-708","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/33.2-707\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 3 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 1964, chapter 565; in 1970, chapter 322; in 2014, chapter 805<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":55597,"section_number":"33.2-710","catch_line":"Proceedings on report; notice to owners","order_by":null,"url":"\/33.2-710\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":206241,"object_type":"law","relational_id":57419,"identifier":"33.2-707","token":"33.2\/II\/7\/2\/33.2-707","url":"\/33.2-707\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/33.2-707\/","token":"33.2\/II\/7\/2\/33.2-707","dublin_core":{"Title":"Duty of viewers","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 33.2-707","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

The viewers or the county road engineer or county road manager shall, as early as practicable after receiving the order<\/span> of the local governing body, proceed to make the view and may examine routes and locations other than that proposed and if of the opinion<\/span> that there is a necessity to establish or alter the location of the public highway<\/span> or bridge shall locate the same and make a report to the local governing body that includes a map or diagram of the location made and that states:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Their reasons for preferring the location made; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The probable cost of establishing or altering the location of such highway<\/span> or bridge; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> The convenience and inconvenience that will result to individuals as well as to the public; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Whether the highway<\/span> or bridge will be one of such mere private convenience as to make it proper that it should be opened, established, or altered and kept in order<\/span> by the person for whose convenience it is desired; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Whether any yard, garden, or orchard will have to be taken; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> The names of the landowners on such route; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> Which of such landowners require compensation; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> What will be a just compensation to the landowners requiring compensation for the land so taken and for the damages<\/span> to the residue of the tract, if any, beyond the peculiar benefits to be derived in respect to such residue, from the highway<\/span> or bridge to be established; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

9.<\/span> All other facts<\/span> and circumstances in their opinion<\/span> useful in enabling the local governing body to determine the expediency of establishing or altering the highway<\/span> or bridge.\n\t\t\tThey shall file such report with the clerk of the local governing body. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDUTY OF VIEWERS (\u00a7 33.2-707)\n\nThe viewers or the county road engineer or county road manager shall, as early\nas practicable after receiving the order of the local governing body, proceed to\nmake the view and may examine routes and locations other than that proposed and\nif of the opinion that there is a necessity to establish or alter the location\nof the public highway or bridge shall locate the same and make a report to the\nlocal governing body that includes a map or diagram of the location made and\nthat states:\n\n1. Their reasons for preferring the location made;\n\n2. The probable cost of establishing or altering the location of such highway or\nbridge;\n\n3. The convenience and inconvenience that will result to individuals as well as\nto the public;\n\n4. Whether the highway or bridge will be one of such mere private convenience as\nto make it proper that it should be opened, established, or altered and kept in\norder by the person for whose convenience it is desired;\n\n5. Whether any yard, garden, or orchard will have to be taken;\n\n6. The names of the landowners on such route;\n\n7. Which of such landowners require compensation;\n\n8. What will be a just compensation to the landowners requiring compensation for\nthe land so taken and for the damages to the residue of the tract, if any,\nbeyond the peculiar benefits to be derived in respect to such residue, from the\nhighway or bridge to be established; and\n\n9. All other facts and circumstances in their opinion useful in enabling the\nlocal governing body to determine the expediency of establishing or altering the\nhighway or bridge.\n\t\t\tThey shall file such report with the clerk of the local governing body.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 33-144; 1964, c. 565; 1970, c. 322, \u00a7 33.1-231; 2014, c.\n805.","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}}