{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/36-96.21.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/36-96.21.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/36-96.21.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/36-96.21.html"}],"law_id":85652,"edition_id":1,"section_id":85652,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.21","catch_line":"Powers of counties, cities and towns","history":"1972, c. 591, \u00a7 36-96; 1975, c. 345; 1982, c. 113; 1991, c. 557; 1996, cc. 173, 369.","full_text":"A\n\nAny county, city or town which has any ordinance in effect on January 1, 1991, enacted under the Virginia Fair Housing Law (&#xA7; 36-96.1 et seq.), the Virginia Human Rights Act (&#xA7; 2.2-3900 et seq.), or any other applicable state law may continue to enforce such ordinance and may amend the ordinance, provided the amendment is not inconsistent with this chapter. Nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit any county, city or town under this subsection from submitting amended ordinances to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for substantial equivalency pursuant to Title VIII, Civil Rights Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. &#xA7;&#xA7; 3604-3606), as amended.B\n\nThe governing body of any county, city or town may enact ordinances in accordance with the provisions of this chapter provided that (i) such ordinances conform to this chapter and are enacted prior to September 30, 1992, and (ii) such amended ordinances are submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for a determination of substantial equivalency pursuant to Title VIII, Civil Rights Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. &#xA7;&#xA7; 3604-3606), as amended.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":306775,"text":"Any county, city or town which has any ordinance in effect on January 1, 1991, enacted under the Virginia Fair Housing Law (&#xA7; 36-96.1 et seq.), the Virginia Human Rights Act (&#xA7; 2.2-3900 et seq.), or any other applicable state law may continue to enforce such ordinance and may amend the ordinance, provided the amendment is not inconsistent with this chapter. Nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit any county, city or town under this subsection from submitting amended ordinances to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for substantial equivalency pursuant to Title VIII, Civil Rights Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. &#xA7;&#xA7; 3604-3606), as amended.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":306776,"text":"The governing body of any county, city or town may enact ordinances in accordance with the provisions of this chapter provided that (i) such ordinances conform to this chapter and are enacted prior to September 30, 1992, and (ii) such amended ordinances are submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for a determination of substantial equivalency pursuant to Title VIII, Civil Rights Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. &#xA7;&#xA7; 3604-3606), as amended.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13498,"edition_id":1,"name":"Virginia Fair Housing Law","identifier":"5.1","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12779,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:04","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:04","permalink":{"id":209181,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13498,"identifier":"5.1","token":"36\/5.1","url":"\/36\/5.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12779,"edition_id":1,"name":"Housing","identifier":"36","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":208257,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12779,"identifier":"36","token":"36","url":"\/36\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":65553,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.1","catch_line":"Declaration of policy","url":"\/36-96.1\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.1","metadata":false},{"id":61134,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.10","catch_line":"Procedures for investigation","url":"\/36-96.10\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.10","metadata":false},{"id":67356,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.11","catch_line":"Reasonable cause determination and effect","url":"\/36-96.11\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.11","metadata":false},{"id":72315,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.12","catch_line":"No reasonable cause determination and effect","url":"\/36-96.12\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.12","metadata":false},{"id":87140,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.13","catch_line":"Conciliation","url":"\/36-96.13\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.13","metadata":false},{"id":79737,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.14","catch_line":"Issuance of a charge","url":"\/36-96.14\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.14","metadata":false},{"id":79697,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.15","catch_line":"Prompt judicial action","url":"\/36-96.15\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.15","metadata":false},{"id":77306,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.16","catch_line":"Civil action by Attorney General upon referral of charge by the Real Estate Board","url":"\/36-96.16\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.16","metadata":false},{"id":85292,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.17","catch_line":"Civil action by Attorney General; matters involving the legality of any local zoning or other land use ordinance; pattern or practice cases; or referral of conciliation agreement for enforcement","url":"\/36-96.17\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.17","metadata":false},{"id":70010,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.18","catch_line":"Civil action; enforcement by private parties","url":"\/36-96.18\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.18","metadata":false},{"id":54812,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.19","catch_line":"Witness fees","url":"\/36-96.19\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.19","metadata":false},{"id":62921,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.1:1","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/36-96.1_1\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.1_1","metadata":false},{"id":58122,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.2","catch_line":"Exemptions","url":"\/36-96.2\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.2","metadata":false},{"id":71220,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.20","catch_line":"Additional powers of the Real Estate Board; action on real estate licenses","url":"\/36-96.20\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.20","metadata":false},{"id":85652,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.21","catch_line":"Powers of counties, cities and towns","url":"\/36-96.21\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.21","metadata":false},{"id":58973,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.22","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/36-96.22\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.22","metadata":false},{"id":67360,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.23","catch_line":"Construction of law","url":"\/36-96.23\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.23","metadata":false},{"id":80070,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.3","catch_line":"Unlawful discriminatory housing practices","url":"\/36-96.3\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.3","metadata":false},{"id":85052,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.3:1","catch_line":"Rights and responsibilities with respect to the use of an assistance animal in a dwelling","url":"\/36-96.3_1\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.3_1","metadata":false},{"id":58480,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.3:2","catch_line":"Reasonable accommodations; interactive process","url":"\/36-96.3_2\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.3_2","metadata":false},{"id":65380,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.4","catch_line":"Discrimination in residential real estate-related transactions; unlawful practices by lenders, insurers, appraisers, etc.; deposit of state funds in such institutions","url":"\/36-96.4\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.4","metadata":false},{"id":73766,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.5","catch_line":"Interference with enjoyment of rights of others under this chapter","url":"\/36-96.5\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.5","metadata":false},{"id":78240,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.6","catch_line":"Certain restrictive covenants void; instruments containing such covenants","url":"\/36-96.6\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.6","metadata":false},{"id":61889,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.7","catch_line":"Familial status protection not applicable to housing for older persons","url":"\/36-96.7\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.7","metadata":false},{"id":54463,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.8","catch_line":"Powers of Real Estate Board and Fair Housing Board","url":"\/36-96.8\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.8","metadata":false},{"id":79606,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.9","catch_line":"Procedures for receipt or initiation of complaint; notice to parties; filing of answer","url":"\/36-96.9\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.9","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":71220,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.20","catch_line":"Additional powers of the Real Estate Board; action on real estate licenses","url":"\/36-96.20\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.20","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":58973,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.22","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/36-96.22\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.22","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/36-96.21\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 1972. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 591 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 4 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1975, chapter 345; in 1982, chapter 113; in 1991, chapter 557; in 1996, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?961+ful+CHAP0173\">173<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?961+ful+CHAP0369\">369<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":68757,"section_number":"2.2-3900","catch_line":"Short title; declaration of policy","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-3900\/"},{"id":65553,"section_number":"36-96.1","catch_line":"Declaration of policy","order_by":null,"url":"\/36-96.1\/"}],"permalink":{"id":209239,"object_type":"law","relational_id":85652,"identifier":"36-96.21","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.21","url":"\/36-96.21\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/36-96.21\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.21","dublin_core":{"Title":"Powers of counties, cities and towns","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 36-96.21","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> Any county, city or town which has any <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinance<\/span> in effect on January 1, 1991, enacted under the Virginia Fair Housing <span class=\"dictionary\">Law<\/span> (&#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Declaration of policy\" href=\"\/36-96.1\/\">36-96.1<\/a> et seq.), the Virginia Human Rights Act (&#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Short title; declaration of policy\" href=\"\/2.2-3900\/\">2.2-3900<\/a> et seq.), or any other applicable state <span class=\"dictionary\">law<\/span> may continue to enforce such <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinance<\/span> and may <span class=\"dictionary\">amend<\/span> the <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinance<\/span>, provided the amendment is not inconsistent with this chapter. Nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit any county, city or town under this subsection from submitting amended <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinances<\/span> to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for substantial equivalency pursuant to Title VIII, Civil Rights Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. &#xA7;&#xA7; 3604-3606), as amended. <a id=\"paragraph-306775\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/36-96.21\/#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, city or town may enact <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinances<\/span> in accordance with the provisions of this chapter provided that (i) such <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinances<\/span> conform to this chapter and are enacted prior to September 30, 1992, and (ii) such amended <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinances<\/span> are submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for a determination of substantial equivalency pursuant to Title VIII, Civil Rights Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. &#xA7;&#xA7; 3604-3606), as amended. <a id=\"paragraph-306776\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/36-96.21\/#B\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPOWERS OF COUNTIES, CITIES AND TOWNS (\u00a7 36-96.21)\n\nA. Any county, city or town which has any ordinance in effect on January 1,\n1991, enacted under the Virginia Fair Housing Law (&#xA7; 36-96.1 et seq.), the\nVirginia Human Rights Act (&#xA7; 2.2-3900 et seq.), or any other applicable\nstate law may continue to enforce such ordinance and may amend the ordinance,\nprovided the amendment is not inconsistent with this chapter. Nothing herein\nshall be construed to prohibit any county, city or town under this subsection\nfrom submitting amended ordinances to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban\nDevelopment for substantial equivalency pursuant to Title VIII, Civil Rights Act\nof 1968 (42 U.S.C. &#xA7;&#xA7; 3604-3606), as amended.\n\nB. The governing body of any county, city or town may enact ordinances in\naccordance with the provisions of this chapter provided that (i) such ordinances\nconform to this chapter and are enacted prior to September 30, 1992, and (ii)\nsuch amended ordinances are submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and\nUrban Development for a determination of substantial equivalency pursuant to\nTitle VIII, Civil Rights Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. &#xA7;&#xA7; 3604-3606), as\namended.\n\nHISTORY: 1972, c. 591, \u00a7 36-96; 1975, c. 345; 1982, c. 113; 1991, c. 557; 1996,\ncc. 173, 369.","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}}