{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/55.1-1912.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/55.1-1912.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/55.1-1912.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/55.1-1912.html"}],"law_id":70994,"edition_id":1,"section_id":70994,"structure_id":13019,"section_number":"55.1-1912","catch_line":"Construction of condominium instruments","history":"1974, c. 416, \u00a7 55-79.50; 1982, cc. 206, 545; 2019, c. 712.","full_text":"Except to the extent otherwise provided by the condominium instruments:\n\n1\n\nThe terms defined in &#xA7; 55.1-1900 shall be deemed to have the meanings therein specified wherever they appear in the condominium instruments unless the context requires a different meaning.2\n\nTo the extent that walls, floors, or ceilings are designated as the boundaries of the units or of any specified units, all lath, wallboard, plasterboard, plaster, paneling, tiles, wallpaper, paint, and finished flooring and any other materials constituting any part of the finished surfaces of such walls, floors, or ceilings are part of such units, while all other portions of such walls, floors, or ceilings are a part of the common elements.3\n\nIf any chutes, flues, ducts, conduits, wires, bearing walls, bearing columns, or other apparatus lies partially within and partially outside of the designated boundaries of a unit, any portions serving only that unit are a part of that unit, while any portions serving more than one unit or any portion of the common elements are a part of the common elements.4\n\nSubject to the provisions of subdivision 3, all space, interior partitions, and other fixtures and improvements within the boundaries of a unit are a part of that unit.5\n\nAny shutters, awnings, doors, windows, window boxes, doorsteps, porches, balconies, patios, or other apparatus designed to serve a single unit, but located outside the boundaries of such unit, are limited common elements appertaining to that unit exclusively, except that if a single unit&#8217;s electrical master switch is located outside the designated boundaries of the unit, the switch and its cover are a part of the common elements.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":256001,"text":"Except to the extent otherwise provided by the condominium instruments:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":256002,"text":"The terms defined in &#xA7; 55.1-1900 shall be deemed to have the meanings therein specified wherever they appear in the condominium instruments unless the context requires a different meaning.","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":256003,"text":"To the extent that walls, floors, or ceilings are designated as the boundaries of the units or of any specified units, all lath, wallboard, plasterboard, plaster, paneling, tiles, wallpaper, paint, and finished flooring and any other materials constituting any part of the finished surfaces of such walls, floors, or ceilings are part of such units, while all other portions of such walls, floors, or ceilings are a part of the common elements.","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":256004,"text":"If any chutes, flues, ducts, conduits, wires, bearing walls, bearing columns, or other apparatus lies partially within and partially outside of the designated boundaries of a unit, any portions serving only that unit are a part of that unit, while any portions serving more than one unit or any portion of the common elements are a part of the common elements.","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":256005,"text":"Subject to the provisions of subdivision 3, all space, interior partitions, and other fixtures and improvements within the boundaries of a unit are a part of that unit.","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3","next_prefix":"5"},"5":{"id":256006,"text":"Any shutters, awnings, doors, windows, window boxes, doorsteps, porches, balconies, patios, or other apparatus designed to serve a single unit, but located outside the boundaries of such unit, are limited common elements appertaining to that unit exclusively, except that if a single unit&#8217;s electrical master switch is located outside the designated boundaries of the unit, the switch and its cover are a part of the common elements.","type":"section","prefixes":["5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"5","prefix_anchor":"5","level":1,"prior_prefix":"4"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13019,"edition_id":1,"name":"Creation, Alteration, and Termination of Condominiums","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13018,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:09","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:09","permalink":{"id":246655,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13019,"identifier":"2","token":"55.1\/IV\/19\/2","url":"\/55.1\/IV\/19\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13018,"edition_id":1,"name":"Virginia Condominium Act","identifier":"19","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12914,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:09","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:09","permalink":{"id":246623,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13018,"identifier":"19","token":"55.1\/IV\/19","url":"\/55.1\/IV\/19\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12914,"edition_id":1,"name":"Common Interest Communities","identifier":"IV","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12707,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:01","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:01","permalink":{"id":246473,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12914,"identifier":"IV","token":"55.1\/IV","url":"\/55.1\/IV\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12707,"edition_id":1,"name":"Property and Conveyances","identifier":"55.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":244769,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12707,"identifier":"55.1","token":"55.1","url":"\/55.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":66133,"structure_id":13019,"section_number":"55.1-1907","catch_line":"How condominium may be created","url":"\/55.1-1907\/","token":"55.1\/IV\/19\/2\/55.1-1907","metadata":false},{"id":60125,"structure_id":13019,"section_number":"55.1-1908","catch_line":"Release of liens","url":"\/55.1-1908\/","token":"55.1\/IV\/19\/2\/55.1-1908","metadata":false},{"id":81423,"structure_id":13019,"section_number":"55.1-1909","catch_line":"Description of condominium units","url":"\/55.1-1909\/","token":"55.1\/IV\/19\/2\/55.1-1909","metadata":false},{"id":85700,"structure_id":13019,"section_number":"55.1-1910","catch_line":"Execution of condominium instruments","url":"\/55.1-1910\/","token":"55.1\/IV\/19\/2\/55.1-1910","metadata":false},{"id":67143,"structure_id":13019,"section_number":"55.1-1911","catch_line":"Recordation of condominium instruments","url":"\/55.1-1911\/","token":"55.1\/IV\/19\/2\/55.1-1911","metadata":false},{"id":70994,"structure_id":13019,"section_number":"55.1-1912","catch_line":"Construction of condominium instruments","url":"\/55.1-1912\/","token":"55.1\/IV\/19\/2\/55.1-1912","metadata":false},{"id":66094,"structure_id":13019,"section_number":"55.1-1913","catch_line":"Complementarity of condominium instruments; controlling construction","url":"\/55.1-1913\/","token":"55.1\/IV\/19\/2\/55.1-1913","metadata":false},{"id":68301,"structure_id":13019,"section_number":"55.1-1914","catch_line":"Validity of condominium instruments; discrimination prohibited","url":"\/55.1-1914\/","token":"55.1\/IV\/19\/2\/55.1-1914","metadata":false},{"id":74080,"structure_id":13019,"section_number":"55.1-1915","catch_line":"Compliance with condominium instruments","url":"\/55.1-1915\/","token":"55.1\/IV\/19\/2\/55.1-1915","metadata":false},{"id":76179,"structure_id":13019,"section_number":"55.1-1916","catch_line":"Contents of declaration","url":"\/55.1-1916\/","token":"55.1\/IV\/19\/2\/55.1-1916","metadata":false},{"id":69117,"structure_id":13019,"section_number":"55.1-1917","catch_line":"Allocation of interests in the common elements","url":"\/55.1-1917\/","token":"55.1\/IV\/19\/2\/55.1-1917","metadata":false},{"id":74121,"structure_id":13019,"section_number":"55.1-1918","catch_line":"Reallocation of interests in common elements","url":"\/55.1-1918\/","token":"55.1\/IV\/19\/2\/55.1-1918","metadata":false},{"id":71147,"structure_id":13019,"section_number":"55.1-1919","catch_line":"Assignments of limited common elements; conversion to common element","url":"\/55.1-1919\/","token":"55.1\/IV\/19\/2\/55.1-1919","metadata":false},{"id":74270,"structure_id":13019,"section_number":"55.1-1920","catch_line":"Contents of plats and plans","url":"\/55.1-1920\/","token":"55.1\/IV\/19\/2\/55.1-1920","metadata":false},{"id":62387,"structure_id":13019,"section_number":"55.1-1921","catch_line":"Bond to insure completion of improvements","url":"\/55.1-1921\/","token":"55.1\/IV\/19\/2\/55.1-1921","metadata":false},{"id":70504,"structure_id":13019,"section_number":"55.1-1922","catch_line":"Preliminary recordation of plats and plans","url":"\/55.1-1922\/","token":"55.1\/IV\/19\/2\/55.1-1922","metadata":false},{"id":77354,"structure_id":13019,"section_number":"55.1-1923","catch_line":"Easement for encroachments","url":"\/55.1-1923\/","token":"55.1\/IV\/19\/2\/55.1-1923","metadata":false},{"id":55789,"structure_id":13019,"section_number":"55.1-1924","catch_line":"Conversion of convertible lands","url":"\/55.1-1924\/","token":"55.1\/IV\/19\/2\/55.1-1924","metadata":false},{"id":69213,"structure_id":13019,"section_number":"55.1-1925","catch_line":"Conversion of convertible spaces","url":"\/55.1-1925\/","token":"55.1\/IV\/19\/2\/55.1-1925","metadata":false},{"id":73518,"structure_id":13019,"section_number":"55.1-1926","catch_line":"Expansion of condominium","url":"\/55.1-1926\/","token":"55.1\/IV\/19\/2\/55.1-1926","metadata":false},{"id":86008,"structure_id":13019,"section_number":"55.1-1927","catch_line":"Contraction of condominium","url":"\/55.1-1927\/","token":"55.1\/IV\/19\/2\/55.1-1927","metadata":false},{"id":78900,"structure_id":13019,"section_number":"55.1-1928","catch_line":"Easement to facilitate conversion and expansion","url":"\/55.1-1928\/","token":"55.1\/IV\/19\/2\/55.1-1928","metadata":false},{"id":84085,"structure_id":13019,"section_number":"55.1-1929","catch_line":"Easement to facilitate sales","url":"\/55.1-1929\/","token":"55.1\/IV\/19\/2\/55.1-1929","metadata":false},{"id":54088,"structure_id":13019,"section_number":"55.1-1930","catch_line":"Declarant's obligation to complete and restore","url":"\/55.1-1930\/","token":"55.1\/IV\/19\/2\/55.1-1930","metadata":false},{"id":82258,"structure_id":13019,"section_number":"55.1-1931","catch_line":"Alterations within units","url":"\/55.1-1931\/","token":"55.1\/IV\/19\/2\/55.1-1931","metadata":false},{"id":54696,"structure_id":13019,"section_number":"55.1-1932","catch_line":"Relocation of boundaries between units","url":"\/55.1-1932\/","token":"55.1\/IV\/19\/2\/55.1-1932","metadata":false},{"id":83554,"structure_id":13019,"section_number":"55.1-1933","catch_line":"Subdivision of units","url":"\/55.1-1933\/","token":"55.1\/IV\/19\/2\/55.1-1933","metadata":false},{"id":86631,"structure_id":13019,"section_number":"55.1-1934","catch_line":"Amendment of condominium instruments","url":"\/55.1-1934\/","token":"55.1\/IV\/19\/2\/55.1-1934","metadata":false},{"id":74600,"structure_id":13019,"section_number":"55.1-1935","catch_line":"Use of technology","url":"\/55.1-1935\/","token":"55.1\/IV\/19\/2\/55.1-1935","metadata":false},{"id":64443,"structure_id":13019,"section_number":"55.1-1936","catch_line":"Merger or consolidation of condominiums; procedure","url":"\/55.1-1936\/","token":"55.1\/IV\/19\/2\/55.1-1936","metadata":false},{"id":81982,"structure_id":13019,"section_number":"55.1-1937","catch_line":"Termination of condominium","url":"\/55.1-1937\/","token":"55.1\/IV\/19\/2\/55.1-1937","metadata":false},{"id":82991,"structure_id":13019,"section_number":"55.1-1938","catch_line":"Rights of mortgagees","url":"\/55.1-1938\/","token":"55.1\/IV\/19\/2\/55.1-1938","metadata":false},{"id":76819,"structure_id":13019,"section_number":"55.1-1939","catch_line":"Statement of unit owner rights","url":"\/55.1-1939\/","token":"55.1\/IV\/19\/2\/55.1-1939","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":67143,"structure_id":13019,"section_number":"55.1-1911","catch_line":"Recordation of condominium instruments","url":"\/55.1-1911\/","token":"55.1\/IV\/19\/2\/55.1-1911","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":66094,"structure_id":13019,"section_number":"55.1-1913","catch_line":"Complementarity of condominium instruments; controlling construction","url":"\/55.1-1913\/","token":"55.1\/IV\/19\/2\/55.1-1913","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/55.1-1912\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 1974. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 416 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 1974 \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 1982, chapters 206 and 545; in 2019, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?191+ful+CHAP0712\">712<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":76179,"section_number":"55.1-1916","catch_line":"Contents of declaration","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1916\/"},{"id":74270,"section_number":"55.1-1920","catch_line":"Contents of plats and plans","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1920\/"},{"id":69473,"section_number":"55.1-1954","catch_line":"Officers","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1954\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":55215,"section_number":"55.1-1900","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1900\/"}],"permalink":{"id":246677,"object_type":"law","relational_id":70994,"identifier":"55.1-1912","token":"55.1\/IV\/19\/2\/55.1-1912","url":"\/55.1-1912\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/55.1-1912\/","token":"55.1\/IV\/19\/2\/55.1-1912","dublin_core":{"Title":"Construction of condominium instruments","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 55.1-1912","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>Except to the extent otherwise provided by the <span class=\"dictionary\">condominium<\/span> instruments:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">1.<\/span> The terms defined in &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Definitions\" href=\"\/55.1-1900\/\">55.1-1900<\/a> shall be deemed to have the meanings therein specified wherever they appear in the <span class=\"dictionary\">condominium<\/span> instruments unless the context requires a different meaning. <a id=\"paragraph-256002\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/55.1-1912\/#1\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"2\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">2.<\/span> To the extent that walls, floors, or ceilings are designated as the boundaries of the <span class=\"dictionary\">units<\/span> or of any specified <span class=\"dictionary\">units<\/span>, all lath, wallboard, plasterboard, plaster, paneling, tiles, wallpaper, paint, and finished flooring and any other <span class=\"dictionary\">materials<\/span> constituting any part of the finished surfaces of such walls, floors, or ceilings are part of such <span class=\"dictionary\">units<\/span>, while all other portions of such walls, floors, or ceilings are a part of the <span class=\"dictionary\">common elements<\/span>. <a id=\"paragraph-256003\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/55.1-1912\/#2\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"3\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">3.<\/span> If any chutes, flues, ducts, conduits, wires, bearing walls, bearing columns, or other apparatus lies partially within and partially outside of the designated boundaries of a <span class=\"dictionary\">unit<\/span>, any portions serving only that <span class=\"dictionary\">unit<\/span> are a part of that <span class=\"dictionary\">unit<\/span>, while any portions serving more than one <span class=\"dictionary\">unit<\/span> or any portion of the <span class=\"dictionary\">common elements<\/span> are a part of the <span class=\"dictionary\">common elements<\/span>. <a id=\"paragraph-256004\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/55.1-1912\/#3\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"4\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">4.<\/span> Subject to the provisions of subdivision 3, all space, interior <span class=\"dictionary\">partitions<\/span>, and other fixtures and improvements within the boundaries of a <span class=\"dictionary\">unit<\/span> are a part of that <span class=\"dictionary\">unit<\/span>. <a id=\"paragraph-256005\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/55.1-1912\/#4\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"5\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">5.<\/span> Any shutters, awnings, doors, windows, window boxes, doorsteps, porches, balconies, patios, or other apparatus designed to serve a single <span class=\"dictionary\">unit<\/span>, but located outside the boundaries of such <span class=\"dictionary\">unit<\/span>, are <span class=\"dictionary\">limited common elements<\/span> appertaining to that <span class=\"dictionary\">unit<\/span> exclusively, except that if a single <span class=\"dictionary\">unit<\/span>&#8217;s electrical master switch is located outside the designated boundaries of the <span class=\"dictionary\">unit<\/span>, the switch and its cover are a part of the common elements. <a id=\"paragraph-256006\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/55.1-1912\/#5\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCONSTRUCTION OF CONDOMINIUM INSTRUMENTS (\u00a7 55.1-1912)\n\nExcept to the extent otherwise provided by the condominium instruments:\n\n1. The terms defined in &#xA7; 55.1-1900 shall be deemed to have the meanings\ntherein specified wherever they appear in the condominium instruments unless the\ncontext requires a different meaning.\n\n2. To the extent that walls, floors, or ceilings are designated as the\nboundaries of the units or of any specified units, all lath, wallboard,\nplasterboard, plaster, paneling, tiles, wallpaper, paint, and finished flooring\nand any other materials constituting any part of the finished surfaces of such\nwalls, floors, or ceilings are part of such units, while all other portions of\nsuch walls, floors, or ceilings are a part of the common elements.\n\n3. If any chutes, flues, ducts, conduits, wires, bearing walls, bearing columns,\nor other apparatus lies partially within and partially outside of the designated\nboundaries of a unit, any portions serving only that unit are a part of that\nunit, while any portions serving more than one unit or any portion of the common\nelements are a part of the common elements.\n\n4. Subject to the provisions of subdivision 3, all space, interior partitions,\nand other fixtures and improvements within the boundaries of a unit are a part\nof that unit.\n\n5. Any shutters, awnings, doors, windows, window boxes, doorsteps, porches,\nbalconies, patios, or other apparatus designed to serve a single unit, but\nlocated outside the boundaries of such unit, are limited common elements\nappertaining to that unit exclusively, except that if a single unit&#8217;s\nelectrical master switch is located outside the designated boundaries of the\nunit, the switch and its cover are a part of the common elements.\n\nHISTORY: 1974, c. 416, \u00a7 55-79.50; 1982, cc. 206, 545; 2019, c. 712.","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}}