{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/55.1-1931.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/55.1-1931.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/55.1-1931.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/55.1-1931.html"}],"law_id":82258,"edition_id":1,"section_id":82258,"structure_id":13019,"section_number":"55.1-1931","catch_line":"Alterations within units","history":"1974, c. 416, \u00a7 55-79.68; 2019, c. 712.","full_text":"A\n\nExcept to the extent prohibited, restricted, or limited by the condominium instruments, any unit owner may make any improvements or alterations within his unit that do not impair the structural integrity of any structure or otherwise lessen the support of any portion of the condominium. However, no unit owner shall do anything that would change the exterior appearance of his unit or of any other portion of the condominium except to such extent and subject to such conditions as the condominium instruments may specify.B\n\nIf a unit owner acquires an adjoining unit, or an adjoining part of an adjoining unit, then such unit owner shall have the right to remove all or any part of any intervening partition or to create doorways or other apertures in such unit, notwithstanding the fact that such partition may in whole or in part be a common element, so long as no portion of any bearing wall or bearing column is weakened or removed and no portion of any common element other than that partition is damaged, destroyed, or endangered. Such creation of doorways or other apertures shall not be deemed an alteration of boundaries within the meaning of § 55.1-1932.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":294796,"text":"Except to the extent prohibited, restricted, or limited by the condominium instruments, any unit owner may make any improvements or alterations within his unit that do not impair the structural integrity of any structure or otherwise lessen the support of any portion of the condominium. However, no unit owner shall do anything that would change the exterior appearance of his unit or of any other portion of the condominium except to such extent and subject to such conditions as the condominium instruments may specify.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":294797,"text":"If a unit owner acquires an adjoining unit, or an adjoining part of an adjoining unit, then such unit owner shall have the right to remove all or any part of any intervening partition or to create doorways or other apertures in such unit, notwithstanding the fact that such partition may in whole or in part be a common element, so long as no portion of any bearing wall or bearing column is weakened or removed and no portion of any common element other than that partition is damaged, destroyed, or endangered. Such creation of doorways or other apertures shall not be deemed an alteration of boundaries within the meaning of § 55.1-1932.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A"}},"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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/55.1-1931\/","history_text":"

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 1 time. 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. That modification is as follows: in 2019, chapter 712<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":54696,"section_number":"55.1-1932","catch_line":"Relocation of boundaries between units","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1932\/"}],"permalink":{"id":246753,"object_type":"law","relational_id":82258,"identifier":"55.1-1931","token":"55.1\/IV\/19\/2\/55.1-1931","url":"\/55.1-1931\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/55.1-1931\/","token":"55.1\/IV\/19\/2\/55.1-1931","dublin_core":{"Title":"Alterations within units","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 55.1-1931","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Except to the extent prohibited, restricted, or limited by the condominium<\/span> instruments, any unit owner<\/span> may make any improvements or alterations within his unit that do not impair the structural integrity of any structure or otherwise lessen the support of any portion of the condominium<\/span>. However, no unit owner<\/span> shall do anything that would change the exterior appearance<\/span> of his unit or of any other portion of the condominium<\/span> except to such extent and subject to such conditions as the condominium<\/span> instruments may specify. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> If a unit owner<\/span> acquires an adjoining unit, or an adjoining part of an adjoining unit, then such unit owner<\/span> shall have the right to remove all or any part of any intervening partition<\/span> or to create doorways or other apertures in such unit, notwithstanding the fact<\/span> that such partition<\/span> may in whole or in part be a common element, so long as no portion of any bearing wall or bearing column is weakened or removed and no portion of any common element other than that partition<\/span> is damaged, destroyed, or endangered. Such creation of doorways or other apertures shall not be deemed an alteration of boundaries within the meaning of § 55.1-1932<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nALTERATIONS WITHIN UNITS (\u00a7 55.1-1931)\n\nA. Except to the extent prohibited, restricted, or limited by the condominium\ninstruments, any unit owner may make any improvements or alterations within his\nunit that do not impair the structural integrity of any structure or otherwise\nlessen the support of any portion of the condominium. However, no unit owner\nshall do anything that would change the exterior appearance of his unit or of\nany other portion of the condominium except to such extent and subject to such\nconditions as the condominium instruments may specify.\n\nB. If a unit owner acquires an adjoining unit, or an adjoining part of an\nadjoining unit, then such unit owner shall have the right to remove all or any\npart of any intervening partition or to create doorways or other apertures in\nsuch unit, notwithstanding the fact that such partition may in whole or in part\nbe a common element, so long as no portion of any bearing wall or bearing column\nis weakened or removed and no portion of any common element other than that\npartition is damaged, destroyed, or endangered. Such creation of doorways or\nother apertures shall not be deemed an alteration of boundaries within the\nmeaning of § 55.1-1932.\n\nHISTORY: 1974, c. 416, \u00a7 55-79.68; 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}}