{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/56-245.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/56-245.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/56-245.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/56-245.1.html"}],"law_id":75868,"edition_id":1,"section_id":75868,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-245.1","catch_line":"Meters to be kept in good working condition; defective meters","history":"1972, c. 71.","full_text":"1\n\nAny person, firm, corporation, county, city, town or association, hereinafter referred to as person, who or which furnishes water, gas or electricity to the premises of another and employs a meter to determine the quantity of water, gas or electricity furnished to such premises and bases its charges thereon shall keep meter in good working condition.2\n\nWhen any such person is notified in writing that any such meter is broken or not functioning properly he shall promptly investigate the matter and, if the meter is found to be defective, repair or replace the meter within thirty days of such notice. If the meter is found to be in good working condition, a written report of such determination shall be mailed or delivered to the affected customer within thirty days of such notice. If any defective meter is not repaired or replaced as provided herein, or if the required report is not made, the affected customer shall not be required to pay for the service furnished through the meter, after the expiration of the thirty-day period until the repair or replacement is made, or until the required report is made, and his service shall not be terminated for failure to pay under such circumstances.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":272401,"text":"Any person, firm, corporation, county, city, town or association, hereinafter referred to as person, who or which furnishes water, gas or electricity to the premises of another and employs a meter to determine the quantity of water, gas or electricity furnished to such premises and bases its charges thereon shall keep meter in good working condition.","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"next_prefix":"2"},"1":{"id":272402,"text":"When any such person is notified in writing that any such meter is broken or not functioning properly he shall promptly investigate the matter and, if the meter is found to be defective, repair or replace the meter within thirty days of such notice. If the meter is found to be in good working condition, a written report of such determination shall be mailed or delivered to the affected customer within thirty days of such notice. If any defective meter is not repaired or replaced as provided herein, or if the required report is not made, the affected customer shall not be required to pay for the service furnished through the meter, after the expiration of the thirty-day period until the repair or replacement is made, or until the required report is made, and his service shall not be terminated for failure to pay under such circumstances.","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14465,"edition_id":1,"name":"Services, Rates, Charges, Etc","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13238,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:48:13","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:48:13","permalink":{"id":248755,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14465,"identifier":"2","token":"56\/10\/2","url":"\/56\/10\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13238,"edition_id":1,"name":"Heat, Light, Power, Water and Other Utility Companies Generally","identifier":"10","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12881,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:30","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:30","permalink":{"id":248721,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13238,"identifier":"10","token":"56\/10","url":"\/56\/10\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12881,"edition_id":1,"name":"Public Service Companies","identifier":"56","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","permalink":{"id":248473,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12881,"identifier":"56","token":"56","url":"\/56\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":87361,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-234","catch_line":"Duty to furnish adequate service at reasonable and uniform rates","url":"\/56-234\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-234","metadata":false},{"id":74382,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-234.1","catch_line":"Liability to customer for violation of duty to determine and charge lowest rate applicable","url":"\/56-234.1\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-234.1","metadata":false},{"id":56457,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-234.2","catch_line":"Review of rates","url":"\/56-234.2\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-234.2","metadata":false},{"id":78493,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-234.3","catch_line":"Approval of expenditures for and monitoring of new generation facilities and projected operation programs of electric utilities","url":"\/56-234.3\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-234.3","metadata":false},{"id":72152,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-234.4","catch_line":"Authority to investigate utility operations to determine efficiency","url":"\/56-234.4\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-234.4","metadata":false},{"id":84236,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-234.5","catch_line":"Required disclosure by certain officers and directors of certain utilities","url":"\/56-234.5\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-234.5","metadata":false},{"id":77453,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-235","catch_line":"When Commission may fix rates, schedules, etc.; conformance with chapter","url":"\/56-235\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-235","metadata":false},{"id":85095,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-235.1","catch_line":"Conservation of energy and capital resources","url":"\/56-235.1\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-235.1","metadata":false},{"id":57116,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-235.10","catch_line":"Recovery of eligible safety activity costs; administration; procedure","url":"\/56-235.10\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-235.10","metadata":false},{"id":68057,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-235.11","catch_line":"Retail rates of affiliated water utilities","url":"\/56-235.11\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-235.11","metadata":false},{"id":69890,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-235.12","catch_line":"Economic development programs","url":"\/56-235.12\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-235.12","metadata":false},{"id":80899,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-235.1:1","catch_line":"Rates for stand-by electric service at renewable cogeneration facilities","url":"\/56-235.1_1\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-235.1_1","metadata":false},{"id":80993,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-235.1:2","catch_line":"Costs of using small, women-owned, or minority-owned businesses","url":"\/56-235.1_2\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-235.1_2","metadata":false},{"id":62621,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-235.2","catch_line":"All rates, tolls, etc., to be just and reasonable to jurisdictional customers; findings and conclusions to be set forth; alternative forms of regulation for electric companies","url":"\/56-235.2\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-235.2","metadata":false},{"id":66652,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-235.3","catch_line":"Procedures for investigation of rate applications","url":"\/56-235.3\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-235.3","metadata":false},{"id":63163,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-235.4","catch_line":"Prohibition of multiple rate increases within any twelve-month period; exception","url":"\/56-235.4\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-235.4","metadata":false},{"id":55844,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-235.5","catch_line":"Telephone regulatory alternatives","url":"\/56-235.5\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-235.5","metadata":false},{"id":87078,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-235.5:1","catch_line":"Local exchange telephone service competition policy","url":"\/56-235.5_1\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-235.5_1","metadata":false},{"id":71641,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-235.6","catch_line":"Optional performance-based regulation of certain utilities","url":"\/56-235.6\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-235.6","metadata":false},{"id":77670,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-235.7","catch_line":"Jurisdiction of Commission when federal governmental facility ceases to be retail customer of electric utility","url":"\/56-235.7\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-235.7","metadata":false},{"id":78685,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-235.8","catch_line":"Retail supply choice for natural gas customers","url":"\/56-235.8\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-235.8","metadata":false},{"id":62516,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-235.9","catch_line":"Recovery of funds used for capital projects prior to a rate case for strategic natural gas facilities","url":"\/56-235.9\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-235.9","metadata":false},{"id":59697,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-236","catch_line":"Public utilities required to file schedules of rates and charges; rules and regulations; when detariffing of telephone services to be permitted","url":"\/56-236\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-236","metadata":false},{"id":85571,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-236.1","catch_line":"Rates to be charged churches","url":"\/56-236.1\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-236.1","metadata":false},{"id":74562,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-236.2","catch_line":"Suspension of service to sewerage system","url":"\/56-236.2\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-236.2","metadata":false},{"id":57569,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-237","catch_line":"How changes in rates effected; notice required; changes to be indicated on schedules","url":"\/56-237\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-237","metadata":false},{"id":64233,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-237.1","catch_line":"Notification of intent to seek rate change in schedules required to be filed under \u00a7 56-236","url":"\/56-237.1\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-237.1","metadata":false},{"id":67487,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-237.2","catch_line":"Public hearings on protests or objections to rate changes","url":"\/56-237.2\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-237.2","metadata":false},{"id":80068,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-238","catch_line":"Suspension of proposed rates, etc.; investigation; effectiveness of rates pending investigation and subject to bond; fixing reasonable rates, etc","url":"\/56-238\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-238","metadata":false},{"id":78378,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-239","catch_line":"Appeal from action of Commission","url":"\/56-239\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-239","metadata":false},{"id":64527,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-240","catch_line":"Proposed rates, etc., or changes thereof, not suspended effective subject to later change by Commission; refund or credit; appeal; investor-owned public utilities required to show increase complies with \u00a7 56-235.2","url":"\/56-240\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-240","metadata":false},{"id":57241,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-241","catch_line":"Rates of telephone companies","url":"\/56-241\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-241","metadata":false},{"id":83712,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-241.1","catch_line":"Flat and measured telephone rates; certain rates prohibited","url":"\/56-241.1\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-241.1","metadata":false},{"id":74999,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-241.2","catch_line":"Approval of rates for resale of telephone service","url":"\/56-241.2\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-241.2","metadata":false},{"id":72101,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-242","catch_line":"Temporary reduction of rates","url":"\/56-242\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-242","metadata":false},{"id":79154,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-243","catch_line":"Duration of such temporary reduction","url":"\/56-243\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-243","metadata":false},{"id":84025,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-244","catch_line":"Increase to make up for losses due to excessive temporary reduction","url":"\/56-244\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-244","metadata":false},{"id":67793,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-245","catch_line":"Temporary increase in rates","url":"\/56-245\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-245","metadata":false},{"id":75868,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-245.1","catch_line":"Meters to be kept in good working condition; defective meters","url":"\/56-245.1\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-245.1","metadata":false},{"id":80955,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-245.1:1","catch_line":"Customers to be notified about nuclear emergency evacuation plans","url":"\/56-245.1_1\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-245.1_1","metadata":false},{"id":61620,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-245.1:2","catch_line":"Customers to be notified of renewable power options","url":"\/56-245.1_2\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-245.1_2","metadata":false},{"id":70183,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-245.1:3","catch_line":"Disconnection suspension for utilities","url":"\/56-245.1_3\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-245.1_3","metadata":false},{"id":86241,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-245.1:4","catch_line":"Notice procedures for nonpayment; disconnecting utility service","url":"\/56-245.1_4\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-245.1_4","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":67793,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-245","catch_line":"Temporary increase in rates","url":"\/56-245\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-245","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":80955,"structure_id":14465,"section_number":"56-245.1:1","catch_line":"Customers to be notified about nuclear emergency evacuation plans","url":"\/56-245.1_1\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-245.1_1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/56-245.1\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 1972. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 71 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.<\/p>","references":[{"id":74553,"section_number":"56-245.3","catch_line":"Commission to promulgate regulations and standards","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-245.3\/"},{"id":59777,"section_number":"56-265.13:7","catch_line":"Regulation by State Corporation Commission","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-265.13_7\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":248909,"object_type":"law","relational_id":75868,"identifier":"56-245.1","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-245.1","url":"\/56-245.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/56-245.1\/","token":"56\/10\/2\/56-245.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Meters to be kept in good working condition; defective meters","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 56-245.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">1.<\/span> Any <span class=\"dictionary\">person<\/span>, firm, <span class=\"dictionary\">corporation<\/span>, county, city, town or association, hereinafter referred to as <span class=\"dictionary\">person<\/span>, who or which furnishes water, gas or electricity to the premises of another and employs a meter to determine the quantity of water, gas or electricity furnished to such premises and bases its charges thereon shall keep meter in good working condition. <a id=\"paragraph-272401\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/56-245.1\/#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> When any such <span class=\"dictionary\">person<\/span> is notified in writing that any such meter is broken or not functioning properly he shall promptly investigate the matter and, if the meter is found to be defective, repair or replace the meter within thirty days of such notice. If the meter is found to be in good working condition, a written report of such determination shall be mailed or delivered to the affected customer within thirty days of such notice. If any defective meter is not repaired or replaced as provided herein, or if the required report is not made, the affected customer shall not be required to pay for the service furnished through the meter, after the expiration of the thirty-day period until the repair or replacement is made, or until the required report is made, and his service shall not be terminated for failure to pay under such circumstances. <a id=\"paragraph-272402\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/56-245.1\/#2\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nMETERS TO BE KEPT IN GOOD WORKING CONDITION; DEFECTIVE METERS (\u00a7 56-245.1)\n\n1. Any person, firm, corporation, county, city, town or association, hereinafter\nreferred to as person, who or which furnishes water, gas or electricity to the\npremises of another and employs a meter to determine the quantity of water, gas\nor electricity furnished to such premises and bases its charges thereon shall\nkeep meter in good working condition.\n\n2. When any such person is notified in writing that any such meter is broken or\nnot functioning properly he shall promptly investigate the matter and, if the\nmeter is found to be defective, repair or replace the meter within thirty days\nof such notice. If the meter is found to be in good working condition, a written\nreport of such determination shall be mailed or delivered to the affected\ncustomer within thirty days of such notice. If any defective meter is not\nrepaired or replaced as provided herein, or if the required report is not made,\nthe affected customer shall not be required to pay for the service furnished\nthrough the meter, after the expiration of the thirty-day period until the\nrepair or replacement is made, or until the required report is made, and his\nservice shall not be terminated for failure to pay under such circumstances.\n\nHISTORY: 1972, c. 71.","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}}