{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/59.1-296.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/59.1-296.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/59.1-296.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/59.1-296.1.html"}],"law_id":62798,"edition_id":1,"section_id":62798,"structure_id":13741,"section_number":"59.1-296.1","catch_line":"Registration; fees","history":"1985, c. 585; 1988, c. 13; 1990, cc. 392, 433; 2010, c. 439; 2014, c. 459.","full_text":"A\n\nIt shall be unlawful for any health club to offer, advertise, or execute or cause to be executed by the buyer any health club contract in this Commonwealth unless each facility of the health club has been properly registered with the Commissioner at the time of the offer, advertisement, sale or execution of a health club contract. The registration shall (i) disclose the address, ownership, date of first sales and date of first opening of the facility and such other information as the Commissioner may require consistent with the purposes of this chapter, (ii) be renewed annually on July 1, and (iii) be accompanied by the appropriate registration fee per each annual registration in the amount indicated below:\n\t\t\tFurther, it shall be accompanied by a late fee of $50 if the registration renewal is neither postmarked nor received on or before July 1. In the event that a club operates multiple facilities, a $50 late fee for the first facility and $25 for each additional facility shall accompany the registrations. For each successive 30 days after August 1, an additional $25 shall be added for each facility. Each separate facility where health club services are offered shall be considered a separate facility and shall file a separate registration, even though the separate facilities are owned or operated by the same health club.B\n\nAny health club that sells a health club contract prior to registering pursuant to this section and, if required, submits the appropriate surety required by § 59.1-306 shall pay a late filing fee of $100 for each 30-day period the registration or surety is late. This fee shall be in addition to all other penalties allowed by law.C\n\nA registration shall be amended within 21 days if there is a change in the information included in the registration.D\n\nAll fees shall be remitted to the State Treasurer and shall be placed to the credit and special fund of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to be used in the administration of this chapter.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":228905,"text":"It shall be unlawful for any health club to offer, advertise, or execute or cause to be executed by the buyer any health club contract in this Commonwealth unless each facility of the health club has been properly registered with the Commissioner at the time of the offer, advertisement, sale or execution of a health club contract. The registration shall (i) disclose the address, ownership, date of first sales and date of first opening of the facility and such other information as the Commissioner may require consistent with the purposes of this chapter, (ii) be renewed annually on July 1, and (iii) be accompanied by the appropriate registration fee per each annual registration in the amount indicated below:\n\t\t\tFurther, it shall be accompanied by a late fee of $50 if the registration renewal is neither postmarked nor received on or before July 1. In the event that a club operates multiple facilities, a $50 late fee for the first facility and $25 for each additional facility shall accompany the registrations. For each successive 30 days after August 1, an additional $25 shall be added for each facility. Each separate facility where health club services are offered shall be considered a separate facility and shall file a separate registration, even though the separate facilities are owned or operated by the same health club.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":228906,"text":"Any health club that sells a health club contract prior to registering pursuant to this section and, if required, submits the appropriate surety required by § 59.1-306 shall pay a late filing fee of $100 for each 30-day period the registration or surety is late. This fee shall be in addition to all other penalties allowed by law.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":228907,"text":"A registration shall be amended within 21 days if there is a change in the information included in the registration.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":228908,"text":"All fees shall be remitted to the State Treasurer and shall be placed to the credit and special fund of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to be used in the administration of this chapter.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13741,"edition_id":1,"name":"Virginia Health Club Act","identifier":"24","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12809,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:45","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:45","permalink":{"id":260589,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13741,"identifier":"24","token":"59.1\/24","url":"\/59.1\/24\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12809,"edition_id":1,"name":"Trade and Commerce","identifier":"59.1","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":259521,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12809,"identifier":"59.1","token":"59.1","url":"\/59.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":65021,"structure_id":13741,"section_number":"59.1-294","catch_line":"Short title","url":"\/59.1-294\/","token":"59.1\/24\/59.1-294","metadata":false},{"id":79666,"structure_id":13741,"section_number":"59.1-295","catch_line":"Statement of purpose","url":"\/59.1-295\/","token":"59.1\/24\/59.1-295","metadata":false},{"id":77481,"structure_id":13741,"section_number":"59.1-296","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/59.1-296\/","token":"59.1\/24\/59.1-296","metadata":false},{"id":62798,"structure_id":13741,"section_number":"59.1-296.1","catch_line":"Registration; fees","url":"\/59.1-296.1\/","token":"59.1\/24\/59.1-296.1","metadata":false},{"id":73004,"structure_id":13741,"section_number":"59.1-296.2","catch_line":"Contracts sold on prepayment basis","url":"\/59.1-296.2\/","token":"59.1\/24\/59.1-296.2","metadata":false},{"id":84951,"structure_id":13741,"section_number":"59.1-296.2:1","catch_line":"Prepayment contracts; prohibited practices; relocation; refund","url":"\/59.1-296.2_1\/","token":"59.1\/24\/59.1-296.2_1","metadata":false},{"id":81442,"structure_id":13741,"section_number":"59.1-296.2:2","catch_line":"Automated external defibrillator required","url":"\/59.1-296.2_2\/","token":"59.1\/24\/59.1-296.2_2","metadata":false},{"id":84485,"structure_id":13741,"section_number":"59.1-296.3","catch_line":"Initiation fees","url":"\/59.1-296.3\/","token":"59.1\/24\/59.1-296.3","metadata":false},{"id":54962,"structure_id":13741,"section_number":"59.1-297","catch_line":"Right of cancellation","url":"\/59.1-297\/","token":"59.1\/24\/59.1-297","metadata":false},{"id":63583,"structure_id":13741,"section_number":"59.1-297.1","catch_line":"Payment and calculation of refunds","url":"\/59.1-297.1\/","token":"59.1\/24\/59.1-297.1","metadata":false},{"id":59624,"structure_id":13741,"section_number":"59.1-297.2","catch_line":"Automatic termination of a health club contract","url":"\/59.1-297.2\/","token":"59.1\/24\/59.1-297.2","metadata":false},{"id":85709,"structure_id":13741,"section_number":"59.1-298","catch_line":"Notice to buyer","url":"\/59.1-298\/","token":"59.1\/24\/59.1-298","metadata":false},{"id":75243,"structure_id":13741,"section_number":"59.1-299","catch_line":"Duration of contract","url":"\/59.1-299\/","token":"59.1\/24\/59.1-299","metadata":false},{"id":67031,"structure_id":13741,"section_number":"59.1-300","catch_line":"Provisions of this chapter not exclusive","url":"\/59.1-300\/","token":"59.1\/24\/59.1-300","metadata":false},{"id":69302,"structure_id":13741,"section_number":"59.1-301","catch_line":"Noncomplying contract voidable","url":"\/59.1-301\/","token":"59.1\/24\/59.1-301","metadata":false},{"id":54742,"structure_id":13741,"section_number":"59.1-302","catch_line":"Fraud rendering contract void","url":"\/59.1-302\/","token":"59.1\/24\/59.1-302","metadata":false},{"id":67696,"structure_id":13741,"section_number":"59.1-303","catch_line":"Waiver of provisions void and unenforceable","url":"\/59.1-303\/","token":"59.1\/24\/59.1-303","metadata":false},{"id":66423,"structure_id":13741,"section_number":"59.1-304","catch_line":"Notice of preservation of buyers' rights","url":"\/59.1-304\/","token":"59.1\/24\/59.1-304","metadata":false},{"id":72661,"structure_id":13741,"section_number":"59.1-305","catch_line":"Prohibition against assignment of health club contract cutting off buyer's right of action or defense against seller; conditions","url":"\/59.1-305\/","token":"59.1\/24\/59.1-305","metadata":false},{"id":63585,"structure_id":13741,"section_number":"59.1-306","catch_line":"Bond or letter of credit required; exception","url":"\/59.1-306\/","token":"59.1\/24\/59.1-306","metadata":false},{"id":84158,"structure_id":13741,"section_number":"59.1-307","catch_line":"Bond or letter of credit; persons protected","url":"\/59.1-307\/","token":"59.1\/24\/59.1-307","metadata":false},{"id":68743,"structure_id":13741,"section_number":"59.1-308","catch_line":"Change in ownership of health club","url":"\/59.1-308\/","token":"59.1\/24\/59.1-308","metadata":false},{"id":80382,"structure_id":13741,"section_number":"59.1-308.1","catch_line":"Production of records","url":"\/59.1-308.1\/","token":"59.1\/24\/59.1-308.1","metadata":false},{"id":65301,"structure_id":13741,"section_number":"59.1-308.2","catch_line":"Investigations","url":"\/59.1-308.2\/","token":"59.1\/24\/59.1-308.2","metadata":false},{"id":66761,"structure_id":13741,"section_number":"59.1-309","catch_line":"Enforcement; penalties","url":"\/59.1-309\/","token":"59.1\/24\/59.1-309","metadata":false},{"id":73149,"structure_id":13741,"section_number":"59.1-310","catch_line":"Applicability","url":"\/59.1-310\/","token":"59.1\/24\/59.1-310","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":77481,"structure_id":13741,"section_number":"59.1-296","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/59.1-296\/","token":"59.1\/24\/59.1-296","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":73004,"structure_id":13741,"section_number":"59.1-296.2","catch_line":"Contracts sold on prepayment basis","url":"\/59.1-296.2\/","token":"59.1\/24\/59.1-296.2","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/59.1-296.1\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1985. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 585 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 1985 \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 1988, chapter 13; in 1990, chapters 392 and 433; in 2010, chapter 439<\/a>; in 2014, chapter 459<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":73004,"section_number":"59.1-296.2","catch_line":"Contracts sold on prepayment basis","order_by":null,"url":"\/59.1-296.2\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":63585,"section_number":"59.1-306","catch_line":"Bond or letter of credit required; exception","order_by":null,"url":"\/59.1-306\/"}],"permalink":{"id":260603,"object_type":"law","relational_id":62798,"identifier":"59.1-296.1","token":"59.1\/24\/59.1-296.1","url":"\/59.1-296.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/59.1-296.1\/","token":"59.1\/24\/59.1-296.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Registration; fees","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 59.1-296.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> It shall be unlawful for any health club to offer, advertise, or execute or cause to be executed by the buyer<\/span> any health club contract<\/span> in this Commonwealth unless each facility<\/span> of the health club has been properly registered with the Commissioner<\/span> at the time of the offer, advertisement, sale or execution of a health club contract<\/span>. The registration shall (i) disclose the address, ownership, date of first sales and date of first opening of the facility<\/span> and such other information as the Commissioner<\/span> may require consistent with the purposes of this chapter, (ii) be renewed annually on July 1, and (iii) be accompanied by the appropriate registration fee per each annual registration in the amount indicated below:\n\t\t\tFurther, it shall be accompanied by a late fee of $50 if the registration renewal is neither postmarked nor received on or before July 1. In the event that a club operates multiple facilities, a $50 late fee for the first facility<\/span> and $25 for each additional facility<\/span> shall accompany the registrations. For each successive 30 days after August 1, an additional $25 shall be added for each facility<\/span>. Each separate facility<\/span> where health club services<\/span> are offered shall be considered a separate facility<\/span> and shall file a separate registration, even though the separate facilities are owned or operated by the same health club. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Any health club that sells a health club contract<\/span> prior to registering pursuant to this section and, if required, submits the appropriate surety<\/span> required by § 59.1-306<\/a> shall pay a late filing fee of $100 for each 30-day period the registration or surety<\/span> is late. This fee shall be in addition to all other penalties allowed by law<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> A registration shall be amended within 21 days if there is a change in the information included in the registration. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> All fees shall be remitted to the State Treasurer and shall be placed to the credit and special fund of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to be used in the administration of this chapter. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nREGISTRATION; FEES (\u00a7 59.1-296.1)\n\nA. It shall be unlawful for any health club to offer, advertise, or execute or\ncause to be executed by the buyer any health club contract in this Commonwealth\nunless each facility of the health club has been properly registered with the\nCommissioner at the time of the offer, advertisement, sale or execution of a\nhealth club contract. The registration shall (i) disclose the address,\nownership, date of first sales and date of first opening of the facility and\nsuch other information as the Commissioner may require consistent with the\npurposes of this chapter, (ii) be renewed annually on July 1, and (iii) be\naccompanied by the appropriate registration fee per each annual registration in\nthe amount indicated below:\n\t\t\tFurther, it shall be accompanied by a late fee of $50 if the registration\nrenewal is neither postmarked nor received on or before July 1. In the event\nthat a club operates multiple facilities, a $50 late fee for the first facility\nand $25 for each additional facility shall accompany the registrations. For each\nsuccessive 30 days after August 1, an additional $25 shall be added for each\nfacility. Each separate facility where health club services are offered shall be\nconsidered a separate facility and shall file a separate registration, even\nthough the separate facilities are owned or operated by the same health club.\n\nB. Any health club that sells a health club contract prior to registering\npursuant to this section and, if required, submits the appropriate surety\nrequired by § 59.1-306 shall pay a late filing fee of $100 for each 30-day\nperiod the registration or surety is late. This fee shall be in addition to all\nother penalties allowed by law.\n\nC. A registration shall be amended within 21 days if there is a change in the\ninformation included in the registration.\n\nD. All fees shall be remitted to the State Treasurer and shall be placed to the\ncredit and special fund of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer\nServices to be used in the administration of this chapter.\n\nHISTORY: 1985, c. 585; 1988, c. 13; 1990, cc. 392, 433; 2010, c. 439; 2014, c.\n459.","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}}