{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/62.1-255.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/62.1-255.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/62.1-255.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/62.1-255.html"}],"law_id":79593,"edition_id":1,"section_id":79593,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-255","catch_line":"Definitions","history":"1992, c. 812; 2018, c. 427; 2019, c. 755; 2020, c. 670; 2022, c. 356.","full_text":"As used in this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise:\n\t\t“Agricultural irrigation” means irrigation that is used to support any operation devoted to the bona fide production of crops, animals, or fowl, including the production of fruits and vegetables of any kind; meat, dairy, and poultry products; nuts, tobacco, nursery, and floral products; and the production and harvest of products from silvicultural activity.\n\t\t“Beneficial use” includes domestic (including public water supply), agricultural, commercial, and industrial uses.\n\t\t“Board” means the State Water Control Board. However, when used outside the context of the promulgation of regulations, including regulations to establish general permits, pursuant to this chapter, “Board” means the Department of Environmental Quality.\n\t\t“Department” means the Department of Environmental Quality.\n\t\t“Eastern Shore Groundwater Management Area” means the ground water management area declared by the Board encompassing the Counties of Accomack and Northampton.\n\t\t“Ground water” means any water, except capillary moisture, beneath the land surface in the zone of saturation or beneath the bed of any stream, lake, reservoir or other body of surface water wholly or partially within the boundaries of the Commonwealth, whatever the subsurface geologic structure in which such water stands, flows, percolates or otherwise occurs.\n\t\t“Ground water withdrawal permit” means a certificate issued by the Board permitting the withdrawal of a specified quantity of ground water in a ground water management area.\n\t\t“Irrigation” means the controlled application of water through man-made systems to supply water requirements not satisfied by rainfall to assist in the growing or maintenance of vegetative growth.\n\t\t“Nonagricultural irrigation” means all irrigation other than agricultural irrigation.\n\t\t“Person” means any and all persons, including individuals, firms, partnerships, associations, public or private institutions, municipalities or political subdivisions, governmental agencies, or private or public corporations organized under the laws of the Commonwealth or any other state or country.\n\t\t“Surficial aquifer” means the upper surface of a zone of saturation, where the body of ground water is not confined by an overlying impermeable zone.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":285174,"text":"As used in this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise:\n\t\t“Agricultural irrigation” means irrigation that is used to support any operation devoted to the bona fide production of crops, animals, or fowl, including the production of fruits and vegetables of any kind; meat, dairy, and poultry products; nuts, tobacco, nursery, and floral products; and the production and harvest of products from silvicultural activity.\n\t\t“Beneficial use” includes domestic (including public water supply), agricultural, commercial, and industrial uses.\n\t\t“Board” means the State Water Control Board. However, when used outside the context of the promulgation of regulations, including regulations to establish general permits, pursuant to this chapter, “Board” means the Department of Environmental Quality.\n\t\t“Department” means the Department of Environmental Quality.\n\t\t“Eastern Shore Groundwater Management Area” means the ground water management area declared by the Board encompassing the Counties of Accomack and Northampton.\n\t\t“Ground water” means any water, except capillary moisture, beneath the land surface in the zone of saturation or beneath the bed of any stream, lake, reservoir or other body of surface water wholly or partially within the boundaries of the Commonwealth, whatever the subsurface geologic structure in which such water stands, flows, percolates or otherwise occurs.\n\t\t“Ground water withdrawal permit” means a certificate issued by the Board permitting the withdrawal of a specified quantity of ground water in a ground water management area.\n\t\t“Irrigation” means the controlled application of water through man-made systems to supply water requirements not satisfied by rainfall to assist in the growing or maintenance of vegetative growth.\n\t\t“Nonagricultural irrigation” means all irrigation other than agricultural irrigation.\n\t\t“Person” means any and all persons, including individuals, firms, partnerships, associations, public or private institutions, municipalities or political subdivisions, governmental agencies, or private or public corporations organized under the laws of the Commonwealth or any other state or country.\n\t\t“Surficial aquifer” means the upper surface of a zone of saturation, where the body of ground water is not confined by an overlying impermeable zone.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":13595,"edition_id":1,"name":"Ground Water Management Act of 1992","identifier":"25","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12909,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:20","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:20","permalink":{"id":269039,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13595,"identifier":"25","token":"62.1\/25","url":"\/62.1\/25\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12909,"edition_id":1,"name":"Waters of the State, Ports and Harbors","identifier":"62.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:00","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:00","permalink":{"id":268199,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12909,"identifier":"62.1","token":"62.1","url":"\/62.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":66154,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-254","catch_line":"Findings and purpose","url":"\/62.1-254\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-254","metadata":false},{"id":79593,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-255","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/62.1-255\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-255","metadata":false},{"id":61205,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-255.1","catch_line":"Certified mail; subsequent mail or notices may be sent by regular mail","url":"\/62.1-255.1\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-255.1","metadata":false},{"id":78244,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-256","catch_line":" Duties of Board","url":"\/62.1-256\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-256","metadata":false},{"id":66336,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-256.1","catch_line":"Expired","url":"\/62.1-256.1\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-256.1","metadata":false},{"id":81341,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-256.2","catch_line":"(Expires July 1, 2030) Eastern Virginia Groundwater Management Advisory Committee established; sunset","url":"\/62.1-256.2\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-256.2","metadata":false},{"id":84825,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-257","catch_line":"When Board may initiate a ground water management area study proceeding; hearing required","url":"\/62.1-257\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-257","metadata":false},{"id":78237,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-258","catch_line":"Use of ground water in ground water management area; registration of well construction required","url":"\/62.1-258\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-258","metadata":false},{"id":84483,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-258.1","catch_line":"Irrigation wells for nonagricultural use prohibited; exceptions","url":"\/62.1-258.1\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-258.1","metadata":false},{"id":85111,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-259","catch_line":" Certain withdrawals; permit not required","url":"\/62.1-259\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-259","metadata":false},{"id":60711,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-259.1","catch_line":"Certain withdrawals; technical evaluation required","url":"\/62.1-259.1\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-259.1","metadata":false},{"id":63995,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-260","catch_line":"Permits for existing ground water withdrawals in existing ground water management areas","url":"\/62.1-260\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-260","metadata":false},{"id":74245,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-261","catch_line":"Permits for existing ground water withdrawals in newly established ground water management areas","url":"\/62.1-261\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-261","metadata":false},{"id":70026,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-262","catch_line":"(For contingent effective date, see Acts 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 100) Permits for other ground water withdrawals","url":"\/62.1-262\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-262","metadata":false},{"id":83090,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-262.1","catch_line":"Permits for withdrawals from Eastern Shore Groundwater Management Area","url":"\/62.1-262.1\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-262.1","metadata":false},{"id":77402,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-262.2","catch_line":"Permits for certain ground water withdrawals in Eastern Virginia Groundwater Management Area","url":"\/62.1-262.2\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-262.2","metadata":false},{"id":74151,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-263","catch_line":"Criteria for issuance of permits","url":"\/62.1-263\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-263","metadata":false},{"id":66178,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-263.1","catch_line":"Permit rationale","url":"\/62.1-263.1\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-263.1","metadata":false},{"id":80966,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-264","catch_line":"Permits for public water supplies","url":"\/62.1-264\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-264","metadata":false},{"id":60586,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-265","catch_line":"Drought relief wells","url":"\/62.1-265\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-265","metadata":false},{"id":62679,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-266","catch_line":"Ground water withdrawal permits","url":"\/62.1-266\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-266","metadata":false},{"id":76472,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-267","catch_line":"Issuance of special exceptions","url":"\/62.1-267\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-267","metadata":false},{"id":79539,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-268","catch_line":"Issuance of special orders","url":"\/62.1-268\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-268","metadata":false},{"id":78604,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-269","catch_line":"Enforcement by injunction, etc","url":"\/62.1-269\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-269","metadata":false},{"id":54563,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-270","catch_line":"Penalties","url":"\/62.1-270\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-270","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":66154,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-254","catch_line":"Findings and purpose","url":"\/62.1-254\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-254","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":61205,"structure_id":13595,"section_number":"62.1-255.1","catch_line":"Certified mail; subsequent mail or notices may be sent by regular mail","url":"\/62.1-255.1\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-255.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/62.1-255\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1992. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 812 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 1992 \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 2018, chapter 427<\/a>; in 2019, chapter 755<\/a>; in 2020, chapter 670<\/a>; in 2022, chapter 356<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":73825,"section_number":"15.2-2283","catch_line":"Purpose of zoning ordinances","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-2283\/"},{"id":78314,"section_number":"45.2-1643","catch_line":" Interference by injection wells with groundwater supply","order_by":null,"url":"\/45.2-1643\/"},{"id":76147,"section_number":"45.2-1646","catch_line":" Tidewater Virginia; drilling for gas or oil prohibited in certain areas","order_by":null,"url":"\/45.2-1646\/"},{"id":82494,"section_number":"62.1-242","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/62.1-242\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":269045,"object_type":"law","relational_id":79593,"identifier":"62.1-255","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-255","url":"\/62.1-255\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/62.1-255\/","token":"62.1\/25\/62.1-255","dublin_core":{"Title":"Definitions","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 62.1-255","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise:\n\t\t“Agricultural irrigation<\/span>” means irrigation that is used to support any operation devoted to the bona fide production of crops, animals, or fowl, including the production of fruits and vegetables of any kind; meat, dairy, and poultry products; nuts, tobacco, nursery, and floral products; and the production and harvest of products from silvicultural activity.\n\t\t“Beneficial use<\/span>” includes domestic (including public water supply), agricultural, commercial, and industrial uses.\n\t\t“Board<\/span>” means the State Water Control Board<\/span>. However, when used outside the context of the promulgation of regulations, including regulations to establish general permits, pursuant to this chapter, “Board<\/span>” means the Department<\/span> of Environmental Quality.\n\t\t“Department<\/span>” means the Department<\/span> of Environmental Quality.\n\t\t“Eastern Shore Groundwater Management Area<\/span>” means the ground water management area declared by the Board<\/span> encompassing the Counties of Accomack and Northampton.\n\t\t“Ground water” means any water, except capillary moisture, beneath the land surface in the zone of saturation or beneath the bed of any stream, lake, reservoir or other body of surface water wholly or partially within the boundaries of the Commonwealth, whatever the subsurface geologic structure in which such water stands, flows, percolates or otherwise occurs.\n\t\t“Ground water withdrawal permit<\/span>” means a certificate issued by the Board<\/span> permitting the withdrawal of a specified quantity of ground water in a ground water management area.\n\t\t“Irrigation” means the controlled application of water through man-made systems to supply water requirements not satisfied by rainfall to assist in the growing or maintenance of vegetative growth.\n\t\t“Nonagricultural irrigation<\/span>” means all irrigation other than agricultural irrigation<\/span>.\n\t\t“Person<\/span>” means any and all persons<\/span>, including individuals, firms, partnerships, associations, public or private institutions, municipalities or political subdivisions, governmental agencies, or private or public corporations organized under the laws<\/span> of the Commonwealth or any other state or country.\n\t\t“Surficial aquifer<\/span>” means the upper surface of a zone of saturation, where the body of ground water is not confined by an overlying impermeable zone.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDEFINITIONS (\u00a7 62.1-255)\n\nAs used in this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise:\n\t\t“Agricultural irrigation” means irrigation that is used to support\nany operation devoted to the bona fide production of crops, animals, or fowl,\nincluding the production of fruits and vegetables of any kind; meat, dairy, and\npoultry products; nuts, tobacco, nursery, and floral products; and the\nproduction and harvest of products from silvicultural activity.\n\t\t“Beneficial use” includes domestic (including public water\nsupply), agricultural, commercial, and industrial uses.\n\t\t“Board” means the State Water Control Board. However, when used\noutside the context of the promulgation of regulations, including regulations to\nestablish general permits, pursuant to this chapter, “Board” means\nthe Department of Environmental Quality.\n\t\t“Department” means the Department of Environmental Quality.\n\t\t“Eastern Shore Groundwater Management Area” means the ground water\nmanagement area declared by the Board encompassing the Counties of Accomack and\nNorthampton.\n\t\t“Ground water” means any water, except capillary moisture, beneath\nthe land surface in the zone of saturation or beneath the bed of any stream,\nlake, reservoir or other body of surface water wholly or partially within the\nboundaries of the Commonwealth, whatever the subsurface geologic structure in\nwhich such water stands, flows, percolates or otherwise occurs.\n\t\t“Ground water withdrawal permit” means a certificate issued by the\nBoard permitting the withdrawal of a specified quantity of ground water in a\nground water management area.\n\t\t“Irrigation” means the controlled application of water through\nman-made systems to supply water requirements not satisfied by rainfall to\nassist in the growing or maintenance of vegetative growth.\n\t\t“Nonagricultural irrigation” means all irrigation other than\nagricultural irrigation.\n\t\t“Person” means any and all persons, including individuals, firms,\npartnerships, associations, public or private institutions, municipalities or\npolitical subdivisions, governmental agencies, or private or public corporations\norganized under the laws of the Commonwealth or any other state or country.\n\t\t“Surficial aquifer” means the upper surface of a zone of\nsaturation, where the body of ground water is not confined by an overlying\nimpermeable zone.\n\nHISTORY: 1992, c. 812; 2018, c. 427; 2019, c. 755; 2020, c. 670; 2022, c. 356.","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}}