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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>78741</law_id><section_number>15.2-1903</section_number><catch_line>Requirements for initiating condemnation; filing of ordinance or resolution with petition; voluntary conveyance</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>15.2-1905</reference><reference>15.2-5146</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="15.2">Counties, Cities and Towns</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="II">Powers of Local Government</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="19">Condemnation</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> Condemnation proceedings may be instituted when: <a id="paragraph-282115" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/15.2-1903/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> the <span class="dictionary">locality</span> and owner cannot agree on the compensation to be paid or other terms of purchase or <span class="dictionary">settlement</span>; <a id="paragraph-282116" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/15.2-1903/#A1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> the owner is legally incapacitated; <a id="paragraph-282117" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/15.2-1903/#A2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> either the owner or his whereabouts is unknown; or <a id="paragraph-282118" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/15.2-1903/#A3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A4" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> the owner is unable to convey valid title to the property. <a id="paragraph-282119" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/15.2-1903/#A4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> Prior to initiating condemnation proceedings, the <span class="dictionary">governing body</span> shall, after a public <span class="dictionary">hearing</span>, adopt a resolution or <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span> approving the proposed public use and directing the acquisition of property for the public use by condemnation or other means. The resolution or <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span> shall state the use to which the property shall be put and the necessity therefor. Furthermore, other political subdivisions of the Commonwealth shall also be required to hold a public <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> prior to initiating condemnation proceedings. <a id="paragraph-282120" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/15.2-1903/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> When a <span class="dictionary">petition</span> for condemnation is filed by or on behalf of the <span class="dictionary">locality</span>, a true copy of the resolution or <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span> duly adopted by the <span class="dictionary">governing body</span> declaring the intended public use of the property, and the necessity therefor, may be filed with the <span class="dictionary">petition</span>, and when so filed constitutes sufficient <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> of such public use and necessity. <a id="paragraph-282121" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/15.2-1903/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> The <span class="dictionary">fact</span> that no <span class="dictionary">petition</span> has been filed by a <span class="dictionary">locality</span> to condemn any interest conveyed by deed shall not by itself render such conveyance free from the threat of condemnation, nor shall such <span class="dictionary">fact</span> constitute sufficient proof of voluntary conveyance for the purposes of any taxing authority. <a id="paragraph-282122" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/15.2-1903/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1997, c. 587; 2006, c. 927.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
