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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>87488</law_id><section_number>15.2-943.1</section_number><catch_line>Creation of arts and cultural districts</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><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="9">General Powers of Local Governments</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="3">Economic Development; Tourism; Historic Preservation</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> Any <span class="dictionary">locality</span>, or combination of localities, may by <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span>, or in the case of multiple localities by substantially similar <span class="dictionary">ordinances</span>, establish within the boundaries of such localities one or more arts and cultural districts for the purpose of increasing awareness and support for the arts and culture in the <span class="dictionary">locality</span>. The <span class="dictionary">locality</span> may provide incentives for the support and creation of arts and cultural <span class="dictionary">venues</span> in each district. The <span class="dictionary">locality</span> may also grant tax incentives and provide certain regulatory flexibility in each arts and cultural district. <a id="paragraph-313193" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/15.2-943.1/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> The tax incentives for each district may be provided for up to 10 years and may include, but not be limited to, (i) reduction of permit fees, (ii) reduction of user fees, (iii) reduction of any type of gross receipts tax, and (iv) rebate of real estate property taxes. The extent and duration of such incentive proposals shall conform to the requirements of the Constitutions of Virginia and of the United States. <a id="paragraph-313194" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/15.2-943.1/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> Each <span class="dictionary">locality</span> may also provide for regulatory flexibility in each district that may include, but not be limited to, (i) special zoning for the district, (ii) permit process reform, (iii) exemption from <span class="dictionary">ordinances</span>, and (iv) any other incentive adopted by <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span>, which shall be binding upon the <span class="dictionary">locality</span> for a period of up to 10 years. <a id="paragraph-313195" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/15.2-943.1/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2018, c. 396.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
