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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>70115</law_id><section_number>29.1-528</section_number><catch_line>Board to develop model ordinances for hunting with firearms; counties or cities may adopt</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="29.1">Wildlife, Inland Fisheries and Boating</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="5">Wildlife and Fish Laws</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="2">Hunting and Trapping</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Board</span> shall adopt <span class="dictionary">regulations</span> establishing model <span class="dictionary">ordinances</span> for hunting with <span class="dictionary">firearms</span> that may be adopted by counties or cities. Such model <span class="dictionary">ordinances</span> shall address items including <span class="dictionary">firearm</span> caliber; type of <span class="dictionary">firearm</span>, including <span class="dictionary">rifle</span>, <span class="dictionary">shotgun</span>, or <span class="dictionary">muzzleloader</span>; type of ammunition; and the hunting of groundhogs or coyotes. <a id="paragraph-253186" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/29.1-528/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> The governing body of any county or city may, by <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span>, (i) prohibit hunting in such county or city with a <span class="dictionary">shotgun</span> loaded with slugs, or with a <span class="dictionary">rifle</span> of a caliber larger than .22 rimfire; (ii) permit the hunting of groundhogs with a <span class="dictionary">rifle</span> of a caliber larger than .22 rimfire between March 1 and August 31; (iii) permit the use of muzzle-loading <span class="dictionary">rifles</span> during the prescribed <span class="dictionary">open seasons</span> for the hunting of <span class="dictionary">game</span> species; (iv) specify permissible types of ammunition to be used for hunting in the county or city; or (v) permit the hunting of coyotes with a <span class="dictionary">rifle</span> of a caliber larger than .22 rimfire. <a id="paragraph-253187" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/29.1-528/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> No such <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span> shall be enforceable unless the governing body notifies the <span class="dictionary">Director</span> by registered mail prior to May 1 of the year in which the <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span> is to take effect. <a id="paragraph-253188" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/29.1-528/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> In adopting an <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span> pursuant to the provisions of this section, the governing body of any county or city may provide that any person who violates the provisions of the <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span> is guilty of a Class 3 <span class="dictionary">misdemeanor</span>. <a id="paragraph-253189" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/29.1-528/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1976, c. 443, &#xA7; 29-144.6; 1977, cc. 20, 377; 1978, c. 303; 1986, c. 342; 1987, c. 488; 1989, c. 421; 2007, c. 642; 2016, c. 64.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
