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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>54322</law_id><section_number>56-616</section_number><catch_line> Occupation of property of certain localities; imposition of terms and conditions as to use of property</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>56-617</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="56">Public Service Companies</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="29">Renewable Energy Co-Location of Distribution Facilities</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> Any incorporated city or town may impose upon a <span class="dictionary">renewable generator</span> any terms and conditions consistent herewith and supplemental hereto, as to the occupation and use of its streets, avenues, and alleys, and as to the construction and maintenance of the <span class="dictionary">distribution facilities</span> of the <span class="dictionary">renewable generator</span> along, over, or under the same, that the city or town may deem expedient and proper. <a id="paragraph-199432" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/56-616/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> No <span class="dictionary">locality</span> shall impose any fees on a <span class="dictionary">renewable generator</span> for the use of public rights-of-way except in the manner prescribed in &#xA7; <a class="law" title=" Public rights-of-way use fee" href="/56-617/">56-617</a>. <a id="paragraph-199433" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/56-616/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> No <span class="dictionary">locality</span> shall impose on a <span class="dictionary">renewable generator</span>, whether by franchise, <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span>, or other means, any <span class="dictionary">restrictions or requirements concerning the use of the public rights-of-way</span> that are (i) unfair or unreasonable or (ii) any greater than those imposed on providers of electric or natural gas utility service. <a id="paragraph-199434" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/56-616/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> Notwithstanding any other provision of <span class="dictionary">law</span>, any permit or other permission required by a <span class="dictionary">locality</span> pursuant to a franchise, <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span>, or other permission to use the public rights-of-way of a <span class="dictionary">renewable generator</span> to use the public rights-of-way shall be granted or denied within 45 days from submission and, if denied, accompanied by a written explanation of the reasons the permit was denied and the actions required to cure the denial. <a id="paragraph-199435" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/56-616/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> No <span class="dictionary">locality</span> receiving directly or indirectly a <span class="dictionary">public rights-of-way use fee</span> shall require a <span class="dictionary">renewable generator</span> to provide in-kind services or physical <span class="dictionary">assets</span> as a condition of consent to use public rights-of-way or easements, or in lieu of the <span class="dictionary">public rights-of-way use fee</span>. <a id="paragraph-199436" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/56-616/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="F"><p><span class="prefix-number">F.</span> A <span class="dictionary">renewable generator</span> shall have the same rights, duties, and responsibilities related to the crossing of a <span class="dictionary">railroad</span> as afforded other <span class="dictionary">public service corporations</span> in &#xA7;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Works and property sold under court decree subject to provisions of three preceding sections" href="/56-12/">56-12</a>, <a class="law" title=" Right of one public service corporation to cross the works of another; cost" href="/56-17/">56-17</a> through <a class="law" title="Change of course of railroad, etc., to avoid crossings" href="/56-22/">56-22</a>, <a class="law" title="Manner of construction of crossing" href="/56-25/">56-25</a>, <a class="law" title="Cost of crossing" href="/56-26/">56-26</a>, and <a class="law" title="Applications required for crossings" href="/56-27/">56-27</a>. Nothing in this chapter shall expand the rights of <span class="dictionary">renewable generators</span> to either cross or otherwise have access to <span class="dictionary">railroad</span> property to an extent greater than that afforded other <span class="dictionary">public service corporations</span> in this title. <a id="paragraph-199437" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/56-616/#F"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2009, c. 807, &#xA7; 67-1102; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
