                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

CONDEMNATION AUTHORITY (§ 15.2-1901)

A. In addition to the authority granted to localities pursuant to any applicable
charter provision or other provision of law, whenever a locality is authorized
to acquire real or personal property or property interests for a public use, it
may do so by exercise of the power of eminent domain, except as provided in
subsection B.

B. A locality may acquire property or property interests outside its boundaries
by exercise of the power of eminent domain only if such authority is expressly
conferred by general law or special act. However, cities and towns shall have
the right to acquire property outside their boundaries for the purposes set
forth in &#xA7; 15.2-2109 by exercise of the power of eminent domain. The
exercise of such condemnation authority by a city or town shall not be construed
to exempt the municipality from the provisions of subsection F of &#xA7; 56-580.

C. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, general or special, no locality
shall condition or delay the timely consideration, advancement, or approval of
any application for or grant of any permit or other approval for any real
property over which it enjoys jurisdiction for the purpose, expressed or
implied, of allowing the condemnation or acquisition of the property or to
commence any process to consider whether to undertake condemnation or
acquisition of the property.

HISTORY: 1997, c. 587; 2001, c. 538; 2013, c. 581; 2022, c. 735.