                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

BOARD TO DEVELOP MODEL ORDINANCES FOR HUNTING WITH FIREARMS; COUNTIES OR CITIES
MAY ADOPT (§ 29.1-528)

A. The Board shall adopt regulations establishing model ordinances for hunting
with firearms that may be adopted by counties or cities. Such model ordinances
shall address items including firearm caliber; type of firearm, including rifle,
shotgun, or muzzleloader; type of ammunition; and the hunting of groundhogs or
coyotes.

B. The governing body of any county or city may, by ordinance, (i) prohibit
hunting in such county or city with a shotgun loaded with slugs, or with a rifle
of a caliber larger than .22 rimfire; (ii) permit the hunting of groundhogs with
a rifle of a caliber larger than .22 rimfire between March 1 and August 31;
(iii) permit the use of muzzle-loading rifles during the prescribed open seasons
for the hunting of game 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 rifle of a caliber larger than .22 rimfire.

C. No such ordinance shall be enforceable unless the governing body notifies the
Director by registered mail prior to May 1 of the year in which the ordinance is
to take effect.

D. In adopting an ordinance 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 ordinance is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.

HISTORY: 1976, c. 443, § 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.