                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

REGULATIONS TO PREVENT SPREAD OF RABIES (§ 3.2-6525)

A. The governing body of any locality may adopt such ordinances, regulations or
other measures as may be deemed reasonably necessary to prevent the spread
within its boundaries of the disease of rabies. Penalties may be provided for
the violation of any such ordinances. If the ordinance declares the existence of
an emergency, then the ordinance shall be in force upon passage.

B. The governing body of any locality may adopt an ordinance creating a program
for the distribution of oral rabies vaccine within its boundaries to prevent the
spread of rabies. An ordinance enacted pursuant to this subsection on or after
July 1, 2010, shall be developed in consultation with the Department of Health
and with written authorization from the Department of Wildlife Resources in
accordance with § 29.1-508.1 and shall contain the following provisions:

   1. Notice shall be given to the owner or occupant of property prior to the
   entry upon the property for the purpose of the distribution of oral rabies
   vaccine or the use of any other methods to place oral rabies vaccine on the
   property. Notice shall be given by: (i) sending two letters by first-class
   mail, at successive intervals of not less than two weeks set forth in the
   ordinance; and (ii) printing a copy thereof, at least once, in a newspaper of
   general circulation in the locality concerned. Written notice shall be in a
   form approved by the governing body and shall include a description of the
   purpose for which entry upon the property is to be made, the time and method
   of rabies vaccine distribution at the property, and the submission deadline
   for requests by any owner or occupant of property who wishes to be excluded
   from the oral rabies vaccine distribution program.

   2. The owner or occupant of property may refuse to allow the distribution of
   oral rabies vaccine upon such property. The ordinance shall establish
   procedures to be followed by any owner or occupant who wishes to be excluded
   from the oral rabies vaccine distribution program, including the time and
   method by which requests for nonparticipation must be received. If the
   governing body receives a request for nonparticipation by the owner or
   occupant of property for the distribution of oral rabies vaccine, no further
   action shall be taken to distribute oral vaccine, on such property for a
   period of one year.
   				Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to limit any authority for
   the distribution of oral rabies vaccine otherwise provided by law.

HISTORY: 1984, c. 492, § 29-213.69; 1987, c. 488, § 3.1-796.100; 2001, c. 674;
2008, c. 860; 2010, c. 834; 2020, c. 958.