                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

GOVERNING BODY OF ANY LOCALITY MAY ADOPT CERTAIN ORDINANCES (§ 3.2-6543)

A. The governing body of any locality of the Commonwealth may adopt, and make
more stringent, ordinances that parallel &#xA7;&#xA7; 3.2-6521 through 3.2-6539,
3.2-6546 through 3.2-6555, 3.2-6562, 3.2-6569, 3.2-6570, 3.2-6574 through
3.2-6580, and 3.2-6585 through 3.2-6590. Any town may choose to adopt by
reference any ordinance of the surrounding county adopted under this section to
be applied within its town limits, in lieu of adopting an ordinance of its own.
			Any funds collected pursuant to the enforcement of ordinances adopted
pursuant to the provisions of this section may be used for the purpose of
defraying the costs of local animal control, including efforts to promote
sterilization of cats and dogs.

B. Any locality may, by ordinance, establish uniform schedules of civil
penalties for violations of specific provisions of ordinances adopted pursuant
to this section. Civil penalties may not be imposed for violations of ordinances
that parallel &#xA7; 3.2-6570. Designation of a particular violation for a civil
penalty shall be in lieu of criminal sanctions and preclude prosecution of such
violation as a criminal misdemeanor. The schedule for civil penalties shall be
uniform for each type of specified violation and the penalty for any one
violation shall not be more than $150. Imposition of civil penalties shall not
preclude an action for injunctive, declaratory or other equitable relief. Moneys
raised pursuant to this subsection shall be placed in the locality&#8217;s
general fund.
			An animal control officer or law-enforcement officer may issue a summons for
a violation. Any person summoned or issued a ticket for a scheduled violation
may make an appearance in person or in writing by mail to the department of
finance or the treasurer of the locality issuing the summons or ticket prior to
the date fixed for trial in court. Any person so appearing may enter a waiver of
trial, admit liability, and pay the civil penalty established for the offense
charged.

HISTORY: 1976, c. 182, § 15.1-29.1:1; 1984, c. 492, § 29-213.64; 1987, c. 488,
§ 3.1-796.94; 1993, c. 959; 1994, cc. 115, 630; 1995, c. 832; 1997, c. 587;
1998, c. 817; 2005, c. 304; 2008, c. 860; 2009, c. 107.