{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/15.2-2209.1_2.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/15.2-2209.1_2.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/15.2-2209.1_2.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/15.2-2209.1_2.html"}],"law_id":347792,"edition_id":2,"section_id":347792,"structure_id":49905,"section_number":"15.2-2209.1:2","catch_line":"Extension of land use approvals for solar photovoltaic projects","history":"2023, cc. 499, 500; 2024, c. 301.","full_text":"A\n\nAn initial approval of a special exception, special use permit, or conditional use permit for a solar photovoltaic or energy storage project shall provide the landowner or developer a minimum of three years to commence the project.\n\t\t\tFor so long as the special exception, special use permit, or conditional use permit remains valid, no change or amendment to any local ordinance, map, resolution, rule, regulation, policy, or plan adopted subsequent to the date of approval of the special exception, special use permit, or conditional use permit shall adversely affect the right of the developer or his successor in interest to commence and complete an approved development in accordance with the lawful terms of the special exception, special use permit, or conditional use permit unless the change or amendment is required to comply with state law or there has been a mistake, fraud, or a change in circumstances substantially affecting the public health, safety, or welfare.\n\n\t\t\tApplication for minor modifications to special exceptions, special use permits, or conditional use permits made during the period of validity shall not constitute a waiver of the provisions hereof nor shall the approval of minor modifications extend the period of validity of such plats or plans.\n\nB\n\nNotwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, for any valid special exception, special use permit, or conditional use permit, or any modifications thereto, for a solar photovoltaic or energy storage project outstanding as of July 1, 2023, any deadline in the exception permit, or in the local zoning ordinance that requires the landowner or developer to commence the project within a certain time, may be extended by a resolution of the governing body until July 1, 2026, or such longer period as may be agreed to by the locality.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1297210,"text":"An initial approval of a special exception, special use permit, or conditional use permit for a solar photovoltaic or energy storage project shall provide the landowner or developer a minimum of three years to commence the project.\n\t\t\tFor so long as the special exception, special use permit, or conditional use permit remains valid, no change or amendment to any local ordinance, map, resolution, rule, regulation, policy, or plan adopted subsequent to the date of approval of the special exception, special use permit, or conditional use permit shall adversely affect the right of the developer or his successor in interest to commence and complete an approved development in accordance with the lawful terms of the special exception, special use permit, or conditional use permit unless the change or amendment is required to comply with state law or there has been a mistake, fraud, or a change in circumstances substantially affecting the public health, safety, or welfare.\t\t\tApplication for minor modifications to special exceptions, special use permits, or conditional use permits made during the period of validity shall not constitute a waiver of the provisions hereof nor shall the approval of minor modifications extend the period of validity of such plats or plans.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":1297211,"text":"Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, for any valid special exception, special use permit, or conditional use permit, or any modifications thereto, for a solar photovoltaic or energy storage project outstanding as of July 1, 2023, any deadline in the exception permit, or in the local zoning ordinance that requires the landowner or developer to commence the project within a certain time, may be extended by a resolution of the governing body until July 1, 2026, or such longer period as may be agreed to by the locality.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A"}},"ancestry":[{"id":49905,"edition_id":2,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":49904,"metadata":{"child_laws":17,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:17:49","date_modified":"2026-08-02 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12:29:25","permalink":{"id":1379371,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":49834,"identifier":"II","token":"15.2\/II","url":"\/15.2\/II\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":49831,"edition_id":2,"name":"Counties, Cities and Towns","identifier":"15.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":46,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":2297,"child_structures":225},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:16:22","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:29:22","permalink":{"id":1378281,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":49831,"identifier":"15.2","token":"15.2","url":"\/15.2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":347779,"structure_id":49905,"section_number":"15.2-2200","catch_line":"Declaration of legislative intent","url":"\/15.2-2200\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/1\/15.2-2200","metadata":false},{"id":347780,"structure_id":49905,"section_number":"15.2-2201","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/15.2-2201\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/1\/15.2-2201","metadata":false},{"id":347781,"structure_id":49905,"section_number":"15.2-2202","catch_line":"Duties of state agencies; electric utilities","url":"\/15.2-2202\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/1\/15.2-2202","metadata":false},{"id":347782,"structure_id":49905,"section_number":"15.2-2203","catch_line":"Existing planning commissions and boards of zoning appeals; validation of plans previously adopted","url":"\/15.2-2203\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/1\/15.2-2203","metadata":false},{"id":347783,"structure_id":49905,"section_number":"15.2-2204","catch_line":"Advertisement of plans, ordinances, etc.; joint public hearings; written notice of certain 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Garrett v. Roanoke City Council","case_number":"1042253","citation":null,"date":"2026-06-02","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/10868360\/james-r-garrett-v-roanoke-city-council\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"COA<\/abbr>"}}}},{"id":347785,"structure_id":49905,"section_number":"15.2-2206","catch_line":"When locality may require applicant to give notice; how given","url":"\/15.2-2206\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/1\/15.2-2206","metadata":false},{"id":347786,"structure_id":49905,"section_number":"15.2-2207","catch_line":"Public notice of juvenile residential care facilities in certain localities","url":"\/15.2-2207\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/1\/15.2-2207","metadata":false},{"id":347789,"structure_id":49905,"section_number":"15.2-2208","catch_line":"Restraining violations of chapter","url":"\/15.2-2208\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/1\/15.2-2208","metadata":false},{"id":347787,"structure_id":49905,"section_number":"15.2-2208.1","catch_line":"Damages for unconstitutional grant or denial by locality of certain permits and approvals","url":"\/15.2-2208.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/1\/15.2-2208.1","metadata":false},{"id":347788,"structure_id":49905,"section_number":"15.2-2208.2","catch_line":"Damages for an enforcement action undertaken by a locality with willful disregard for applicable law","url":"\/15.2-2208.2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/1\/15.2-2208.2","metadata":false},{"id":347795,"structure_id":49905,"section_number":"15.2-2209","catch_line":"Civil penalties for violations of zoning ordinance","url":"\/15.2-2209\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/1\/15.2-2209","metadata":false},{"id":347790,"structure_id":49905,"section_number":"15.2-2209.1","catch_line":"Extension of approvals to address housing crisis","url":"\/15.2-2209.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/1\/15.2-2209.1","metadata":false},{"id":347791,"structure_id":49905,"section_number":"15.2-2209.1:1","catch_line":"Extension of approvals to address the COVID-19 pandemic","url":"\/15.2-2209.1_1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/1\/15.2-2209.1_1","metadata":false},{"id":347792,"structure_id":49905,"section_number":"15.2-2209.1:2","catch_line":"Extension of land use approvals for solar photovoltaic projects","url":"\/15.2-2209.1_2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/1\/15.2-2209.1_2","metadata":false},{"id":347793,"structure_id":49905,"section_number":"15.2-2209.2","catch_line":"Public infrastructure maintenance bonds","url":"\/15.2-2209.2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/1\/15.2-2209.2","metadata":false},{"id":347794,"structure_id":49905,"section_number":"15.2-2209.3","catch_line":"Residential land development and construction fee transparency; annual report","url":"\/15.2-2209.3\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/1\/15.2-2209.3","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":347791,"structure_id":49905,"section_number":"15.2-2209.1:1","catch_line":"Extension of approvals to address the COVID-19 pandemic","url":"\/15.2-2209.1_1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/1\/15.2-2209.1_1","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":347793,"structure_id":49905,"section_number":"15.2-2209.2","catch_line":"Public infrastructure maintenance bonds","url":"\/15.2-2209.2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/1\/15.2-2209.2","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-2209.1:2\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2023. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters 499<\/a> and 500<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 1 time. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. That modification is as follows: in 2024, chapter 301<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1381857,"object_type":"law","relational_id":347792,"identifier":"15.2-2209.1:2","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/1\/15.2-2209.1_2","url":"\/15.2-2209.1_2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-2209.1_2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/22\/1\/15.2-2209.1_2","dublin_core":{"Title":"Extension of land use approvals for solar photovoltaic projects","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-2209.1:2","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> An initial approval of a special exception<\/span>, special use permit, or conditional use permit for a solar photovoltaic or energy storage project shall provide the landowner or developer a minimum of three years to commence the project.\n\t\t\tFor so long as the special exception<\/span>, special use permit, or conditional use permit remains valid, no change or amendment to any local ordinance<\/span>, map, resolution, rule, regulation, policy, or plan adopted subsequent to the date of approval of the special exception<\/span>, special use permit, or conditional use permit shall adversely affect the right of the developer or his successor in interest to commence and complete an approved development<\/span> in accordance with the lawful terms of the special exception<\/span>, special use permit, or conditional use permit unless the change or amendment is required to comply with state law<\/span> or there has been a mistake, fraud<\/span>, or a change in circumstances substantially affecting the public health, safety, or welfare.

\t\t\tApplication for minor<\/span> modifications to special exceptions<\/span>, special use permits, or conditional use permits made during the period of validity shall not constitute a waiver<\/span> of the provisions hereof nor shall the approval of minor<\/span> modifications extend the period of validity of such plats<\/span> or plans. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, for any valid special exception<\/span>, special use permit, or conditional use permit, or any modifications thereto, for a solar photovoltaic or energy storage project outstanding as of July 1, 2023, any deadline in the exception permit, or in the local zoning<\/span> ordinance<\/span> that requires the landowner or developer to commence the project within a certain time, may be extended by a resolution of the governing body<\/span> until July 1, 2026, or such longer period as may be agreed to by the locality<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nEXTENSION OF LAND USE APPROVALS FOR SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC PROJECTS (\u00a7\n15.2-2209.1:2)\n\nA. An initial approval of a special exception, special use permit, or\nconditional use permit for a solar photovoltaic or energy storage project shall\nprovide the landowner or developer a minimum of three years to commence the\nproject.\n\t\t\tFor so long as the special exception, special use permit, or conditional use\npermit remains valid, no change or amendment to any local ordinance, map,\nresolution, rule, regulation, policy, or plan adopted subsequent to the date of\napproval of the special exception, special use permit, or conditional use permit\nshall adversely affect the right of the developer or his successor in interest\nto commence and complete an approved development in accordance with the lawful\nterms of the special exception, special use permit, or conditional use permit\nunless the change or amendment is required to comply with state law or there has\nbeen a mistake, fraud, or a change in circumstances substantially affecting the\npublic health, safety, or welfare.\t\t\tApplication for minor modifications to\nspecial exceptions, special use permits, or conditional use permits made during\nthe period of validity shall not constitute a waiver of the provisions hereof\nnor shall the approval of minor modifications extend the period of validity of\nsuch plats or plans.\n\nB. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, for any valid special\nexception, special use permit, or conditional use permit, or any modifications\nthereto, for a solar photovoltaic or energy storage project outstanding as of\nJuly 1, 2023, any deadline in the exception permit, or in the local zoning\nordinance that requires the landowner or developer to commence the project\nwithin a certain time, may be extended by a resolution of the governing body\nuntil July 1, 2026, or such longer period as may be agreed to by the locality.\n\nHISTORY: 2023, cc. 499, 500; 2024, c. 301.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}