{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/15.2-3216.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/15.2-3216.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/15.2-3216.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/15.2-3216.html"}],"law_id":348199,"edition_id":2,"section_id":348199,"structure_id":49949,"section_number":"15.2-3216","catch_line":"Proceedings not to fail for technical or procedural defects or errors","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 15-152.16; 1952, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, \u00a7 15.1-1046; 1979, c. 85; 1980, c. 592; 1997, c. 587.","full_text":"No proceedings brought under this chapter shall fail because of a defect, imperfection or omission in the annexation ordinance or the pleadings which does not affect the substantial rights of the parties or any other technical or procedural defect, imperfection or error, but the special court shall at any time allow amendment of the ordinance or the pleadings or make any other order necessary to ensure the hearing of the case on its merits.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1298596,"text":"No proceedings brought under this chapter shall fail because of a defect, imperfection or omission in the annexation ordinance or the pleadings which does not affect the substantial rights of the parties or any other technical or procedural defect, imperfection or error, but the special court shall at any time allow amendment of the ordinance or the pleadings or make any other order necessary to ensure the hearing of the case on its merits.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":49949,"edition_id":2,"name":"Annexation","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":49948,"metadata":{"child_laws":31,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:18:41","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:29:45","permalink":{"id":1384031,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":49949,"identifier":"1","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1","url":"\/15.2\/III\/32\/1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":49948,"edition_id":2,"name":"Boundary Changes of Towns and Cities","identifier":"32","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":4,"parent_id":49941,"metadata":{"child_laws":46,"child_structures":3},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:18:41","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:29:45","permalink":{"id":1384029,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":49948,"identifier":"32","token":"15.2\/III\/32","url":"\/15.2\/III\/32\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":49941,"edition_id":2,"name":"Boundary Adjustments and Changes of Status of Counties, Cities and Towns","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":3,"parent_id":49831,"metadata":{"child_laws":234,"child_structures":20},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:18:37","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:29:43","permalink":{"id":1383921,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":49941,"identifier":"III","token":"15.2\/III","url":"\/15.2\/III\/","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":348183,"structure_id":49949,"section_number":"15.2-3200","catch_line":"Boundaries of cities and towns to remain as established until changed","url":"\/15.2-3200\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3200","metadata":false},{"id":348184,"structure_id":49949,"section_number":"15.2-3201","catch_line":"Temporary restrictions on granting of city charters, filing annexation notices, institutions of annexation proceedings, and county immunity proceedings","url":"\/15.2-3201\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3201","metadata":false},{"id":348185,"structure_id":49949,"section_number":"15.2-3202","catch_line":"Ordinance for annexation by city or town; appointment of special court","url":"\/15.2-3202\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3202","metadata":false},{"id":348186,"structure_id":49949,"section_number":"15.2-3203","catch_line":"Petition by voters of adjacent territory, or governing body of adjacent county or town, for annexation; voluntary agreement by governing body to reject annexation","url":"\/15.2-3203\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3203","metadata":false},{"id":348187,"structure_id":49949,"section_number":"15.2-3204","catch_line":"Notice of motion; service and publication","url":"\/15.2-3204\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3204","metadata":false},{"id":348188,"structure_id":49949,"section_number":"15.2-3205","catch_line":"Additional parties","url":"\/15.2-3205\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3205","metadata":false},{"id":348189,"structure_id":49949,"section_number":"15.2-3206","catch_line":"Conflicting petitions for same territory; petition seeking territory lying in two or more counties; procedure","url":"\/15.2-3206\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3206","metadata":false},{"id":348190,"structure_id":49949,"section_number":"15.2-3207","catch_line":"Pretrial conference; matters considered","url":"\/15.2-3207\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3207","metadata":false},{"id":348191,"structure_id":49949,"section_number":"15.2-3208","catch_line":"Assistance of state agencies","url":"\/15.2-3208\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3208","metadata":false},{"id":348192,"structure_id":49949,"section_number":"15.2-3209","catch_line":"Hearing and decision","url":"\/15.2-3209\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3209","metadata":false},{"id":348193,"structure_id":49949,"section_number":"15.2-3210","catch_line":"Boundary line where territory fronts on river, bay, etc","url":"\/15.2-3210\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3210","metadata":false},{"id":348194,"structure_id":49949,"section_number":"15.2-3211","catch_line":"Powers of court and rules of decision; terms and conditions","url":"\/15.2-3211\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3211","metadata":false},{"id":348195,"structure_id":49949,"section_number":"15.2-3212","catch_line":"Determination of value of public improvements","url":"\/15.2-3212\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3212","metadata":false},{"id":348196,"structure_id":49949,"section_number":"15.2-3213","catch_line":"Declining to accept annexation on terms and conditions imposed by court","url":"\/15.2-3213\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3213","metadata":false},{"id":348197,"structure_id":49949,"section_number":"15.2-3214","catch_line":"Costs","url":"\/15.2-3214\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3214","metadata":false},{"id":348198,"structure_id":49949,"section_number":"15.2-3215","catch_line":"County reimbursement for town annexation proceedings","url":"\/15.2-3215\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3215","metadata":false},{"id":348199,"structure_id":49949,"section_number":"15.2-3216","catch_line":"Proceedings not to fail for technical or procedural defects or errors","url":"\/15.2-3216\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3216","metadata":false},{"id":348200,"structure_id":49949,"section_number":"15.2-3217","catch_line":"Court granting annexation to exist for 10 years","url":"\/15.2-3217\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3217","metadata":false},{"id":348201,"structure_id":49949,"section_number":"15.2-3218","catch_line":"Continued existence of court under certain conditions","url":"\/15.2-3218\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3218","metadata":false},{"id":348202,"structure_id":49949,"section_number":"15.2-3219","catch_line":"Reduced taxation on real estate in territory added to corporate limits","url":"\/15.2-3219\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3219","metadata":false},{"id":348203,"structure_id":49949,"section_number":"15.2-3220","catch_line":"Mandamus and prohibition","url":"\/15.2-3220\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3220","metadata":false},{"id":348204,"structure_id":49949,"section_number":"15.2-3221","catch_line":"Appeals; how heard","url":"\/15.2-3221\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3221","metadata":false},{"id":348205,"structure_id":49949,"section_number":"15.2-3222","catch_line":"What order to be entered by the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeals","url":"\/15.2-3222\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3222","metadata":false},{"id":348206,"structure_id":49949,"section_number":"15.2-3223","catch_line":"What order and proceedings clerk to certify, and where same shall be recorded; fees","url":"\/15.2-3223\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3223","metadata":false},{"id":348207,"structure_id":49949,"section_number":"15.2-3224","catch_line":"Commissioner of revenue for the county to certify list of real estate in annexed territory to commissioner of revenue","url":"\/15.2-3224\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3224","metadata":false},{"id":348208,"structure_id":49949,"section_number":"15.2-3225","catch_line":"County or district officers resident in annexed territory to remain in office; reelection","url":"\/15.2-3225\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3225","metadata":false},{"id":348209,"structure_id":49949,"section_number":"15.2-3226","catch_line":"Redistricting and elections in city or town following annexation; registration and transfer of registration of voters in annexed territory","url":"\/15.2-3226\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3226","metadata":false},{"id":348210,"structure_id":49949,"section_number":"15.2-3227","catch_line":"Annexation proceedings final for 10 years","url":"\/15.2-3227\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3227","metadata":false},{"id":348211,"structure_id":49949,"section_number":"15.2-3228","catch_line":"County not to be reduced to insufficient area, population or sources of revenue","url":"\/15.2-3228\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3228","metadata":false},{"id":348212,"structure_id":49949,"section_number":"15.2-3229","catch_line":"Annexation of whole town","url":"\/15.2-3229\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3229","metadata":false},{"id":348213,"structure_id":49949,"section_number":"15.2-3230","catch_line":"Article not applicable to consolidation of two cities","url":"\/15.2-3230\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3230","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":348198,"structure_id":49949,"section_number":"15.2-3215","catch_line":"County reimbursement for town annexation proceedings","url":"\/15.2-3215\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3215","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":348200,"structure_id":49949,"section_number":"15.2-3217","catch_line":"Court granting annexation to exist for 10 years","url":"\/15.2-3217\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3217","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-3216\/","history_text":"<p>The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 5 times. 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. Those modifications are as follows: in 1952, chapter 328; in 1962, chapter 623; in 1979, chapter 85; in 1980, chapter 592; in 1997, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?971+ful+CHAP0587\">587<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1384097,"object_type":"law","relational_id":348199,"identifier":"15.2-3216","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3216","url":"\/15.2-3216\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-3216\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3216","dublin_core":{"Title":"Proceedings not to fail for technical or procedural defects or errors","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-3216","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>No proceedings brought under this chapter shall fail because of a defect, imperfection or omission in the annexation <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinance<\/span> or the <span class=\"dictionary\">pleadings<\/span> which does not affect the substantial rights of the parties or any other technical or procedural defect, imperfection or error, but the special <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> shall at any time allow amendment of the <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinance<\/span> or the <span class=\"dictionary\">pleadings<\/span> or make any other <span class=\"dictionary\">order<\/span> necessary to ensure the <span class=\"dictionary\">hearing<\/span> of the case on its merits.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPROCEEDINGS NOT TO FAIL FOR TECHNICAL OR PROCEDURAL DEFECTS OR ERRORS (\u00a7\n15.2-3216)\n\nNo proceedings brought under this chapter shall fail because of a defect,\nimperfection or omission in the annexation ordinance or the pleadings which does\nnot affect the substantial rights of the parties or any other technical or\nprocedural defect, imperfection or error, but the special court shall at any\ntime allow amendment of the ordinance or the pleadings or make any other order\nnecessary to ensure the hearing of the case on its merits.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 15-152.16; 1952, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, \u00a7 15.1-1046;\n1979, c. 85; 1980, c. 592; 1997, c. 587.","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"}}