{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/15.2-3227.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/15.2-3227.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/15.2-3227.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/15.2-3227.html"}],"law_id":348210,"edition_id":2,"section_id":348210,"structure_id":49949,"section_number":"15.2-3227","catch_line":"Annexation proceedings final for 10 years","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 15-152.25; 1952, c. 328; 1958, c. 378; 1962, c. 623, \u00a7 15.1-1055; 1979, c. 85; 1985, c. 478; 1997, c. 587; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 489.","full_text":"Except by mutual agreement of the governing bodies affected, no city or town, having instituted proceedings to annex territory of a county, shall again seek to annex territory of such county within the 10 years next succeeding the effective date of annexation in any proceeding under this article or previous acts. In the event annexation is denied, such prohibition shall begin with the date of the final order of the court denying annexation or, in the case of an appeal to the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeals, with the date of the final order of the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeals. However, a city or town moving to dismiss the proceedings before a hearing on its merits may file a new petition five years after the filing of the petition in the prior suit. No county shall, except with the consent of its governing body, be made defendant in any annexation proceeding brought by any city within such 10-year period.\n\nNotwithstanding the foregoing provisions, a city shall have the right to file and maintain an annexation proceeding against any county against which it has not filed such a proceeding during the preceding 13 years.\n\nThe provisions of this section shall not apply to any petition for annexation brought by a city or town, within such 10-year period, if the previous petition was dismissed due to a procedural defect, lack of jurisdiction, or any defense other than the merits of the case. The provisions of this section shall not apply to a city or town that institutes an annexation proceeding by filing notice with the Commission on Local Government but which subsequently fails to petition the court to grant such annexation. In that event, however, the city or town shall not again institute proceedings for annexation against the county for at least two years after the date the Commission renders its final report on the initial proceeding.\n\nThis section shall also apply to any city that was a town at the time of the filing of such petition.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1298613,"text":"Except by mutual agreement of the governing bodies affected, no city or town, having instituted proceedings to annex territory of a county, shall again seek to annex territory of such county within the 10 years next succeeding the effective date of annexation in any proceeding under this article or previous acts. In the event annexation is denied, such prohibition shall begin with the date of the final order of the court denying annexation or, in the case of an appeal to the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeals, with the date of the final order of the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeals. However, a city or town moving to dismiss the proceedings before a hearing on its merits may file a new petition five years after the filing of the petition in the prior suit. No county shall, except with the consent of its governing body, be made defendant in any annexation proceeding brought by any city within such 10-year period.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":""},"1":{"id":1298614,"text":"Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, a city shall have the right to file and maintain an annexation proceeding against any county against which it has not filed such a proceeding during the preceding 13 years.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"2":{"id":1298615,"text":"The provisions of this section shall not apply to any petition for annexation brought by a city or town, within such 10-year period, if the previous petition was dismissed due to a procedural defect, lack of jurisdiction, or any defense other than the merits of the case. The provisions of this section shall not apply to a city or town that institutes an annexation proceeding by filing notice with the Commission on Local Government but which subsequently fails to petition the court to grant such annexation. In that event, however, the city or town shall not again institute proceedings for annexation against the county for at least two years after the date the Commission renders its final report on the initial proceeding.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"3":{"id":1298616,"text":"This section shall also apply to any city that was a town at the time of the filing of such petition.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":""}},"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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-3227\/","history_text":"<p>The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 6 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 1958, chapter 378; in 1962, chapter 623; in 1979, chapter 85; in 1985, chapter 478; 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":1384141,"object_type":"law","relational_id":348210,"identifier":"15.2-3227","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3227","url":"\/15.2-3227\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-3227\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3227","dublin_core":{"Title":"Annexation proceedings final for 10 years","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-3227","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>Except by mutual agreement of the governing bodies affected, no <span class=\"dictionary\">city<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">town<\/span>, having instituted proceedings to annex territory of a <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span>, shall again seek to annex territory of such <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span> within the 10 years next succeeding the effective date of annexation in any proceeding under this article or previous acts. In the event annexation is denied, such prohibition shall begin with the date of the <span class=\"dictionary\">final order<\/span> of the <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> denying annexation or, in the case of an <span class=\"dictionary\">appeal<\/span> to the Supreme <span class=\"dictionary\">Court<\/span> or the <span class=\"dictionary\">Court<\/span> of <span class=\"dictionary\">Appeals<\/span>, with the date of the <span class=\"dictionary\">final order<\/span> of the Supreme <span class=\"dictionary\">Court<\/span> or the <span class=\"dictionary\">Court<\/span> of <span class=\"dictionary\">Appeals<\/span>. However, a <span class=\"dictionary\">city<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">town<\/span> moving to dismiss the proceedings before a <span class=\"dictionary\">hearing<\/span> on its merits may file a new <span class=\"dictionary\">petition<\/span> five years after the filing of the <span class=\"dictionary\">petition<\/span> in the prior suit. No <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span> shall, except with the consent of its <span class=\"dictionary\">governing body<\/span>, be made <span class=\"dictionary\">defendant<\/span> in any annexation proceeding brought by any <span class=\"dictionary\">city<\/span> within such 10-year period.<\/p><p>Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, a <span class=\"dictionary\">city<\/span> shall have the right to file and maintain an annexation proceeding against any <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span> against which it has not filed such a proceeding during the preceding 13 years.<\/p><p>The provisions of this section shall not apply to any <span class=\"dictionary\">petition<\/span> for annexation brought by a <span class=\"dictionary\">city<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">town<\/span>, within such 10-year period, if the previous <span class=\"dictionary\">petition<\/span> was dismissed due to a procedural defect, <span class=\"dictionary\">lack of jurisdiction<\/span>, or any defense other than the merits of the case. The provisions of this section shall not apply to a <span class=\"dictionary\">city<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">town<\/span> that institutes an annexation proceeding by filing notice with the Commission on <span class=\"dictionary\">Local Government<\/span> but which subsequently fails to <span class=\"dictionary\">petition<\/span> the <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> to grant such annexation. In that event, however, the <span class=\"dictionary\">city<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">town<\/span> shall not again institute proceedings for annexation against the <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span> for at least two years after the date the Commission renders its final report on the initial proceeding.<\/p><p>This section shall also apply to any <span class=\"dictionary\">city<\/span> that was a <span class=\"dictionary\">town<\/span> at the time of the filing of such <span class=\"dictionary\">petition<\/span>.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nANNEXATION PROCEEDINGS FINAL FOR 10 YEARS (\u00a7 15.2-3227)\n\nExcept by mutual agreement of the governing bodies affected, no city or town,\nhaving instituted proceedings to annex territory of a county, shall again seek\nto annex territory of such county within the 10 years next succeeding the\neffective date of annexation in any proceeding under this article or previous\nacts. In the event annexation is denied, such prohibition shall begin with the\ndate of the final order of the court denying annexation or, in the case of an\nappeal to the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeals, with the date of the final\norder of the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeals. However, a city or town\nmoving to dismiss the proceedings before a hearing on its merits may file a new\npetition five years after the filing of the petition in the prior suit. No\ncounty shall, except with the consent of its governing body, be made defendant\nin any annexation proceeding brought by any city within such 10-year period.\n\nNotwithstanding the foregoing provisions, a city shall have the right to file\nand maintain an annexation proceeding against any county against which it has\nnot filed such a proceeding during the preceding 13 years.\n\nThe provisions of this section shall not apply to any petition for annexation\nbrought by a city or town, within such 10-year period, if the previous petition\nwas dismissed due to a procedural defect, lack of jurisdiction, or any defense\nother than the merits of the case. The provisions of this section shall not\napply to a city or town that institutes an annexation proceeding by filing\nnotice with the Commission on Local Government but which subsequently fails to\npetition the court to grant such annexation. In that event, however, the city or\ntown shall not again institute proceedings for annexation against the county for\nat least two years after the date the Commission renders its final report on the\ninitial proceeding.\n\nThis section shall also apply to any city that was a town at the time of the\nfiling of such petition.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 15-152.25; 1952, c. 328; 1958, c. 378; 1962, c. 623, \u00a7\n15.1-1055; 1979, c. 85; 1985, c. 478; 1997, c. 587; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 489.","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"}}