{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/15.2-3228.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/15.2-3228.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/15.2-3228.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/15.2-3228.html"}],"law_id":348211,"edition_id":2,"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","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 15-152.26; 1952, c. 328; 1960, c. 519; 1962, c. 623, \u00a7 15.1-1056; 1997, c. 587.","full_text":"If, as the result of an annexation, the area remaining in a county (i) would be reduced below sixty square miles, excluding property owned by the United States of America, or (ii) would otherwise be insufficient in area, population, or sources of revenue to adequately support the county government and schools, then the annexation shall not be decreed unless the whole county is annexed.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1298617,"text":"If, as the result of an annexation, the area remaining in a county (i) would be reduced below sixty square miles, excluding property owned by the United States of America, or (ii) would otherwise be insufficient in area, population, or sources of revenue to adequately support the county government and schools, then the annexation shall not be decreed unless the whole county is annexed.","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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-3228\/","history_text":"<p>The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 4 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 1960, chapter 519; in 1962, chapter 623; 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":1384145,"object_type":"law","relational_id":348211,"identifier":"15.2-3228","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3228","url":"\/15.2-3228\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-3228\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3228","dublin_core":{"Title":"County not to be reduced to insufficient area, population or sources of revenue","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-3228","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>If, as the result of an annexation, the area remaining in a <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span> (i) would be reduced below sixty square miles, excluding property owned by the United States of America, or (ii) would otherwise be insufficient in area, population, or sources of revenue to adequately support the <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span> government and schools, then the annexation shall not be decreed unless the whole <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span> is annexed.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCOUNTY NOT TO BE REDUCED TO INSUFFICIENT AREA, POPULATION OR SOURCES OF REVENUE\n(\u00a7 15.2-3228)\n\nIf, as the result of an annexation, the area remaining in a county (i) would be\nreduced below sixty square miles, excluding property owned by the United States\nof America, or (ii) would otherwise be insufficient in area, population, or\nsources of revenue to adequately support the county government and schools, then\nthe annexation shall not be decreed unless the whole county is annexed.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 15-152.26; 1952, c. 328; 1960, c. 519; 1962, c. 623, \u00a7\n15.1-1056; 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"}}