{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/18.2-318.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/18.2-318.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/18.2-318.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/18.2-318.html"}],"law_id":350739,"edition_id":2,"section_id":350739,"structure_id":50175,"section_number":"18.2-318","catch_line":"Authority of counties, cities and towns to require and regulate well covers","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 18.1-74.1; 1962, c. 525; 1975, cc. 14, 15.","full_text":"Notwithstanding the provisions of \u00a7 18.2-317, the governing body of any county, city or town may adopt ordinances requiring persons owning or occupying any land within such county, city or town on which there is a well having a diameter greater than six inches and which is more than ten feet deep to keep the same covered in such a manner as not to be dangerous to human beings, animals or fowls.\n\nAny such ordinance may specify and require reasonable minimum standards for the construction, installation and maintenance of such covers, including the manner in which any concrete used in connection therewith shall be reinforced, and may prescribe punishment for violations not inconsistent with general law.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1306643,"text":"Notwithstanding the provisions of \u00a7 18.2-317, the governing body of any county, city or town may adopt ordinances requiring persons owning or occupying any land within such county, city or town on which there is a well having a diameter greater than six inches and which is more than ten feet deep to keep the same covered in such a manner as not to be dangerous to human beings, animals or fowls.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":""},"1":{"id":1306644,"text":"Any such ordinance may specify and require reasonable minimum standards for the construction, installation and maintenance of such covers, including the manner in which any concrete used in connection therewith shall be reinforced, and may prescribe punishment for violations not inconsistent with general law.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":""}},"ancestry":[{"id":50175,"edition_id":2,"name":"Miscellaneous Dangerous Conduct","identifier":"8","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":13,"parent_id":50159,"metadata":{"child_laws":21,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:23:57","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:22","permalink":{"id":1394309,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50175,"identifier":"8","token":"18.2\/7\/8","url":"\/18.2\/7\/8\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50159,"edition_id":2,"name":"Crimes Involving Health and Safety","identifier":"7","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":7,"parent_id":50131,"metadata":{"child_laws":216,"child_structures":13},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:23:33","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:20","permalink":{"id":1393503,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50159,"identifier":"7","token":"18.2\/7","url":"\/18.2\/7\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50131,"edition_id":2,"name":"Crimes and Offenses Generally","identifier":"18.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":52,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":960,"child_structures":94},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:22:59","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:15","permalink":{"id":1391141,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50131,"identifier":"18.2","token":"18.2","url":"\/18.2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":350731,"structure_id":50175,"section_number":"18.2-312","catch_line":"Illegal use of tear gas, phosgene and other gases","url":"\/18.2-312\/","token":"18.2\/7\/8\/18.2-312","metadata":false},{"id":350734,"structure_id":50175,"section_number":"18.2-313","catch_line":"Handling or using snakes so as to endanger human life or health","url":"\/18.2-313\/","token":"18.2\/7\/8\/18.2-313","metadata":false},{"id":350732,"structure_id":50175,"section_number":"18.2-313.1","catch_line":"Withholding information about possibly rabid animal; penalty","url":"\/18.2-313.1\/","token":"18.2\/7\/8\/18.2-313.1","metadata":false},{"id":350733,"structure_id":50175,"section_number":"18.2-313.2","catch_line":"Introduction of snakehead fish or zebra mussel; penalty","url":"\/18.2-313.2\/","token":"18.2\/7\/8\/18.2-313.2","metadata":false},{"id":350735,"structure_id":50175,"section_number":"18.2-314","catch_line":"Failing to secure medical attention for injured child","url":"\/18.2-314\/","token":"18.2\/7\/8\/18.2-314","metadata":false},{"id":350736,"structure_id":50175,"section_number":"18.2-315","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-315\/","token":"18.2\/7\/8\/18.2-315","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":350737,"structure_id":50175,"section_number":"18.2-316","catch_line":"Duty of persons causing well or pit to be dug to fill it before abandonment","url":"\/18.2-316\/","token":"18.2\/7\/8\/18.2-316","metadata":false},{"id":350738,"structure_id":50175,"section_number":"18.2-317","catch_line":"Covers to be kept on certain wells","url":"\/18.2-317\/","token":"18.2\/7\/8\/18.2-317","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Kaniesha Shatae Hannon v. Commonwealth of Virginia","case_number":"1374163","citation":"803 S.E.2d 355","date":"2017-08-22","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/4420617\/kaniesha-shatae-hannon-v-commonwealth-of-virginia\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"COA<\/abbr>"}}}},{"id":350739,"structure_id":50175,"section_number":"18.2-318","catch_line":"Authority of counties, cities and towns to require and regulate well covers","url":"\/18.2-318\/","token":"18.2\/7\/8\/18.2-318","metadata":false},{"id":350740,"structure_id":50175,"section_number":"18.2-319","catch_line":"Discarding or abandoning iceboxes, etc.; precautions required","url":"\/18.2-319\/","token":"18.2\/7\/8\/18.2-319","metadata":false},{"id":350745,"structure_id":50175,"section_number":"18.2-320","catch_line":"Sale, etc., of plastic bags; warning required","url":"\/18.2-320\/","token":"18.2\/7\/8\/18.2-320","metadata":false},{"id":350746,"structure_id":50175,"section_number":"18.2-321","catch_line":"Using X ray, fluoroscope, etc., in the fitting of footwear","url":"\/18.2-321\/","token":"18.2\/7\/8\/18.2-321","metadata":false},{"id":350748,"structure_id":50175,"section_number":"18.2-322","catch_line":"Expectorating in public places","url":"\/18.2-322\/","token":"18.2\/7\/8\/18.2-322","metadata":false},{"id":350747,"structure_id":50175,"section_number":"18.2-322.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-322.1\/","token":"18.2\/7\/8\/18.2-322.1","metadata":false},{"id":350752,"structure_id":50175,"section_number":"18.2-323","catch_line":"Leaving disabled or dead animal in road, or allowing dead animal to remain unburied","url":"\/18.2-323\/","token":"18.2\/7\/8\/18.2-323","metadata":false},{"id":350749,"structure_id":50175,"section_number":"18.2-323.01","catch_line":"Prohibition against disposal of dead body; penalty","url":"\/18.2-323.01\/","token":"18.2\/7\/8\/18.2-323.01","metadata":false},{"id":350750,"structure_id":50175,"section_number":"18.2-323.02","catch_line":"Prohibition against concealment of dead body; penalty","url":"\/18.2-323.02\/","token":"18.2\/7\/8\/18.2-323.02","metadata":false},{"id":350751,"structure_id":50175,"section_number":"18.2-323.1","catch_line":"Drinking while operating a motor vehicle; possession of open container while operating a motor vehicle and presumption; penalty","url":"\/18.2-323.1\/","token":"18.2\/7\/8\/18.2-323.1","metadata":false},{"id":350755,"structure_id":50175,"section_number":"18.2-324","catch_line":"Throwing or depositing certain substances upon highway; removal of such substances","url":"\/18.2-324\/","token":"18.2\/7\/8\/18.2-324","metadata":false},{"id":350753,"structure_id":50175,"section_number":"18.2-324.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-324.1\/","token":"18.2\/7\/8\/18.2-324.1","metadata":false},{"id":350754,"structure_id":50175,"section_number":"18.2-324.2","catch_line":"Use of unmanned aircraft system for certain purposes; penalty","url":"\/18.2-324.2\/","token":"18.2\/7\/8\/18.2-324.2","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":350738,"structure_id":50175,"section_number":"18.2-317","catch_line":"Covers to be kept on certain wells","url":"\/18.2-317\/","token":"18.2\/7\/8\/18.2-317","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Kaniesha Shatae Hannon v. Commonwealth of Virginia","case_number":"1374163","citation":"803 S.E.2d 355","date":"2017-08-22","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/4420617\/kaniesha-shatae-hannon-v-commonwealth-of-virginia\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"COA<\/abbr>"}}}},"next_section":{"id":350740,"structure_id":50175,"section_number":"18.2-319","catch_line":"Discarding or abandoning iceboxes, etc.; precautions required","url":"\/18.2-319\/","token":"18.2\/7\/8\/18.2-319","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/18.2-318\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 2 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 1962, chapter 525; in 1975, chapters 14 and 15.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":350738,"section_number":"18.2-317","catch_line":"Covers to be kept on certain wells","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-317\/"}],"permalink":{"id":1394343,"object_type":"law","relational_id":350739,"identifier":"18.2-318","token":"18.2\/7\/8\/18.2-318","url":"\/18.2-318\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/18.2-318\/","token":"18.2\/7\/8\/18.2-318","dublin_core":{"Title":"Authority of counties, cities and towns to require and regulate well covers","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 18.2-318","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Notwithstanding the provisions of \u00a7 18.2-317<\/a>, the governing body of any county, city or town may adopt ordinances<\/span> requiring persons owning or occupying any land within such county, city or town on which there is a well having a diameter greater than six inches and which is more than ten feet deep to keep the same covered in such a manner as not to be dangerous to human beings, animals or fowls.<\/p>

Any such ordinance<\/span> may specify and require reasonable minimum standards for the construction, installation and maintenance of such covers, including the manner in which any concrete used in connection therewith shall be reinforced, and may prescribe punishment for violations not inconsistent with general law<\/span>.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nAUTHORITY OF COUNTIES, CITIES AND TOWNS TO REQUIRE AND REGULATE WELL COVERS (\u00a7\n18.2-318)\n\nNotwithstanding the provisions of \u00a7 18.2-317, the governing body of any county,\ncity or town may adopt ordinances requiring persons owning or occupying any land\nwithin such county, city or town on which there is a well having a diameter\ngreater than six inches and which is more than ten feet deep to keep the same\ncovered in such a manner as not to be dangerous to human beings, animals or\nfowls.\n\nAny such ordinance may specify and require reasonable minimum standards for the\nconstruction, installation and maintenance of such covers, including the manner\nin which any concrete used in connection therewith shall be reinforced, and may\nprescribe punishment for violations not inconsistent with general law.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 18.1-74.1; 1962, c. 525; 1975, cc. 14, 15.","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"}}