{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/46.2-1573.9.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/46.2-1573.9.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/46.2-1573.9.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/46.2-1573.9.html"}],"law_id":365132,"edition_id":2,"section_id":365132,"structure_id":52097,"section_number":"46.2-1573.9","catch_line":"Operation of dealership by manufacturer","history":"1995, cc. 767, 816, \u00a7 46.2-1980; 2015, c. 615.","full_text":"It shall be unlawful for any recreational vehicle manufacturer, factory branch, distributor, distributor branch, or subsidiary thereof to own, operate, or control any recreational vehicle dealership in the Commonwealth. However, this section shall not prohibit:\n\n1\n\nThe operation by a manufacturer, factory branch, distributor, distributor branch, or subsidiary thereof, of a dealership for a temporary period, not to exceed one year, during the transition from one owner or operator to another;\n\n2\n\nThe ownership or control of a dealership by a manufacturer, factory branch, distributor, distributor branch, or subsidiary thereof, while the dealership is being sold under a bona fide contract or purchase option to the operator of the dealership;\n\n3\n\nThe ownership, operation, or control of a dealership by a manufacturer, factory branch, distributor, distributor branch, or subsidiary thereof if the Commissioner determines, after a hearing at the request of any party, that there is no dealer independent of the manufacturer or distributor, factory branch or distributor branch, or subsidiary thereof available in the community or trade area to own and operate the franchise in a manner consistent with the public interest;\n\n4\n\nThe ownership, operation, or control of a dealership dealing exclusively with school buses by a school bus manufacturer or school bus parts manufacturer or a person who assembles school buses; or\n\n5\n\nThe ownership, operation, or control of a dealership dealing exclusively with refined fuels truck tanks by a manufacturer of refined fuels truck tanks or by a person who assembles refined fuels truck tanks.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1360453,"text":"It shall be unlawful for any recreational vehicle manufacturer, factory branch, distributor, distributor branch, or subsidiary thereof to own, operate, or control any recreational vehicle dealership in the Commonwealth. However, this section shall not prohibit:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":1360454,"text":"The operation by a manufacturer, factory branch, distributor, distributor branch, or subsidiary thereof, of a dealership for a temporary period, not to exceed one year, during the transition from one owner or operator to another;","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":1360455,"text":"The ownership or control of a dealership by a manufacturer, factory branch, distributor, distributor branch, or subsidiary thereof, while the dealership is being sold under a bona fide contract or purchase option to the operator of the dealership;","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":1360456,"text":"The ownership, operation, or control of a dealership by a manufacturer, factory branch, distributor, distributor branch, or subsidiary thereof if the Commissioner determines, after a hearing at the request of any party, that there is no dealer independent of the manufacturer or distributor, factory branch or distributor branch, or subsidiary thereof available in the community or trade area to own and operate the franchise in a manner consistent with the public interest;","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":1360457,"text":"The ownership, operation, or control of a dealership dealing exclusively with school buses by a school bus manufacturer or school bus parts manufacturer or a person who assembles school buses; or","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3","next_prefix":"5"},"5":{"id":1360458,"text":"The ownership, operation, or control of a dealership dealing exclusively with refined fuels truck tanks by a manufacturer of refined fuels truck tanks or by a person who assembles refined fuels truck tanks.","type":"section","prefixes":["5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"5","prefix_anchor":"5","level":1,"prior_prefix":"4"}},"ancestry":[{"id":52097,"edition_id":2,"name":"Recreational Vehicle Franchises","identifier":"7.2","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":11,"parent_id":52086,"metadata":{"child_laws":11,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:53:31","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:34:20","permalink":{"id":1458593,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52097,"identifier":"7.2","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/7.2","url":"\/46.2\/IV\/15\/7.2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52086,"edition_id":2,"name":"Motor Vehicle Dealers","identifier":"15","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":52085,"metadata":{"child_laws":170,"child_structures":16},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:53:16","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:34:18","permalink":{"id":1458069,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52086,"identifier":"15","token":"46.2\/IV\/15","url":"\/46.2\/IV\/15\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52085,"edition_id":2,"name":"Dealers and Driver Training Schools","identifier":"IV","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":4,"parent_id":52048,"metadata":{"child_laws":212,"child_structures":25},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:53:16","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:34:18","permalink":{"id":1458067,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52085,"identifier":"IV","token":"46.2\/IV","url":"\/46.2\/IV\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52048,"edition_id":2,"name":"Motor Vehicles","identifier":"46.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":101,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":1830,"child_structures":157},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:52:29","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:34:02","permalink":{"id":1452291,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52048,"identifier":"46.2","token":"46.2","url":"\/46.2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":365097,"structure_id":52097,"section_number":"46.2-1573.10","catch_line":"Ownership of service facilities","url":"\/46.2-1573.10\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/7.2\/46.2-1573.10","metadata":false},{"id":365098,"structure_id":52097,"section_number":"46.2-1573.11","catch_line":"Hearings and other remedies; civil penalties","url":"\/46.2-1573.11\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/7.2\/46.2-1573.11","metadata":false},{"id":365099,"structure_id":52097,"section_number":"46.2-1573.12","catch_line":"Late model and factory repurchase franchises","url":"\/46.2-1573.12\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/7.2\/46.2-1573.12","metadata":false},{"id":365107,"structure_id":52097,"section_number":"46.2-1573.2","catch_line":"Filing of franchises","url":"\/46.2-1573.2\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/7.2\/46.2-1573.2","metadata":false},{"id":365118,"structure_id":52097,"section_number":"46.2-1573.3","catch_line":"Exemption of franchises from Retail Franchising Act","url":"\/46.2-1573.3\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/7.2\/46.2-1573.3","metadata":false},{"id":365127,"structure_id":52097,"section_number":"46.2-1573.4","catch_line":"Coercion of retail dealer by manufacturer or distributor with respect to retail installment sales contracts prohibited; penalty","url":"\/46.2-1573.4\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/7.2\/46.2-1573.4","metadata":false},{"id":365128,"structure_id":52097,"section_number":"46.2-1573.5","catch_line":"Other coercion of dealers; transfer, grant, succession to and cancellation of dealer franchises; delivery of recreational vehicles, parts, and accessories","url":"\/46.2-1573.5\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/7.2\/46.2-1573.5","metadata":false},{"id":365129,"structure_id":52097,"section_number":"46.2-1573.6","catch_line":"Manufacturer or distributor right of first refusal","url":"\/46.2-1573.6\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/7.2\/46.2-1573.6","metadata":false},{"id":365130,"structure_id":52097,"section_number":"46.2-1573.7","catch_line":"Discontinuation of distributors","url":"\/46.2-1573.7\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/7.2\/46.2-1573.7","metadata":false},{"id":365131,"structure_id":52097,"section_number":"46.2-1573.8","catch_line":"Warranty obligations","url":"\/46.2-1573.8\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/7.2\/46.2-1573.8","metadata":false},{"id":365132,"structure_id":52097,"section_number":"46.2-1573.9","catch_line":"Operation of dealership by manufacturer","url":"\/46.2-1573.9\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/7.2\/46.2-1573.9","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":365131,"structure_id":52097,"section_number":"46.2-1573.8","catch_line":"Warranty obligations","url":"\/46.2-1573.8\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/7.2\/46.2-1573.8","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-1573.9\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1995. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters 767<\/a> and 816<\/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 2015, chapter 615<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1458635,"object_type":"law","relational_id":365132,"identifier":"46.2-1573.9","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/7.2\/46.2-1573.9","url":"\/46.2-1573.9\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-1573.9\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/15\/7.2\/46.2-1573.9","dublin_core":{"Title":"Operation of dealership by manufacturer","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-1573.9","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

It shall be unlawful for any recreational vehicle<\/span> manufacturer<\/span>, factory branch<\/span>, distributor, distributor branch<\/span>, or subsidiary thereof to own, operate, or control any recreational vehicle<\/span> dealership in the Commonwealth. However, this section shall not prohibit:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> The operation by a manufacturer<\/span>, factory branch<\/span>, distributor, distributor branch<\/span>, or subsidiary thereof, of a dealership for a temporary period, not to exceed one year, during the transition from one owner<\/span> or operator<\/span> to another; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The ownership or control of a dealership by a manufacturer<\/span>, factory branch<\/span>, distributor, distributor branch<\/span>, or subsidiary thereof, while the dealership is being sold under a bona fide contract<\/span> or purchase option to the operator<\/span> of the dealership; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> The ownership, operation, or control of a dealership by a manufacturer<\/span>, factory branch<\/span>, distributor, distributor branch<\/span>, or subsidiary thereof if the Commissioner<\/span> determines, after a hearing<\/span> at the request of any party<\/span>, that there is no dealer<\/span> independent of the manufacturer<\/span> or distributor, factory branch<\/span> or distributor branch<\/span>, or subsidiary thereof available in the community or trade area to own and operate the franchise<\/span> in a manner consistent with the public interest; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> The ownership, operation, or control of a dealership dealing exclusively with school buses by a school bus<\/span> manufacturer<\/span> or school bus<\/span> parts manufacturer<\/span> or a person who assembles school buses; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> The ownership, operation, or control of a dealership dealing exclusively with refined fuels truck<\/span> tanks by a manufacturer<\/span> of refined fuels truck<\/span> tanks or by a person who assembles refined fuels truck<\/span> tanks. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nOPERATION OF DEALERSHIP BY MANUFACTURER (\u00a7 46.2-1573.9)\n\nIt shall be unlawful for any recreational vehicle manufacturer, factory branch,\ndistributor, distributor branch, or subsidiary thereof to own, operate, or\ncontrol any recreational vehicle dealership in the Commonwealth. However, this\nsection shall not prohibit:\n\n1. The operation by a manufacturer, factory branch, distributor, distributor\nbranch, or subsidiary thereof, of a dealership for a temporary period, not to\nexceed one year, during the transition from one owner or operator to another;\n\n2. The ownership or control of a dealership by a manufacturer, factory branch,\ndistributor, distributor branch, or subsidiary thereof, while the dealership is\nbeing sold under a bona fide contract or purchase option to the operator of the\ndealership;\n\n3. The ownership, operation, or control of a dealership by a manufacturer,\nfactory branch, distributor, distributor branch, or subsidiary thereof if the\nCommissioner determines, after a hearing at the request of any party, that there\nis no dealer independent of the manufacturer or distributor, factory branch or\ndistributor branch, or subsidiary thereof available in the community or trade\narea to own and operate the franchise in a manner consistent with the public\ninterest;\n\n4. The ownership, operation, or control of a dealership dealing exclusively with\nschool buses by a school bus manufacturer or school bus parts manufacturer or a\nperson who assembles school buses; or\n\n5. The ownership, operation, or control of a dealership dealing exclusively with\nrefined fuels truck tanks by a manufacturer of refined fuels truck tanks or by a\nperson who assembles refined fuels truck tanks.\n\nHISTORY: 1995, cc. 767, 816, \u00a7 46.2-1980; 2015, c. 615.","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"}}