{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/15.2-3217.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/15.2-3217.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/15.2-3217.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/15.2-3217.html"}],"law_id":348200,"edition_id":2,"section_id":348200,"structure_id":49949,"section_number":"15.2-3217","catch_line":"Court granting annexation to exist for 10 years","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 15-152.17; 1952, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, \u00a7 15.1-1047; 1979, c. 85; 1997, c. 587; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 489.","full_text":"The special court shall not be dissolved after rendering a decision granting any motion or petition for annexation, but shall remain in existence for a period of 10 years from the effective date of any annexation order entered, or from the date of any decision of the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeals affirming such an order. Vacancies occurring in the court during such 10-year period shall be filled as provided in \u00a7 15.2-3004.\n\nThe court may be reconvened at any time during the 10-year period on its own motion, or on motion of the governing body of the county, or of the city or town, or on petition of not less than 50 registered voters or property owners in the area annexed; however, if the area annexed contains fewer than 100 registered voters or property owners, a majority of such registered voters or property owners may petition for the reconvening of the court.\n\nThe court shall have power and it shall be its duty, at any time during such period, to enforce the performance of the terms and conditions under which annexation was granted, and to issue appropriate process to compel such performance. The court may, in its discretion, award attorney fees, and court and other reasonable costs to the party or parties on whose motion the court is reconvened.\n\nAny such action of the court shall be subject to review by the Court of Appeals in the same manner as is provided with respect to the original decision of the court.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1298597,"text":"The special court shall not be dissolved after rendering a decision granting any motion or petition for annexation, but shall remain in existence for a period of 10 years from the effective date of any annexation order entered, or from the date of any decision of the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeals affirming such an order. Vacancies occurring in the court during such 10-year period shall be filled as provided in \u00a7 15.2-3004.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":""},"1":{"id":1298598,"text":"The court may be reconvened at any time during the 10-year period on its own motion, or on motion of the governing body of the county, or of the city or town, or on petition of not less than 50 registered voters or property owners in the area annexed; however, if the area annexed contains fewer than 100 registered voters or property owners, a majority of such registered voters or property owners may petition for the reconvening of the court.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"2":{"id":1298599,"text":"The court shall have power and it shall be its duty, at any time during such period, to enforce the performance of the terms and conditions under which annexation was granted, and to issue appropriate process to compel such performance. The court may, in its discretion, award attorney fees, and court and other reasonable costs to the party or parties on whose motion the court is reconvened.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"3":{"id":1298600,"text":"Any such action of the court shall be subject to review by the Court of Appeals in the same manner as is provided with respect to the original decision of the court.","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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-3217\/","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 1962, chapter 623; in 1979, chapter 85; in 1997, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?971+ful+CHAP0587\">587<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":348201,"section_number":"15.2-3218","catch_line":"Continued existence of court under certain conditions","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3218\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":348165,"section_number":"15.2-3004","catch_line":"Vacancies on court occurring during trial","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-3004\/"}],"permalink":{"id":1384101,"object_type":"law","relational_id":348200,"identifier":"15.2-3217","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3217","url":"\/15.2-3217\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-3217\/","token":"15.2\/III\/32\/1\/15.2-3217","dublin_core":{"Title":"Court granting annexation to exist for 10 years","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-3217","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>The special <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> shall not be dissolved after rendering a decision granting any <span class=\"dictionary\">motion<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">petition<\/span> for annexation, but shall remain in existence for a period of 10 years from the effective date of any annexation <span class=\"dictionary\">order<\/span> entered, or from the date of any decision of the Supreme <span class=\"dictionary\">Court<\/span> or the <span class=\"dictionary\">Court<\/span> of <span class=\"dictionary\">Appeals<\/span> affirming such an <span class=\"dictionary\">order<\/span>. Vacancies occurring in the <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> during such 10-year period shall be filled as provided in \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"Vacancies on court occurring during trial\" href=\"\/15.2-3004\/\">15.2-3004<\/a>.<\/p><p>The <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> may be reconvened at any time during the 10-year period on its own <span class=\"dictionary\">motion<\/span>, or on <span class=\"dictionary\">motion<\/span> of the <span class=\"dictionary\">governing body<\/span> of the <span class=\"dictionary\">county<\/span>, or of the <span class=\"dictionary\">city<\/span> or <span class=\"dictionary\">town<\/span>, or on <span class=\"dictionary\">petition<\/span> of not less than 50 registered <span class=\"dictionary\">voters<\/span> or property owners in the area annexed; however, if the area annexed contains fewer than 100 registered <span class=\"dictionary\">voters<\/span> or property owners, a majority of such registered <span class=\"dictionary\">voters<\/span> or property owners may <span class=\"dictionary\">petition<\/span> for the reconvening of the <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span>.<\/p><p>The <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> shall have power and it shall be its duty, at any time during such period, to enforce the performance of the terms and conditions under which annexation was granted, and to <span class=\"dictionary\">issue<\/span> appropriate process to compel such performance. The <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> may, in its discretion, award attorney fees, and <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> and other reasonable costs to the <span class=\"dictionary\">party<\/span> or parties on whose <span class=\"dictionary\">motion<\/span> the <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> is reconvened.<\/p><p>Any such action of the <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> shall be subject to review by the <span class=\"dictionary\">Court<\/span> of <span class=\"dictionary\">Appeals<\/span> in the same manner as is provided with respect to the original decision of the <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span>.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCOURT GRANTING ANNEXATION TO EXIST FOR 10 YEARS (\u00a7 15.2-3217)\n\nThe special court shall not be dissolved after rendering a decision granting any\nmotion or petition for annexation, but shall remain in existence for a period of\n10 years from the effective date of any annexation order entered, or from the\ndate of any decision of the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeals affirming such\nan order. Vacancies occurring in the court during such 10-year period shall be\nfilled as provided in \u00a7 15.2-3004.\n\nThe court may be reconvened at any time during the 10-year period on its own\nmotion, or on motion of the governing body of the county, or of the city or\ntown, or on petition of not less than 50 registered voters or property owners in\nthe area annexed; however, if the area annexed contains fewer than 100\nregistered voters or property owners, a majority of such registered voters or\nproperty owners may petition for the reconvening of the court.\n\nThe court shall have power and it shall be its duty, at any time during such\nperiod, to enforce the performance of the terms and conditions under which\nannexation was granted, and to issue appropriate process to compel such\nperformance. The court may, in its discretion, award attorney fees, and court\nand other reasonable costs to the party or parties on whose motion the court is\nreconvened.\n\nAny such action of the court shall be subject to review by the Court of Appeals\nin the same manner as is provided with respect to the original decision of the\ncourt.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 15-152.17; 1952, c. 328; 1962, c. 623, \u00a7 15.1-1047;\n1979, c. 85; 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"}}