{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/15.2-5431.6.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/15.2-5431.6.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/15.2-5431.6.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/15.2-5431.6.html"}],"law_id":348826,"edition_id":2,"section_id":348826,"structure_id":50004,"section_number":"15.2-5431.6","catch_line":"Hearing; referendum","history":"2003, c. 643.","full_text":"If at the hearing, in the judgment of the governing body of the locality, substantial opposition is heard, the governing body may at its discretion petition the circuit court to order a referendum on the question of adopting or approving the ordinance, agreement or resolution. The provisions of \u00a7 24.2-684 shall govern the order for a referendum. If 10 percent of the qualified voters in a locality file a petition with the governing body at the hearing calling for a referendum, such governing body shall petition the circuit court to order a referendum in that locality as provided in this section.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1300259,"text":"If at the hearing, in the judgment of the governing body of the locality, substantial opposition is heard, the governing body may at its discretion petition the circuit court to order a referendum on the question of adopting or approving the ordinance, agreement or resolution. The provisions of \u00a7 24.2-684 shall govern the order for a referendum. If 10 percent of the qualified voters in a locality file a petition with the governing body at the hearing calling for a referendum, such governing body shall petition the circuit court to order a referendum in that locality as provided in this section.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":50004,"edition_id":2,"name":"Virginia Wireless Service Authorities Act","identifier":"54.1","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":14,"parent_id":49964,"metadata":{"child_laws":40,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:19:53","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:29:53","permalink":{"id":1386319,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50004,"identifier":"54.1","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1","url":"\/15.2\/IV\/54.1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":49964,"edition_id":2,"name":"Other Governmental Entities","identifier":"IV","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":4,"parent_id":49831,"metadata":{"child_laws":721,"child_structures":68},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:19:12","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:29:48","permalink":{"id":1384899,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":49964,"identifier":"IV","token":"15.2\/IV","url":"\/15.2\/IV\/","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":348792,"structure_id":50004,"section_number":"15.2-5431.1","catch_line":"Title of chapter; construction","url":"\/15.2-5431.1\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.1","metadata":false},{"id":348793,"structure_id":50004,"section_number":"15.2-5431.10","catch_line":"Members of authority board; chief administrative or executive officer","url":"\/15.2-5431.10\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.10","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Frank Marshall Smith, II v. Gary Larrowe","case_number":"1722243","citation":null,"date":"2025-12-02","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/10745864\/frank-marshall-smith-ii-v-gary-larrowe\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Court of Appeals\">COA<\/abbr>"}}}},{"id":348794,"structure_id":50004,"section_number":"15.2-5431.11","catch_line":"Powers of authority","url":"\/15.2-5431.11\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.11","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Frank Marshall Smith, II v. Gary Larrowe","case_number":"1722243","citation":null,"date":"2025-12-02","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/10745864\/frank-marshall-smith-ii-v-gary-larrowe\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Court of Appeals\">COA<\/abbr>"}}}},{"id":348795,"structure_id":50004,"section_number":"15.2-5431.12","catch_line":"Contracts relating to use of systems","url":"\/15.2-5431.12\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.12","metadata":false},{"id":348796,"structure_id":50004,"section_number":"15.2-5431.13","catch_line":"Insurance for employees","url":"\/15.2-5431.13\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.13","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":348797,"structure_id":50004,"section_number":"15.2-5431.14","catch_line":"Issuance of revenue bonds","url":"\/15.2-5431.14\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.14","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":348798,"structure_id":50004,"section_number":"15.2-5431.15","catch_line":"Time for contesting validity of proposed bond issue; when bonds presumed valid","url":"\/15.2-5431.15\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.15","metadata":false},{"id":348799,"structure_id":50004,"section_number":"15.2-5431.16","catch_line":"Proceeds of bonds","url":"\/15.2-5431.16\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.16","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":348800,"structure_id":50004,"section_number":"15.2-5431.17","catch_line":"Interim receipts and temporary bonds; bonds mutilated, lost or destroyed","url":"\/15.2-5431.17\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.17","metadata":false},{"id":348801,"structure_id":50004,"section_number":"15.2-5431.18","catch_line":"Provisions of chapter only requirements for issue","url":"\/15.2-5431.18\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.18","metadata":false},{"id":348802,"structure_id":50004,"section_number":"15.2-5431.19","catch_line":"Limitations in bond resolution or trust agreement","url":"\/15.2-5431.19\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.19","metadata":false},{"id":348803,"structure_id":50004,"section_number":"15.2-5431.2","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/15.2-5431.2\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.2","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":348804,"structure_id":50004,"section_number":"15.2-5431.20","catch_line":"Bonds not debts of Commonwealth or participating political subdivision","url":"\/15.2-5431.20\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.20","metadata":false},{"id":348805,"structure_id":50004,"section_number":"15.2-5431.21","catch_line":"Exemption from taxation","url":"\/15.2-5431.21\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.21","metadata":false},{"id":348806,"structure_id":50004,"section_number":"15.2-5431.22","catch_line":"Trust agreement; bond resolution","url":"\/15.2-5431.22\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.22","metadata":false},{"id":348807,"structure_id":50004,"section_number":"15.2-5431.23","catch_line":"Disposition of unclaimed funds due on matured bonds or coupons","url":"\/15.2-5431.23\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.23","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":348808,"structure_id":50004,"section_number":"15.2-5431.24","catch_line":"Contracts concerning interest rates, currency, cash flow and other basis","url":"\/15.2-5431.24\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.24","metadata":false},{"id":348809,"structure_id":50004,"section_number":"15.2-5431.25","catch_line":"Rates and charges","url":"\/15.2-5431.25\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.25","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":348810,"structure_id":50004,"section_number":"15.2-5431.26","catch_line":"Enforcement of charges","url":"\/15.2-5431.26\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.26","metadata":false},{"id":348811,"structure_id":50004,"section_number":"15.2-5431.27","catch_line":"Lien for charges","url":"\/15.2-5431.27\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.27","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":348812,"structure_id":50004,"section_number":"15.2-5431.28","catch_line":"Trust funds","url":"\/15.2-5431.28\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.28","metadata":false},{"id":348813,"structure_id":50004,"section_number":"15.2-5431.29","catch_line":"Bondholder's remedies","url":"\/15.2-5431.29\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.29","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":348814,"structure_id":50004,"section_number":"15.2-5431.3","catch_line":"Creation of authority","url":"\/15.2-5431.3\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.3","metadata":false},{"id":348815,"structure_id":50004,"section_number":"15.2-5431.30","catch_line":"Refunding bonds","url":"\/15.2-5431.30\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.30","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":348816,"structure_id":50004,"section_number":"15.2-5431.31","catch_line":"Purchase in open market or otherwise","url":"\/15.2-5431.31\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.31","metadata":false},{"id":348817,"structure_id":50004,"section_number":"15.2-5431.32","catch_line":"Investment in bonds","url":"\/15.2-5431.32\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.32","metadata":false},{"id":348818,"structure_id":50004,"section_number":"15.2-5431.33","catch_line":"Financial report; authority budget; audit","url":"\/15.2-5431.33\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.33","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":348819,"structure_id":50004,"section_number":"15.2-5431.34","catch_line":"Use of state land","url":"\/15.2-5431.34\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.34","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":348820,"structure_id":50004,"section_number":"15.2-5431.35","catch_line":"Powers of localities to make grants and conveyances to and contracts with authority","url":"\/15.2-5431.35\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.35","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":348821,"structure_id":50004,"section_number":"15.2-5431.35:1","catch_line":"Creating or joining more than one authority","url":"\/15.2-5431.35_1\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.35_1","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":348822,"structure_id":50004,"section_number":"15.2-5431.36","catch_line":"Liability of members or officers","url":"\/15.2-5431.36\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.36","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Frank Marshall Smith, II v. Gary Larrowe","case_number":"1722243","citation":null,"date":"2025-12-02","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/10745864\/frank-marshall-smith-ii-v-gary-larrowe\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Court of Appeals\">COA<\/abbr>"}}}},{"id":348823,"structure_id":50004,"section_number":"15.2-5431.37","catch_line":"Provisions of chapter cumulative; construction","url":"\/15.2-5431.37\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.37","metadata":false},{"id":348824,"structure_id":50004,"section_number":"15.2-5431.4","catch_line":"Resolution creating authority to include articles of incorporation","url":"\/15.2-5431.4\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.4","metadata":false},{"id":348825,"structure_id":50004,"section_number":"15.2-5431.5","catch_line":"Advertisement of resolution and notice of hearing","url":"\/15.2-5431.5\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.5","metadata":false},{"id":348826,"structure_id":50004,"section_number":"15.2-5431.6","catch_line":"Hearing; referendum","url":"\/15.2-5431.6\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.6","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":348827,"structure_id":50004,"section_number":"15.2-5431.7","catch_line":"Filing articles of incorporation","url":"\/15.2-5431.7\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.7","metadata":false},{"id":348828,"structure_id":50004,"section_number":"15.2-5431.8","catch_line":"Issuance of certificate or charter","url":"\/15.2-5431.8\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.8","metadata":false},{"id":348829,"structure_id":50004,"section_number":"15.2-5431.8:1","catch_line":"Amendment of articles of incorporation","url":"\/15.2-5431.8_1\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.8_1","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":348830,"structure_id":50004,"section_number":"15.2-5431.9","catch_line":"Dissolution and termination of authority","url":"\/15.2-5431.9\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.9","metadata":false},{"id":348831,"structure_id":50004,"section_number":"15.2-5431.9:1","catch_line":"Joinder of another locality or authority; withdrawal from authority","url":"\/15.2-5431.9_1\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.9_1","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}}],"previous_section":{"id":348825,"structure_id":50004,"section_number":"15.2-5431.5","catch_line":"Advertisement of resolution and notice of hearing","url":"\/15.2-5431.5\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.5","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":348827,"structure_id":50004,"section_number":"15.2-5431.7","catch_line":"Filing articles of incorporation","url":"\/15.2-5431.7\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.7","metadata":false},"metadata":{"court_decisions":""},"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-5431.6\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 2003. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?031+ful+CHAP0643\">643<\/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.<\/p>","references":[{"id":348830,"section_number":"15.2-5431.9","catch_line":"Dissolution and termination of authority","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-5431.9\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":356021,"section_number":"24.2-684","catch_line":"How referendum elections called and held, and the results ascertained and certified","order_by":null,"url":"\/24.2-684\/"}],"permalink":{"id":1386457,"object_type":"law","relational_id":348826,"identifier":"15.2-5431.6","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.6","url":"\/15.2-5431.6\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-5431.6\/","token":"15.2\/IV\/54.1\/15.2-5431.6","dublin_core":{"Title":"Hearing; referendum","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-5431.6","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>If at the <span class=\"dictionary\">hearing<\/span>, in the <span class=\"dictionary\">judgment<\/span> of the <span class=\"dictionary\">governing body<\/span> of the <span class=\"dictionary\">locality<\/span>, substantial opposition is heard, the <span class=\"dictionary\">governing body<\/span> may at its discretion <span class=\"dictionary\">petition<\/span> the <span class=\"dictionary\">circuit<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> to <span class=\"dictionary\">order<\/span> a <span class=\"dictionary\">referendum<\/span> on the question of adopting or approving the <span class=\"dictionary\">ordinance<\/span>, agreement or resolution. The provisions of \u00a7&nbsp;<a class=\"law\" title=\"How referendum elections called and held, and the results ascertained and certified\" href=\"\/24.2-684\/\">24.2-684<\/a> shall govern the <span class=\"dictionary\">order<\/span> for a <span class=\"dictionary\">referendum<\/span>. If 10 percent of the qualified <span class=\"dictionary\">voters<\/span> in a <span class=\"dictionary\">locality<\/span> file a <span class=\"dictionary\">petition<\/span> with the <span class=\"dictionary\">governing body<\/span> at the <span class=\"dictionary\">hearing<\/span> calling for a <span class=\"dictionary\">referendum<\/span>, such <span class=\"dictionary\">governing body<\/span> shall <span class=\"dictionary\">petition<\/span> the <span class=\"dictionary\">circuit<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> to <span class=\"dictionary\">order<\/span> a <span class=\"dictionary\">referendum<\/span> in that <span class=\"dictionary\">locality<\/span> as provided in this section.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nHEARING; REFERENDUM (\u00a7 15.2-5431.6)\n\nIf at the hearing, in the judgment of the governing body of the locality,\nsubstantial opposition is heard, the governing body may at its discretion\npetition the circuit court to order a referendum on the question of adopting or\napproving the ordinance, agreement or resolution. The provisions of \u00a7 24.2-684\nshall govern the order for a referendum. If 10 percent of the qualified voters\nin a locality file a petition with the governing body at the hearing calling for\na referendum, such governing body shall petition the circuit court to order a\nreferendum in that locality as provided in this section.\n\nHISTORY: 2003, c. 643.","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"}}