{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/18.2-223.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/18.2-223.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/18.2-223.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/18.2-223.html"}],"law_id":350485,"edition_id":2,"section_id":350485,"structure_id":50154,"section_number":"18.2-223","catch_line":"“Going out of business” sales; permit required","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 59.1-53.1; 1972, c. 399; 1975, cc. 14, 15.","full_text":"It shall be unlawful for any person to advertise, or conduct, a sale for the purpose of discontinuing a retail business, or to modify the word “sale” in any advertisement with the words “going out of business” or any other words which tend to insinuate that the retail business is to be discontinued and the merchandise liquidated, unless such person obtains a permit to conduct such sale from the city, town or county, or from each city, town or county, wherein such sale is to be conducted.\n\nA violation of the provisions of this section shall be punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1305741,"text":"It shall be unlawful for any person to advertise, or conduct, a sale for the purpose of discontinuing a retail business, or to modify the word “sale” in any advertisement with the words “going out of business” or any other words which tend to insinuate that the retail business is to be discontinued and the merchandise liquidated, unless such person obtains a permit to conduct such sale from the city, town or county, or from each city, town or county, wherein such sale is to be conducted.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":""},"1":{"id":1305742,"text":"A violation of the provisions of this section shall be punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":""}},"ancestry":[{"id":50154,"edition_id":2,"name":"Misrepresentations and Other Offenses Connected With Sales","identifier":"8","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":9,"parent_id":50144,"metadata":{"child_laws":36,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:23:27","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:20","permalink":{"id":1393335,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50154,"identifier":"8","token":"18.2\/6\/8","url":"\/18.2\/6\/8\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50144,"edition_id":2,"name":"Crimes Involving Fraud","identifier":"6","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":6,"parent_id":50131,"metadata":{"child_laws":136,"child_structures":11},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:23:18","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:19","permalink":{"id":1392935,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50144,"identifier":"6","token":"18.2\/6","url":"\/18.2\/6\/","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":350474,"structure_id":50154,"section_number":"18.2-214","catch_line":"Changing or removing, etc., trademarks, identification marks, etc","url":"\/18.2-214\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-214","metadata":false},{"id":350473,"structure_id":50154,"section_number":"18.2-214.1","catch_line":"Penalties for failure to report removal or alteration of identification or serial number on business machines","url":"\/18.2-214.1\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-214.1","metadata":false},{"id":350475,"structure_id":50154,"section_number":"18.2-215","catch_line":"Removal or alteration of identification numbers on household electrical appliances; possession of such appliances","url":"\/18.2-215\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-215","metadata":false},{"id":350477,"structure_id":50154,"section_number":"18.2-216","catch_line":"Untrue, deceptive or misleading advertising, inducements, writings or documents","url":"\/18.2-216\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-216","metadata":false},{"id":350476,"structure_id":50154,"section_number":"18.2-216.1","catch_line":"Unauthorized use of name or picture of any person; punishment","url":"\/18.2-216.1\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-216.1","metadata":false},{"id":350478,"structure_id":50154,"section_number":"18.2-217","catch_line":"Advertising merchandise, etc., for sale with intent not to sell at price or terms advertised; prima facie evidence of violation","url":"\/18.2-217\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-217","metadata":false},{"id":350479,"structure_id":50154,"section_number":"18.2-218","catch_line":"Failure to indicate goods, etc., are \"seconds,\" \"irregulars,\" \"secondhand,\" etc","url":"\/18.2-218\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-218","metadata":false},{"id":350480,"structure_id":50154,"section_number":"18.2-219","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-219\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-219","metadata":false},{"id":350482,"structure_id":50154,"section_number":"18.2-220","catch_line":"Use of word \"wholesale\" or \"wholesaler.\"","url":"\/18.2-220\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-220","metadata":false},{"id":350483,"structure_id":50154,"section_number":"18.2-221","catch_line":"Advertising new or used automobiles or trucks","url":"\/18.2-221\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-221","metadata":false},{"id":350484,"structure_id":50154,"section_number":"18.2-222","catch_line":"Misrepresentation as to source of merchandise; penalty","url":"\/18.2-222\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-222","metadata":false},{"id":350485,"structure_id":50154,"section_number":"18.2-223","catch_line":"\"Going out of business\" sales; permit required","url":"\/18.2-223\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-223","metadata":false},{"id":350486,"structure_id":50154,"section_number":"18.2-224","catch_line":"\"Going out of business\" sales; counties, cities and towns to issue permits; inspections; application for permit; inventory required; commingling of other goods prohibited; duration; additional permits; inclusion of permit number and dates in advertisements; fee","url":"\/18.2-224\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-224","metadata":false},{"id":350487,"structure_id":50154,"section_number":"18.2-225","catch_line":"Misrepresentations as to agricultural products","url":"\/18.2-225\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-225","metadata":false},{"id":350488,"structure_id":50154,"section_number":"18.2-226","catch_line":"Fraud and misrepresentation in sale of liquid fuels, lubricating oils and similar products","url":"\/18.2-226\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-226","metadata":false},{"id":350489,"structure_id":50154,"section_number":"18.2-227","catch_line":"Same; sale from pump indicating other brand","url":"\/18.2-227\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-227","metadata":false},{"id":350490,"structure_id":50154,"section_number":"18.2-228","catch_line":"Same; imitating indicia of other brands","url":"\/18.2-228\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-228","metadata":false},{"id":350491,"structure_id":50154,"section_number":"18.2-229","catch_line":"Same; false trade name or mixing brands","url":"\/18.2-229\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-229","metadata":false},{"id":350494,"structure_id":50154,"section_number":"18.2-230","catch_line":"Same; assisting in violation of \u00a7\u00a7 18.2-226 through 18.2-229","url":"\/18.2-230\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-230","metadata":false},{"id":350495,"structure_id":50154,"section_number":"18.2-231","catch_line":"Same; label required","url":"\/18.2-231\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-231","metadata":false},{"id":350496,"structure_id":50154,"section_number":"18.2-232","catch_line":"Same; punishment for violation of \u00a7\u00a7 18.2-226 through 18.2-231","url":"\/18.2-232\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-232","metadata":false},{"id":350497,"structure_id":50154,"section_number":"18.2-233","catch_line":"Sale of goods marked \"sterling\" and \"sterling silver.\"","url":"\/18.2-233\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-233","metadata":false},{"id":350498,"structure_id":50154,"section_number":"18.2-234","catch_line":"Sale of goods marked \"coin\" and \"coin silver.\"","url":"\/18.2-234\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-234","metadata":false},{"id":350499,"structure_id":50154,"section_number":"18.2-235","catch_line":"Regulating sale of merchandise made of gold","url":"\/18.2-235\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-235","metadata":false},{"id":350500,"structure_id":50154,"section_number":"18.2-236","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-236\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-236","metadata":false},{"id":350501,"structure_id":50154,"section_number":"18.2-237","catch_line":"Buying, etc., certain secondhand materials; intent; possession","url":"\/18.2-237\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-237","metadata":false},{"id":350502,"structure_id":50154,"section_number":"18.2-238","catch_line":"Buying, etc., pig iron, etc., with intent to defraud; possession; evidence of intent","url":"\/18.2-238\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-238","metadata":false},{"id":350503,"structure_id":50154,"section_number":"18.2-239","catch_line":"Pyramid promotional schemes; misdemeanor; definitions; contracts void","url":"\/18.2-239\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-239","metadata":false},{"id":350505,"structure_id":50154,"section_number":"18.2-240","catch_line":"Same; injunction","url":"\/18.2-240\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-240","metadata":false},{"id":350506,"structure_id":50154,"section_number":"18.2-241","catch_line":"Acceptance of promissory notes in payment for food sold at retail","url":"\/18.2-241\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-241","metadata":false},{"id":350508,"structure_id":50154,"section_number":"18.2-242","catch_line":"Use of games, lotteries, etc., for promoting sale of certain products","url":"\/18.2-242\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-242","metadata":false},{"id":350507,"structure_id":50154,"section_number":"18.2-242.1","catch_line":"Certain referral transactions in connection with consumer sales or leases prohibited; effect of such transactions","url":"\/18.2-242.1\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-242.1","metadata":false},{"id":350509,"structure_id":50154,"section_number":"18.2-243","catch_line":"When issuer or distributor of advertisements not guilty of violation; inadvertent error","url":"\/18.2-243\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-243","metadata":false},{"id":350510,"structure_id":50154,"section_number":"18.2-244","catch_line":"Right to select clientele or customers not affected","url":"\/18.2-244\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-244","metadata":false},{"id":350511,"structure_id":50154,"section_number":"18.2-245","catch_line":"Enjoining violation of this article","url":"\/18.2-245\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-245","metadata":false},{"id":350527,"structure_id":50154,"section_number":"18.2-246","catch_line":"Penalty in general for violations","url":"\/18.2-246\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-246","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":350484,"structure_id":50154,"section_number":"18.2-222","catch_line":"Misrepresentation as to source of merchandise; penalty","url":"\/18.2-222\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-222","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":350486,"structure_id":50154,"section_number":"18.2-224","catch_line":"\"Going out of business\" sales; counties, cities and towns to issue permits; inspections; application for permit; inventory required; commingling of other goods prohibited; duration; additional permits; inclusion of permit number and dates in advertisements; fee","url":"\/18.2-224\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-224","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/18.2-223\/","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 1972, chapter 399; in 1975, chapters 14 and 15.<\/p>","references":[{"id":350486,"section_number":"18.2-224","catch_line":"\"Going out of business\" sales; counties, cities and towns to issue permits; inspections; application for permit; inventory required; commingling of other goods prohibited; duration; additional permits; inclusion of permit number and dates in advertisements; fee","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-224\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1393381,"object_type":"law","relational_id":350485,"identifier":"18.2-223","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-223","url":"\/18.2-223\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/18.2-223\/","token":"18.2\/6\/8\/18.2-223","dublin_core":{"Title":"“Going out of business” sales; permit required","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 18.2-223","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

It shall be unlawful for any person to advertise, or conduct, a sale for the purpose of discontinuing a retail business, or to modify the word “sale” in any advertisement with the words “going out of business” or any other words which tend to insinuate that the retail business is to be discontinued and the merchandise liquidated, unless such person obtains a permit to conduct such sale from the city, town or county, or from each city, town or county, wherein such sale is to be conducted.<\/p>

A violation of the provisions of this section shall be punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor<\/span>.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\n“GOING OUT OF BUSINESS” SALES; PERMIT REQUIRED (\u00a7 18.2-223)\n\nIt shall be unlawful for any person to advertise, or conduct, a sale for the\npurpose of discontinuing a retail business, or to modify the word\n“sale” in any advertisement with the words “going out of\nbusiness” or any other words which tend to insinuate that the retail\nbusiness is to be discontinued and the merchandise liquidated, unless such\nperson obtains a permit to conduct such sale from the city, town or county, or\nfrom each city, town or county, wherein such sale is to be conducted.\n\nA violation of the provisions of this section shall be punishable as a Class 1\nmisdemeanor.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 59.1-53.1; 1972, c. 399; 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"}}