{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/21-142.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/21-142.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/21-142.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/21-142.html"}],"law_id":353876,"edition_id":2,"section_id":353876,"structure_id":50662,"section_number":"21-142","catch_line":"Definitions","history":"1938, p. 510; 1942, p. 598; Michie Code 1942, \u00a7 1560ii.","full_text":"Whenever used or referred to in this chapter, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:\n\n1\n\nThe term “district” means a sanitation district created and existing pursuant to §§ 21-145 to 21-153 or heretofore or hereafter created by a special act of the General Assembly for the purpose of taking advantage of the provisions of this chapter;\n\n2\n\nThe term “commission,” except where the context requires reference to the board or commission mentioned and provided for in § 21-157, means the body corporate and politic comprising a district and its inhabitants created and existing pursuant to § 21-154;\n\n3\n\nThe term “chairman” means the chairman of a commission;\n\n4\n\nThe term “sewage disposal system” or “facilities,” used in relation to a commission, means the sewers, conduits, pipelines pumping and ventilating stations, treatment plants and works, and other plants, structures, boats, conveyances and other real and personal property operated by the commission for the purposes of the commission;\n\n5\n\nThe term “tidal waters of the district” means the waters within the district affected by the ebb and flow of the tide and also, in the event that the commission shall, pursuant to § 21-216, enter into any contract or agreement with any county, city or town in whole or in part outside of the district, and for so long as such contract or agreement shall remain in force, the waters within such county, city or town, which are affected by the ebb and flow of the tide, and the waters within one mile of such county, city or town which are affected by the ebb and flow of the tide are not included within the boundaries of any other county, city or town, or within the boundaries of any other sanitation district;\n\n6\n\nThe term “industrial wastes” means liquid or other wastes resulting from any processes of industry, manufacture, trade or business or from the development of any natural resource;\n\n7\n\nThe term “sewage” means the water-carried wastes created in and carried, or to be carried, away from residences, hotels, schools, hospitals, industrial establishments, commercial establishments or any other private or public building, together with such surface or ground water and industrial wastes as may be present;\n\n8\n\nThe term “pollution” means the condition of water resulting from any of the following acts:\n\na\n\nUnreasonably contaminating such water;\n\nb\n\nRendering such water unclean or impure;\n\nc\n\nRendering such water directly or indirectly injurious to public health, or unfit for public use;\n\nd\n\nRendering such water harmful for cattle, stock or other animals;\n\ne\n\nRendering such water deleterious to, or unfit for, fish or shellfish, or fish or shellfish propagation, or aquatic animals, or plant life in said water;\n\nf\n\nRendering such water unfit for commercial use;\n\ng\n\nRendering such water unclean or impure to such an extent that fish or shellfish taken therefrom are unfit for human consumption;\n\n9\n\nThe term “Governor” means the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia;\n\n10\n\nThe term “construct” includes construct, reconstruct, replace, improve and repair;\n\n11\n\nThe term “person” includes an individual, partnership, association, or corporation;\n\n12\n\nThe term “governing body” shall mean the board of supervisors, board of county commissioners, council or other local legislative body, board, commission, or other legislative authority having charge of the finances of any county, city or town;\n\n13\n\nThe term “town” means an incorporated town;\n\n14\n\nThe term “county” means a county exclusive of that portion thereof lying within the boundaries of an incorporated town.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1318239,"text":"Whenever used or referred to in this chapter, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":1318240,"text":"The term “district” means a sanitation district created and existing pursuant to §§ 21-145 to 21-153 or heretofore or hereafter created by a special act of the General Assembly for the purpose of taking advantage of the provisions of this chapter;","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":1318241,"text":"The term “commission,” except where the context requires reference to the board or commission mentioned and provided for in § 21-157, means the body corporate and politic comprising a district and its inhabitants created and existing pursuant to § 21-154;","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":1318242,"text":"The term “chairman” means the chairman of a commission;","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":1318243,"text":"The term “sewage disposal system” or “facilities,” used in relation to a commission, means the sewers, conduits, pipelines pumping and ventilating stations, treatment plants and works, and other plants, structures, boats, conveyances and other real and personal property operated by the commission for the purposes of the commission;","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3","next_prefix":"5"},"5":{"id":1318244,"text":"The term “tidal waters of the district” means the waters within the district affected by the ebb and flow of the tide and also, in the event that the commission shall, pursuant to § 21-216, enter into any contract or agreement with any county, city or town in whole or in part outside of the district, and for so long as such contract or agreement shall remain in force, the waters within such county, city or town, which are affected by the ebb and flow of the tide, and the waters within one mile of such county, city or town which are affected by the ebb and flow of the tide are not included within the boundaries of any other county, city or town, or within the boundaries of any other sanitation district;","type":"section","prefixes":["5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"5","prefix_anchor":"5","level":1,"prior_prefix":"4","next_prefix":"6"},"6":{"id":1318245,"text":"The term “industrial wastes” means liquid or other wastes resulting from any processes of industry, manufacture, trade or business or from the development of any natural resource;","type":"section","prefixes":["6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"6","prefix_anchor":"6","level":1,"prior_prefix":"5","next_prefix":"7"},"7":{"id":1318246,"text":"The term “sewage” means the water-carried wastes created in and carried, or to be carried, away from residences, hotels, schools, hospitals, industrial establishments, commercial establishments or any other private or public building, together with such surface or ground water and industrial wastes as may be present;","type":"section","prefixes":["7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"7","prefix_anchor":"7","level":1,"prior_prefix":"6","next_prefix":"8"},"8":{"id":1318247,"text":"The term “pollution” means the condition of water resulting from any of the following acts:","type":"section","prefixes":["8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"8","prefix_anchor":"8","level":1,"prior_prefix":"7","next_prefix":"8a"},"9":{"id":1318248,"text":"Unreasonably contaminating such water;","type":"section","prefixes":["8","a"],"prefix":"a","entire_prefix":"8a","prefix_anchor":"8a","level":2,"prior_prefix":"8","next_prefix":"8b"},"10":{"id":1318249,"text":"Rendering such water unclean or impure;","type":"section","prefixes":["8","b"],"prefix":"b","entire_prefix":"8b","prefix_anchor":"8b","level":2,"prior_prefix":"8a","next_prefix":"8c"},"11":{"id":1318250,"text":"Rendering such water directly or indirectly injurious to public health, or unfit for public use;","type":"section","prefixes":["8","c"],"prefix":"c","entire_prefix":"8c","prefix_anchor":"8c","level":2,"prior_prefix":"8b","next_prefix":"8d"},"12":{"id":1318251,"text":"Rendering such water harmful for cattle, stock or other animals;","type":"section","prefixes":["8","d"],"prefix":"d","entire_prefix":"8d","prefix_anchor":"8d","level":2,"prior_prefix":"8c","next_prefix":"8e"},"13":{"id":1318252,"text":"Rendering such water deleterious to, or unfit for, fish or shellfish, or fish or shellfish propagation, or aquatic animals, or plant life in said water;","type":"section","prefixes":["8","e"],"prefix":"e","entire_prefix":"8e","prefix_anchor":"8e","level":2,"prior_prefix":"8d","next_prefix":"8f"},"14":{"id":1318253,"text":"Rendering such water unfit for commercial use;","type":"section","prefixes":["8","f"],"prefix":"f","entire_prefix":"8f","prefix_anchor":"8f","level":2,"prior_prefix":"8e","next_prefix":"8g"},"15":{"id":1318254,"text":"Rendering such water unclean or impure to such an extent that fish or shellfish taken therefrom are unfit for human consumption;","type":"section","prefixes":["8","g"],"prefix":"g","entire_prefix":"8g","prefix_anchor":"8g","level":2,"prior_prefix":"8f","next_prefix":"9"},"16":{"id":1318255,"text":"The term “Governor” means the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia;","type":"section","prefixes":["9"],"prefix":"9","entire_prefix":"9","prefix_anchor":"9","level":1,"prior_prefix":"8g","next_prefix":"10"},"17":{"id":1318256,"text":"The term “construct” includes construct, reconstruct, replace, improve and repair;","type":"section","prefixes":["10"],"prefix":"10","entire_prefix":"10","prefix_anchor":"10","level":1,"prior_prefix":"9","next_prefix":"11"},"18":{"id":1318257,"text":"The term “person” includes an individual, partnership, association, or corporation;","type":"section","prefixes":["11"],"prefix":"11","entire_prefix":"11","prefix_anchor":"11","level":1,"prior_prefix":"10","next_prefix":"12"},"19":{"id":1318258,"text":"The term “governing body” shall mean the board of supervisors, board of county commissioners, council or other local legislative body, board, commission, or other legislative authority having charge of the finances of any county, city or town;","type":"section","prefixes":["12"],"prefix":"12","entire_prefix":"12","prefix_anchor":"12","level":1,"prior_prefix":"11","next_prefix":"13"},"20":{"id":1318259,"text":"The term “town” means an incorporated town;","type":"section","prefixes":["13"],"prefix":"13","entire_prefix":"13","prefix_anchor":"13","level":1,"prior_prefix":"12","next_prefix":"14"},"21":{"id":1318260,"text":"The term “county” means a county exclusive of that portion thereof lying within the boundaries of an incorporated town.","type":"section","prefixes":["14"],"prefix":"14","entire_prefix":"14","prefix_anchor":"14","level":1,"prior_prefix":"13"}},"ancestry":[{"id":50662,"edition_id":2,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":50661,"metadata":{"child_laws":4,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:30:57","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:54","permalink":{"id":1406715,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50662,"identifier":"1","token":"21\/3\/1","url":"\/21\/3\/1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50661,"edition_id":2,"name":"Sanitation Districts Law of 1938 -- Tidal Waters","identifier":"3","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":3,"parent_id":50656,"metadata":{"child_laws":84,"child_structures":8},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:30:57","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:54","permalink":{"id":1406713,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50661,"identifier":"3","token":"21\/3","url":"\/21\/3\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50656,"edition_id":2,"name":"Drainage, Soil Conservation, Sanitation and Public Facilities Districts","identifier":"21","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":58,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":358,"child_structures":25},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:30:49","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:54","permalink":{"id":1406467,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50656,"identifier":"21","token":"21","url":"\/21\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":353875,"structure_id":50662,"section_number":"21-141","catch_line":"Short title","url":"\/21-141\/","token":"21\/3\/1\/21-141","metadata":false},{"id":353876,"structure_id":50662,"section_number":"21-142","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/21-142\/","token":"21\/3\/1\/21-142","metadata":false},{"id":353877,"structure_id":50662,"section_number":"21-143","catch_line":"Ordering and conduct of elections","url":"\/21-143\/","token":"21\/3\/1\/21-143","metadata":false},{"id":353878,"structure_id":50662,"section_number":"21-144","catch_line":"Court proceedings","url":"\/21-144\/","token":"21\/3\/1\/21-144","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":353875,"structure_id":50662,"section_number":"21-141","catch_line":"Short title","url":"\/21-141\/","token":"21\/3\/1\/21-141","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":353877,"structure_id":50662,"section_number":"21-143","catch_line":"Ordering and conduct of elections","url":"\/21-143\/","token":"21\/3\/1\/21-143","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/21-142\/","history_text":false,"references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":353879,"section_number":"21-145","catch_line":"Territory which may be embraced in district","order_by":null,"url":"\/21-145\/"},{"id":353887,"section_number":"21-153","catch_line":"Governing bodies may adopt resolutions","order_by":null,"url":"\/21-153\/"},{"id":353888,"section_number":"21-154","catch_line":"Incorporation of district; name and style","order_by":null,"url":"\/21-154\/"},{"id":353891,"section_number":"21-157","catch_line":"Creation of board or commission to control corporation","order_by":null,"url":"\/21-157\/"},{"id":353951,"section_number":"21-216","catch_line":"Contracts with counties, cities and towns outside of district","order_by":null,"url":"\/21-216\/"}],"permalink":{"id":1406721,"object_type":"law","relational_id":353876,"identifier":"21-142","token":"21\/3\/1\/21-142","url":"\/21-142\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/21-142\/","token":"21\/3\/1\/21-142","dublin_core":{"Title":"Definitions","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 21-142","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Whenever used or referred to in this chapter, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> The term “district<\/span>” means a sanitation district<\/span> created and existing pursuant to §§ 21-145<\/a> to 21-153<\/a> or heretofore or hereafter created by a special act of the General Assembly for the purpose of taking advantage of the provisions of this chapter; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The term “commission,” except where the context requires reference to the board or commission mentioned and provided for in § 21-157<\/a>, means the body corporate and politic comprising a district<\/span> and its inhabitants created and existing pursuant to § 21-154<\/a>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> The term “chairman<\/span>” means the chairman<\/span> of a commission; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> The term “sewage disposal system<\/span>” or “facilities,” used in relation to a commission, means the sewers, conduits, pipelines pumping and ventilating stations, treatment plants and works, and other plants, structures, boats, conveyances and other real and personal property operated by the commission for the purposes of the commission; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> The term “tidal waters of the district<\/span>” means the waters within the district affected by the ebb and flow of the tide and also, in the event that the commission shall, pursuant to § 21-216<\/a>, enter into any contract<\/span> or agreement with any county<\/span>, city or town<\/span> in whole or in part outside of the district, and for so long as such contract<\/span> or agreement shall remain in force, the waters within such county<\/span>, city or town<\/span>, which are affected by the ebb and flow of the tide, and the waters within one mile of such county<\/span>, city or town<\/span> which are affected by the ebb and flow of the tide are not included within the boundaries of any other county<\/span>, city or town<\/span>, or within the boundaries of any other sanitation district; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> The term “industrial wastes<\/span>” means liquid or other wastes resulting from any processes of industry, manufacture, trade or business or from the development of any natural resource; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> The term “sewage” means the water-carried wastes created in and carried, or to be carried, away from residences, hotels, schools, hospitals, industrial establishments, commercial establishments or any other private or public building, together with such surface or ground water and industrial wastes<\/span> as may be present; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> The term “pollution<\/span>” means the condition of water resulting from any of the following acts: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

a.<\/span> Unreasonably contaminating such water; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

b.<\/span> Rendering such water unclean or impure; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

c.<\/span> Rendering such water directly or indirectly injurious to public health, or unfit for public use; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

d.<\/span> Rendering such water harmful for cattle, stock or other animals; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

e.<\/span> Rendering such water deleterious to, or unfit for, fish or shellfish, or fish or shellfish propagation, or aquatic animals, or plant life in said water; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

f.<\/span> Rendering such water unfit for commercial use; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

g.<\/span> Rendering such water unclean or impure to such an extent that fish or shellfish taken therefrom are unfit for human consumption; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

9.<\/span> The term “Governor<\/span>” means the Governor<\/span> of the Commonwealth of Virginia; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

10.<\/span> The term “construct<\/span>” includes construct<\/span>, reconstruct, replace, improve and repair; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

11.<\/span> The term “person<\/span>” includes an individual, partnership, association, or corporation; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

12.<\/span> The term “governing body<\/span>” shall mean the board of supervisors, board of county<\/span> commissioners, council or other local legislative body, board, commission, or other legislative authority having charge of the finances of any county<\/span>, city or town<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

13.<\/span> The term “town<\/span>” means an incorporated town<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

14.<\/span> The term “county<\/span>” means a county<\/span> exclusive of that portion thereof lying within the boundaries of an incorporated town<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDEFINITIONS (\u00a7 21-142)\n\nWhenever used or referred to in this chapter, unless a different meaning clearly\nappears from the context:\n\n1. The term “district” means a sanitation district created and\nexisting pursuant to §§ 21-145 to 21-153 or heretofore or hereafter\ncreated by a special act of the General Assembly for the purpose of taking\nadvantage of the provisions of this chapter;\n\n2. The term “commission,” except where the context requires\nreference to the board or commission mentioned and provided for in §\n21-157, means the body corporate and politic comprising a district and its\ninhabitants created and existing pursuant to § 21-154;\n\n3. The term “chairman” means the chairman of a commission;\n\n4. The term “sewage disposal system” or “facilities,”\nused in relation to a commission, means the sewers, conduits, pipelines pumping\nand ventilating stations, treatment plants and works, and other plants,\nstructures, boats, conveyances and other real and personal property operated by\nthe commission for the purposes of the commission;\n\n5. The term “tidal waters of the district” means the waters within\nthe district affected by the ebb and flow of the tide and also, in the event\nthat the commission shall, pursuant to § 21-216, enter into any contract or\nagreement with any county, city or town in whole or in part outside of the\ndistrict, and for so long as such contract or agreement shall remain in force,\nthe waters within such county, city or town, which are affected by the ebb and\nflow of the tide, and the waters within one mile of such county, city or town\nwhich are affected by the ebb and flow of the tide are not included within the\nboundaries of any other county, city or town, or within the boundaries of any\nother sanitation district;\n\n6. The term “industrial wastes” means liquid or other wastes\nresulting from any processes of industry, manufacture, trade or business or from\nthe development of any natural resource;\n\n7. The term “sewage” means the water-carried wastes created in and\ncarried, or to be carried, away from residences, hotels, schools, hospitals,\nindustrial establishments, commercial establishments or any other private or\npublic building, together with such surface or ground water and industrial\nwastes as may be present;\n\n8. The term “pollution” means the condition of water resulting from\nany of the following acts:\n\n a. Unreasonably contaminating such water;\n\n b. Rendering such water unclean or impure;\n\n c. Rendering such water directly or indirectly injurious to public health, or\n unfit for public use;\n\n d. Rendering such water harmful for cattle, stock or other animals;\n\n e. Rendering such water deleterious to, or unfit for, fish or shellfish, or\n fish or shellfish propagation, or aquatic animals, or plant life in said\n water;\n\n f. Rendering such water unfit for commercial use;\n\n g. Rendering such water unclean or impure to such an extent that fish or\n shellfish taken therefrom are unfit for human consumption;\n\n9. The term “Governor” means the Governor of the Commonwealth of\nVirginia;\n\n10. The term “construct” includes construct, reconstruct, replace,\nimprove and repair;\n\n11. The term “person” includes an individual, partnership,\nassociation, or corporation;\n\n12. The term “governing body” shall mean the board of supervisors,\nboard of county commissioners, council or other local legislative body, board,\ncommission, or other legislative authority having charge of the finances of any\ncounty, city or town;\n\n13. The term “town” means an incorporated town;\n\n14. The term “county” means a county exclusive of that portion\nthereof lying within the boundaries of an incorporated town.\n\nHISTORY: 1938, p. 510; 1942, p. 598; Michie Code 1942, \u00a7 1560ii.","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"}}