{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/28.2-509.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/28.2-509.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/28.2-509.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/28.2-509.html"}],"law_id":356657,"edition_id":2,"section_id":356657,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-509","catch_line":"Maximum weight for patent tongs; teeth length; penalty","history":"1962, c. 406, \u00a7 28.1-84; 1992, c. 836.","full_text":"It is unlawful for any person to use patent tongs exceeding 100 pounds in gross weight, including any attachments other than rope, for the taking or catching of oysters. The teeth of the patent tongs shall not exceed four inches in length. The possession of patent tongs exceeding this weight or teeth length while oysters are in the boat shall constitute prima facie evidence of a violation of this section.\n\nA violation of this section is a Class 3 misdemeanor.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1327772,"text":"It is unlawful for any person to use patent tongs exceeding 100 pounds in gross weight, including any attachments other than rope, for the taking or catching of oysters. The teeth of the patent tongs shall not exceed four inches in length. The possession of patent tongs exceeding this weight or teeth length while oysters are in the boat shall constitute prima facie evidence of a violation of this section.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":""},"1":{"id":1327773,"text":"A violation of this section is a Class 3 misdemeanor.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":""}},"ancestry":[{"id":51050,"edition_id":2,"name":"Fishing for Oysters and Clams; Device Restrictions","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":51048,"metadata":{"child_laws":32,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:36:28","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:31:44","permalink":{"id":1418245,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":51050,"identifier":"2","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2","url":"\/28.2\/II\/5\/2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":51048,"edition_id":2,"name":"Oysters and Clams","identifier":"5","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":4,"parent_id":50998,"metadata":{"child_laws":62,"child_structures":4},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:36:27","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:31:44","permalink":{"id":1418217,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":51048,"identifier":"5","token":"28.2\/II\/5","url":"\/28.2\/II\/5\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50998,"edition_id":2,"name":"Tidal Fisheries","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":2,"parent_id":50994,"metadata":{"child_laws":289,"child_structures":42},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:36:05","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:31:42","permalink":{"id":1417675,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50998,"identifier":"II","token":"28.2\/II","url":"\/28.2\/II\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50994,"edition_id":2,"name":"Fisheries and Habitat of the Tidal Waters","identifier":"28.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":70,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":386,"child_structures":71},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:36:05","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:31:41","permalink":{"id":1417591,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50994,"identifier":"28.2","token":"28.2","url":"\/28.2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":356654,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-506","catch_line":"Season for taking oysters from public rocks; penalty","url":"\/28.2-506\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-506","metadata":false},{"id":356655,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-507","catch_line":"Opening and closing public rocks","url":"\/28.2-507\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-507","metadata":false},{"id":356656,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-508","catch_line":"Prohibited area for patent tongs; penalty","url":"\/28.2-508\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-508","metadata":false},{"id":356657,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-509","catch_line":"Maximum weight for patent tongs; teeth length; penalty","url":"\/28.2-509\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-509","metadata":false},{"id":356658,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-510","catch_line":"Buying, selling, or possessing unculled oysters; penalty","url":"\/28.2-510\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-510","metadata":false},{"id":356659,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-511","catch_line":"Culling oysters; penalty","url":"\/28.2-511\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-511","metadata":false},{"id":356660,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-512","catch_line":"Interfering with oyster inspections; penalty","url":"\/28.2-512\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-512","metadata":false},{"id":356661,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-513","catch_line":"Prima facie evidence of culling violation; defense","url":"\/28.2-513\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-513","metadata":false},{"id":356662,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-514","catch_line":"Possession of shucked oysters; penalty","url":"\/28.2-514\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-514","metadata":false},{"id":356663,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-515","catch_line":"Dredging or scraping on private ground; permit required","url":"\/28.2-515\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-515","metadata":false},{"id":356664,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-516","catch_line":"Oyster dredging or oyster dredging equipment on boat; penalty","url":"\/28.2-516\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-516","metadata":false},{"id":356665,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-517","catch_line":"Marking ground","url":"\/28.2-517\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-517","metadata":false},{"id":356666,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-518","catch_line":"Dredging for oysters in James River; penalty","url":"\/28.2-518\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-518","metadata":false},{"id":356667,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-519","catch_line":"Use of rakes or scrapes on ocean side of Eastern Shore; penalty","url":"\/28.2-519\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-519","metadata":false},{"id":356668,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-520","catch_line":"Use of hydraulic dredges prohibited; exceptions; penalty","url":"\/28.2-520\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-520","metadata":false},{"id":356669,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-521","catch_line":"Revocation of license or permit to dredge","url":"\/28.2-521\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-521","metadata":false},{"id":356670,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-522","catch_line":"Prima facie evidence of violation","url":"\/28.2-522\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-522","metadata":false},{"id":356671,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-523","catch_line":"Penalty","url":"\/28.2-523\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-523","metadata":false},{"id":356672,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-524","catch_line":"Taking oysters or clams in certain areas; limitations","url":"\/28.2-524\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-524","metadata":false},{"id":356673,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-525","catch_line":"Fishing in Chesapeake Bay immediately west of Tangier Island","url":"\/28.2-525\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-525","metadata":false},{"id":356674,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-526","catch_line":"Oyster measures; standards; penalty","url":"\/28.2-526\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-526","metadata":false},{"id":356675,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-527","catch_line":"Theft of oysters, clams, shells, etc.; penalty","url":"\/28.2-527\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-527","metadata":false},{"id":356676,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-528","catch_line":"Revocation of licenses for theft of oysters","url":"\/28.2-528\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-528","metadata":false},{"id":356677,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-529","catch_line":"Converting shells into lime; penalty","url":"\/28.2-529\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-529","metadata":false},{"id":356678,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-530","catch_line":"Taking oysters or loading on vessel on Sunday or at night; penalty","url":"\/28.2-530\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-530","metadata":false},{"id":356679,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-531","catch_line":"Taking clams on Sunday or at night; exception; penalty","url":"\/28.2-531\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-531","metadata":false},{"id":356680,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-532","catch_line":"Protection of oysters and clams of Virginia; labeling; penalty","url":"\/28.2-532\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-532","metadata":false},{"id":356681,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-533","catch_line":"Oysters on crab dredging boat; penalty","url":"\/28.2-533\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-533","metadata":false},{"id":356682,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-534","catch_line":"Possession of oysters while taking clams; penalty","url":"\/28.2-534\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-534","metadata":false},{"id":356683,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-535","catch_line":"Permit to buy or carry seed oysters from certain grounds; penalty","url":"\/28.2-535\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-535","metadata":false},{"id":356684,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-536","catch_line":"Taking clams in certain areas; penalty","url":"\/28.2-536\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-536","metadata":false},{"id":356685,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-537","catch_line":"Restriction on size of clams; penalty","url":"\/28.2-537\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-537","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":356656,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-508","catch_line":"Prohibited area for patent tongs; penalty","url":"\/28.2-508\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-508","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":356658,"structure_id":51050,"section_number":"28.2-510","catch_line":"Buying, selling, or possessing unculled oysters; penalty","url":"\/28.2-510\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-510","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/28.2-509\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 1962. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 406 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. Unfortunately, the 1962 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. 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 1992, chapter 836.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1418259,"object_type":"law","relational_id":356657,"identifier":"28.2-509","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-509","url":"\/28.2-509\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/28.2-509\/","token":"28.2\/II\/5\/2\/28.2-509","dublin_core":{"Title":"Maximum weight for patent tongs; teeth length; penalty","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 28.2-509","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>It is unlawful for any person to use patent tongs exceeding 100 pounds in gross weight, including any <span class=\"dictionary\">attachments<\/span> other than rope, for the taking or catching of oysters. The teeth of the patent tongs shall not exceed four inches in length. The <span class=\"dictionary\">possession<\/span> of patent tongs exceeding this weight or teeth length while oysters are in the boat shall constitute prima facie <span class=\"dictionary\">evidence<\/span> of a violation of this section.<\/p><p>A violation of this section is a Class 3 <span class=\"dictionary\">misdemeanor<\/span>.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nMAXIMUM WEIGHT FOR PATENT TONGS; TEETH LENGTH; PENALTY (\u00a7 28.2-509)\n\nIt is unlawful for any person to use patent tongs exceeding 100 pounds in gross\nweight, including any attachments other than rope, for the taking or catching of\noysters. The teeth of the patent tongs shall not exceed four inches in length.\nThe possession of patent tongs exceeding this weight or teeth length while\noysters are in the boat shall constitute prima facie evidence of a violation of\nthis section.\n\nA violation of this section is a Class 3 misdemeanor.\n\nHISTORY: 1962, c. 406, \u00a7 28.1-84; 1992, c. 836.","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"}}