{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/36-96.12.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/36-96.12.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/36-96.12.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/36-96.12.html"}],"law_id":360843,"edition_id":2,"section_id":360843,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.12","catch_line":"No reasonable cause determination and effect","history":"1991, c. 557.","full_text":"If the Board determines that no reasonable cause exists to believe that a discriminatory housing practice has occurred or is about to occur, the Board shall promptly dismiss the complaint notifying the parties within thirty days of such determination. The Board shall make public disclosure of each dismissal.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1342734,"text":"If the Board determines that no reasonable cause exists to believe that a discriminatory housing practice has occurred or is about to occur, the Board shall promptly dismiss the complaint notifying the parties within thirty days of such determination. The Board shall make public disclosure of each dismissal.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":51607,"edition_id":2,"name":"Virginia Fair Housing Law","identifier":"5.1","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":5,"parent_id":51572,"metadata":{"child_laws":26,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:44:51","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:32:43","permalink":{"id":1436183,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":51607,"identifier":"5.1","token":"36\/5.1","url":"\/36\/5.1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":51572,"edition_id":2,"name":"Housing","identifier":"36","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":83,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":336,"child_structures":35},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:44:20","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:32:40","permalink":{"id":1435259,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":51572,"identifier":"36","token":"36","url":"\/36\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":360840,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.1","catch_line":"Declaration of policy","url":"\/36-96.1\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.1","metadata":false},{"id":360841,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.10","catch_line":"Procedures for investigation","url":"\/36-96.10\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.10","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":360842,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.11","catch_line":"Reasonable cause determination and effect","url":"\/36-96.11\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.11","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":360843,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.12","catch_line":"No reasonable cause determination and effect","url":"\/36-96.12\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.12","metadata":false},{"id":360844,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.13","catch_line":"Conciliation","url":"\/36-96.13\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.13","metadata":false},{"id":360845,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.14","catch_line":"Issuance of a charge","url":"\/36-96.14\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.14","metadata":false},{"id":360846,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.15","catch_line":"Prompt judicial action","url":"\/36-96.15\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.15","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":360847,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.16","catch_line":"Civil action by Attorney General upon referral of charge by the Real Estate Board","url":"\/36-96.16\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.16","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Fishel v. Windsor Plaza Condo. Ass'n","case_number":"131817","citation":null,"date":"2014-12-31","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/2765875\/fishel-v-windsor-plaza-condo-assn\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. PRESENT:   All the Justices .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"},"1":{"name":"REVI, LLC v. Chicago Title Insurance Co.","case_number":"Record 141562.","citation":"776 S.E.2d 808","date":"2015-09-17","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/2959680\/revi-llc-v-chicago-title-insurance-co\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. Justice KELSEY, dissenting. .\u202f.\u202f. 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The City of Waynesboro, Virginia","case_number":"1310253","citation":null,"date":"2026-03-17","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/10809718\/michael-w-martin-v-the-city-of-waynesboro-virginia\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Court of Appeals\">COA<\/abbr>"},"2":{"name":"REVI, LLC v. Chicago Title Insurance Co.","case_number":"Record 141562.","citation":"776 S.E.2d 808","date":"2015-09-17","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/2959680\/revi-llc-v-chicago-title-insurance-co\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. Justice KELSEY, dissenting. .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"},"3":{"name":"Matarese v. ARCHSTONE PENTAGON CITY","case_number":"1:09-mj-00857","citation":"795 F. 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Virginia"}}}},{"id":360849,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.18","catch_line":"Civil action; enforcement by private parties","url":"\/36-96.18\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.18","metadata":false},{"id":360850,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.19","catch_line":"Witness fees","url":"\/36-96.19\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.19","metadata":false},{"id":360851,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.1:1","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/36-96.1_1\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.1_1","metadata":false},{"id":360852,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.2","catch_line":"Exemptions","url":"\/36-96.2\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.2","metadata":false},{"id":360853,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.20","catch_line":"Additional powers of the Real Estate Board; action on real estate licenses","url":"\/36-96.20\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.20","metadata":false},{"id":360854,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.21","catch_line":"Powers of counties, cities and towns","url":"\/36-96.21\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.21","metadata":false},{"id":360855,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.22","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/36-96.22\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.22","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":360856,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.23","catch_line":"Construction of law","url":"\/36-96.23\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.23","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":" .\u202f.\u202f. Nationwide Mutual Insurance v. Housing Opportunities Made .\u202f.\u202f. ","case_number":"Record No. 990733","citation":"259 Va. 8","date":"2000-01-14","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/6931119\/nationwide-mutual-insurance-v-housing-opportunities-made-equal-inc\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. CHIEF JUSTICE CARRICO .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"}}}},{"id":360857,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.3","catch_line":"Unlawful discriminatory housing practices","url":"\/36-96.3\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.3","metadata":false},{"id":360858,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.3:1","catch_line":"Rights and responsibilities with respect to the use of an assistance animal in a dwelling","url":"\/36-96.3_1\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.3_1","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":360859,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.3:2","catch_line":"Reasonable accommodations; interactive process","url":"\/36-96.3_2\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.3_2","metadata":false},{"id":360860,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.4","catch_line":"Discrimination in residential real estate-related transactions; unlawful practices by lenders, insurers, appraisers, etc.; deposit of state funds in such institutions","url":"\/36-96.4\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.4","metadata":false},{"id":360861,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.5","catch_line":"Interference with enjoyment of rights of others under this chapter","url":"\/36-96.5\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.5","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Matarese v. Archstone Pentagon City","case_number":"1:09-mj-00857","citation":"761 F. Supp. 2d 346","date":"2011-01-05","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/2472222\/matarese-v-archstone-pentagon-city\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 761 F.Supp.2d 346 (2011) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"District Court, E.D. Virginia"},"1":{"name":"Matarese v. ARCHSTONE PENTAGON CITY","case_number":"1:09-mj-00857","citation":"795 F. Supp. 2d 402","date":"2011-05-31","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/2116742\/matarese-v-archstone-pentagon-city\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 795 F.Supp.2d 402 (2011) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"District Court, E.D. Virginia"},"2":{"name":"People Helpers Foundation, Inc. v. City of Richmond","case_number":"91-682","citation":"781 F. Supp. 1132","date":"1992-01-16","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1411390\/people-helpers-foundation-inc-v-city-of-richmond\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 781 F.Supp. 1132 (1992) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"District Court, E.D. Virginia"},"3":{"name":"People Helpers, Inc. v. City of Richmond","case_number":"91-682","citation":"789 F. Supp. 725","date":"1992-04-13","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1641327\/people-helpers-inc-v-city-of-richmond\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 789 F.Supp. 725 (1992) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"District Court, E.D. Virginia"},"4":{"name":" .\u202f.\u202f. Nationwide Mutual Insurance v. Housing Opportunities Made .\u202f.\u202f. ","case_number":"Record No. 990733","citation":"259 Va. 8","date":"2000-01-14","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/6931119\/nationwide-mutual-insurance-v-housing-opportunities-made-equal-inc\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. JUSTICE HASSELL, .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"}}}},{"id":360862,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.6","catch_line":"Certain restrictive covenants void; instruments containing such covenants","url":"\/36-96.6\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.6","metadata":false},{"id":360863,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.7","catch_line":"Familial status protection not applicable to housing for older persons","url":"\/36-96.7\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.7","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":360864,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.8","catch_line":"Powers of Real Estate Board and Fair Housing Board","url":"\/36-96.8\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.8","metadata":false},{"id":360865,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.9","catch_line":"Procedures for receipt or initiation of complaint; notice to parties; filing of answer","url":"\/36-96.9\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.9","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}}],"previous_section":{"id":360842,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.11","catch_line":"Reasonable cause determination and effect","url":"\/36-96.11\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.11","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},"next_section":{"id":360844,"structure_id":51607,"section_number":"36-96.13","catch_line":"Conciliation","url":"\/36-96.13\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.13","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/36-96.12\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 1991. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 557 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 1991 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1436197,"object_type":"law","relational_id":360843,"identifier":"36-96.12","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.12","url":"\/36-96.12\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/36-96.12\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.12","dublin_core":{"Title":"No reasonable cause determination and effect","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 36-96.12","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>If the Board determines that no reasonable cause exists to believe that a discriminatory housing practice has occurred or is about to occur, the Board shall promptly dismiss the complaint notifying the parties within thirty days of such determination. The Board shall make public disclosure of each <span class=\"dictionary\">dismissal<\/span>.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nNO REASONABLE CAUSE DETERMINATION AND EFFECT (\u00a7 36-96.12)\n\nIf the Board determines that no reasonable cause exists to believe that a\ndiscriminatory housing practice has occurred or is about to occur, the Board\nshall promptly dismiss the complaint notifying the parties within thirty days of\nsuch determination. The Board shall make public disclosure of each dismissal.\n\nHISTORY: 1991, c. 557.","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"}}