{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/62.1-44.33.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/62.1-44.33.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/62.1-44.33.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/62.1-44.33.html"}],"law_id":375125,"edition_id":2,"section_id":375125,"structure_id":53330,"section_number":"62.1-44.33","catch_line":"Board to adopt regulations; tidal waters no discharge zones","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 62.1-44.1; 1968, c. 659; 1970, c. 638; 1975, c. 204; 1997, c. 502; 2001, c. 42; 2004, c. 287; 2009, c. 337; 2011, c. 220; 2020, c. 958.","full_text":"A\n\nThe State Water Control Board is empowered and directed to adopt all necessary regulations for the purpose of controlling the discharge of sewage and other wastes from both documented and undocumented boats and vessels on all navigable and nonnavigable waters within this Commonwealth. No such regulation shall impose restrictions that are more restrictive than the regulations applicable under federal law; provided, however, the Board may adopt such regulations as are reasonably necessary with respect to: (i) vessels regularly berthed in marinas or other places where vessels are moored, in order to limit or avoid the closing of shellfish grounds; and (ii) no discharge zones. Documented and undocumented boats and vessels are prohibited from discharging into the Chesapeake Bay and the tidal portions of its tributaries sewage that has not been treated by a Coast Guard-approved Marine Sanitation Device (MSD Type 1 or Type 2); however, the discharge of treated or untreated sewage by such boats and vessels is prohibited in areas that have been designated as no discharge zones by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Any discharges, as defined in 9VAC25-71-10, that are incidental to the normal operation of a vessel shall not constitute a violation of this section.\n\nB\n\nThe tidal creeks of the Commonwealth are hereby established as no discharge zones for the discharge of sewage and other wastes from documented and undocumented boats and vessels. Criteria for the establishment of no discharge zones shall be premised on the improvement of impaired tidal creeks. Nothing in this section shall be construed to discourage the proper use of Type 1 and Type 2 Marine Sanitation Devices, as defined under 33 U.S.C. § 1332, in authorized areas other than properly designated no discharge zones. The Board shall adopt regulations for designated no discharge zones requiring (i) boats and vessels without installed toilets to dispose of any collected sewage from portable toilets or other containment devices at marina facilities approved by the Department of Health for collection of sewage wastes, or otherwise dispose of sewage in a manner that complies with state law; (ii) all boats and vessels with installed toilets to have a marine sanitation device to allow sewage holding capacity unless the toilets are rendered inoperable; (iii) all houseboats having installed toilets to have a holding tank with the capability of collecting and holding sewage and disposing of collected sewage at a pump-out facility; if the houseboats lack such tank then the marine sanitation device shall comply with clause (iv); (iv) y-valves, macerator pump valves, discharge conveyances or any other through-hull fitting valves capable of allowing a discharge of sewage from marine sanitation devices shall be secured in the closed position while in a no discharge zone by use of a padlock, nonreleasable wire tie, or removal of the y-valve handle. The method chosen shall present a physical barrier to the use of the y-valve or toilet; and (v) every owner or operator of a marina within a designated no discharge zone to notify boat patrons leasing slips of the sewage discharge restriction in the no discharge zone. As a minimum, notification shall consist of no discharge zone information in the slip rental contract and a sign indicating the area is a designated no discharge zone.\n\t\t\tIn formulating regulations pursuant to this section, the Board shall consult with the State Department of Health, the Department of Wildlife Resources, and the Marine Resources Commission for the purpose of coordinating such regulations with the activities of such agencies.\n\n\t\t\tFor purposes of this section, “no discharge zone” means an area where the Commonwealth has received an affirmative determination from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that there are adequate facilities for the removal of sewage from vessels (holding tank pump-out facilities) in accordance with 33 U.S.C. § 1322 (f)(3), and where federal approval has been received allowing a complete prohibition of all treated or untreated discharges of sewage from all vessels.\n\nC\n\nViolation of such regulations and violations of the prohibitions created by this section on the discharge of treated and untreated sewage from documented and undocumented boats and vessels shall, upon conviction, be a Class 1 misdemeanor. Every law-enforcement officer of this Commonwealth and its subdivisions shall have the authority to enforce the regulations adopted under the provisions of this section and to enforce the prohibitions on the discharge of treated and untreated sewage created by this section.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1400321,"text":"The State Water Control Board is empowered and directed to adopt all necessary regulations for the purpose of controlling the discharge of sewage and other wastes from both documented and undocumented boats and vessels on all navigable and nonnavigable waters within this Commonwealth. No such regulation shall impose restrictions that are more restrictive than the regulations applicable under federal law; provided, however, the Board may adopt such regulations as are reasonably necessary with respect to: (i) vessels regularly berthed in marinas or other places where vessels are moored, in order to limit or avoid the closing of shellfish grounds; and (ii) no discharge zones. Documented and undocumented boats and vessels are prohibited from discharging into the Chesapeake Bay and the tidal portions of its tributaries sewage that has not been treated by a Coast Guard-approved Marine Sanitation Device (MSD Type 1 or Type 2); however, the discharge of treated or untreated sewage by such boats and vessels is prohibited in areas that have been designated as no discharge zones by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Any discharges, as defined in 9VAC25-71-10, that are incidental to the normal operation of a vessel shall not constitute a violation of this section.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":1400322,"text":"The tidal creeks of the Commonwealth are hereby established as no discharge zones for the discharge of sewage and other wastes from documented and undocumented boats and vessels. Criteria for the establishment of no discharge zones shall be premised on the improvement of impaired tidal creeks. Nothing in this section shall be construed to discourage the proper use of Type 1 and Type 2 Marine Sanitation Devices, as defined under 33 U.S.C. § 1332, in authorized areas other than properly designated no discharge zones. The Board shall adopt regulations for designated no discharge zones requiring (i) boats and vessels without installed toilets to dispose of any collected sewage from portable toilets or other containment devices at marina facilities approved by the Department of Health for collection of sewage wastes, or otherwise dispose of sewage in a manner that complies with state law; (ii) all boats and vessels with installed toilets to have a marine sanitation device to allow sewage holding capacity unless the toilets are rendered inoperable; (iii) all houseboats having installed toilets to have a holding tank with the capability of collecting and holding sewage and disposing of collected sewage at a pump-out facility; if the houseboats lack such tank then the marine sanitation device shall comply with clause (iv); (iv) y-valves, macerator pump valves, discharge conveyances or any other through-hull fitting valves capable of allowing a discharge of sewage from marine sanitation devices shall be secured in the closed position while in a no discharge zone by use of a padlock, nonreleasable wire tie, or removal of the y-valve handle. The method chosen shall present a physical barrier to the use of the y-valve or toilet; and (v) every owner or operator of a marina within a designated no discharge zone to notify boat patrons leasing slips of the sewage discharge restriction in the no discharge zone. As a minimum, notification shall consist of no discharge zone information in the slip rental contract and a sign indicating the area is a designated no discharge zone.\n\t\t\tIn formulating regulations pursuant to this section, the Board shall consult with the State Department of Health, the Department of Wildlife Resources, and the Marine Resources Commission for the purpose of coordinating such regulations with the activities of such agencies.\t\t\tFor purposes of this section, “no discharge zone” means an area where the Commonwealth has received an affirmative determination from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that there are adequate facilities for the removal of sewage from vessels (holding tank pump-out facilities) in accordance with 33 U.S.C. § 1322 (f)(3), and where federal approval has been received allowing a complete prohibition of all treated or untreated discharges of sewage from all vessels.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":1400323,"text":"Violation of such regulations and violations of the prohibitions created by this section on the discharge of treated and untreated sewage from documented and undocumented boats and vessels shall, upon conviction, be a Class 1 misdemeanor. Every law-enforcement officer of this Commonwealth and its subdivisions shall have the authority to enforce the regulations adopted under the provisions of this section and to enforce the prohibitions on the discharge of treated and untreated sewage created by this section.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B"}},"ancestry":[{"id":53330,"edition_id":2,"name":"Pollution From Boats","identifier":"7","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":16,"parent_id":53306,"metadata":{"child_laws":2,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 03:15:03","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:36:47","permalink":{"id":1497025,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":53330,"identifier":"7","token":"62.1\/3.1\/7","url":"\/62.1\/3.1\/7\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":53306,"edition_id":2,"name":"State Water Control Law","identifier":"3.1","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":6,"parent_id":53275,"metadata":{"child_laws":209,"child_structures":23},"date_created":"2026-08-02 03:14:40","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:36:43","permalink":{"id":1496171,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":53306,"identifier":"3.1","token":"62.1\/3.1","url":"\/62.1\/3.1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":53275,"edition_id":2,"name":"Waters of the State, Ports and Harbors","identifier":"62.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":132,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":578,"child_structures":74},"date_created":"2026-08-02 03:14:05","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:36:41","permalink":{"id":1495201,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":53275,"identifier":"62.1","token":"62.1","url":"\/62.1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":375125,"structure_id":53330,"section_number":"62.1-44.33","catch_line":"Board to adopt regulations; tidal waters no discharge zones","url":"\/62.1-44.33\/","token":"62.1\/3.1\/7\/62.1-44.33","metadata":false},{"id":375126,"structure_id":53330,"section_number":"62.1-44.34","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/62.1-44.34\/","token":"62.1\/3.1\/7\/62.1-44.34","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":375126,"structure_id":53330,"section_number":"62.1-44.34","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/62.1-44.34\/","token":"62.1\/3.1\/7\/62.1-44.34","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/62.1-44.33\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 9 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 1968, chapter 659; in 1970, chapter 638; in 1975, chapter 204; in 1997, chapter 502<\/a>; in 2001, chapter 42<\/a>; in 2004, chapter 287<\/a>; in 2009, chapter 337<\/a>; in 2011, chapter 220<\/a>; in 2020, chapter 958<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1497027,"object_type":"law","relational_id":375125,"identifier":"62.1-44.33","token":"62.1\/3.1\/7\/62.1-44.33","url":"\/62.1-44.33\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/62.1-44.33\/","token":"62.1\/3.1\/7\/62.1-44.33","dublin_core":{"Title":"Board to adopt regulations; tidal waters no discharge zones","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 62.1-44.33","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The State Water Control Board<\/span> is empowered and directed to adopt all necessary regulations<\/span> for the purpose of controlling the discharge of sewage<\/span> and other wastes<\/span> from both documented and undocumented boats and vessels on all navigable and nonnavigable waters within this Commonwealth. No such regulation<\/span> shall impose restrictions that are more restrictive than the regulations<\/span> applicable under federal law<\/span>; provided, however, the Board<\/span> may adopt such regulations<\/span> as are reasonably necessary with respect to: (i) vessels regularly berthed in marinas or other places where vessels are moored, in order<\/span> to limit or avoid the closing of shellfish grounds; and (ii) no discharge zones<\/span>. Documented and undocumented boats and vessels are prohibited from discharging into the Chesapeake Bay and the tidal portions of its tributaries sewage<\/span> that has not been treated by a Coast Guard-approved Marine Sanitation Device (MSD Type 1 or Type 2); however, the discharge of treated or untreated sewage<\/span> by such boats and vessels is prohibited in areas that have been designated as no discharge zones<\/span> by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Any discharges, as defined in 9VAC25-71-10, that are incidental to the normal operation of a vessel shall not constitute a violation of this section. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The tidal creeks of the Commonwealth are hereby established as no discharge zones<\/span> for the discharge of sewage<\/span> and other wastes<\/span> from documented and undocumented boats and vessels. Criteria for the establishment<\/span> of no discharge zones<\/span> shall be premised on the improvement of impaired tidal creeks. Nothing in this section shall be construed to discourage the proper use of Type 1 and Type 2 Marine Sanitation Devices, as defined under 33 U.S.C. § 1332, in authorized areas other than properly designated no discharge zones<\/span>. The Board<\/span> shall adopt regulations<\/span> for designated no discharge zones<\/span> requiring (i) boats and vessels without installed toilets to dispose of any collected sewage<\/span> from portable toilets or other containment devices at marina facilities approved by the Department<\/span> of Health for collection of sewage<\/span> wastes, or otherwise dispose of sewage<\/span> in a manner that complies with state law<\/span>; (ii) all boats and vessels with installed toilets to have a marine sanitation device to allow sewage<\/span> holding capacity unless the toilets are rendered inoperable; (iii) all houseboats having installed toilets to have a holding tank with the capability of collecting and holding sewage<\/span> and disposing of collected sewage<\/span> at a pump-out facility; if the houseboats lack such tank then the marine sanitation device shall comply with clause (iv); (iv) y-valves, macerator pump valves, discharge conveyances or any other through-hull fitting valves capable of allowing a discharge of sewage<\/span> from marine sanitation devices shall be secured in the closed position while in a no discharge zone<\/span> by use of a padlock, nonreleasable wire tie, or removal of the y-valve handle. The method chosen shall present a physical barrier to the use of the y-valve or toilet; and (v) every owner<\/span> or operator of a marina within a designated no discharge zone<\/span> to notify boat patrons leasing slips of the sewage<\/span> discharge restriction in the no discharge zone<\/span>. As a minimum, notification shall consist of no discharge zone<\/span> information in the slip rental contract<\/span> and a sign indicating the area is a designated no discharge zone<\/span>.\n\t\t\tIn formulating regulations<\/span> pursuant to this section, the Board<\/span> shall consult with the State Department<\/span> of Health, the Department<\/span> of Wildlife Resources, and the Marine Resources Commission for the purpose of coordinating such regulations<\/span> with the activities of such agencies.

\t\t\tFor purposes of this section, “no discharge zone<\/span>” means an area where the Commonwealth has received an affirmative determination from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that there are adequate facilities for the removal of sewage<\/span> from vessels (holding tank pump-out facilities) in accordance with 33 U.S.C. § 1322 (f)(3), and where federal approval has been received allowing a complete prohibition of all treated or untreated discharges of sewage<\/span> from all vessels. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Violation of such regulations<\/span> and violations of the prohibitions created by this section on the discharge of treated and untreated sewage<\/span> from documented and undocumented boats and vessels shall, upon conviction<\/span>, be a Class 1 misdemeanor<\/span>. Every law<\/span>-enforcement officer of this Commonwealth and its subdivisions shall have the authority to enforce the regulations<\/span> adopted under the provisions of this section and to enforce the prohibitions on the discharge of treated and untreated sewage<\/span> created by this section. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nBOARD TO ADOPT REGULATIONS; TIDAL WATERS NO DISCHARGE ZONES (\u00a7 62.1-44.33)\n\nA. The State Water Control Board is empowered and directed to adopt all\nnecessary regulations for the purpose of controlling the discharge of sewage and\nother wastes from both documented and undocumented boats and vessels on all\nnavigable and nonnavigable waters within this Commonwealth. No such regulation\nshall impose restrictions that are more restrictive than the regulations\napplicable under federal law; provided, however, the Board may adopt such\nregulations as are reasonably necessary with respect to: (i) vessels regularly\nberthed in marinas or other places where vessels are moored, in order to limit\nor avoid the closing of shellfish grounds; and (ii) no discharge zones.\nDocumented and undocumented boats and vessels are prohibited from discharging\ninto the Chesapeake Bay and the tidal portions of its tributaries sewage that\nhas not been treated by a Coast Guard-approved Marine Sanitation Device (MSD\nType 1 or Type 2); however, the discharge of treated or untreated sewage by such\nboats and vessels is prohibited in areas that have been designated as no\ndischarge zones by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Any\ndischarges, as defined in 9VAC25-71-10, that are incidental to the normal\noperation of a vessel shall not constitute a violation of this section.\n\nB. The tidal creeks of the Commonwealth are hereby established as no discharge\nzones for the discharge of sewage and other wastes from documented and\nundocumented boats and vessels. Criteria for the establishment of no discharge\nzones shall be premised on the improvement of impaired tidal creeks. Nothing in\nthis section shall be construed to discourage the proper use of Type 1 and Type\n2 Marine Sanitation Devices, as defined under 33 U.S.C. § 1332, in\nauthorized areas other than properly designated no discharge zones. The Board\nshall adopt regulations for designated no discharge zones requiring (i) boats\nand vessels without installed toilets to dispose of any collected sewage from\nportable toilets or other containment devices at marina facilities approved by\nthe Department of Health for collection of sewage wastes, or otherwise dispose\nof sewage in a manner that complies with state law; (ii) all boats and vessels\nwith installed toilets to have a marine sanitation device to allow sewage\nholding capacity unless the toilets are rendered inoperable; (iii) all\nhouseboats having installed toilets to have a holding tank with the capability\nof collecting and holding sewage and disposing of collected sewage at a pump-out\nfacility; if the houseboats lack such tank then the marine sanitation device\nshall comply with clause (iv); (iv) y-valves, macerator pump valves, discharge\nconveyances or any other through-hull fitting valves capable of allowing a\ndischarge of sewage from marine sanitation devices shall be secured in the\nclosed position while in a no discharge zone by use of a padlock, nonreleasable\nwire tie, or removal of the y-valve handle. The method chosen shall present a\nphysical barrier to the use of the y-valve or toilet; and (v) every owner or\noperator of a marina within a designated no discharge zone to notify boat\npatrons leasing slips of the sewage discharge restriction in the no discharge\nzone. As a minimum, notification shall consist of no discharge zone information\nin the slip rental contract and a sign indicating the area is a designated no\ndischarge zone.\n\t\t\tIn formulating regulations pursuant to this section, the Board shall consult\nwith the State Department of Health, the Department of Wildlife Resources, and\nthe Marine Resources Commission for the purpose of coordinating such regulations\nwith the activities of such agencies.\t\t\tFor purposes of this section, “no\ndischarge zone” means an area where the Commonwealth has received an\naffirmative determination from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that\nthere are adequate facilities for the removal of sewage from vessels (holding\ntank pump-out facilities) in accordance with 33 U.S.C. § 1322 (f)(3), and\nwhere federal approval has been received allowing a complete prohibition of all\ntreated or untreated discharges of sewage from all vessels.\n\nC. Violation of such regulations and violations of the prohibitions created by\nthis section on the discharge of treated and untreated sewage from documented\nand undocumented boats and vessels shall, upon conviction, be a Class 1\nmisdemeanor. Every law-enforcement officer of this Commonwealth and its\nsubdivisions shall have the authority to enforce the regulations adopted under\nthe provisions of this section and to enforce the prohibitions on the discharge\nof treated and untreated sewage created by this section.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 62.1-44.1; 1968, c. 659; 1970, c. 638; 1975, c. 204;\n1997, c. 502; 2001, c. 42; 2004, c. 287; 2009, c. 337; 2011, c. 220; 2020, c.\n958.","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"}}