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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>356281</law_id><section_number>25.1-421</section_number><catch_line>Buildings, structures and other improvements on real property</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2026/" slug="2026" current="TRUE" last_updated="2026-08-02">2026</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="66" identifier="25.1">Eminent Domain</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="4" identifier="4">Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="3" identifier="3">Real Property Acquisition Policies</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> To the greatest extent practicable, where an interest in real <span class="dictionary">property</span> is acquired by a <span class="dictionary">state agency</span>, the <span class="dictionary">state agency</span> shall acquire an equal interest in all buildings, structures, or other improvements located upon the real <span class="dictionary">property</span> so acquired and that are required to be removed from such real <span class="dictionary">property</span> so acquired and that are determined to be adversely affected by the use to which such real <span class="dictionary">property</span> will be put. <a id="paragraph-1326708" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/25.1-421/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> For the purpose of determining the just compensation to be paid for any building, structure or other improvement required to be acquired as provided in subsection A, such building, structure or other improvement shall be deemed to be a part of the real <span class="dictionary">property</span> to be acquired, notwithstanding the right or obligation of a tenant, as against the <span class="dictionary">owner</span> of any other interest in the real <span class="dictionary">property</span>, to remove such building, structure or improvement at the expiration of his term. In such event, the tenant shall be paid an amount equal to the greater of (i) the fair market value that such building, structure or improvement contributes to the fair market value of the real <span class="dictionary">property</span> to be acquired or (ii) the fair market value of such building, structure or improvement to be removed from the real <span class="dictionary">property</span>. <a id="paragraph-1326709" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/25.1-421/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> Payment for such building, structures or improvements as set forth in subsections A and B shall not result in duplication of any payments otherwise authorized by other <span class="dictionary">laws</span> of the Commonwealth. No such payment shall be made unless the <span class="dictionary">owner</span> of the <span class="dictionary">land</span> involved disclaims all interest in the improvements of the tenant. In consideration for any such payment, the tenant shall assign, transfer and release all his right, title and interest in and to such improvements. Nothing with regard to such acquisition of buildings, structures or other improvements shall be construed to deprive the tenant of any rights to reject payment under this section and to obtain payment for such <span class="dictionary">property</span> interests in accordance with other <span class="dictionary">laws</span> of the Commonwealth. <a id="paragraph-1326710" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/25.1-421/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> The provisions of this section create no rights or liabilities and shall not affect the validity of any <span class="dictionary">property</span> acquisitions by purchase or condemnation. <a id="paragraph-1326711" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/25.1-421/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1972, c. 738, &#xA7;&#xA7; 25-235.1, 25-252; 2003, c. 940.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
