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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>364112</law_id><section_number>45.2-1227</section_number><catch_line> Local standards and regulations; waiver of application of chapter; review for strict compliance with chapter</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="99" identifier="45.2">Mines, Minerals, and Energy</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="3" identifier="III">Mineral Mines</unit><unit label="part" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="A">Mineral Mines Generally</unit><unit label="chapter" level="4" order_by="2" identifier="12">Permits for Certain Mining Operations; Reclamation of Land</unit><unit label="article" level="5" order_by="2" identifier="2">Regulation of Mining Activity</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> Any locality may establish standards and adopt regulations dealing with the same subjects dealt with in this chapter so long as such standards and regulations are no less stringent than those adopted by the <span class="dictionary">Director</span>. <a id="paragraph-1356207" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-1227/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> This chapter shall not be construed to repeal any local <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span> or regulation or charter provision in any locality where such provision is no less stringent than the standard adopted by the <span class="dictionary">Director</span>. The <span class="dictionary">Director</span> may <span class="dictionary">waive</span> the application of this chapter if, in his <span class="dictionary">opinion</span>, a locality in which <span class="dictionary">mining operations</span> are being conducted has enacted and is enforcing zoning <span class="dictionary">ordinances</span> dealing with the subject matter and prescribing standards and regulations not less stringent than those set forth in this chapter. If the <span class="dictionary">Director</span> <span class="dictionary">waives</span> any provision of this chapter, the <span class="dictionary">operator</span> shall comply strictly with all the provisions of the <span class="dictionary">ordinances</span> of the locality in which the operation is located. <a id="paragraph-1356208" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-1227/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Director</span> may also <span class="dictionary">waive</span> the application of this chapter as to any mining or borrow pit operation that is conducted solely and exclusively for a state project and that is subject by <span class="dictionary">contract</span> to the control and supervision of a state agency, so long as regulations satisfactory to the <span class="dictionary">Director</span> have been adopted and are incorporated into any <span class="dictionary">contract</span> for such removal. The locality or state agency shall ensure strict compliance with all provisions of the <span class="dictionary">ordinances</span>, regulations, or <span class="dictionary">contracts</span> and the <span class="dictionary">Director</span> shall from time to time review such <span class="dictionary">ordinances</span>, regulations, or <span class="dictionary">contracts</span> and their enforcement programs to ensure compliance with this chapter. If the <span class="dictionary">Director</span> determines that such strict compliance is not present, then he may rescind the <span class="dictionary">waiver</span> of the application of this chapter. <a id="paragraph-1356209" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/45.2-1227/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1968, c. 734, &#xA7; 45.1-197; 1974, c. 312; 1977, c. 312; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
