Virginia Law

A. Notice of a proposed action to the commission as required by § 15.2-2907 of the Code of Virginia shall be accompanied by resolution of the governing body of the locality providing the notice evidencing its support of such action. Notice to the commission shall indicate the name, title, telephone number, and email address of the individual who shall serve as designated contact with the commission regarding the issue presented.

1. Notice of a proposed annexation initiated by voters or property owners shall be accompanied by the original or certified petition signed by 51% of the voters of any territory adjacent to any municipality or 51% of the owners of real estate in number and land area in a designated area. Notice to the commission shall indicate the name, title, telephone number, and email address of the individual who shall serve as designated contact with the commission regarding the issue presented.

2. Notice of a petition for the proposed transition of a city to town status that has been referred to the commission pursuant to § 15.2-4102 of the Code of Virginia shall indicate the name, title, telephone number, and email address of the individual who shall serve as designated contact with the commission regarding the issue referred.

3. Notice to the commission by a committee of citizens that has been appointed by the circuit court to act for and in lieu of a governing body to perfect a consolidation agreement pursuant to § 15.2-3531 of the Code of Virginia shall indicate the name, title, telephone number, and email address of the individual who shall serve as designated contact with the commission regarding the proposed consolidation.

B. Any party giving notice to the commission of a proposed action pursuant to § 15.2-2907 of the Code of Virginia may submit with the notice as much data, exhibits, documents, or other supporting materials as it deems appropriate; however, the submissions should be fully responsive to all relevant elements of the applicable section of Part IV (1VAC50-20-540 et seq.) of this chapter.

C. Any party giving notice to the commission of a proposed action as required by § 15.2-2907 of the Code of Virginia shall also give notice to each Virginia local government located within or contiguous to or sharing functions, revenue, or tax sources with the local government proposing the action. All notices to the local governments shall include contact information for the commission's staff with instructions to contact the commission or the locality's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) officer, as applicable, for copies of additional documents and exhibits submitted to the commission.

1. Any voters or property owners giving notice to the commission of a proposed annexation as required by § 15.2-2907 of the Code of Virginia shall also give notice to each Virginia local government located within or contiguous to or sharing functions, revenue, or tax sources with the municipality to which annexation is sought. All notices to the immediately affected local governments shall include contact information for the commission's staff with instructions to contact the commission for copies of additional documents and exhibits submitted to the commission.

2. Any voters whose petition for the proposed transition of a city to town status that has been referred to the commission pursuant to § 15.2-4102 of the Code of Virginia shall also give notice to each Virginia local government located within or contiguous to or sharing functions, revenue, or tax sources with the city proposed for town status. All notices to the immediately affected local governments shall include contact information for the commission's staff with instructions to contact the commission for copies of additional documents and exhibits submitted to the commission.

3. A committee of citizens that has been appointed by the circuit court to act for and in lieu of a governing body to perfect a consolidation agreement pursuant to § 15.2-3531 of the Code of Virginia shall also give notice to each Virginia local government located within or contiguous to or sharing functions, revenue, or tax sources with the local governments that are proposed to be consolidated. All notices to the immediately affected local governments shall include contact information for the commission's staff with instructions to contact the commission for copies of additional documents and exhibits submitted to the commission.

D. Any local government receiving notice pursuant to subsection C of this section or any other affected party may submit data, exhibits, documents, or other material for commission review and consideration as it deems appropriate. The submissions should, however, be responsive to all relevant elements of the applicable section of Part IV (1VAC50-20-540 et seq.) of this chapter. Any party submitting material to the commission for review pursuant to this section shall also designate an individual as principal contact for the commission and shall furnish the individual's name, title, telephone number, and email address. The submitting party shall notify the party initiating the proceeding before the commission. Such notification shall include contact information for the commission's staff with instructions to contact the commission for copies of the documents submitted to the commission. The commission may establish a time by which all submissions by respondent parties must be received.

E. Upon its receipt of notice of a proposed action pursuant to subsection A of this section, the commission shall, subsequent to discussion with representatives of the party submitting the notice and other appropriate parties, schedule a review of the proposed action. The commission shall also concurrently extend the services of its office to the parties in an endeavor to promote a negotiated settlement of the issue and, further, may designate, with the agreement of the parties, an independent mediator to assist in the negotiations.

The commission's review of a notice of a proposed annexation as required by § 15.2-2907 of the Code of Virginia filed by voters or property owners shall be terminated upon receipt of an ordinance, duly adopted by a majority of the elected members of the governing body of the affected city or town, rejecting the annexation proposed by the notice.