Virginia Law

All taxable real estate, having been segregated for and made subject to local taxation only by Article X, Section 4 of the Constitution of Virginia, shall be assessed for local taxation in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and other provisions of law. For purposes of the assessment of real estate for taxation, the term "taxable real estate" shall include a leasehold interest in every case in which the land or improvements, or both, as the case may be, are exempt from assessment for taxation to the owner. The provisions of this chapter relating to the assessment of real estate shall not apply to property required by law to be assessed by the State Corporation Commission or the Department of Taxation.

Code 1950, § 58-758; 1954, c. 317; 1984, c. 675; 1985, c. 221.

All real estate, except that exempted by law, shall be subject to such annual taxation as may be prescribed by law.

All general reassessments or annual assessments in those localities which have annual assessments of real estate, except as otherwise provided in § 58.1-2604, shall be made at 100 percent fair market value and, except as provided in § 58.1-2608, the State Corporation Commission and the Department of Taxation shall certify public service corporation property to such county or city, with the exception of the nonoperating (noncarrier) property of railroads, on the basis of the assessment ratio as most recently determined and published by the Department of Taxation. The Department of Taxation shall, ten days after determining the assessment ratio, notify the locality of that determination and the basis on which the determination was made. Nonoperating (noncarrier) property of railroads shall be valued for assessment by the city or county in which it is located uniformly with similarly situated real estate in the same jurisdiction upon the best and most reliable information that can be procured. The Tax Commissioner shall determine which property is part of the operating unit of the railroads and which is nonoperating (noncarrier) property for purposes of the report described in § 58.1-2653. Such determination shall be made in accordance with the meaning of such terms in the Interstate Commerce Commission's Uniform System of Accounts. The inclusion, or failure to include, property in such report described in § 58.1-2653 may be reviewed and redetermined by the Tax Commissioner at the request of any railroad, county, city, town or magisterial district.

Code 1950, § 58-760; 1982, c. 619; 1983, cc. 556, 570; 1984, c. 675; 1985, c. 30.

Beginning with assessments effective on January 1, 1984, the fair market value of multi-unit real estate leased primarily to residential tenants shall be determined without regard to its potential for conversion to condominium or cooperative ownership. A sale of apartment property shall not be presumed to be for such conversion unless overt action which is a prerequisite to conversion by the buyer has been taken within three months from the recordation of the deed.

Code 1950, § 58-760; 1982, c. 619; 1983, cc. 556, 570; 1984, c. 675.

A. All leasehold interests in real property that is exempt from assessment for taxation from the owner shall be assessed for local taxation to the lessee. If the remaining term of the lease is 50 years or more, or the lease permits the lessee to acquire the real property for a nominal sum at the completion of the term, such leasehold interest shall be assessed as if the lessee were the owner. Otherwise, such assessment shall be reduced two percent for each year that the remainder of such term is less than 50 years; however, no such assessment shall be reduced more than 85 percent. If the lessee has a right to renew without the consent of the lessor, the term of such lease shall be the sum of the original lease term plus all such renewal terms.

B. When any real property is exempt from taxation under Section 6 (a)(1) or (2) or by designation under Section 6 (a)(6) of Article X of the Constitution of Virginia, the leasehold interest in such property may also be exempt from taxation, provided that the property is leased to a lessee that is exempt from taxation pursuant to § 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code or to a lessee that is entitled to or has received federal rehabilitation tax credits relating to the property pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 47 or any successor thereto, and is used exclusively by such lessee primarily for charitable, literary, scientific, cultural, or educational purposes. No leasehold interest or concession, as defined in § 33.2-1800, of tax exempt property of a governmental agency shall be subject to assessment for local property tax purposes where the property is leased to a public service corporation or subsidiary thereof or a nonstock, nonprofit corporation whose occupation, use, or operation of the tax exempt property is in aid of or promotes the governmental purposes set out in Chapter 10 (§ 62.1-128 et seq.) of Title 62.1 or to a private entity that is party to a concession agreement with a responsible public entity pursuant to the Public-Private Transportation Act of 1995 (§ 33.2-1800 et seq.) or to similar federal law.

C. When any real property is exempt from taxation under § 15.2-7510, the leasehold interest in the property shall also be exempt from taxation.

D. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any leasehold interests exempted or partially exempted by other provisions of law.

Code 1950, § 58-758.1; 1975, c. 374; 1976, c. 418; 1979, c. 359; 1981, c. 431; 1983, c. 549; 1984, c. 675; 1992, c. 842; 1996, c. 478; 2006, c. 922; 2015, cc. 87, 234; 2018, c. 437.

All persons or corporations who receive deeds from the United States or its agencies for lands in the Commonwealth of Virginia by virtue of contracts therefor by which the beneficial ownership was held prior to January 1 of that year shall be assessable by the commissioners of the revenue for taxes and levies on such lands for the then current year, as if the deed for the lands had been recorded on or before January 1 of that year.

Code 1950, § 58-761; 1984, c. 675.

Where an interest in real property less than the fee is held by a public body for the purposes of the Open-Space Land Act (§ 10.1-1700 et seq.), the Virginia Conservation Easement Act (§ 10.1-1009 et seq.), or Chapters 22 and 24 of Title 10.1, assessments for local taxation on the property shall conform to the requirements of § 10.1-1011. The value of the interest held by the public body shall be exempt from property taxation to the same extent as other property owned by the public body.

1984, c. 675; 1998, c. 487.

A. The governing body of any locality may, by ordinance, provide for the exemption from, deferral of, or a combination program of exemptions from and deferrals of taxation of real estate and manufactured homes as defined in § 36-85.3, or any portion thereof, and upon such conditions and in such amount as the ordinance may prescribe. Such real estate shall be owned by, and be occupied as the sole dwelling of anyone at least 65 years of age or if provided in the ordinance, anyone found to be permanently and totally disabled as defined in § 58.1-3217. Such ordinance may provide for the exemption from or deferral of that portion of the tax which represents the increase in tax liability since the year such taxpayer reached the age of 65 or became disabled, or the year such ordinance became effective, whichever is later. A dwelling jointly held by married individuals, with no other joint owners, may qualify if either spouse is 65 or over or is permanently and totally disabled, and the proration of the exemption or deferral under § 58.1-3211.1 shall not apply for such dwelling.

B. For purposes of this section, "eligible person" means a person who is at least age 65 or, if provided in the ordinance pursuant to subsection A, permanently and totally disabled. Under subsection A, real property owned and occupied as the sole dwelling of an eligible person includes real property (i) held by the eligible person alone or in conjunction with his spouse as tenant or tenants for life or joint lives, (ii) held in a revocable inter vivos trust over which the eligible person or the eligible person and his spouse hold the power of revocation, or (iii) held in an irrevocable trust under which an eligible person alone or in conjunction with his spouse possesses a life estate or an estate for joint lives or enjoys a continuing right of use or support. The term "eligible person" does not include any interest held under a leasehold or term of years.

C. For purposes of this article, any reference to:

"Dwelling" includes an improvement to real estate exempt pursuant to this article and the land upon which such improvement is situated so long as the improvement is used principally for other than a business purpose and is used to house or cover any motor vehicle classified pursuant to subdivisions A 3 through 10 of § 58.1-3503; household goods classified pursuant to subdivision A 14 of § 58.1-3503; or household goods exempted from personal property tax pursuant to § 58.1-3504.

"Real estate" includes manufactured homes.

Code 1950, § 58-760.1; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 169; 1972, cc. 315, 616; 1973, c. 496; 1974, c. 427; 1976, c. 543; 1977, cc. 48, 453, 456; 1978, cc. 774, 776, 777, 780, 788, 790; 1979, cc. 543, 544, 545, 563; 1980, cc. 656, 666, 673; 1981, c. 434; 1982, cc. 123, 457; 1984, cc. 267, 675; 1993, c. 911; 2007, c. 357; 2014, c. 767; 2019, cc. 736, 737; 2020, c. 900; 2023, cc. 148, 149.

Repealed by Acts 2011, cc. 438 and 496, cl. 4, effective March 24, 2011, and applicable to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2011.

A. The governing body of the county, city, or town may, by ordinance, also provide for an exemption from or deferral of (or combination program thereof) real estate taxes for dwellings jointly held by two or more individuals not all of whom are at least age 65 or (if provided in the ordinance) permanently and totally disabled, provided that the dwelling is occupied as the sole dwelling by all such joint owners.

The tax exemption or deferral for the dwelling that otherwise would have been provided under the local ordinance shall be prorated by multiplying the amount of the exemption or deferral by a fraction that has as a numerator the percentage of ownership interest in the dwelling held by all such joint owners who are at least age 65 or (if provided in the ordinance) permanently and totally disabled, and as a denominator, 100 percent. As a condition of eligibility for such tax exemption or deferral, the joint owners of the dwelling shall be required to furnish to the relevant local officer sufficient evidence of each joint owner's ownership interest in the dwelling.

B. For purposes of this subsection, "eligible person" means a person who is at least age 65 or, if provided in the ordinance pursuant to subsection A, permanently and totally disabled. For purposes of the tax exemption pursuant to subsection A, real property that is a dwelling jointly held by two or more individuals includes real property (i) held by an eligible person in conjunction with one or more other people as tenant or tenants for life or joint lives, (ii) held in a revocable inter vivos trust over which an eligible person with one or more other people hold the power of revocation, or (iii) held in an irrevocable trust under which an eligible person in conjunction with one or more other people possesses a life estate or an estate for joint lives or enjoys a continuing right of use or support. The term "eligible person" does not include any interest held under a leasehold or term of years.

C. The provisions of this section shall not apply to dwellings jointly held by married individuals, with no other joint owners.

D. Nothing in this section shall be interpreted or construed to provide for an exemption from or deferral of tax for any dwelling jointly held by nonindividuals.

2007, c. 357; 2008, cc. 298, 695; 2011, cc. 438, 496; 2014, c. 767; 2020, c. 900.

Pursuant to Article X, Section 6 (b) of the Constitution of Virginia, the General Assembly hereby authorizes the governing body of a county, city or town to establish by ordinance net financial worth or annual income limitations as a condition of eligibility for any exemption or deferral of tax allowed pursuant to this article. If the governing body establishes an annual income limitation, the computation of annual income shall be based on adding together the income received during the preceding calendar year, without regard to whether a tax return is actually filed, by (i) owners of the dwelling who use it as their principal residence, (ii) owners' relatives who live in the dwelling, except for those relatives living in the dwelling and providing bona fide caregiving services to the owner whether such relatives are compensated or not, and (iii) at the option of each locality, nonrelatives of the owner who live in the dwelling except for bona fide tenants or bona fide caregivers of the owner, whether compensated or not. A locality may provide in its ordinance that, for the purpose of the computation of annual income, if an individual described in clause (ii) and (iii) is permanently and totally disabled, any disability income received by such person shall not be included. If the governing body establishes a net financial worth limitation, net financial worth shall be based on adding together the net financial worth, including the present value of equitable interests, as of December 31 of the immediately preceding calendar year, of the owners, and of the spouse of any owner, of the dwelling.

Nothing in this section shall be construed or interpreted as to preclude or prohibit the governing body of a county, city or town from excluding certain sources of income, or a portion of the same, for purposes of its annual income limitation or excluding certain assets, or a portion of the same, for purposes of its net financial worth limitation.

Any county, city, or town that pursuant to this article provides for the exemption from, deferral of, or a combination program of exemptions from and deferrals of real property taxes may exempt or defer the real property taxes of the qualifying dwelling and the land, not exceeding ten acres, upon which it is situated.

No local ordinance shall require that a citizen reside in the jurisdiction for a designated period of time as a condition for qualifying for any real estate tax exemption or deferral program established pursuant to § 58.1-3210.

Code 1950, § 58-760.1; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 169; 1972, cc. 315, 616; 1973, c. 496; 1974, c. 427; 1976, c. 543; 1977, cc. 48, 453, 456; 1978, cc. 774, 776, 777, 780, 788, 790; 1979, cc. 543, 544, 545, 563; 1980, cc. 656, 666, 673; 1981, c. 434; 1982, cc. 123, 457; 1984, cc. 267, 675; 1989, c. 568; 2011, cc. 438, 496; 2012, c. 299; 2014, c. 767; 2019, c. 16.

A. The person claiming such exemption shall file annually with the commissioner of the revenue of the county, city or town assessing officer or such other officer as may be designated by the governing body in which such dwelling lies, on forms to be supplied by the county, city or town concerned, an affidavit or written statement setting forth (i) the names of the related persons occupying such real estate and (ii) that the total combined net worth including equitable interests and the combined income from all sources, of the persons specified in § 58.1-3212, does not exceed the limits, if any, prescribed in the local ordinance.

B. In lieu of the annual affidavit or written statement filing requirement, a county, city or town may prescribe by ordinance for the filing of the affidavit or written statement on a three-year cycle with an annual certification by the taxpayer that no information contained on the last preceding affidavit or written statement filed has changed to violate the limitations and conditions provided herein.

C. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections A, B, and E, any county, city or town may, by local ordinance, prescribe the content of the affidavit or written statement described in subsection A, subject to the requirements established in §§ 58.1-3210, 58.1-3211.1, and 58.1-3212, and the local ordinance; the frequency with which an affidavit, written statement or certification as described in subsection B of this section must be filed; and a procedure for late filing of affidavits or written statements.

D. If such person is under 65 years of age, such form shall have attached thereto a certification by the Social Security Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Railroad Retirement Board, or if such person is not eligible for certification by any of these agencies, a sworn affidavit by two medical doctors who are either licensed to practice medicine in the Commonwealth or are military officers on active duty who practice medicine with the United States Armed Forces, to the effect that the person is permanently and totally disabled, as defined in § 58.1-3217; however, a certification pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 423 (d) by the Social Security Administration so long as the person remains eligible for such social security benefits shall be deemed to satisfy such definition in § 58.1-3217. The affidavit of at least one of the doctors shall be based upon a physical examination of the person by such doctor. The affidavit of one of the doctors may be based upon medical information contained in the records of the Civil Service Commission which is relevant to the standards for determining permanent and total disability as defined in § 58.1-3217.

E. Such affidavit, written statement or certification shall be filed after January 1 of each year, but before April 1, or such later date as may be fixed by ordinance. Such ordinance may include a procedure for late filing by first-time applicants or for hardship cases. Any locality may provide by ordinance that it shall accept such affidavits, written statements, or certifications on a rolling basis throughout the year.

F. The commissioner of the revenue or town assessing officer or another officer designated by the governing body of the county, city or town shall also make any other reasonably necessary inquiry of persons seeking such exemption, requiring answers under oath, to determine qualifications as specified herein, including qualification as permanently and totally disabled as defined in § 58.1-3217 and qualification for the exclusion of life insurance benefits paid upon the death of an owner of a dwelling, or as specified by county, city or town ordinance. The local governing body may, in addition, require the production of certified tax returns to establish the income or financial worth of any applicant for tax relief or deferral.

Code 1950, § 58-760.1; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 169; 1972, cc. 315, 616; 1973, c. 496; 1974, c. 427; 1976, c. 543; 1977, cc. 48, 453, 456; 1978, cc. 774, 776, 777,780, 788, 790; 1979, cc. 543, 544, 545, 563; 1980, cc. 656, 666, 673; 1981, c. 434; 1982, cc. 123, 457; 1984, cc. 267, 675; 1986, c. 214; 1988, c. 334; 1990, c. 158; 1991, c. 286; 1996, c. 480; 1997, c. 710; 2007, c. 357; 2011, cc. 438, 496; 2022, c. 631.

The treasurer of any county, city, or town shall enclose written notice, in each real estate tax bill, of the terms and conditions of any local real estate tax exemption or deferral program established in the jurisdiction pursuant to § 58.1-3210. The treasurer shall also employ any other reasonable means necessary to notify residents of the county, city, or town about the terms and conditions of the real estate tax exemption or deferral program for elderly individuals and individuals with disabilities who reside in the county, city, or town.

1989, c. 568; 2023, cc. 148, 149.

The fact that persons who are otherwise qualified for tax exemption or deferral by an ordinance promulgated pursuant to this article are residing in hospitals, nursing homes, convalescent homes or other facilities for physical or mental health care for extended periods of time shall not be construed to mean that the real estate for which tax exemption or deferral is sought does not continue to be the sole dwelling of such persons during such extended periods of other residence so long as such real estate is not used by or leased to others for consideration.

Code 1950, § 58-760.1; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 169; 1972, cc. 315, 616; 1973, c. 496; 1974, c. 427; 1976, c. 543; 1977, cc. 48, 453, 456; 1978, cc. 774, 776, 777, 780, 788, 790; 1979, cc. 543, 544, 545, 563; 1980, cc. 656, 666, 673; 1981, c. 434; 1982, cc. 123, 457; 1984, cc. 267, 675; 2012, cc. 476, 507.

A. An exemption or deferral enacted pursuant to § 58.1-3210 or 58.1-3211.1 may be granted for any year following the date that the qualifying individual occupying such dwelling and owning title or partial title thereto reaches the age of 65 years or for any year following the date the disability occurred. Changes in income, financial worth, ownership of property or other factors occurring during the taxable year for which an affidavit is filed and having the effect of exceeding or violating the limitations and conditions provided by county, city or town ordinance shall nullify any exemption or deferral for the remainder of the current taxable year and the taxable year immediately following. However, any locality may by ordinance provide a prorated exemption or deferral for the portion of the taxable year during which the taxpayer qualified for such exemption or deferral.

B. An ordinance enacted pursuant to this article may provide that a change in ownership to a spouse or a nonqualifying individual, when such change resulted solely from the death of the qualifying individual, or a sale of such property shall result in a prorated exemption or deferral for the then current taxable year. The proceeds of the sale which would result in the prorated exemption or deferral shall not be included in the computation of net worth or income as provided in subsection A. Such prorated portion shall be determined by multiplying the amount of the exemption or deferral by a fraction wherein the number of complete months of the year such property was properly eligible for such exemption or deferral is the numerator and the number 12 is the denominator.

C. An ordinance enacted pursuant to this article may provide that an individual who does not qualify for the exemption or deferral under this article based upon the previous year's income limitations and financial worth limitations, may nonetheless qualify for the current year by filing an affidavit that clearly shows a substantial change of circumstances, that was not volitional on the part of the individual to become eligible for the exemption or deferral, and will result in income and financial worth levels that are within the limitations of the ordinance. The ordinance may impose additional conditions and require other information under this subsection. The locality may prorate the exemption or deferral from the date the affidavit is submitted or any other date.

Any exemption or deferral under this subsection must be conditioned upon the individual filing another affidavit after the end of the year in which the exemption or deferral was granted, within a period of time specified by the locality, showing that the actual income and financial worth levels were within the limitations set by the ordinance. If the actual income and financial worth levels exceeded the limitations any exemption or deferral shall be nullified for the current taxable year and the taxable year immediately following.

Code 1950, § 58-760.1; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 169; 1972, cc. 315, 616; 1973, c. 496; 1974, c. 427; 1976, c. 543; 1977, cc. 48, 453, 456; 1978, cc. 774, 776, 777, 780, 788, 790; 1979, cc. 543, 544, 545, 563; 1980, cc. 656, 666, 673; 1981, c. 434; 1982, cc. 123, 457; 1984, cc. 267, 675; 1987, cc. 525, 534; 1989, c. 40; 2007, c. 357; 2008, c. 208; 2011, cc. 438, 496.

A. For purposes of this section:

"Nonqualified transfer" means a transfer in ownership of the real estate by gift or otherwise not for bona fide consideration, other than (i) a transfer by the qualified owner to a spouse, including without limitation a transfer creating a tenancy for life or joint lives; (ii) a transfer by the qualified owner or the qualified owner and his spouse to a revocable inter vivos trust over which the qualified owner, or the qualified owner and his spouse, hold the power of revocation; or (iii) a transfer to an irrevocable trust under which a qualified owner alone or in conjunction with his spouse possesses a life estate or an estate for joint lives, or enjoys a continuing right of use or support.

"Qualified owner" means the owner of the real property who qualifies for a tax deferral by county, city, or town ordinance.

B. In the event of a deferral of real estate taxes granted by ordinance, the accumulated amount of taxes deferred shall be paid to the county, city, or town concerned by the vendor, transferor, executor, or administrator: (i) upon the sale of the real estate; (ii) upon a nonqualified transfer of the real estate; or (iii) from the estate of the decedent within one year after the death of the last qualified owner thereof. Such deferred real estate taxes shall be paid without penalty, except that any ordinance establishing a combined program of exemptions and deferrals, or deferrals only, may provide for interest not to exceed eight percent per year on any amount so deferred, and such taxes and interest, if applicable, shall constitute a lien upon the said real estate as if it had been assessed without regard to the deferral permitted by this article. Any such lien shall, to the extent that it exceeds in the aggregate 10 percent of the price for which such real estate may be sold, be inferior to all other liens of record.

Code 1950, § 58-760.1; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 169; 1972, cc. 315, 616; 1973, c. 496; 1974, c. 427; 1976, c. 543; 1977, cc. 48, 453, 456; 1978, cc. 774, 776, 777, 780, 788, 790; 1979, cc. 543, 544, 545, 563; 1980, cc. 656, 666, 673; 1981, c. 434; 1982, cc. 123, 457; 1984, cc. 267, 675; 2018, c. 291.

For purposes of this article, the term "permanently and totally disabled" shall mean unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment or deformity which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for the duration of such person's life.

Code 1950, § 58-760.1; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 169; 1972, cc. 315, 616; 1973, c. 496; 1974, c. 427; 1976, c. 543; 1977, cc. 48, 453, 456; 1978, cc. 774, 776, 777, 780, 788, 790; 1979, cc. 543, 544, 545, 563; 1980, cc. 656, 666, 673; 1981, c. 434; 1982, cc. 123, 457; 1984, cc. 267, 675.

Repealed by Acts 2011, cc. 438 and 496, cl. 4, effective March 24, 2011, and applicable to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2011.

Any county, city, or town may adopt, by ordinance, a deferral program for real estate taxes, in such amount as the ordinance may prescribe, subject to the limitations and conditions of this article. The local governing body shall adopt, by ordinance, the terms and conditions of the program and whether the deferral program shall apply only to real estate owned by and occupied as the sole dwelling of the taxpayer or whether the program shall apply to all property.

1990, cc. 858, 871.

The deferral program provided in this article shall allow the taxpayer the option of deferring all or any portion of the real estate tax that exceeds 105 percent of the real estate tax on such property owned by the taxpayer in the previous tax year. The governing body may adopt a higher minimum percentage increase figure.

The deferred amount shall be subject to interest computed at a rate established by the governing body, not to exceed the rate established pursuant to § 6621 of the Internal Revenue Code. The accumulated amount of taxes deferred and interest shall be paid to the county, city, or town by the owner upon the sale or transfer of the property, or from the estate of the decedent within one year after the death of the owner. If the real estate is owned jointly and all such owners applied and qualified for the deferral program established by ordinance, the death of one of the joint owners shall not disqualify the survivor or survivors from participating in the deferral program. All accumulated deferred taxes and interest shall be paid within one year of the date of death of the last qualifying owner. The accumulated amount of tax deferred and interest shall constitute a lien upon the real estate.

1990, cc. 858, 871; 1991, cc. 316, 331; 2005, cc. 502, 561.

Repealed by Acts 2006, c. 356, cl. 1.

The deferral program provided under this article shall not apply to the following:

1. Real estate which participates in the real estate tax relief or deferral program for the elderly or permanently or totally disabled pursuant to Article 2 (§ 58.1-3210 et seq.) of Chapter 32 of this title;

2. Persons who are delinquent on any portion of real estate taxes for which deferral is sought;

3. Real estate assessed on the basis of use value pursuant to Article 4 (§ 58.1-3230 et seq.) of Chapter 32 of this title.

1990, cc. 858, 871.

For purposes of this section, unless the context requires otherwise:

"Redevelopment or conservation area or rehabilitation district" means a redevelopment or conservation area or a rehabilitation district established in accordance with law.

A. The governing body of any county, city, or town may, by ordinance, provide for the partial exemption from taxation of (i) new structures located in a redevelopment or conservation area or rehabilitation district or (ii) other improvements to real estate located in a redevelopment or conservation area or rehabilitation district. The governing body of a county, city, or town may (a) establish criteria for determining whether real estate qualifies for the partial exemption authorized by this section, (b) establish requirements for the square footage of new structures that would qualify for the partial exemption, and (c) place such other restrictions and conditions on such new structures or improvements as may be prescribed by ordinance.

B. The partial exemption provided by the local governing body shall be provided in the local ordinance and shall be either (i) an amount equal to the increase in assessed value or a percentage of such increase resulting from the construction of the new structure or other improvement to the real estate as determined by the commissioner of the revenue or other local assessing officer, or (ii) an amount up to 50 percent of the cost of such construction or improvement, as determined by ordinance. The exemption may commence upon completion of the new construction or improvement or on January 1 of the year following completion of the new construction or improvement and shall run with the real estate for a period of no longer than 30 years. The governing body of a county, city, or town may place a shorter time limitation on the length of such exemption, or reduce the amount of the exemption in annual steps over the entire period or a portion thereof, in such manner as the ordinance may prescribe.

C. The local governing body or its designee shall provide written notification to the property owner of the amount of the assessment of the property that will be exempt from real property taxation and the period of such exemption. Such exempt amount shall be a covenant that runs with the land for the period of the exemption and shall not be reduced by the local governing body or its designee during the period of the exemption, unless the local governing body or its designee by written notice has advised the property owner at the initial time of approval of the exemption that the exempt amount may be decreased during the period of such exemption. In no event, however, shall such partial exemption result in totally exempting the value of the structure.

D. Nothing in this section shall be construed so as to permit the commissioner of the revenue to list upon the land book any reduced value due to the exemption provided in subsection B.

E. The governing body of any county, city, or town may assess a fee not to exceed $125 for residential properties, or $250 for commercial, industrial, and/or apartment properties of six units or more, for processing an application requesting the exemption provided by this section. No property shall be eligible for such exemption unless the appropriate building permits have been acquired and the commissioner of the revenue or assessing officer has verified that the new structures or other improvements have been completed.

F. Where the construction of a new structure is achieved through demolition and replacement of an existing structure, the exemption provided in subsection A shall not apply when any structure demolished is a registered Virginia landmark or is determined by the Department of Historic Resources to contribute to the significance of a registered historic district.

2006, c. 572; 2011, cc. 423, 460; 2020, cc. 66, 246.

A. Pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 6-A of Article X of the Constitution of Virginia, and for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2011, the General Assembly hereby exempts from taxation the real property, including the joint real property of married individuals, of any veteran who has been rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or its successor agency pursuant to federal law to have a 100 percent service-connected, permanent, and total disability, and who occupies the real property as his principal place of residence. If the veteran's disability rating occurs after January 1, 2011, and he has a qualified primary residence on the date of the rating, then the exemption for him under this section begins on the date of such rating. However, no county, city, or town shall be liable for any interest on any refund due to the veteran for taxes paid prior to the veteran's filing of the affidavit or written statement required by § 58.1-3219.6. If the qualified veteran acquires the property after January 1, 2011, then the exemption shall begin on the date of acquisition, and the previous owner may be entitled to a refund for a pro rata portion of real property taxes paid pursuant to § 58.1-3360.

B. The surviving spouse of a veteran eligible for the exemption set forth in this article shall also qualify for the exemption, so long as the death of the veteran occurs on or after January 1, 2011, and the surviving spouse does not remarry. The exemption applies without any restriction on the spouse's moving to a different principal place of residence.

C. A county, city, or town shall provide for the exemption from real property taxes the qualifying dwelling pursuant to this section and shall provide for the exemption from real property taxes the land, not exceeding one acre, upon which it is situated. However, if a county, city, or town provides for an exemption from or deferral of real property taxes of more than one acre of land pursuant to Article 2 (§ 58.1-3210 et seq.), then the county, city, or town shall also provide an exemption for the same number of acres pursuant to this section. If the veteran owns a house that is his residence, including a manufactured home as defined in § 46.2-100 whether or not the wheels and other equipment previously used for mobility have been removed, such house or manufactured home shall be exempt even if the veteran does not own the land on which the house or manufactured home is located. If such land is not owned by the veteran, then the land is not exempt. A real property improvement other than a dwelling, including the land upon which such improvement is situated, made to such one acre or greater number of acres exempt from taxation pursuant to this subsection shall also be exempt from taxation so long as the principal use of the improvement is (i) to house or cover motor vehicles or household goods and personal effects as classified in subdivision A 14 of § 58.1-3503 and as listed in § 58.1-3504 and (ii) for other than a business purpose.

D. For purposes of this exemption, real property of any veteran includes real property (i) held by a veteran alone or in conjunction with the veteran's spouse as tenant or tenants for life or joint lives, (ii) held in a revocable inter vivos trust over which the veteran or the veteran and his spouse hold the power of revocation, or (iii) held in an irrevocable trust under which a veteran alone or in conjunction with his spouse possesses a life estate or an estate for joint lives or enjoys a continuing right of use or support. The term does not include any interest held under a leasehold or term of years.

The exemption for a surviving spouse under subsection B includes real property (a) held by the veteran's spouse as tenant for life, (b) held in a revocable inter vivos trust over which the surviving spouse holds the power of revocation, or (c) held in an irrevocable trust under which the surviving spouse possesses a life estate or enjoys a continuing right of use or support. The exemption does not apply to any interest held under a leasehold or term of years.

E. 1. In the event that (i) a person is entitled to an exemption under this section by virtue of holding the property in any of the three ways set forth in subsection D and (ii) one or more other persons have an ownership interest in the property that permits them to occupy the property, then the tax exemption for the property that otherwise would have been provided shall be prorated by multiplying the amount of the exemption by a fraction that has as a numerator the number of people who are qualified for the exemption pursuant to this section and has as a denominator the total number of all people having an ownership interest that permits them to occupy the property.

2. In the event that the primary residence is jointly owned by two or more individuals, not all of whom qualify for the exemption pursuant to subsection A or B, and no person is entitled to the exemption under this section by virtue of holding the property in any of the three ways set forth in subsection D, then the exemption shall be prorated by multiplying the amount of the exemption by a fraction that has as a numerator the percentage of ownership interest in the dwelling held by all such joint owners who qualify for the exemption pursuant to subsections A and B, and as a denominator, 100 percent.

2011, cc. 769, 840; 2012, cc. 75, 263, 782, 806; 2014, c. 757; 2016, cc. 349, 393, 485; 2018, c. 236; 2019, cc. 15, 801; 2020, c. 900.

A. The veteran or surviving spouse claiming the exemption under this article shall file with the commissioner of the revenue of the county, city, or town or such other officer as may be designated by the governing body in which the real property is located, on forms to be supplied by the county, city, or town, an affidavit or written statement (i) setting forth the name of the disabled veteran and the name of the spouse, if any, also occupying the real property, (ii) indicating whether the real property is jointly owned by married individuals, and (iii) certifying that the real property is occupied as the veteran's principal place of residence. The veteran shall also provide documentation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or its successor agency indicating that the veteran has a 100 percent service-connected, permanent, and total disability. The veteran shall be required to refile the information required by this section only if the veteran's principal place of residence changes. In the event of a surviving spouse of a veteran claiming the exemption, the surviving spouse shall also provide documentation that the veteran's death occurred on or after January 1, 2011.

B. The veteran or surviving spouse may claim the exemption under this article prior to purchasing the qualifying dwelling by filing the documentation as required by subsection A and valid documentation of the purchase agreement for the qualifying dwelling. The commissioner of the revenue of the county, city, or town, or such other officer as may be designated by the governing body in which the real property is located, shall, within 20 business days following receipt of such documentation, process the application and send the veteran a letter stating whether the application is approved or denied. If the application is approved, the letter shall also include the amount of the tax exemption for the qualifying property the veteran intends to purchase. However, the exemption described in such a letter shall become effective only after the veteran becomes the owner of the property.

2011, cc. 769, 840; 2020, c. 900; 2023, c. 659.

A. The Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Services shall promulgate rules and regulations governing the administration and implementation of the property tax exemption under this article. Such rules and regulations shall include, but not be limited to, written guidance for veterans residing in the Commonwealth and for commissioners of the revenue or other assessing officers relating to the determination of eligibility for the property tax exemption under this article and procedures for appealing a decision of the Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Services to a circuit court pursuant to subsection B. The Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Services may also provide written guidance to, and respond to requests for information from, veterans residing in the Commonwealth and commissioners of the revenue or other assessing officers regarding the exemption under this article, including interpretation of the provisions of subdivision (a) of Section 6-A of Article X of the Constitution of Virginia and this article.

B. The Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Services shall hear and decide appeals by veterans residing in the Commonwealth from a denial of their application pursuant to § 58.1-3219.6 by a commissioner of the revenue or other assessing officer. However, such appeal shall be limited to appeals based upon a finding of fact regarding eligibility criteria set forth in subdivision (a) of Section 6-A of Article X of the Constitution of Virginia and this article. The Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Services shall not be authorized to hear or decide appeals regarding a dispute over the assessed value of any property. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the appeal of a decision of the Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Services by either party to the circuit court in the locality in which the veteran resides.

2012, c. 594; 2014, c. 757.

The fact that veterans or their spouses who are otherwise qualified for tax exemption pursuant to this article are residing in hospitals, nursing homes, convalescent homes, or other facilities for physical or mental care for extended periods of time shall not be construed to mean that the real estate for which tax exemption is sought does not continue to be the sole dwelling of such persons during such extended periods of other residence so long as such real estate is not used by or leased to others for consideration.

2012, c. 782.

A. Pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 6-A of Article X of the Constitution of Virginia, and for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2015, the General Assembly hereby exempts from taxation the real property described in subsection B of the surviving spouse (i) of any member of the armed forces of the United States who was killed in action as determined by the U.S. Department of Defense and (ii) who occupies the real property as his principal place of residence. For purposes of this section, such determination of "killed in action" includes a determination by the U.S. Department of Defense of "died of wounds received in action." If such member of the armed forces of the United States is killed in action after January 1, 2015, and the surviving spouse has a qualified principal residence on the date that such member of the armed forces is killed in action, then the exemption for the surviving spouse shall begin on the date that such member of the armed forces is killed in action. However, no county, city, or town shall be liable for any interest on any refund due to the surviving spouse for taxes paid prior to the surviving spouse's filing of the affidavit or written statement required by § 58.1-3219.10. If the surviving spouse acquires the property after January 1, 2015, then the exemption shall begin on the date of acquisition, and the previous owner may be entitled to a refund for a pro rata portion of real property taxes paid pursuant to § 58.1-3360.

B. Those dwellings in the locality with assessed values in the most recently ended tax year that are not in excess of the average assessed value for such year of a dwelling situated on property that is zoned as single family residential shall qualify for a total exemption from real property taxes under this article. If the value of a dwelling is in excess of the average assessed value as described in this subsection, then only that portion of the assessed value in excess of the average assessed value shall be subject to real property taxes, and the portion of the assessed value that is not in excess of the average assessed value shall be exempt from real property taxes. Single family homes, condominiums, town homes, manufactured homes as defined in § 46.2-100 whether or not the wheels and other equipment previously used for mobility have been removed, and other types of dwellings of surviving spouses, whether or not the land on which the single family home, condominium, town home, manufactured home, or other type of dwelling of a surviving spouse is located is owned by someone other than the surviving spouse, that (i) meet this requirement and (ii) are occupied by such persons as their principal place of residence shall qualify for the real property tax exemption. If the land on which the single family home, condominium, town home, manufactured home, or other type of dwelling is located is not owned by the surviving spouse, then the land is not exempt.

For purposes of determining whether a dwelling, or a portion of its value, is exempt from county and town real property taxes, the average assessed value shall be such average for all dwellings located within the county that are situated on property zoned as single family residential.

C. The surviving spouse of a member of the armed forces killed in action shall qualify for the exemption so long as the surviving spouse does not remarry. The exemption applies without any restriction on the spouse's moving to a different principal place of residence.

D. A county, city, or town shall provide for the exemption from real property taxes (i) the qualifying dwelling, or the portion of the value of such dwelling and land that qualifies for the exemption pursuant to subsection B, and (ii) except land not owned by the surviving spouse, the land, not exceeding one acre, upon which it is situated. However, if a county, city, or town provides for an exemption from or deferral of real property taxes of more than one acre of land pursuant to Article 2 (§ 58.1-3210 et seq.), then the county, city, or town shall also provide an exemption for the same number of acres pursuant to this section. A real property improvement other than a dwelling, including the land upon which such improvement is situated, made to such one acre or greater number of acres exempt from taxation pursuant to this subsection shall also be exempt from taxation so long as the principal use of the improvement is (i) to house or cover motor vehicles or household goods and personal effects as classified in subdivision A 14 of § 58.1-3503 and as listed in § 58.1-3504 and (ii) for other than a business purpose.

E. For purposes of this exemption, real property of any surviving spouse of a member of the armed forces killed in action includes real property (i) held by a surviving spouse as a tenant for life, (ii) held in a revocable inter vivos trust over which the surviving spouse holds the power of revocation, or (iii) held in an irrevocable trust under which the surviving spouse possesses a life estate or enjoys a continuing right of use or support. The term does not include any interest held under a leasehold or term of years.

F. 1. In the event that (i) a surviving spouse is entitled to an exemption under this section by virtue of holding the property in any of the three ways set forth in subsection E and (ii) one or more other persons have an ownership interest in the property that permits them to occupy the property, then the tax exemption for the property that otherwise would have been provided shall be prorated by multiplying the amount of the exemption by a fraction that has 1 as a numerator and has as a denominator the total number of all people having an ownership interest that permits them to occupy the property.

2. In the event that the principal residence is jointly owned by two or more individuals including the surviving spouse, and no person is entitled to the exemption under this section by virtue of holding the property in any of the three ways set forth in subsection E, then the exemption shall be prorated by multiplying the amount of the exemption by a fraction that has as a numerator the percentage of ownership interest in the dwelling held by the surviving spouse, and as a denominator, 100 percent.

2014, c. 757; 2015, c. 577; 2016, cc. 347, 349, 393, 485, 539; 2019, cc. 15, 801.

A. Pursuant to subdivision (b) of § 6-A of Article X of the Constitution of Virginia, and for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2015, the General Assembly hereby exempts from taxation the real property described in subsection B of the surviving spouse (i) of any member of the armed forces of the United States who died in the line of duty with a Line of Duty determination from the U.S. Department of Defense and (ii) who occupies the real property as his principal place of residence. However, no county, city, or town shall be liable for any interest on any refund due to the surviving spouse for taxes paid prior to the surviving spouse's filing of the affidavit or written statement required by § 58.1-3219.10. If the surviving spouse acquires the property after January 1, 2015, then the exemption shall begin on the date of acquisition, and the previous owner may be entitled to a refund for a pro rata portion of real property taxes paid pursuant to § 58.1-3360.

B. Those dwellings in the locality with assessed values in the most recently ended tax year that are not in excess of the average assessed value for such year of a dwelling situated on property that is zoned as single family residential shall qualify for a total exemption from real property taxes under this article. If the value of a dwelling is in excess of the average assessed value as described in this subsection, then only that portion of the assessed value in excess of the average assessed value shall be subject to real property taxes, and the portion of the assessed value that is not in excess of the average assessed value shall be exempt from real property taxes. Single family homes, condominiums, town homes, manufactured homes as defined in § 46.2-100 whether or not the wheels and other equipment previously used for mobility have been removed, and other types of dwellings of surviving spouses, whether or not the land on which the single family home, condominium, town home, manufactured home, or other type of dwelling of a surviving spouse is located is owned by someone other than the surviving spouse, that (i) meet this requirement and (ii) are occupied by such persons as their principal place of residence shall qualify for the real property tax exemption. If the land on which the single family home, condominium, town home, manufactured home, or other type of dwelling is located is not owned by the surviving spouse, then the land is not exempt.

For purposes of determining whether a dwelling, or a portion of its value, is exempt from county and town real property taxes, the average assessed value shall be such average for all dwellings located within the county that are situated on property zoned as single family residential.

C. The surviving spouse of a member of the armed forces who died in the line of duty shall qualify for the exemption so long as the surviving spouse does not remarry. The exemption applies without any restriction on the spouse's moving to a different principal place of residence.

D. A county, city, or town shall provide for the exemption from real property taxes (i) the qualifying dwelling, or the portion of the value of such dwelling and land that qualifies for the exemption pursuant to subsection B, and (ii) except land not owned by the surviving spouse, the land, not exceeding one acre, upon which it is situated. However, if a county, city, or town provides for an exemption from or deferral of real property taxes of more than one acre of land pursuant to Article 2 (§ 58.1-3210 et seq.), then the county, city, or town shall also provide an exemption for the same number of acres pursuant to this section. A real property improvement other than a dwelling, including the land upon which such improvement is situated, made to such one acre or greater number of acres exempt from taxation pursuant to this subsection shall also be exempt from taxation so long as the principal use of the improvement is (i) to house or cover motor vehicles or household goods and personal effects as classified in subdivision A 14 of § 58.1-3503 and as listed in § 58.1-3504 and (ii) for other than a business purpose.

E. For purposes of this exemption, real property of any surviving spouse of a member of the armed forces who died in the line of duty includes real property (i) held by a surviving spouse as a tenant for life, (ii) held in a revocable inter vivos trust over which the surviving spouse holds the power of revocation, or (iii) held in an irrevocable trust under which the surviving spouse possesses a life estate or enjoys a continuing right of use or support. The term does not include any interest held under a leasehold or term of years.

F. 1. In the event that (i) a surviving spouse is entitled to an exemption under this section by virtue of holding the property in any of the three ways set forth in subsection E and (ii) one or more other persons have an ownership interest in the property that permits them to occupy the property, then the tax exemption for the property that otherwise would have been provided shall be prorated by multiplying the amount of the exemption by a fraction that has 1 as a numerator and has as a denominator the total number of all people having an ownership interest that permits them to occupy the property.

2. In the event that the principal residence is jointly owned by two or more individuals including the surviving spouse, and no person is entitled to the exemption under this section by virtue of holding the property in any of the three ways set forth in subsection E, then the exemption shall be prorated by multiplying the amount of the exemption by a fraction that has as a numerator the percentage of ownership interest in the dwelling held by the surviving spouse, and as a denominator, 100 percent.

2014, c. 757; 2015, c. 577; 2016, cc. 347, 349, 393, 485, 539; 2019, cc. 15, 801; 2024, c. 583.

A. The surviving spouse claiming the exemption under this article shall file with the commissioner of the revenue of the county, city, or town or such other officer as may be designated by the governing body in which the real property is located, on forms to be supplied by the county, city, or town, an affidavit or written statement (i) setting forth the surviving spouse's name, (ii) indicating any other joint owners of the real property, and (iii) certifying that the real property is occupied as the surviving spouse's principal place of residence. The surviving spouse shall also provide documentation from the United States Department of Defense or its successor agency indicating the date that the member of the armed forced of the United States was killed in action.

The surviving spouse shall be required to refile the information required by this section only if the surviving spouse's principal place of residence changes.

B. The surviving spouse shall promptly notify the commissioner of the revenue of any remarriage.

2014, c. 757.

A. The surviving spouse claiming the exemption under this article shall file with the commissioner of the revenue of the county, city, or town or such other officer as may be designated by the governing body in which the real property is located, on forms to be supplied by the county, city, or town, an affidavit or written statement (i) setting forth the surviving spouse's name, (ii) indicating any other joint owners of the real property, and (iii) certifying that the real property is occupied as the surviving spouse's principal place of residence. The surviving spouse shall also provide documentation from the United States Department of Defense or its successor agency indicating the date that the member of the armed forces of the United States died in the line of duty.

The surviving spouse shall be required to refile the information required by this section only if the surviving spouse's principal place of residence changes.

B. The surviving spouse shall promptly notify the commissioner of the revenue of any remarriage.

2014, c. 757; 2024, c. 583.

The Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Services shall promulgate rules and regulations governing the administration and implementation of the property tax exemption under this article. Such rules and regulations shall include, but not be limited to, written guidance for surviving spouses residing in the Commonwealth and for commissioners of the revenue or other assessing officers relating to the determination of eligibility for the property tax exemption under this article. The Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Services may also provide written guidance to, and respond to requests for information from, surviving spouses residing in the Commonwealth and commissioners of the revenue or other assessing officers regarding the exemption under this article, including interpretation of the provisions of subdivision (b) of Section 6-A of Article X of the Constitution of Virginia and this article.

2014, c. 757.

The fact that surviving spouses who are otherwise qualified for tax exemption pursuant to this article are residing in hospitals, nursing homes, convalescent homes, or other facilities for physical or mental care for extended periods of time shall not be construed to mean that the real estate for which tax exemption is sought does not continue to be the sole dwelling of such persons during such extended periods of other residence so long as such real estate is not used by or leased to others for consideration.

2014, c. 757.

As used in this article, unless the context requires otherwise:

"Covered person" means any person set forth in the definition of "deceased person" in § 9.1-400 whose beneficiary, as defined in § 9.1-400, is entitled to receive benefits under § 9.1-402, as determined by the Comptroller prior to July 1, 2017, or as determined by the Virginia Retirement System on and after July 1, 2017.

2017, c. 248.

A. Pursuant to Article X, Section 6-B of the Constitution of Virginia, for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2017, any county, city, or town may exempt from taxation the real property described in subsection B of the surviving spouse of any covered person who occupies the real property as his principal place of residence. If the covered person's death occurred on or prior to January 1, 2017, and the surviving spouse has a principal residence on January 1, 2017, eligible for the exemption under this section, then the exemption for the surviving spouse shall begin on January 1, 2017. If the covered person's death occurs after January 1, 2017, and the surviving spouse has a principal residence eligible for the exemption under this section on the date that such covered person dies, then the exemption for the surviving spouse shall begin on the date that such covered person dies. If the surviving spouse acquires the property after January 1, 2017, then the exemption shall begin on the date of acquisition, and the previous owner may be entitled to a refund for a pro rata portion of real property taxes paid pursuant to § 58.1-3360. No county, city, or town shall be liable for any interest on any refund due to the surviving spouse for taxes paid prior to the surviving spouse's filing of the affidavit or written statement required by § 58.1-3219.15.

B. Those dwellings, in any locality that provides the exemption pursuant to this article, with assessed values in the most recently ended tax year that are not in excess of the average assessed value for such year of a dwelling situated on property that is zoned as single-family residential shall qualify for a total exemption from real property taxes under this article. If the value of a dwelling is in excess of the average assessed value as described in this subsection, then only that portion of the assessed value in excess of the average assessed value shall be subject to real property taxes, and the portion of the assessed value that is not in excess of the average assessed value shall be exempt from real property taxes. Single-family homes, condominiums, town homes, manufactured homes as defined in § 46.2-100 whether or not the wheels and other equipment previously used for mobility have been removed, and other types of dwellings of surviving spouses, whether or not the land on which the single-family home, condominium, town home, manufactured home, or other type of dwelling of a surviving spouse is located is owned by someone other than the surviving spouse, that (i) meet this requirement and (ii) are occupied by such persons as their principal place of residence shall qualify for the real property tax exemption. If the land on which the single-family home, condominium, town home, manufactured home, or other type of dwelling is located is not owned by the surviving spouse, then the land is not exempt.

For purposes of determining whether a dwelling, or a portion of its value, is exempt from county and town real property taxes, the average assessed value shall be such average for all dwellings located within the county that are situated on property zoned as single-family residential.

C. The surviving spouse shall qualify for the exemption so long as the surviving spouse does not remarry. The exemption applies without any restriction on the spouse's moving to a different principal place of residence.

D. A county, city, or town shall provide for the exemption from real property taxes of (i) the qualifying dwelling, or that portion of the value of such dwelling and land that qualifies for the exemption pursuant to subsection B, and (ii) with the exception of land not owned by the surviving spouse, the land, not exceeding one acre, upon which it is situated. However, if a county, city, or town provides for an exemption from or deferral of real property taxes of more than one acre of land pursuant to Article 2 (§ 58.1-3210 et seq.), then the county, city, or town shall also provide an exemption for the same number of acres pursuant to this section. A real property improvement other than a dwelling, including the land upon which such improvement is situated, made to such one acre or greater number of acres exempt from taxation pursuant to this subsection shall also be exempt from taxation so long as the principal use of the improvement is (a) to house or cover motor vehicles or household goods and personal effects as classified in subdivision A 14 of § 58.1-3503 and as listed in § 58.1-3504 and (b) for other than a business purpose.

E. For purposes of this exemption, real property of any surviving spouse of a covered person includes real property (i) held by a surviving spouse as a tenant for life, (ii) held in a revocable inter vivos trust over which the surviving spouse holds the power of revocation, or (iii) held in an irrevocable trust under which the surviving spouse possesses a life estate or enjoys a continuing right of use or support. Such real property does not include any interest held under a leasehold or term of years.

F. 1. In the event that (i) a surviving spouse is entitled to an exemption under this section by virtue of holding the property in any of the three ways set forth in subsection E and (ii) one or more other persons have an ownership interest in the property that permits them to occupy the property, then the tax exemption for the property that otherwise would have been provided shall be prorated by multiplying the amount of the exemption by a fraction the numerator of which is 1 and the denominator of which equals the total number of people having an ownership interest that permits them to occupy the property.

2. In the event that the principal residence is jointly owned by two or more individuals including the surviving spouse, and no person is entitled to the exemption under this section by virtue of holding the property in any of the three ways set forth in subsection E, then the exemption shall be prorated by multiplying the amount of the exemption by a fraction the numerator of which is the percentage of ownership interest in the dwelling held by the surviving spouse and the denominator of which is 100.

2017, c. 248; 2019, cc. 15, 801.

A. The surviving spouse claiming the exemption under this article shall file with the commissioner of the revenue of the county, city, or town or such other officer as may be designated by the governing body in which the real property is located, on forms to be supplied by the county, city, or town, an affidavit or written statement (i) setting forth the surviving spouse's name, (ii) indicating any other joint owners of the real property, (iii) certifying that the real property is occupied as the surviving spouse's principal place of residence, and (iv) including evidence of the determination of the Comptroller or the Virginia Retirement System pursuant to subsection A. The surviving spouse shall also provide documentation that he is the surviving spouse of a covered person and of the date that the covered person died.

The surviving spouse shall be required to refile the information required by this section only if the surviving spouse's principal place of residence changes.

B. The surviving spouse shall promptly notify the commissioner of the revenue of any remarriage.

2017, c. 248.

The fact that surviving spouses who are otherwise qualified for tax exemption pursuant to this article are residing in hospitals, nursing homes, convalescent homes, or other facilities for physical or mental care for extended periods of time shall not be construed to mean that the real estate for which tax exemption is sought does not continue to be the sole dwelling of such persons during such extended periods of other residence, so long as such real estate is not used by or leased to others for consideration.

2017, c. 248.

A. The governing body of any county, city or town may, by ordinance, provide for the partial exemption from taxation of real estate on which any structure or other improvement no less than 15 years of age has undergone substantial rehabilitation, renovation or replacement for residential use, subject to such conditions as the ordinance may prescribe. The ordinance may, in addition to any other restrictions hereinafter provided, restrict such exemptions to real property located within described zones or districts whose boundaries shall be determined by the governing body. The governing body of a county, city or town may (i) establish criteria for determining whether real estate qualifies for the partial exemption authorized by this provision, (ii) require such structures to be older than 15 years of age, (iii) establish requirements for the square footage of replacement structures, and (iv) place such other restrictions and conditions on such property as may be prescribed by ordinance. Such ordinance may also provide for the partial exemption from taxation of multifamily residential units that have been substantially rehabilitated by replacement for multifamily use.

B. The partial exemption provided by the local governing body may be an amount equal to the increase in assessed value or a percentage of such increase resulting from the rehabilitation, renovation or replacement of the structure as determined by the commissioner of revenue or other local assessing officer or an amount up to 50 percent of the cost of the rehabilitation, renovation or replacement, as determined by ordinance. The exemption may commence upon completion of the rehabilitation, renovation or replacement or on January 1 of the year following completion of the rehabilitation, renovation or replacement and shall run with the real estate for a period of no longer than 15 years. The governing body of a county, city or town may place a shorter time limitation on the length of such exemption, or reduce the amount of the exemption in annual steps over the entire period or a portion thereof, in such manner as the ordinance may prescribe.

C. The local governing body or its designee shall provide written notification to the property owner of the amount of the assessment of the property that will be exempt from real property taxation and the period of such exemption. Such exempt amount shall be a covenant that runs with the land for the period of the exemption and shall not be reduced by the local governing body or its designee during the period of the exemption, unless the local governing body or its designee by written notice has advised the property owner at the initial time of approval of the exemption that the exempt amount may be decreased during the period of such exemption. In no event, however, shall such partial exemption result in totally exempting the value of the structure.

D. Nothing in this section shall be construed as to permit the commissioner of the revenue to list upon the land book any reduced value due to the exemption provided in subsection B.

E. The governing body of any county, city or town may assess a fee not to exceed $125 for residential properties, or $250 for commercial, industrial, and/or apartment properties of six units or more for processing an application requesting the exemption provided by this section. No property shall be eligible for such exemption unless the appropriate building permits have been acquired and the commissioner of the revenue or assessing officer has verified that the rehabilitation, renovation or replacement indicated on the application has been completed.

F. Where rehabilitation is achieved through demolition and replacement of an existing structure, the exemption provided in subsection A shall not apply when any structure demolished is a registered Virginia landmark or is determined by the Department of Historic Resources to contribute to the significance of a registered historic district.

Code 1950, § 58-760.2; 1979, c. 195; 1980, c. 417; 1981, c. 625; 1984, cc. 675, 750; 1986, c. 271; 1989, cc. 89, 656; 1994, cc. 424, 435; 1995, c. 673; 2001, c. 489; 2002, cc. 21, 144; 2011, cc. 423, 460.

A. The governing body of any county, city or town may, by ordinance, provide for a local real property tax credit equal to certain property tax liens owed on real estate on which any structure or other improvement no less than fifteen years of age has undergone substantial rehabilitation, renovation or replacement for residential use, subject to such conditions as the ordinance may prescribe. The credit shall be used by the owner of the property which has the real property tax liens and can be used to offset real property taxes assessed against such property. The governing body of a county, city or town may establish criteria for determining whether real estate qualifies for the credit authorized by this provision and may require such structures to be older than fifteen years of age, or place such other restrictions and conditions on such property as may be prescribed by ordinance. Such ordinance may also provide for a credit for multifamily residential units which have been substantially rehabilitated by replacement for multifamily use. Such replacement structures may exceed the total square footage of the replaced structures by no more than thirty percent.

B. The local tax credit shall be available only to those property owners who have purchased a structure which at the time of purchase contained property tax liens exceeding fifty percent of the assessed value of the property. The tax credit granted by the locality shall not exceed the amount by which the property tax liens exceeded fifty percent of the assessed value of the property at the time of purchase. The credit may be applied upon completion of the rehabilitation, renovation or replacement or on January 1 of the year following completion of the rehabilitation, renovation or replacement and may be divided over a period of no longer than ten years.

C. The governing body of any county, city or town may assess a fee not to exceed one hundred twenty-five dollars for residential properties, or two hundred fifty dollars for commercial, industrial, and/or apartment properties of six units or more for processing an application requesting the credit provided by this section. No property shall be eligible for such credit unless the appropriate building permits have been acquired and the commissioner of the revenue or assessing officer has verified that the rehabilitation, renovation or replacement indicated on the application has been completed.

D. Where rehabilitation is achieved through demolition and replacement of an existing structure, the credit shall not apply when any structure demolished is a registered Virginia landmark or is determined by the Department of Historic Resources to contribute to the significance of a registered historic district.

1996, c. 765; 2001, c. 489.

A. The governing body of any county, city or town may, by ordinance, provide partial exemption from taxation of real estate on which a hotel or motel no less than thirty-five years of age has undergone substantial rehabilitation, renovation or replacement for residential use, subject to such conditions as the ordinance may prescribe. The ordinance may, in addition to any other restrictions hereinafter provided, restrict such exemptions to real property located within described zones or districts whose boundaries shall be determined by the governing body. The governing body of a county, city or town may establish criteria for determining whether real estate qualifies for the exemption authorized by this provision and may require such structures to be older than thirty-five years of age, or place such other restrictions and conditions on such property as may be prescribed by ordinance.

B. The "partial exemption" provided by the local governing body may not exceed either an amount equal to ninety percent of the total assessed value of the rehabilitated, renovated or replaced structure or an amount equal to the increase in assessed value resulting from the rehabilitation, renovation or replacement of the structure as determined by the commissioner of the revenue or other local assessing officer, as established by ordinance. The partial exemption may commence upon completion of the rehabilitation, renovation or replacement or on January 1 of the year following completion of the rehabilitation, renovation or replacement and shall run with the real estate for a period of no longer than twenty-five years. The governing body of a county, city or town may place a shorter time limitation on the length of such exemption, or reduce the amount of the exemption in annual steps over the entire period or a portion thereof, in such manner as the ordinance may prescribe.

C. Nothing in this section shall be construed as to permit the commissioner of the revenue to list upon the land book any reduced value due to the exemption provided in subsection B.

D. The governing body of any county, city or town may assess a fee for processing an application requesting the exemption provided by this section. No property shall be eligible for such partial exemption unless the appropriate building permits have been acquired and the commissioner of the revenue or assessing officer has verified that the rehabilitation, renovation or replacement indicated on the application has been completed.

E. Where rehabilitation is achieved through demolition and replacement of an existing structure, the exemption provided in subsection A shall not apply when any structure demolished is a registered Virginia landmark or is determined by the Department of Historic Resources to contribute to the significance of a registered historic district.

1993, c. 157; 1994, cc. 424, 435.

A. The governing body of any county, city or town may, by ordinance, provide for the partial exemption from taxation of real estate on which any structure or other improvement no less than 20 years of age, or 15 years of age if the structure is located in an area designated as an enterprise zone by the Commonwealth or as a technology zone by any county, city or town pursuant to § 58.1-3850, has undergone substantial rehabilitation, renovation or replacement for commercial or industrial use, subject to such conditions as the ordinance may prescribe. The ordinance may, in addition to any other restrictions hereinafter provided, restrict such exemptions to real property located within described zones or districts whose boundaries shall be determined by the governing body. The governing body of a county, city or town may establish criteria for determining whether real estate qualifies for the partial exemption authorized by this provision and may require the structure to be older than 20 years of age, or 15 years of age if the structure is located in an area designated as an enterprise zone by the Commonwealth, or as a technology zone by any county, city or town pursuant to § 58.1-3850 or place such other restrictions and conditions on such property as may be prescribed by ordinance. Such ordinance may also provide for the partial exemption from taxation of real estate that has been substantially rehabilitated by complete replacement for commercial and industrial use.

B. The partial exemption provided by the local governing body may not exceed an amount equal to the increase in assessed value resulting from the rehabilitation, renovation or replacement of the commercial or industrial structure as determined by the commissioner of revenue or other local assessing officer or an amount up to 50 percent of the cost of rehabilitation, renovation or replacement as determined by ordinance. The exemption may commence upon completion of the rehabilitation, renovation or replacement, or on January 1 of the year following completion of the rehabilitation, renovation or replacement and shall run with the real estate for a period of no longer than 15 years. The governing body of a county, city or town may place a shorter time limitation on the length of such exemption, or reduce the amount of the exemption in annual steps over the entire period or a portion thereof, in such manner as the ordinance may prescribe.

C. Nothing in this section shall be construed as to permit the commissioner of the revenue to list upon the land book any reduced value due to the exemption provided in subsection B.

D. The governing body of any county, city or town may assess a fee not to exceed $125 for residential properties, or $250 for commercial, industrial, and/or apartment properties of six units or more, for processing an application requesting the exemption provided by this section. No property shall be eligible for such exemption unless the appropriate building permits have been acquired and the commissioner of the revenue or assessing officer has verified that the rehabilitation, renovation or replacement indicated on the application has been completed.

E. Where rehabilitation is achieved through demolition and replacement of an existing structure, the exemption provided in subsection A shall not apply when any structure demolished is a registered Virginia landmark or is determined by the Department of Historic Resources to contribute to the significance of a registered historic landmark.

Code 1950, § 58-760.3; 1979, c. 195; 1980, c. 417; 1984, c. 675; 1986, c. 271; 1989, c. 89; 1994, cc. 424, 435, 608; 1995, c. 673; 2001, c. 489; 2002, cc. 8, 137; 2017, c. 24.

A. In the Cities of Fairfax, Poquoson, Richmond, and Roanoke, improvements to real property are declared to be a separate class of property and shall constitute a separate classification for local taxation of real property.

B. The governing body of the City of Fairfax, the City of Richmond, and the City of Roanoke, after giving public notice and an opportunity for the public to be heard in the manner provided in § 58.1-3007, may levy a tax on the property enumerated in subsection A at a different rate than the tax imposed upon the land on which it is located, provided that the rate of tax on the property described in subsection A shall not be zero and shall not exceed the rate of tax on the land on which it is located.

C. Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit the City of Fairfax, Poquoson, Richmond, or Roanoke to alter in any way its valuation of real property covered by this section.

D. The governing body of the City of Poquoson, after giving public notice and an opportunity for the public to be heard in the manner provided in § 58.1-3007, may levy a tax on the property enumerated in subsection A at a different rate than the tax imposed upon the land on which it is located, provided that the rate of tax on the property described in subsection A shall not be zero.

2002, c. 16; 2003, c. 164; 2011, c. 146; 2020, c. 790.

A. Energy-efficient buildings, not including the real estate or land on which they are located, are hereby declared to be a separate class of property and shall constitute a classification for local taxation separate from other classifications of real property. The governing body of any county, city, or town may, by ordinance, levy a tax on the value of such buildings at a different rate from that of tax levied on other real property. The rate of tax imposed by any county, city, or town on such buildings shall not exceed that applicable to the general class of real property.

B. For purposes of this section, an energy-efficient building is any building that exceeds the energy efficiency standards prescribed in the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code by 30 percent. Energy-efficient building certification for purposes of this subsection shall be determined by any qualified architect, professional engineer, or licensed contractor who is not related to the taxpayer and who shall certify to the taxpayer that he or she has qualifications to provide the certification.

C. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection B, for purposes of this section, an energy-efficient building may also be any building that (i) meets or exceeds performance standards of the Green Globes Green Building Rating System of the Green Building Initiative, (ii) meets or exceeds performance standards of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System of the U.S. Green Building Council, (iii) meets or exceeds performance standards or guidelines under the EarthCraft House Program, or (iv) is an Energy Star qualified home, the energy efficiency of which meets or exceeds performance guidelines for energy efficiency under the Energy Star program developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Energy-efficient building certification for purposes of this subsection shall be determined by (a) the granting of a certification under one of the programs in clauses (i) through (iv) that certifies the building meets or exceeds the performance standards or guidelines of the program, or (b) a qualified architect or professional engineer designated by the county, city, or town who shall determine whether the building meets or exceeds the performance standards or guidelines under any program described in clauses (i) through (iv).

2007, cc. 328, 354; 2008, cc. 288, 401; 2009, c. 512.

A. Beginning January 1, 2008, and solely for the purposes of imposing the tax authorized pursuant to this section, in the counties and cities that are wholly embraced by the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority and the Hampton Roads metropolitan planning area as of January 1, 2008, pursuant to § 134 of Title 23 of the United States Code, all real property used for or zoned to permit commercial or industrial uses is hereby declared to be a separate class of real property for local taxation. Such classification of real property shall exclude all residential uses and all multifamily residential uses, including but not limited to single family residential units, cooperatives, condominiums, townhouses, apartments, or homes in a subdivision when leased on a unit by unit basis even though these units may be part of a larger building or parcel of real estate containing more than four residential units.

B. In addition to all other taxes and fees permitted by law, (i) the governing body of any locality embraced by the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority may, by ordinance, annually impose on all real property in the locality specially classified in subsection A: an amount of real property tax, in addition to such amount otherwise authorized by law, at a rate not to exceed $0.125 per $100 of assessed value as the governing body may, by ordinance, impose upon the annual assessed value of all real property used for or zoned to permit commercial or industrial uses; and (ii) the governing body of any locality wholly embraced by the Hampton Roads metropolitan planning area as of January 1, 2008, pursuant to § 134 of Title 23 of the United States Code may, by ordinance, annually impose on all real property in the locality specially classified in subsection A: an amount of real property tax, in addition to such amount otherwise authorized by law, at a rate not to exceed $0.10 per $100 of assessed value as the governing body may, by ordinance, impose upon the annual assessed value of all real property used for or zoned to permit commercial or industrial uses. The authority granted in this subsection shall be subject to the following conditions:

(1) Upon appropriation, all revenues generated from the additional real property tax imposed shall be used to benefit the locality imposing the tax solely for (i) new road construction and associated planning, design, and right-of-way acquisition, including new additions to, expansions, or extensions of existing roads that add new capacity, service, or access, (ii) new public transit construction and associated planning, design, and right-of-way acquisition, including new additions to, expansions, or extensions of existing public transit projects that add new capacity, service, or access, (iii) other capital costs related to new transportation projects that add new capacity, service, or access and the operating costs directly related to the foregoing, (iv) the issuance costs and debt service on bonds that may be issued to support the capital costs permitted in subdivisions (i), (ii), or (iii), or (v) for a locality subject to § 33.2-3404, any other transportation purposes, provided that the amount used does not exceed the amount such locality is required to transfer pursuant to § 33.2-3404; and

(2) The additional real property tax imposed shall be levied, administered, enforced, and collected in the same manner as set forth in Subtitle III of Title 58.1 for the levy, administration, enforcement, and collection of local taxes. In addition, the local assessor shall separately assess and set forth upon the locality's land book the fair market value of that portion of property that is defined as a separate class of real property for local taxation in accordance with the provisions of this section.

C. Beginning January 1, 2008, in lieu of the authority set forth in subsections A and B above and solely for the purposes of imposing the tax authorized pursuant to this section, in the counties and cities wholly embraced by the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority and the Hampton Roads metropolitan planning area as of January 1, 2008, pursuant to § 134 of Title 23 of the United States Code, all real property used for or zoned to permit commercial or industrial uses is hereby declared to be a separate class of real property for local taxation. Such classification of real property shall exclude all residential uses and all multifamily residential uses, including but not limited to single family residential units, cooperatives, condominiums, townhouses, apartments, or homes in a subdivision when leased on a unit by unit basis even though these units may be part of a larger building or parcel of real estate containing more than four residential units.

D. In addition to all other taxes and fees permitted by law, (i) the governing body of any locality embraced by the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority may, by ordinance, create within its boundaries, one or more special regional transportation tax districts and, thereafter, may, by ordinance, impose upon the real property located in special regional transportation tax districts specially classified in subsection C within such special regional transportation tax districts: an amount of real property tax, in addition to such amounts otherwise authorized by law, at a rate not to exceed $0.125 per $100 of assessed value as the governing body may, by ordinance, impose upon the annual assessed value of all real property used for or zoned to permit commercial or industrial uses; and, (ii) the governing body of any locality wholly embraced by the Hampton Roads metropolitan planning area as of January 1, 2008, pursuant to § 134 of Title 23 of the United States Code may, by ordinance, create within its boundaries, one or more special regional transportation tax districts and, thereafter, may, by ordinance, impose upon the real property specially classified in subsection C within such special regional transportation tax districts: an amount of real property tax, in addition to such amounts otherwise authorized by law, at a rate not to exceed $0.10 per $100 of assessed value as the governing body may, by ordinance, impose upon the annual assessed value of all real property used for or zoned to permit commercial or industrial uses. The authority granted in this subsection shall be subject to the following conditions:

(1) Notwithstanding any other provisions of law to the contrary, upon appropriation, all revenues generated from the additional real property taxes imposed in accordance with subsection C and this subsection shall be used for transportation purposes that benefit the special regional transportation tax district to which such revenue is attributable and solely for (i) new road construction and associated planning, design, and right-of-way acquisition, including new additions to, expansions, or extensions of existing roads that add new capacity, service, or access, (ii) new public transit construction and associated planning, design, and right-of-way acquisition, including new additions to, expansions, or extensions of existing public transit projects that add new capacity, service, or access, (iii) other capital costs related to new transportation projects that add new capacity, service, or access and the operating costs directly related to the foregoing, (iv) the issuance costs and debt service on bonds that may be issued to support the capital costs permitted in subdivisions (i), (ii), or (iii), or (v) for a locality subject to § 33.2-3404, any other transportation purposes, provided that the amount used does not exceed the amount such locality is required to transfer pursuant to § 33.2-3404;

(2) Any local ordinance adopted in accordance with the provisions of subsection C and this subsection shall include the requirement that the additional real property taxes so authorized are to be imposed annually in accordance with applicable law;

(3) Any locality that imposes the additional real property taxes set forth in subsections A and B shall not be permitted to also impose the additional real property taxes set forth in subsection C and this subsection. In addition, any locality electing to impose the additional real property taxes on all real property located in such locality that is specially classified in subsections A and B must do so in the manner prescribed in subsections A and B and not by creation of a special transportation tax district as set forth in subsection C and this subsection. The creation of such special regional transportation tax districts shall not, however, affect the authority of a locality to establish tax districts pursuant to other provisions of law;

(4) The total revenues generated from the additional real property taxes imposed in accordance with subsection C and this subsection shall not be less than 85% of the revenues estimated to be generated when imposing the additional real property taxes in accordance with subsections A and B at the rate of $0.125 per $100 of assessed value in any locality embraced by the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority and at the rate of $0.10 per $100 of assessed value in any locality wholly embraced by the Hampton Roads metropolitan planning area as of January 1, 2008, pursuant to § 134 of Title 23 of the United States Code; and

(5) The additional real property taxes imposed pursuant to subsection C and this subsection shall be levied, administered, enforced, and collected, in the same manner as set forth in Subtitle III of Title 58.1 for the levy, administration, enforcement, and collection of all local taxes. In addition, the local assessor shall separately assess and set forth upon the locality's land book the fair market value of that portion of property that is defined as separate class of real property for local taxation in accordance with the provisions of this section.

2007, c. 896; 2009, cc. 677, 822, 864, 871; 2018, cc. 854, 856.

Improvements to real property designed and used primarily for the purpose of manufacturing a product from renewable energy, as defined in § 56-576, are hereby declared to be a separate class of property and shall constitute a classification for local taxation separate from other classifications of real property. The governing body of any county, city, or town may, by ordinance, levy a tax on the value of such improvements at a different rate from that of tax levied on other real property. The rate of tax imposed by any county, city, or town on such improvements shall not exceed that applicable to the general class of real property.

2010, cc. 264, 849.

Buildings that are individually listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register, not including the real estate or land on which they are located, are hereby declared to be a separate class of property and shall constitute a classification for local taxation separate from other classifications of real property. The governing body of any county, city, or town may, by ordinance, levy a tax on the value of such buildings at a different rate from that of tax levied on other real property, so long as the building is maintained in a condition such that it retains the characteristics for which it was listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register. The rate of tax imposed by any county, city, or town on such buildings shall not exceed that applicable to the general class of real property.

2011, cc. 571, 581.

A. For the purposes of this section:

"Blighted property" means the same as that term is defined in § 36-3.

"Derelict building" means the same as that term is defined in § 15.2-907.1.

"Qualifying locality" means a locality with a score of 100 or higher on the fiscal stress index, as published by the Department of Housing and Community Development in July 2020.

B. In a qualifying locality, blighted properties, along with the land such properties are located on, are declared to be a separate class of property and shall constitute a separate classification for local taxation of real property.

C. In a qualifying locality, derelict buildings, along with the land such properties are located on, are declared to be a separate class of property and shall constitute a separate classification for local taxation of real property.

D. The governing body of a qualifying locality may, by ordinance, levy a tax on the property enumerated in subsection B at a rate different than that levied on other real property. The rate of tax imposed on such property may exceed the rate applicable to the general class of real property by up to five percent, but shall not be less than the rate applicable to the general class of real property.

E. The governing body of a qualifying locality may, by ordinance, levy a tax on the property enumerated in subsection C at a rate different than that levied on other real property. The rate of tax imposed on the property enumerated in subsection C may exceed the rate applicable to the general class of real property by up to 10 percent, but shall not be less than the rate applicable to the general class of real property.

F. Any tax levied pursuant to subsection D or E shall be imposed on a property upon a determination by the real estate assessor of the locality that such property constitutes either a blighted property or derelict structure, respectively. Such tax shall continue to be imposed until it has been determined by the real estate assessor of the locality that such property no longer constitutes a blighted property or derelict structure.

G. Any person aggrieved by the application of this section may appeal the determination by the real estate assessor as an erroneous assessment in accordance with Article 5 (§ 58.1-3980 et seq.) of Chapter 39.

2020, c. 1213; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 408.

The governing body of any county or city may provide for the abatement of levies on buildings which are (i) razed, or (ii) destroyed or damaged by a fortuitous happening beyond the control of the owner. In any county or city wherein assessments are made as provided in § 58.1-3292 or § 58.1-3292.1, the governing body shall so provide. No such abatement, however, shall be allowed if the destruction or damage to such building shall decrease the value thereof by less than $500. Also, no such abatement shall be allowed unless the destruction or damage renders the building unfit for use and occupancy for thirty days or more during the calendar year. The tax on such razed, destroyed or damaged building is computed according to the ratio which the portion of the year the building was fit for use, occupancy and enjoyment bears to the entire year. Application for such abatement shall be made by or on behalf of the owner of the building within six months of the date on which the building was razed, destroyed or damaged.

Code 1950, § 58-811.2; 1958, c. 559; 1984, cc. 372, 675; 2000, c. 399.

The life tenant of any property, a remainder interest in which has been acquired by the United States, shall receive a credit on his real estate tax each year for any amount paid to the county, city or town in such years under § 3 of Public Law 94-565 (31 U.S.C. § 1603) on behalf of such property. Such credit shall not exceed the amount of tax on such property.

Code 1950, § 58-761.1; 1980, c. 290; 1984, c. 675.

The circuit court of any city in which is situated real estate upon which city taxes have been assessed may, when any part of such real estate has become, since such assessment, the separate property of any of the original owners or of any other person in interest, determine the value, as of the date of the original assessment, of any portion of such real estate so separately owned. The court may also determine what part of the whole amount of the taxes, and of the penalties, if penalties have accrued upon the taxes, and of the expenses of the sale, if the property has been sold for the nonpayment of such taxes and purchased by such city or any person, may be paid by such owner of such separate part, his heirs or assigns, in order to release or redeem such part from the lien of the taxes originally assessed. The amount so fixed shall bear the same relation to the whole amount of such taxes, penalties and expenses as the value of such part of such real estate bore to the value of the whole, as of the date of the original assessment. The city attorney of such city and the commissioner of revenue shall have at least five days' notice of such application, and the order of the court shall show that fact. Upon the payment of the amount so fixed, including all costs, the owner of any such part, his heirs or assigns, shall hold the same free from any lien for city taxes for the year or years in question. Upon such payment and the delivery to him of a copy of the order of the court, the officer whose duty it is to receive such payment of such taxes shall make an appropriate entry on the tax books showing what part of the land has been so released or redeemed. Any person, upon request and the payment of a seventy-five cent fee, shall receive a copy of the order.

The provisions of this section shall not apply to any city until the city council shall by ordinance or resolution provide for its application to such city.

Code 1950, § 58-825; 1984, c. 675.

When there is a partition of any real estate owned by two or more persons as joint tenants, tenants in common or coparceners and taxes or taxes, penalty and interest or levies or assessments of any kind, whether state, county, city or town, are charged or chargeable against the joint estate, the circuit court of the county or the city in which such real estate is situated, shall, on the motion of any person to whom a portion of such real estate has been set off or allotted, or on the motion of any person who has the right to charge such portion or portions with a debt, ascertain and fix the pro rata of such amount aforesaid, which should be paid by such person on the portion or portions of such real estate set off or allotted to him. When the pro rata of such amount has been so ascertained and paid, he shall hold the portion or portions of such real estate set off or allotted to him or them, free from the residue of the tax, or tax, penalty and interest or levy or assessment charged on the tract before partition. And the portion or portions of such real estate set off or allotted to the person who shall not have paid their pro rata of the tax, or the tax, penalty and interest or levy or assessment, shall be charged with and held bound for the portion of such amount aforesaid remaining unpaid, in the same manner as if the partition had been made before the tax, or tax penalty and interest or levy or assessment had been assessed or accrued.

Code 1950, § 58-826; 1984, c. 675.

Before such motion shall be made, five days' notice thereof shall be given to the commissioner of the revenue, treasurer, and county or city attorney, and if none, to the attorney for the Commonwealth. The county or city attorney, and if none, the attorney for the Commonwealth shall be present and defend the motion, and the order of the court shall show the fact.

When such order has been made, the proper clerk shall certify a copy thereof to the commissioner of the revenue and treasurer. Such officers shall make entry of such order in the proper books and the clerk shall make an entry of such order in the delinquent land books, if such land has been returned delinquent, and shall furnish a copy thereof, for a fee of seventy-five cents to the person or persons making such motion.

Code 1950, § 58-827; 1984, c. 675.

The local governing body of any county, city or town may adopt an ordinance providing that when an individual purchases or acquires a portion of a tract of real estate, the individual or treasurer may apply to the commissioner of the revenue, or the real estate assessor of the county, city or town in which the real estate is located to determine the amount of any tax or assessment that is properly chargeable against such portion of real estate. The treasurer shall release such portion of real estate from any lien for delinquent taxes, upon receipt of payment for the total amount of taxes and penalty and interest due on such portion of real estate.

1987, c. 245; 1988, c. 277.

Any person who shall become the purchaser or in anywise acquire a portion of a tract of land or one or more lots, more than one of which are together assessed on one or more lines of the land assessment books, or any person having the right to charge a portion of a tract of land or one or more such lots with a debt, may petition the circuit court of the county or city wherein such real estate is situated to determine how much and what part of any delinquent tax, levy or assessment is properly chargeable against the land or lot or lots so purchased or acquired by such person or so liable to be charges for a debt. All persons interested in such real estate shall be summoned and made parties defendant to such petition and shall be entitled to ten days' notice thereof before a hearing may be held. The court may enter such order as may appear just and proper and, upon payment of the amount of the tax, levy or assessment due from the petitioners, the clerk of the court shall note the same on the margin of the delinquent tax books. Any person so paying part of any delinquent tax levy or assessment shall be entitled to sue and obtain judgment against any person primarily liable for such delinquent tax or who may have contracted for the payment of the same and failed to pay.

Code 1950, § 58-828; 1984, c. 675.

The local governing body of any county, city, or town may adopt an ordinance authorizing the locality to release all liens for delinquent real estate taxes, or any portion thereof, including penalty and accumulated interest, in order to facilitate the conveyance of the property. Such liens may only be released under the following conditions:

1. The purchaser is unrelated by blood or marriage to the owner;

2. The purchaser has no business association with the owner;

3. The purchaser owes no delinquent real estate taxes for any real property; and

4. The property, including land and improvements, is valued at less than $50,000.

All such liens shall remain the personal obligation of the owner of the property at the time the liens were imposed.

2000, c. 756.

A. As used in this section, unless the context requires a different meaning:

"Impervious area" means any man-made area that significantly impedes or prevents natural infiltration of water into the soil, including roofs, buildings, streets, driveways, parking areas, and any concrete, asphalt, or compacted gravel surface.

"Living shoreline" has the same meaning as provided in § 28.2-104.1.

"Qualifying flood improvements" means flooding abatement, mitigation, or resiliency improvements that do not increase the size of any impervious area and are made either to qualifying structures or to land. For improvements made to land, the improvements must be made primarily for the benefit of one or more qualifying structures.

"Qualifying structure" means a structure that was completed prior to July 1, 2018, or a structure that was completed more than 10 years prior to the completion of the qualifying flood improvements.

B. The governing body of any county, city, or town may, by ordinance, provide a partial tax exemption for improved real estate that is subject to recurrent flooding and upon which qualifying flood improvements have been made. No exemption shall be granted for any improvements made prior to July 1, 2018.

C. The ordinance may also (i) establish flood protection standards that qualifying flood improvements must meet in order to be eligible for the exemption; (ii) determine the amount of the exemption; (iii) set income or property value limitations regarding eligibility for the exemption; (iv) provide that the exemption shall last for only a specified number of years; (v) determine, based upon flood risk, zones or districts within the locality in which the exemption shall be available, such as those established by the Virginia Flood Risk Information System; and (vi) establish preferred actions that qualify for the exemption, including the use of living shorelines as the preferred alternative for stabilizing tidal shorelines in the Commonwealth pursuant to § 28.2-104.1.

2019, c. 754.

A. For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2022, any real property owned by a surviving spouse of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States who died in the line of duty with a line of duty determination from the U.S. Department of Defense, where such death was not the result of criminal conduct, and where such spouse occupies the real property as his principal place of residence and does not remarry may be declared and classified as a separate class of property and shall constitute a separate classification for local taxation of real property.

B. The governing body of such locality may by ordinance levy a tax on the property described in subsection A at a different rate than the tax imposed upon other real property, provided that the rate of tax on the property described in subsection A shall not be zero and shall not exceed the rate of tax on other real property.

C. Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit a locality to alter in any way its valuation of real property covered by this section.

D. Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict the surviving spouse from moving to a different principal place of residence and without any requirement that the surviving spouse reside in the Commonwealth at the time of death of the member of the Armed Forces of the United States.

2022, c. 77; 2024, c. 583.

Repealed by Acts 2022, c. 294, cl. 2.

For the purposes of this article the following special classifications of real estate are established and defined:

"Real estate devoted to agricultural use" shall mean real estate devoted to the bona fide production for sale of plants and animals, or products made from such plants and animals on the real estate, that are useful to man or devoted to and meeting the requirements and qualifications for payments or other compensation pursuant to soil and water conservation programs under an agreement with an agency of the state or federal government under uniform standards prescribed by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services in accordance with the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.). "Real estate devoted to agricultural use" shall include a property that formerly participated in such a state or federal soil and water conservation program and continues to meet the qualifications of such program but is no longer receiving payments or compensation. Prior, discontinued use of property shall not be considered in determining its current use. Real estate upon which recreational activities are conducted for a profit or otherwise shall be considered real estate devoted to agricultural use as long as the recreational activities conducted on such real estate do not change the character of the real estate so that it does not meet the uniform standards prescribed by the Commissioner. Real property that has been designated as devoted to agricultural use shall not lose such designation solely because a portion of the property is being used for a different purpose pursuant to a special use permit or otherwise allowed by zoning, provided that the property, excluding such portion, otherwise meets all the requirements for such designation. The portion of the property being used for a different purpose pursuant to a special use permit or otherwise allowed by zoning shall be deemed a separate piece of property from the remaining property for purposes of assessment. The presence of utility lines on real property shall not be considered in determining whether the property, including the portion where the utility lines are located, is devoted to agricultural use. In determining whether real property is devoted to agricultural use, zoning designations and special use permits for the property shall not be the sole considerations. The presence of noxious weeds, as defined in § 3.2-800, or woody growth shall not be the sole basis for the denial of such designation or for the exclusion of such land for the purposes of determining minimum acreage if the landowner provides documentation, in the form of receipts or invoices, of a regular or annual control method of such weeds or growth.

"Real estate devoted to horticultural use" shall mean real estate devoted to the bona fide production for sale of fruits of all kinds, including grapes, nuts, and berries; vegetables; nursery and floral products; and plants or products directly produced from fruits, vegetables, nursery and floral products, or plants on such real estate or devoted to and meeting the requirements and qualifications for payments or other compensation pursuant to a soil and water conservation program under an agreement with an agency of the state or federal government under uniform standards prescribed by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services in accordance with the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.). "Real estate devoted to horticultural use" shall include a property that formerly participated in such a state or federal soil and water conservation program and continues to meet the qualifications of such program but is no longer receiving payments or compensation. Prior, discontinued use of property shall not be considered in determining its current use. Real estate upon which recreational activities are conducted for profit or otherwise shall be considered real estate devoted to horticultural use as long as the recreational activities conducted on such real estate do not change the character of the real estate so that it does not meet the uniform standards prescribed by the Commissioner. Real property that has been designated as devoted to horticultural use shall not lose such designation solely because a portion of the property is being used for a different purpose pursuant to a special use permit or otherwise allowed by zoning, provided that the property, excluding such portion, otherwise meets all the requirements for such designation. The portion of the property being used for a different purpose pursuant to a special use permit or otherwise allowed by zoning shall be deemed a separate piece of property from the remaining property for purposes of assessment. The presence of utility lines on real property shall not be considered in determining whether the property, including the portion where the utility lines are located, is devoted to horticultural use. In determining whether real property is devoted to horticultural use, zoning designations and special use permits for the property shall not be the sole considerations.

"Real estate devoted to forest use" shall mean land, including the standing timber and trees thereon, devoted to tree growth in such quantity and so spaced and maintained as to constitute a forest area under standards prescribed by the State Forester pursuant to the authority set out in § 58.1-3240 and in accordance with the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.). Prior, discontinued use of property shall not be considered in determining its current use. Real estate upon which recreational activities are conducted for profit, or otherwise, shall still be considered real estate devoted to forest use as long as the recreational activities conducted on such real estate do not change the character of the real estate so that it no longer constitutes a forest area under standards prescribed by the State Forester pursuant to the authority set out in § 58.1-3240. Real property that has been designated as devoted to forest use shall not lose such designation solely because a portion of the property is being used for a different purpose pursuant to a special use permit or is otherwise allowed by zoning, provided that the property, excluding such portion, otherwise meets all the requirements for such designation. The portion of the property being used for a different purpose pursuant to a special use permit or otherwise allowed by zoning shall be deemed a separate piece of property from the remaining property for purposes of assessment. The presence of utility lines on real property shall not be considered in determining whether the property, including the portion where the utility lines are located, is devoted to forest use. In determining whether real property is devoted to forest use, zoning designations and special use permits for the property shall not be the sole considerations.

"Real estate devoted to open-space use" shall mean real estate used as, or preserved for, (i) park or recreational purposes, including public or private golf courses, (ii) conservation of land or other natural resources, (iii) floodways, (iv) wetlands as defined in § 58.1-3666, (v) riparian buffers as defined in § 58.1-3666, (vi) historic or scenic purposes, or (vii) assisting in the shaping of the character, direction, and timing of community development or for the public interest and consistent with the local land-use plan under uniform standards prescribed by the Director of the Department of Conservation and Recreation pursuant to the authority set out in § 58.1-3240 and in accordance with the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.) and the local ordinance. Prior, discontinued use of property shall not be considered in determining its current use. Real property that has been designated as devoted to open-space use shall not lose such designation solely because a portion of the property is being used for a different purpose pursuant to a special use permit or is otherwise allowed by zoning, provided that the property, excluding such portion, otherwise meets all the requirements for such designation. The portion of the property being used for a different purpose pursuant to a special use permit or otherwise allowed by zoning shall be deemed a separate piece of property from the remaining property for purposes of assessment. The presence of utility lines on real property shall not be considered in determining whether the property, including the portion where the utility lines are located, is devoted to open-space use. In determining whether real property is devoted to open-space use, zoning designations and special use permits for the property shall not be the sole considerations.

Code 1950, § 58-769.5; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 172; 1973, c. 209; 1984, cc. 675, 739, 750; 1987, c. 550; 1988, c. 695; 1989, cc. 648, 656; 1996, c. 573; 1998, c. 516; 2006, c. 817; 2009, c. 800; 2012, c. 653; 2018, c. 504; 2023, c. 345.

Any county, city or town which has adopted a land-use plan may adopt an ordinance to provide for the use value assessment and taxation, in accord with the provisions of this article, of real estate classified in § 58.1-3230. The local governing body pursuant to § 58.1-3237.1 may provide in the ordinance that property located in specified zoning districts shall not be eligible for special assessment as provided in this article. However, real estate that is being provided use value assessment and taxation shall not be denied such use value assessment and taxation solely because of its location in a newly created zoning district that was not requested by the real estate owner. The provisions of this article shall not be applicable in any county, city or town for any year unless such an ordinance is adopted by the governing body thereof not later than June 30 of the year previous to the year when such taxes are first assessed and levied under this article, or December 31 of such year for localities which have adopted a fiscal year assessment date of July 1, under Chapter 30 (§ 58.1-3000 et seq.) of this subtitle. The provisions of this article also shall not apply to the assessment of any real estate assessable pursuant to law by a central state agency.

Land used in agricultural and forestal production within an agricultural district, a forestal district or an agricultural and forestal district that has been established under Chapter 43 (§ 15.2-4300 et seq.) of Title 15.2, shall be eligible for the use value assessment and taxation whether or not a local land-use plan or local ordinance pursuant to this section has been adopted.

Such ordinance shall provide for the assessment and taxation in accordance with the provisions of this article of any or all of the four classes of real estate set forth in § 58.1-3230. If the uniform standards prescribed by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services pursuant to § 58.1-3230 require real estate to have been used for a particular purpose for a minimum length of time before qualifying as real estate devoted to agricultural use or horticultural use, then such ordinance may waive such prior use requirement for real estate devoted to the production of agricultural and horticultural crops that require more than two years from initial planting until commercially feasible harvesting. If the uniform standards prescribed by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services pursuant to § 58.1-3230 require real estate to have been used for a particular purpose for a minimum length of time before qualifying as real estate devoted to agricultural use or horticultural use, then (i) use of other similar property by a lessee of the owner shall be included in calculating such time and (ii) the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services shall include in the uniform standards a shorter minimum length of time for real estate with no prior qualifying use, provided that the owner submits a written document of the owner's intent regarding use of the real estate containing elements set out in the uniform standards. Localities are not required to maintain such written document.

Such ordinance may provide that the annual increase in the assessed value of property within the classes of real estate set forth in § 58.1-3230 shall not exceed a dollar amount per acre specified in the ordinance.

In addition to but not to replace any other requirements of a land-use plan such ordinance may provide that the special assessment and taxation be established on a sliding scale which establishes a lower assessment for property held for longer periods of time within the classes of real estate set forth in § 58.1-3230. Any such sliding scale shall be set forth in the ordinance.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the governing body of any county, city or town shall be authorized to direct a general reassessment of real estate in the year following adoption of an ordinance pursuant to this article.

Code 1950, § 58-769.6; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 172; 1973, c. 209; 1974, c. 34; 1975, c. 233; 1977, c. 681; 1978, c. 250; 1984, cc. 92, 675; 1987, c. 628; 1988, c. 695; 1999, c. 1026; 2000, c. 410; 2001, c. 705; 2018, c. 504; 2019, c. 22.

The council of any city may adopt an ordinance to provide for the assessment and taxation of only the real estate in an area newly annexed to such city in accord with the provisions of this article. All of the provisions of this article shall be applicable to such ordinance, except that if the county from which such area was annexed has in operation an ordinance hereunder, the ordinance of such city may be adopted at any time prior to April 1 of the year for which such ordinance will be effective, and applications from landowners may be received at any time within thirty days of the adoption of the ordinance in such year. If such ordinance is adopted after the date specified in § 58.1-3231, the ranges of suggested values made by the State Land Evaluation Advisory Council for the county from which such area was annexed are to be considered the value recommendations for such city. An ordinance adopted under the authority of this section shall be effective only for the tax year immediately following annexation.

Code 1950, § 58-769.6:1; 1976, c. 58; 1984, c. 675.

Prior to the assessment of any parcel of real estate under any ordinance adopted pursuant to this article, the local assessing officer shall:

1. Determine that the real estate meets the criteria set forth in § 58.1-3230 and the standards prescribed thereunder to qualify for one of the classifications set forth therein, and he may request an opinion from the Director of the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the State Forester or the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services;

2. Determine further that real estate devoted solely to (i) agricultural or horticultural use consists of a minimum of five acres, except that for real estate used for agricultural purposes, for purposes of engaging in aquaculture as defined in § 3.2-2600, or for purposes of raising specialty crops as defined by local ordinance, the governing body may by ordinance prescribe that these uses consist of a minimum acreage of less than five acres; (ii) forest use consists of a minimum of 20 acres; and (iii) open-space use consists of a minimum of five acres or such greater minimum acreage as may be prescribed by local ordinance, except that for real estate adjacent to a scenic river, a scenic highway, a Virginia Byway or public property in the Virginia Outdoors Plan or for any real estate in any city, county or town having a density of population greater than 5,000 per square mile, for any real estate in any county operating under the urban county executive form of government, or the unincorporated Town of Yorktown chartered in 1691, the governing body may by ordinance prescribe that land devoted to open-space uses consist of a minimum of one quarter of an acre.

The minimum acreage requirements for special classifications of real estate shall be determined by adding together the total area of contiguous real estate excluding recorded subdivision lots recorded after July 1, 1983, titled in the same ownership. However, for purposes of adding together such total area of contiguous real estate, any noncontiguous parcel of real property included in an agricultural, forestal, or an agricultural and forestal district of local significance pursuant to subsection B of § 15.2-4405 shall be deemed to be contiguous to any other real property that is located in such district. For purposes of this section, properties separated only by a public right-of-way are considered contiguous; and

3. Determine further that real estate devoted to open-space use is (i) within an agricultural, a forestal, or an agricultural and forestal district entered into pursuant to Chapter 43 (§ 15.2-4300 et seq.) of Title 15.2, or (ii) subject to a recorded perpetual easement that is held by a public body, and promotes the open-space use classification, as defined in § 58.1-3230, or (iii) subject to a recorded commitment entered into by the landowners with the local governing body, or its authorized designee, not to change the use to a nonqualifying use for a time period stated in the commitment of not less than four years nor more than 10 years. Such commitment shall be subject to uniform standards prescribed by the Director of the Department of Conservation and Recreation pursuant to the authority set out in § 58.1-3240. Such commitment shall run with the land for the applicable period, and may be terminated in the manner provided in § 15.2-4314 for withdrawal of land from an agricultural, a forestal or an agricultural and forestal district.

Code 1950, § 58-769.7; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 172; 1973, c. 209; 1980, c. 75; 1984, cc. 675, 739, 750; 1987, c. 550; 1988, cc. 462, 695; 1989, c. 656; 1990, c. 695; 1991, cc. 69, 490; 2002, c. 475; 2003, c. 356; 2010, c. 653; 2015, c. 485.

Property owners shall submit an application for taxation on the basis of a use assessment to the local assessing officer as follows:

1. The property owner shall submit an initial application, unless it is a revalidation form, at least 60 days preceding the tax year for which such taxation is sought;

2. In any year in which a general reassessment is being made, the property owner may submit such application until 30 days have elapsed after his notice of increase in assessment is mailed in accordance with § 58.1-3330, or 60 days preceding the tax year, whichever is later; or

3. In any locality which has adopted a fiscal tax year under Chapter 30 (§ 58.1-3000 et seq.), but continues to assess as of January 1, such application shall be submitted for any year at least 60 days preceding the effective date of the assessment for such year.

The governing body, by ordinance, may permit applications to be filed within no more than 60 days after the filing deadline specified herein, upon the payment of a late filing fee to be established by the governing body. In addition, a locality may, by ordinance, permit a further extension of the filing deadline specified herein, upon payment of an extension fee to be established by the governing body in an amount not to exceed the late filing fee, to a date not later than 30 days after notices of assessments are mailed. An individual who is owner of an undivided interest in a parcel may apply on behalf of himself and the other owners of such parcel upon submitting an affidavit that such other owners are minors, cannot be located, or represent a minority interest in such parcel. An application shall be submitted whenever the use or acreage of such land previously approved changes; however, no application fee may be required when a change in acreage occurs solely as a result of a conveyance necessitated by governmental action or condemnation of a portion of any land previously approved for taxation on the basis of use assessment. The governing body of any locality may, however, require any such property owner to revalidate at least every six years with such locality, on or before the date on which the last installment of property tax prior to the effective date of the assessment is due, on forms prepared by the Department, any applications previously approved. Each locality that has adopted an ordinance hereunder may provide for the imposition of a revalidation fee every sixth year. Such revalidation fee shall not, however, exceed the application fee currently charged by the locality. The governing body may also provide for late filing of revalidation forms on or before the effective date of the assessment, on payment of a late filing fee. Forms shall be prepared by the Department and supplied to the locality for use of the applicants and applications shall be submitted on such forms. An application fee may be required to accompany all such applications. The application form shall allow a landowner who received payments or compensation as a result of the former participation of his property in a state or federal soil and water conservation program, and whose property continues to meet the qualifications of such program but is no longer receiving such payments or compensation, to certify that the land continues to meet the requirements of such program for the purposes of classification pursuant to § 58.1-3230.

In the event of a material misstatement of facts in the application or a material change in such facts prior to the date of assessment, such application for taxation based on use assessment granted thereunder shall be void and the tax for such year extended on the basis of value determined under § 58.1-3236 D. Except as provided by local ordinance, no application for assessment based on use shall be accepted or approved if, at the time the application is filed, the tax on the land affected is delinquent. Upon the payment of all delinquent taxes, including penalties and interest, the application shall be treated in accordance with the provisions of this section.

Continuation of valuation, assessment and taxation under an ordinance adopted pursuant to this article shall depend on continuance of the real estate in a qualifying use, continued payment of taxes as referred to in § 58.1-3235, and compliance with the other requirements of this article and the ordinance and not upon continuance in the same owner of title to the land.

In the event that the locality provides for a sliding scale under an ordinance, the property owner and the locality shall execute a written agreement which sets forth the period of time that the property shall remain within the classes of real estate set forth in § 58.1-3230. The term of the written agreement shall be for a period not exceeding 20 years, and the instrument shall be recorded in the office of the clerk of the circuit court for the locality in which the subject property is located.

No locality shall require any applicant who is a lessor of the property or a portion of the property that is the subject of an application submitted pursuant to this section to provide the lease agreement governing the property for the purpose of determining whether the property is eligible for special assessment and taxation pursuant to this article.

Code 1950, § 58-769.8; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 172; 1973, cc. 93, 209; 1974, c. 33; 1976, c. 478; 1977, c. 213; 1978, cc. 250, 644, 645; 1979, cc. 180, 632; 1980, cc. 493, 508; 1982, c. 624; 1984, cc. 92, 675; 1988, c. 695; 1993, c. 102; 1999, c. 1026; 2001, c. 50; 2017, c. 25; 2018, c. 504; 2022, cc. 111, 314; 2023, c. 345.

A. If on April 1 of any year the taxes for any prior year on any parcel of real property that has a special assessment as provided for in this article are delinquent, the appropriate county, city, or town treasurer shall forthwith send notice of that fact and the general provisions of this section to the property owner by first-class mail. If, after the notice has been sent, such delinquent taxes remain unpaid on June 1, the treasurer shall notify the appropriate commissioner of the revenue who shall remove such parcel from the land use program. Such removal shall become effective for the current tax year.

B. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, a locality may, by ordinance, provide that if such delinquent taxes are paid no later than December 31, such parcel shall not be removed from the land use program.

C. No parcel of real property shall be removed from the land use program for delinquent taxes if (i) the taxes become delinquent during a state of emergency declared by the Governor pursuant to subdivision (7) of § 44-146.17; (ii) the treasurer determines that the disaster giving rise to the state of emergency has caused hardship for the taxpayer; and (iii) the delinquent taxes are paid no later than 90 days after the deadline provided in subsection A or B, as applicable.

Code 1950, § 58-769.8:1; 1980, c. 508; 1984, c. 675; 1994, c. 199; 2022, c. 663.

A. In valuing real estate for purposes of taxation by any county, city or town which has adopted an ordinance pursuant to this article, the commissioner of the revenue or duly appointed assessor shall consider only those indicia of value which such real estate has for agricultural, horticultural, forest or open space use, and real estate taxes for such jurisdiction shall be extended upon the value so determined. In addition to use of his personal knowledge, judgment and experience as to the value of real estate in agricultural, horticultural, forest or open space use, he shall, in arriving at the value of such land, consider available evidence of agricultural, horticultural, forest or open space capability, and the recommendations of value of such real estate as made by the State Land Evaluation Advisory Council.

B. In determining the total area of real estate actively devoted to agricultural, horticultural, forest or open space use there shall be included the area of all real estate under barns, sheds, silos, cribs, greenhouses, public recreation facilities and like structures, lakes, dams, ponds, streams, irrigation ditches and like facilities; but real estate under, and such additional real estate as may be actually used in connection with, the farmhouse or home or any other structure not related to such special use, shall be excluded in determining such total area.

C. All structures which are located on real estate in agricultural, horticultural, forest or open space use and the farmhouse or home or any other structure not related to such special use and the real estate on which the farmhouse or home or such other structure is located, together with the additional real estate used in connection therewith, shall be valued, assessed and taxed by the same standards, methods and procedures as other taxable structures and other real estate in the locality.

D. In addition, such real estate in agricultural, horticultural, forest or open space use shall be evaluated on the basis of fair market value as applied to other real estate in the taxing jurisdiction, and land book records shall be maintained to show both the use value and the fair market value of such real estate.

Code 1950, § 58-769.9; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 172; 1984, c. 675.

A. When real estate qualifies for assessment and taxation on the basis of use under an ordinance adopted pursuant to this article, and the use by which it qualified changes to a nonqualifying use, or, except as provided by ordinance enacted pursuant to subsection G, the zoning of the real estate is changed to a more intensive use at the request of the owner or his agent, it shall be subject to additional taxes, hereinafter referred to as roll-back taxes. Such additional taxes shall only be assessed against that portion of such real estate which no longer qualifies for assessment and taxation on the basis of use or zoning. Liability for roll-back taxes shall attach and be paid to the treasurer only if the amount of tax due exceeds ten dollars.

B. In localities which have not adopted a sliding scale ordinance, the roll-back tax shall be equal to the sum of the deferred tax for each of the five most recent complete tax years including simple interest on such roll-back taxes at a rate set by the governing body, no greater than the rate applicable to delinquent taxes in such locality pursuant to § 58.1-3916 for each of the tax years. The deferred tax for each year shall be equal to the difference between the tax levied and the tax that would have been levied based on the fair market value assessment of the real estate for that year. In addition the taxes for the current year shall be extended on the basis of fair market value which may be accomplished by means of a supplemental assessment based upon the difference between the use value and the fair market value.

C. In localities which have adopted a sliding scale ordinance, the roll-back tax shall be equal to the sum of the deferred tax from the effective date of the written agreement including simple interest on such roll-back taxes at a rate set by the governing body, which shall not be greater than the rate applicable to delinquent taxes in such locality pursuant to § 58.1-3916, for each of the tax years. The deferred tax for each year shall be equal to the difference between the tax levied and the tax that would have been levied based on the fair market value assessment of the real estate for that year and based on the highest tax rate applicable to the real estate for that year, had it not been subject to special assessment. In addition the taxes for the current year shall be extended on the basis of fair market value which may be accomplished by means of a supplemental assessment based upon the difference between the use value and the fair market value and based on the highest tax rate applicable to the real estate for that year.

D. Liability to the roll-back taxes shall attach when a change in use occurs, or, except as provided by ordinance enacted pursuant to subsection G, a change in zoning of the real estate to a more intensive use at the request of the owner or his agent occurs. Liability to the roll-back taxes shall not attach when a change in ownership of the title takes place if the new owner does not rezone the real estate to a more intensive use, unless otherwise provided by ordinance enacted pursuant to subsection G, and continues the real estate in the use for which it is classified under the conditions prescribed in this article and in the ordinance. The owner of any real estate which has been zoned to more intensive use at the request of the owner or his agent as provided in subsection E, or otherwise subject to or liable for roll-back taxes, shall, within sixty days following such change in use or zoning, report such change to the commissioner of the revenue or other assessing officer on such forms as may be prescribed. The commissioner shall forthwith determine and assess the roll-back tax, which shall be assessed against and paid by the owner of the property at the time the change in use which no longer qualifies occurs, or at the time of the zoning of the real estate to a more intensive use at the request of the owner or his agent occurs, and shall be paid to the treasurer within thirty days of the assessment. If the amount due is not paid by the due date, the treasurer shall impose a penalty and interest on the amount of the roll-back tax, including interest for prior years. Such penalty and interest shall be imposed in accordance with §§ 58.1-3915 and 58.1-3916.

E. Real property zoned to a more intensive use, at the request of the owner or his agent, shall be subject to and liable for the roll-back tax at the time such zoning is changed. The roll-back tax shall be levied and collected from the owner of the real estate in accordance with subsection D. Real property zoned to a more intensive use before July 1, 1988, at the request of the owner or his agent, shall be subject to and liable for the roll-back tax at the time the qualifying use is changed to a nonqualifying use. Real property zoned to a more intensive use at the request of the owner or his agent after July 1, 1988, shall be subject to and liable for the roll-back tax at the time of such zoning. Said roll-back tax, plus interest calculated in accordance with subsection B, shall be levied and collected at the time such property was rezoned. For property rezoned after July 1, 1988, but before July 1, 1992, no penalties or interest, except as provided in subsection B, shall be assessed, provided the said roll-back tax is paid on or before October 1, 1992. No real property rezoned to a more intensive use at the request of the owner or his agent shall be eligible for taxation and assessment under this article, provided that these provisions shall not be applicable to any rezoning which is required for the establishment, continuation, or expansion of a qualifying use. If the property is subsequently rezoned to agricultural, horticultural, or open space, it shall be eligible for consideration for assessment and taxation under this article only after three years have passed since the rezoning was effective.

However, the owner of any real property that qualified for assessment and taxation on the basis of use, and whose real property was rezoned to a more intensive use at the owner's request prior to 1980, may be eligible for taxation and assessment under this article provided the owner applies for rezoning to agricultural, horticultural, open-space or forest use. The real property shall be eligible for assessment and taxation on the basis of the qualifying use for the tax year following the effective date of the rezoning. If any such real property is subsequently rezoned to a more intensive use at the owner's request, within five years from the date the property was initially rezoned to a qualifying use under this section, the owner shall be liable for roll-back taxes when the property is rezoned to a more intensive use. Additionally, the owner shall be subject to a penalty equal to fifty percent of the roll-back taxes due as determined under subsection B of this section.

The roll-back taxes and penalty that otherwise would be imposed under this subsection shall not become due at the time the zoning is changed if the locality has enacted an ordinance pursuant to subsection G.

F. If real estate annexed by a city and granted use value assessment and taxation becomes subject to roll-back taxes, and such real estate likewise has been granted use value assessment and taxation by the county prior to annexation, the city shall collect roll-back taxes and interest for the maximum period allowed under this section and shall return to the county a share of such taxes and interest proportionate to the amount of such period, if any, for which the real estate was situated in the county.

G. A locality may enact an ordinance providing that (i) when a change in zoning of real estate to a more intensive use at the request of the owner or his agent occurs, roll-back taxes shall not become due solely because the change in zoning is for specific more intensive uses set forth in the ordinance, (ii) such real estate may remain eligible for use value assessment and taxation, in accordance with the provisions of this article, as long as the use by which it qualified does not change to a nonqualifying use, and (iii) no roll-back tax shall become due with respect to the real estate until such time as the use by which it qualified changes to a nonqualifying use.

Code 1950, § 58-769.10; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 172; 1973, c. 209; 1974, c. 34; 1977, c. 323; 1979, c. 179; 1980, c. 363; 1984, cc. 92, 222, 675, 676, 681; 1985, c. 478; 1988, cc. 422, 695; 1990, c. 841; 1992, Sp. Sess., c. 3; 1998, c. 274; 1999, c. 1026; 2013, c. 269.

A. Albemarle County, Arlington County, Augusta County, James City County, Loudoun County, and Rockingham County may include the following additional provisions in any ordinance enacted under the authority of this article:

1. The governing body may exclude land lying in planned development, industrial or commercial zoning districts from assessment under the provisions of this article. As applied to zoning districts, this provision applies only to zoning districts established prior to January 1, 1981.

2. The governing body may provide that when the zoning of the property taxed under the provisions of this article is changed to allow a more intensive nonagricultural use at the request of the owner or his agent, such property shall not be eligible for assessment and taxation under this article. This shall not apply, however, to property that is zoned agricultural and is subsequently rezoned to a more intensive use that is complementary to agricultural use, provided such property continues to be owned by the same owner who owned the property prior to rezoning and continues to operate the agricultural activity on the property. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, such property shall be subject to and liable for roll-back taxes at the time the zoning is changed to allow any use more intensive than the use for which it qualifies for special assessment. The roll-back tax, plus interest, shall be calculated, levied and collected from the owner of the real estate in accordance with § 58.1-3237 at the time the property is rezoned.

B. Goochland County may include additional provisions specified in subdivisions A 1 and 2 in any ordinance enacted under the authority of this article, but only in service districts created after July 1, 2013, pursuant to Article 1 (§ 15.2-2400 et seq.) of Chapter 24 of Title 15.2.

1987, c. 628; 1992, Sp. Sess., c. 3; 1993, c. 584; 2007, c. 813; 2011, c. 12; 2013, c. 677.

Any person failing to report properly any change in use of property for which an application for use value taxation had been filed shall be liable for all such taxes, in such amounts and at such times as if he had complied herewith and assessments had been properly made, and he shall be liable for such penalties and interest thereon as may be provided by ordinance. Any person making a material misstatement of fact in any such application shall be liable for all such taxes, in such amounts and at such times as if such property had been assessed on the basis of fair market value as applied to other real estate in the taxing jurisdiction, together with interest and penalties thereon. If such material misstatement was made with the intent to defraud the locality, he shall be further assessed with an additional penalty of 100 percent of such unpaid taxes.

For purposes of this section and § 58.1-3234, incorrect information on the following subjects will be considered material misstatements of fact:

1. The number and identities of the known owners of the property at the time of application;

2. The actual use of the property.

The intentional misrepresentation of the number of acres in the parcel or the number of acres to be taxed according to use shall also be considered a material misstatement of fact for the purposes of this section and § 58.1-3234.

Code 1950, § 58-769.10:1; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 172; 1982, c. 624; 1984, cc. 675, 681.

The State Land Evaluation Advisory Committee is continued and shall hereafter be known as the State Land Evaluation Advisory Council. The Advisory Council shall be composed of the Tax Commissioner, the dean of the College of Agriculture of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, the State Forester, the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Director of the Department of Conservation and Recreation.

The Advisory Council shall determine and publish a range of suggested values for each of the several soil conservation service land capability classifications for agricultural, horticultural, forest and open space uses in the various areas of the Commonwealth as needed to carry out the provisions of this article.

On or before October 1 of each year the Advisory Council shall submit recommended ranges of suggested values to be effective the following January 1 or July 1 in the case of localities with fiscal year assessment under the authority of Chapter 30 of this subtitle, within each locality which has adopted an ordinance pursuant to the provisions of this article based on the productive earning power of real estate devoted to agricultural, horticultural, forest and open space uses and make such recommended ranges available to the commissioner of the revenue or duly appointed assessor in each such locality.

The Advisory Council, in determining such ranges of values, shall base the determination on productive earning power to be determined by capitalization of warranted cash rents or by the capitalization of incomes of like real estate in the locality or a reasonable area of the locality.

Any locality adopting an ordinance pursuant to this article shall forthwith file a copy thereof with the Advisory Council.

Code 1950, § 58-769.11; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 172; 1976, c. 55; 1979, c. 152; 1984, cc. 675, 739, 750; 1985, c. 448; 1987, c. 550; 1989, c. 656.

The Director of the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the State Forester, and the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services shall provide, after holding public hearings, to the commissioner of the revenue or duly appointed assessor of each locality adopting an ordinance pursuant to this article, a statement of the standards referred to in § 58.1-3230 and subdivision 1 of § 58.1-3233, which shall be applied uniformly throughout the Commonwealth in determining whether real estate is devoted to agricultural use, horticultural use, forest use or open-space use for the purposes of this article and the procedure to be followed by such official to obtain the opinion referenced in subdivision 1 of § 58.1-3233. Upon the refusal of the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the State Forester or the Director of the Department of Conservation and Recreation to issue an opinion or in the event of an unfavorable opinion which does not comport with standards set forth in the statements filed pursuant to this section, the party aggrieved may seek relief in the circuit court of the county or city wherein the real estate in question is located, and in the event that the court finds in his favor, it may issue an order which shall serve in lieu of an opinion for the purposes of this article.

Code 1950, § 58-769.12; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 172; 1973, c. 209; 1984, cc. 675, 739, 750; 1987, c. 550; 1989, c. 656.

A. Separation or split-off of lots, pieces or parcels of land from the real estate which is being valued, assessed and taxed under an ordinance adopted pursuant to this article, either by conveyance or other action of the owner of such real estate, shall subject the real estate so separated to liability for the roll-back taxes applicable thereto, but shall not impair the right of each subdivided parcel of such real estate to qualify for such valuation, assessment and taxation in any and all future years, provided it meets the minimum acreage requirements and such other conditions of this article as may be applicable. Such separation or split-off of lots shall not impair the right of the remaining real estate to continuance of such valuation, assessment and taxation without liability for roll-back taxes, provided it meets the minimum acreage requirements and other applicable conditions of this article.

B. 1. No subdivision, separation, or split-off of property which results in parcels that meet the minimum acreage requirements of this article, and that are used for one or more of the purposes set forth in § 58.1-3230, shall be subject to the provisions of subsection A.

2. The application of roll-back taxes pursuant to subsection A shall, at the option of the locality, also not apply to a subdivision, separation, or split-off of property made pursuant to a subdivision ordinance adopted under § 15.2-2244 that results in parcels that do not meet the minimum acreage requirements of this article, provided that title to the parcels subdivided, separated, or split-off is held in the name of an immediate family member for at least the first 60 months immediately following the subdivision, separation, or split-off.

For purposes of this subdivision, an "immediate family member" means any person defined as such in the locality's subdivision ordinance adopted pursuant to § 15.2-2244.

C. Where contiguous real estate in agricultural, horticultural, forest or open-space use in one ownership is located in more than one taxing locality, compliance with the minimum acreage shall be determined on the basis of the total area of such real estate and not the area which is located in the particular taxing locality.

Code 1950, § 58-769.13; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 172; 1978, c. 385; 1984, c. 675; 1988, c. 695; 2006, c. 221.

The taking of real estate which is being valued, assessed and taxed under an ordinance adopted pursuant to this article by right of eminent domain shall not subject the real estate so taken to the roll-back taxes herein imposed.

Code 1950, § 58-769.14; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 172; 1984, c. 675.

A. There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Forest Sustainability Fund, referred to in this section as "the Fund." The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. All funds appropriated for such purpose and any gifts, donations, grants, bequests, and other funds received on its behalf shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for the purposes set forth in subsection B. Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the State Forester.

B. Any locality that has adopted an ordinance to provide for the use value assessment and taxation for real estate devoted for forest use pursuant to this article may apply for an annual allocation of funds from the Fund. A locality shall submit by November 15 of each year (i) a copy of its ordinance and (ii) the total revenue forgone by the locality in the prior fiscal year due to the use value assessment and taxation for real estate devoted for forest use. The State Forester shall allocate moneys from the Fund proportionally to each locality that submitted an approved application. No locality shall receive more moneys from the Fund than such locality forwent in the prior fiscal year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no locality shall receive an allocation of more than four percent or less than one-half of one percent of available funds. Any funds received by a locality shall be used solely for public education generally or for projects related to outdoor recreation or forest conservation.

2022, cc. 378, 379; 2024, cc. 699, 703.

The provisions of this title applicable to local levies and real estate assessment and taxation shall be applicable to assessments and taxation hereunder mutatis mutandis including, without limitation, provisions relating to tax liens, boards of equalization and the correction of erroneous assessments and for such purposes the roll-back taxes shall be considered to be deferred real estate taxes.

Code 1950, § 58-769.15; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 172; 1980, c. 241; 1983, c. 304; 1984, c. 675.

Nothing in this article shall be construed to be in conflict with the requirements for preparation and use of true values where prescribed by the General Assembly for use in any fund distribution formula.

Code 1950, § 58-769.15:1; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 172; 1984, c. 675.

As used in this article, unless the context clearly shows otherwise, the term or phrase:

"Base assessed value" means the assessed value of real estate within a development project area as shown upon the land book records of the local assessing officer on January 1 of the year preceding the effective date of the ordinance creating the development project area.

"Blighted area" means any area within the borders of a development project area which impairs economic values and tax revenues, causes an increase in and spread of disease and crime, and is a menace to the health, safety, morals and welfare of the citizens of the Commonwealth; or any area which endangers the public health, safety and welfare because commercial, industrial and residential structures are subject to dilapidation, deterioration, obsolescence, inadequate ventilation, inadequate public utilities and violations of minimum health and safety standards; or any area previously designated as a blighted area pursuant to § 36-48; or any area adjacent to or in the immediate vicinity thereof which may be improved or enhanced in value by the placement of a proposed highway construction project.

"Current assessed value" means the annual assessed value of real estate in a development project area as recorded on the land book records of the local assessing officer.

"Development project area" means any area designated for development or redevelopment, including any area designated for a dredging project other than a dredging project for or by the Virginia Port Authority, unless the Virginia Port Authority has an agreement with a local governing body for local financial participation in such a project, in an ordinance passed by the local governing body.

"Development project cost" has the same meaning as the term "cost" in the Public Finance Act (§ 15.2-2600 et seq.) and, in the case of blighted areas, includes amounts paid to carry out the purposes described in § 144(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

"Development project cost commitment" means a determination by the local governing body of payment of a sum specific of development project costs from the tax increment and other available funds in a development area.

"Governing body" means the board of supervisors, council or other legislative body of any county, city or town.

"Obligations" means bonds, general obligation bonds and revenue bonds as defined in § 15.2-2602 of the Public Finance Act (§ 15.2-2600 et seq.), and any other form of indebtedness which the county, city or town may incur.

"Tax increment" means the amount by which the current assessed value of real estate exceeds the base assessed value.

1988, c. 776; 1989, c. 418; 1990, c. 296; 1994, c. 667; 2018, c. 120.

It is hereby found and declared that blighted areas exist in the Commonwealth, and these areas impair and endanger the health, safety, morals and welfare of the citizens because commercial, residential and industrial structures or improvements are subject to dilapidation, deterioration, inadequate ventilation, and inadequate public utilities. It is a public purpose to provide public facilities including, but not limited to, roads, water, sewers, parks, and real estate devoted to open-space use as that term is defined in § 58.1-3230 within redevelopment and conservation areas to encourage the private development in such areas in order to eliminate blighted conditions. It is essential to the public interest that governing bodies have authority to finance development project costs by using real estate tax increments to encourage private investment in development project areas.

1988, c. 776; 1990, c. 296; 1999, cc. 162, 190; 2006, c. 784.

A. The governing body of any county, city or town may adopt tax increment financing by passing an ordinance designating a development project area and providing that real estate taxes in the development project area shall be assessed, collected and allocated in the following manner for so long as any obligations or development project cost commitments secured by the Tax Increment Financing Fund, hereinafter authorized, are outstanding and unpaid.

1. The local assessing officer shall record in the land book both the base assessed value and the current assessed value of the real estate in the development project area.

2. Real estate taxes attributable to the lower of the current assessed value or base assessed value of real estate located in a development project area shall be allocated by the treasurer or director of finance pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.

3. Real estate taxes attributable to the increased value between the current assessed value of any parcel of real estate and the base assessed value of such real estate shall be allocated by the treasurer or director of finance and paid into a special fund entitled the "Tax Increment Financing Fund" to pay the principal and interest on obligations issued or development project cost commitments entered into to finance the development project costs.

B. The governing body shall hold a public hearing on the need for tax increment financing in the county, city or town prior to adopting a tax increment financing ordinance. Notice of the public hearing shall be published three times in each newspaper of general circulation in such county, city or town, with the first publication appearing no more than 35 days before and the third publication appearing no less than seven days before the hearing. The notice shall include the time, place and purpose of the public hearing, define tax increment financing, indicate the proposed boundaries of the development project area, and propose obligations to be issued to finance the development project area costs.

1988, c. 776; 1990, c. 296; 1994, c. 667; 2023, cc. 506, 507; 2024, cc. 225, 242.

The governing body shall transmit to the local assessing officer and treasurer or director of finance a copy of the tax increment financing ordinance, a description of all real estate located within the development project area, a map indicating the boundaries of the development project area and the manner of collecting and allocating real estate taxes pursuant to this article.

1988, c. 776.

Any county, city or town which adopts tax increment financing may issue obligations and may make development project cost commitments secured by the Tax Increment Financing Fund established in § 58.1-3245.2 to finance the development project costs. All obligations issued pursuant to this section shall be subject to the requirements and limitations of the Public Finance Act (Chapter 26, § 15.2-2600 et seq., of Title 15.2) and the charter provisions of each county, city or town. The ordinance authorizing the issuance of obligations may pledge all or any part of the funds deposited in the Tax Increment Financing Fund for the payment of the development project costs and any obligations to be issued to finance them. Any revenues in the Tax Increment Financing Fund which are not pledged as security for the obligations issued or allocated for development project cost commitments shall be deemed "surplus funds." At the end of the tax year, all surplus funds may be paid into the general fund of the county, city or town in which the development project area is located. The local governing body may agree, in writing, to pay all or a portion of any project development cost in annual installments from the tax increment and other available funds.

A county, city or town may also pledge any part or combination of the following revenues for a period not to exceed the term of the obligations:

1. Net revenues of all or part of any development project;

2. All real estate and tangible personal property taxes;

3. The full faith and credit of the locality;

4. Any other taxes or anticipated revenues that the county, city or town may lawfully pledge.

1988, c. 776; 1990, c. 296; 1994, c. 667.

The Cities of Chesapeake and Virginia Beach, when issuing debt obligations pursuant to § 58.1-3245.4 shall not be subject to any annual debt limitations set forth in the charter provisions of such city.

1994, c. 667; 2005, c. 733.

The governing body may pass an ordinance to dissolve the Tax Increment Financing Fund, and to terminate the existence of a development project area, upon the payment or defeasance of all obligations secured by the Tax Increment Financing Fund and payment or provision for payment of all development project cost commitments. When the Tax Increment Financing Fund is dissolved, any revenue remaining in the Fund after payment or provision for payment of all such obligations and commitments shall be paid into the general fund of the county, city or town.

Upon dissolving the Tax Increment Financing Fund, the real estate shall be assessed and taxes collected in the same manner as applicable in the year preceding the adoption of the tax increment financing ordinance, and pursuant to this chapter.

1988, c. 776; 1990, c. 296; 1994, c. 667.

As used in this article, unless the context clearly shows otherwise, the term or phrase:

"Base assessed value" means the assessed value of real estate or machinery and tools within a local enterprise zone as shown upon the records of the local assessing officer on January 1 of the year preceding the effective date of the ordinance establishing the local enterprise zone development taxation.

"Current assessed value" means the annual assessed value of real estate or machinery and tools in a local enterprise zone as shown upon the records of the local assessing officer.

"Enterprise zone" means an area designated by the Governor as an enterprise zone pursuant to Chapter 49 (§ 59.1-538 et seq.) of Title 59.1.

"Local enterprise zone" means an enterprise zone designated as a local enterprise zone by an ordinance adopted pursuant to § 58.1-3245.8.

"Tax increment" means all or a portion of the amount by which the current assessed value of real estate or machinery and tools, or both, in a local enterprise zone exceeds the base assessed value.

1997, c. 314; 2005, cc. 863, 884.

It is hereby found and declared that the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the Commonwealth are dependent upon the continual encouragement, development, growth, and expansion of the private sector within the Commonwealth and that there are certain areas in the Commonwealth that need the attention of local governments to attract private sector investment. Local government efforts to encourage private investment in areas designated by the Governor as enterprise zones will complement the efforts of the Commonwealth to stimulate business and industrial growth in such areas. It is essential to the public interest that governing bodies of counties, cities, and towns have authority to use tax increments to encourage private investment in local enterprise zones.

1997, c. 314.

A. The governing body of any county, city, or town may adopt a local enterprise zone development taxation program by passing an ordinance designating an enterprise zone located within its boundaries as a local enterprise zone; however, an ordinance may designate an area as a local enterprise zone contingent upon the designation of the area as an enterprise zone pursuant to Chapter 49 (§ 59.1-538 et seq.) of Title 59.1. If the county, city, or town contains more than one enterprise zone, such ordinance may designate one or more as a local enterprise zone. If an enterprise zone is located in more than one county, city, or town, the governing body may designate the portion of the enterprise zone located within its boundaries as a local enterprise zone. An ordinance designating a local enterprise zone shall provide that all or a specified percentage of the real estate taxes, machinery and tools taxes, or both, in the local enterprise zone shall be assessed, collected and allocated in the following manner:

1. The local assessing officer shall record in the appropriate books both the base assessed value and the current assessed value of the real estate or machinery and tools, or both, in the local enterprise zone.

2. Real estate taxes or machinery and tools taxes attributable to the lower of the current assessed value or base assessed value of real estate or machinery and tools located in a local enterprise zone shall be allocated by the treasurer or director of finance as they would be in the absence of such ordinance.

3. All or the specified percentage of the increase in real estate taxes or machinery and tools taxes, or both, attributable to the difference between (i) the current assessed value of such property and (ii) the base assessed value of such property shall be allocated by the treasurer or director of finance and paid into a special fund entitled the "Local Enterprise Zone Development Fund" to be used as provided in § 58.1-3245.10. Such amounts paid into the fund shall not include any additional revenues resulting from an increase in the tax rate on real estate or machinery and tools after the adoption of a local enterprise zone development taxation ordinance, nor shall it include any additional revenues merely resulting from an increase in the assessed value of real estate or machinery and tools which were located in the zone prior to the adoption of a local enterprise zone development taxation ordinance unless such property is improved or enhanced.

B. The governing body shall hold a public hearing on the need for a local enterprise zone development taxation program in the county, city, or town prior to adopting a local enterprise zone development taxation ordinance. Notice of the public hearing shall be published three times in each newspaper of general circulation in such county, city, or town, with the first publication appearing no more than 35 days before and the third publication appearing no less than seven days before the hearing. The notice shall include the time, place and purpose of the public hearing; define local enterprise zone development taxation; indicate the proposed boundaries of the local enterprise zone; state whether all or a specified percentage of real property or machinery or tools, or both, will be subject to local enterprise zone development taxation; and describe the purposes for which funds in the Local Enterprise Zone Development Fund are authorized to be used.

1997, c. 314; 2005, cc. 863, 884; 2023, cc. 506, 507; 2024, cc. 225, 242.

The governing body shall transmit to the local assessing officer and treasurer or director of finance a copy of the local enterprise zone development taxation ordinance, a description of all real estate or machinery and tools, or both, located within the local enterprise zone, a map indicating the boundaries of the local enterprise zone and the manner of collecting and allocating real estate taxes or machinery and tools taxes pursuant to this article.

1997, c. 314.

A. Any county, city, or town which adopts a local enterprise zone development taxation program may use funds in the Local Enterprise Zone Development Fund for any one or more of the following purposes:

1. To provide enhanced law-enforcement and other governmental services, including financing transportation projects, as may be appropriate to secure and promote private investment in the local enterprise zone;

2. To make grants to chambers of commerce and similar organizations within such county, city, or town in order to secure and promote economic development within the local enterprise zone; or

3. To make grants to any industrial development authority created by the governing body pursuant to Chapter 49 (§ 15.2-4900 et seq.) of Title 15.2, in order to secure and promote economic development within the local enterprise zone.

B. Any revenues in the Local Enterprise Zone Development Fund which are not used for a purpose authorized by subsection A shall be deemed "surplus funds." At the end of the tax year, all surplus funds may be paid into the general fund of the county, city, or town in which the local enterprise zone is located.

1997, c. 314.

The existence of a local enterprise zone shall terminate, and the Local Enterprise Zone Development Fund shall dissolve, upon the earliest to occur of (i) the passage by the governing body of an ordinance repealing the local enterprise zone taxation ordinance or (ii) the termination of designation of the area as an enterprise zone. When the Local Enterprise Zone Development Fund is dissolved, any revenue remaining in the Fund shall be paid into the general fund of the county, city, or town.

Upon dissolving the Local Enterprise Zone Development Fund, the real estate or machinery and tools, or both, shall be assessed and taxes collected in the same manner as applicable in the year preceding the adoption of the local enterprise zone development taxation ordinance.

1997, c. 314.

The governing body of any county, city, or town may also adopt a local enterprise zone development taxation program for a technology zone, as described in § 58.1-3850, a defense production and support services zone, as described in § 58.1-3853, or a green development zone, as described in § 58.1-3854, located within its boundaries, regardless of whether such technology zone, defense production and support services zone, or green development zone has been designated by the Governor as an enterprise zone pursuant to Chapter 49 (§ 59.1-538 et seq.) of Title 59.1. Such program for a technology zone, defense production and support services zone, or green development zone shall be adopted by local ordinance. All other provisions in this article as they relate to a local enterprise zone development taxation program for enterprise zones shall apply to such program for technology, defense production and support services, or green development zone.

2002, c. 449; 2005, cc. 863, 884; 2011, cc. 875, 877; 2012, c. 91; 2017, c. 27.

In each of the cities of this Commonwealth, there shall be a general reassessment of real estate every two years. Sections 58.1-3258, 58.1-3275, 58.1-3271, 58.1-3276, and 58.1-3278, and other relevant provisions of law shall be applicable to general reassessments of real estate in cities. Any city which has a total population of 30,000 or less, may elect by majority vote of its council to conduct its general reassessments at four-year intervals.

No provision of this section shall affect the power of any city to use the annual or biennial assessment method in lieu of general assessments.

Code 1950, § 58-776; 1976, c. 717; 1979, c. 577; 1980, c. 569; 1984, c. 675.

The governing body of any city having a population not in excess of 30,000 may, in lieu of the reassessment provided by general law, by ordinance provide for the annual assessment and reassessment and equalization of assessments of real estate therein, and to that end may appoint a professional real estate assessor certified by the Department, or a board of assessors, to assess and from time to time reassess for taxation in such city, and shall prescribe the duties and terms of office of the assessor or assessors.

Code 1950, § 58-776.1; 1950, p. 700; 1952, c. 164; 1976, c. 717; 1979, c. 577; 1983, c. 304; 1984, c. 675.

There shall be a general reassessment of real estate every four years or, if determined by majority vote of a county's board of supervisors, every three years. Any county that has a total population of 50,000 or less may elect by majority vote of its board of supervisors to conduct its general reassessments at either five-year or six-year intervals. In addition, Augusta County and Bedford County may elect by majority vote of their respective board of supervisors to conduct their general reassessments at either five-year or six-year intervals.

Nothing in this section shall affect the power of any county to use the annual or biennial assessment method as authorized by law.

Code 1950, § 58-778; 1950, p. 10; 1976, c. 717; 1977, c. 419; 1979, cc. 574, 577; 1981, c. 439; 1984, cc. 273, 675; 2009, c. 529; 2018, c. 24; 2022, cc. 361, 362.

A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the governing body of any county or city having at least one full-time real estate appraiser or assessor qualified by the Tax Commissioner may provide by ordinance for the biennial assessment and equalization of real estate in lieu of the reassessments required under this chapter. Any county or city employing such method shall conduct a new reassessment of all real property biennially, but may complete such reassessment during an entire two-year period, employing the same standards of value for all appraisals made during such period.

B. In lieu of the method now prescribed by law, the governing body of any county or city may, by ordinance duly adopted, provide for the annual assessment and equalization of real estate for local taxation, or the biennial assessment as authorized by subsection A. If so made, all real estate shall thereafter be assessed as of January 1 of each year, except as provided in Chapter 30 of this subtitle.

Code 1950, §§ 58-769.2, 58-778.1; 1966, c. 84; 1976, cc. 711, 717; 1979, c. 577; 1984, c. 675; 2008, c. 540.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this article to the contrary, there may be a general reassessment of real estate in any county or city in any year if the governing body so directs by a majority of all the members thereof, by a recorded yea and nay vote. If such general reassessment is conducted, further general reassessments shall be required only every fourth year thereafter for counties, or every second year thereafter for cities notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 58.1-3250 and 58.1-3252 to the contrary.

Code 1950, § 58-784.3; 1950, p. 1267; 1976, c. 717; 1984, c. 675.

The governing body of any county which established a department of real estate assessments and provided for annual assessment and reassessment and equalization of assessments of real estate as provided in §§ 15.2-716 and 15.2-716.1 shall not be required to undertake general reassessments of real estate every four years as otherwise provided in this article.

Code 1950, § 58-784.5; 1973, c. 152; 1976, c. 717; 1984, c. 675; 2010, cc. 154, 199.

In any incorporated town there may be for town taxation and debt limitation, a general reassessment of the real estate in any such town in the year designated, and every fourth year thereafter, that the council of such town shall declare by ordinance or resolution the necessity therefor. Every such general reassessment of real estate in any such town shall be made by a board of assessors consisting of three residents, a majority of whom shall be freeholders, who hold no official office or position with the town government, appointed by the council of such town for each general reassessment and the compensation of the person so designated shall be prescribed by the council and paid out of the town treasury. The assessors so designated shall assess the property in accordance with the general law and Constitution of Virginia. If for any cause the board is unable to complete an assessment within the year for which it is appointed, the council shall extend the time therefor for three months. Any vacancy in the membership of the board shall be filled by the council within 30 days after the occurrence thereof, but such vacancy shall not invalidate any assessment. The assessments so made shall be open for public inspection after notice of such inspection shall have been advertised in a newspaper of general circulation within the town at least seven days prior to such date or dates of inspection. Within 30 days after the final date of inspection the assessors shall file the completed reassessments in the office of the town clerk and at the same time forward to the Department of Taxation a copy of the recapitulation sheets of such assessments.

Any person, firm, or corporation claiming to be aggrieved by any assessment may, within 30 days after the filing of reassessments in the office of the town clerk, apply to the town board of equalization for a correction of such assessment by filing with the town clerk a written statement setting forth his grievances. The board of equalization of every such town shall, within 30 days of the filing of such complaint, fix a date for a hearing on such application and, after giving the applicant at least 10 days' notice of the time fixed, shall hear such evidence as may be introduced by interested parties and correct the assessment by increasing or reducing the same. The circuit court having jurisdiction within the town shall, in each tax year immediately following the year in which a general reassessment was conducted, appoint for such town a board of equalization of real estate assessments made up of three to five citizens of the town. Any such town board of equalization shall be subject to the same member composition requirements and limits on terms of service as provided for boards of equalization pursuant to § 58.1-3374. In addition, at least once in every four years of service on a town board of equalization, each member of such board shall take continuing education instruction provided by the Tax Commissioner pursuant to § 58.1-206. In equalizing real property tax assessments, such board of equalization shall hear complaints, including but not limited to, that real property is assessed at more than fair market value. In hearing complaints, the board shall establish the value of real property as provided in § 58.1-3378. The provisions of § 58.1-3379 shall apply to all complaints heard by any town board of equalization.

Town taxes for each year on real estate subject to reassessment shall be extended on the basis of the last general reassessment made prior to such year subject to such changes as may have been lawfully made. The town tax assessor shall make changes required by new construction, subdivision and disaster loss. The council of any town may provide by ordinance that it will have a general reassessment of real estate in the town in the year designated by the town council and every year thereafter. The town council may declare the necessity for such general reassessment by such ordinance, but in all other respects this section shall be controlling. No county or district levies shall be extended on any assessments made under the provisions of this section.

Any town which has failed to conduct a general reassessment within five years shall use only those assessed values assigned by the county.

Code 1950, § 58-795; 1956, c. 219; 1958, c. 428; 1962, c. 174; 1976, c. 717; 1983, c. 304; 1984, c. 675; 2003, c. 1036; 2023, cc. 506, 507.

A. Except as provided in subsection B, in every city and county the person or officers making such reassessment shall complete the same and comply with the provisions of § 58.1-3300 not later than December 31 of the year of such reassessment. But the circuit court in such city or county may for good cause, extend the time for completing such reassessment and complying with such section for a period not exceeding three months from December 31 of the year of such reassessment.

B. In Hanover County, the person or officers making such reassessment shall complete the same and comply with the provisions of § 58.1-3300 not later than three months after December 31 of the year of such reassessment.

Code 1950, § 58-792; 1968, c. 742; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 221; 1976, c. 717; 1980, c. 2; 1984, c. 675; 2001, c. 449; 2007, c. 813.

A. Nothing contained in this article shall be construed as repealing or amending any provisions of law authorizing or permitting the annual or biennial assessment or reassessment of real estate in cities or counties, except as hereinafter expressly provided.

B. The supervisors, assessors and appraisers conducting assessments who are employees of the locality shall have the qualifications prescribed by the Department for the particular position held, which shall include such combination of education, training and experience as deemed necessary for the performance of their duties.

C. The supervisors, assessors and appraisers conducting assessments who have been contracted by the locality to conduct assessments shall hold a valid certification issued by the Department pursuant to § 58.1-3258.1.

Code 1950, § 58-785; 1950, p. 1267; 1983, c. 304; 1984, c. 675; 2008, c. 540.

A. No supervisor, assessor or appraiser shall contract or offer to contract to perform the assessment or reassessment of real property for any locality unless he holds a valid certification issued by the Department.

B. The Department shall establish requirements for the certification of all supervisors, appraisers and personnel contracted by a locality to perform the assessment or reassessment of real property located in the locality. Such requirements shall prescribe qualifications for certification including (i) minimum education and training requirements, to include guidance for conducting appraisals of certain multi-unit real estate under § 58.1-3295 and guidance for following generally accepted appraisal practices; (ii) minimum levels of experience; and (iii) standards of conduct. All supervisors, appraisers, and personnel employed or contracted to perform general assessments shall be required to hold a valid certification issued by the Department.

C. The Department may establish requirements for continuing education as a prerequisite to renewal of any certificate issued under this section.

2008, c. 540; 2010, c. 552.

The Department shall have the power to require remedial education, suspend, revoke, or deny renewal of the certificate of any supervisor, assessor or appraiser who is found to be in violation of the regulations established by the Department pursuant to § 58.1-3258.1.

The Department may suspend, revoke, or deny renewal of an existing certificate, or refuse to issue a certificate, to any supervisor, assessor or appraiser who is shown to have a substantial identity of interest with a supervisor, assessor or appraiser whose certificate has been revoked or not renewed by the Department.

2008, c. 540.

If any county or city fails to comply with the provisions of this article requiring a general reassessment of real estate periodically in such county or city by omitting such general reassessment in the year required by this article, or by failing to comply with the provisions of § 58.1-3201 requiring assessment at 100 percent fair market value, the Department, on receiving proof of such delinquency, shall so notify the Comptroller, whereupon the Comptroller shall withhold from such county or city the payment of its share of the net profits of the operation of the alcoholic beverage control system as provided for by § 4.1-117 until such time as the provisions of § 58.1-3201 have been complied with in such county or city. Results of the Tax Department's official assessment sales ratio study showing such county or city to have a sales assessment ratio lower than 70 percent or higher than 130 percent for the year a general reassessment or annual assessment is effective shall be prima facie proof that such locality has failed to assess at 100 percent.

The Department shall notify the Comptroller to pay over the accumulated profits, less a penalty charge of eight percent annually, on receipt of the results of an official assessment sales ratio study showing such county or city to have a sales assessment ratio higher than 70 percent and less than 130 percent.

Code 1950, § 58-795.2; 1964, c. 281; 1979, c. 156; 1980, c. 125; 1983, c. 161; 1984, c. 675; 1993, c. 866; 2010, c. 552.

The following acts are continued in effect as amended from time to time:

1. Chapter 261 of the Acts of Assembly of 1936, approved March 25, 1936, as amended by Chapter 64 of the Acts of Assembly of 1938, approved March 4, 1938, Chapter 234 of the Acts of Assembly of 1942, approved March 14, 1942, Chapter 422 of the Acts of Assembly of 1950, Chapter 339 of the Acts of Assembly of 1958, and Chapter 1036 of the Acts of Assembly of 2003, authorizing provision for the annual general reassessment of real estate and the election of assessors in cities of more than 175,000; transferring to the assessors in such cities the duties in regard to the assessment of real estate formerly devolved upon the commissioners of the revenue; repealing all provisions of law relating to the equalization of real estate assessments insofar as they applied to such cities; and relating to other connected matters.

2. Chapter 29 of the Acts of Assembly of 1947, approved January 29, 1947, authorizing provision for the annual general reassessment of real estate, the appointment of assessors, and the appointment of boards of review, in cities of not less than 125,000 nor more than 190,000; conferring on such boards of review the powers exercised by boards of equalization; and relating to other connected matters.

3. Chapter 211 of the Acts of Assembly of 1944, amended by Chapter 167 of the Acts of Assembly of 1946 (Repealed by Acts of Assembly of 1952, Chapter 636).

4. Chapter 65 of the Acts of Assembly of 1944, approved February 26, 1944, as amended by Chapter 80 of the Acts of Assembly of 1954, and Chapter 624 of the Acts of Assembly of 1968, authorizing, in cities of not less than 40,000 nor more than 50,000, provision for the general reassessment of real estate and equalization of assessments every one, two, three or four years, and the appointment of assessors to perform these duties; conferring on the assessors certain duties formerly imposed upon commissioners of the revenue; and relating to other connected matters.

5. Chapter 17 of the Acts of Assembly of 1947, approved January 29, 1947, as amended by Chapter 29 of the Acts of Assembly of 1952, Ex. Sess., authorizing, in cities having a population of not less than 30,000 nor more than 31,000, provision for the annual general reassessment of real estate and equalization of assessments, and the appointment of assessors to perform these duties; conferring on the assessors certain duties formerly imposed upon commissioners of the revenue; and relating to other connected matters.

6. Chapter 146 of the Acts of Assembly of 1942, approved March 9, 1942, authorizing, in any city adjoining a county having a density of more than 1,000 per square mile, provision for the annual general reassessment of real estate and equalization of assessments, and the appointment of assessors to perform these duties; conferring on the assessors certain duties formerly imposed upon commissioners of the revenue; and relating to other connected matters.

7. Chapter 189 of the Acts of Assembly of 1946, approved March 15, 1946, as amended by Chapter 325 of the Acts of Assembly of 1950, authorizing, in any county adjoining a county having a population density of 1,000 or more per square mile, provision for the annual general reassessment of real estate and equalization of assessments, and the appointment of assessors to perform these duties; conferring on the assessors certain duties formerly imposed upon commissioners of the revenue; and relating to other connected matters.

8. Chapter 237 of the Acts of Assembly of 1942, amended by Chapter 44 of the Acts of Assembly of 1946 and Chapter 59 of the Acts of Assembly of 1948.

9. Chapter 345 of the Acts of Assembly of 1942, approved March 31, 1942, authorizing, in any county adjoining a city of more than 190,000, and any county with an area of less than 70 square miles of highland, provision for the annual general reassessment of real estate and the equalization of assessments, and the appointment of assessors to perform such duties; conferring upon the assessors certain duties imposed by general law on commissioners of the revenue; and relating to other connected matters.

10. Chapter 237 of the Acts of Assembly of 1946, approved March 25, 1946, authorizing, in counties having an area of more than 135 square miles but less than 152 square miles, and a population of more than 4,000 but less than 8,000, provision for boards for the annual general reassessment of real estate and equalization of assessments; conferring on the assessors certain duties imposed by general law upon commissioners of the revenue; and relating to other connected matters.

11. Chapter 85 of the Acts of Assembly of 1948, approved March 3, 1948, codified in Michie Supplement 1948 as Tax Code § 348b, as amended by Chapter 266 of the Acts of Assembly of 1952, providing, in counties of not more than 30,000 adjoining cities of not less than 100,000 and not more than 150,000, for continuing boards of assessors to meet annually and perform the duties imposed upon boards of assessors of real estate assessments by general law, and relating to other connected matters, is incorporated in this Code by this reference.

Code 1950, § 58-769; 1984, c. 675; 2003, c. 1036; 2011, c. 851.

The following acts are incorporated in this Code by this reference:

1. Chapter 32 of the Acts of Assembly of 1956, approved February 13, 1956, as amended by Chapter 33 of the Acts of Assembly of 1958, authorizing provision for annual assessments of real estate and equalization of assessments in cities of not less than 70,000 and not more than 125,000 inhabitants, but not in cities of not less than 90,000 and not more than 100,000 inhabitants.

2. Chapter 348 of the Acts of Assembly of 1956, approved March 14, 1956, authorizing provision for annual assessment of real estate in any county having a population of more than 99,000 and adjoining 3 or more cities lying entirely within the State.

3. Chapter 383 of the Acts of Assembly of 1956, approved March 14, 1956, authorizing provision for annual assessments of real estate and equalization thereof, in any county having a population of more than 22,000 but less than 23,000.

4. Chapter 56 of the Acts of Assembly of 1959, Ex. Sess., approved April 27, 1959, authorizing provision for annual assessments of real estate and equalization of assessments in any city having a population of more than 25,000 and less than 34,000.

5. Chapter 548 of the Acts of Assembly of 1964, approved March 31, 1964, providing for annual assessment and equalization of assessments in any county having a population of more than 20,000 but less than 50,000 and adjoining a county having a population of more than 200,000.

6. Chapter 584 of the Acts of Assembly of 1964, approved March 31, 1964, authorizing provision for annual assessment of real estate and equalization of assessments in any city having a population of more than 92,000 and less than 110,000.

7. Chapter 311 of the Acts of Assembly of 1966, authorizing provision for annual assessment and equalization of assessments of real estate in any county adjoining two cities of the first class and in which a military fort is located.

Code 1950, § 58-769.1; 1984, c. 675.

The governing body of any county or city may, by resolution duly adopted, in lieu of the method now prescribed by law, provide for the annual assessment and equalization of real estate for local taxation, or the biennial assessment as authorized by § 58.1-3253, by the commissioner of the revenue. No commissioner of the revenue without his consent shall be required to make an annual or biennial assessment and equalization of real estate for local taxation as provided in § 58.1-3253 B, and if made, all costs incurred shall be borne by the county or city.

Code 1950, § 58-769.2; 1966, c. 84; 1979, c. 577; 1984, c. 675.

A. In the event the commissioner of revenue, pursuant to the provisions of § 58.1-3270, will not consent to make an annual or biennial assessment and equalization of real estate for local taxation in any county or city, the governing body thereof may appoint a board of real estate assessors consisting of three members, who shall be initially appointed as follows: one for a term of one year, one for a term of two years and one for a term of three years. As the terms of the initial appointees expire, their successors shall be appointed for terms of three years each. The compensation of the members of the board shall be fixed by the governing body, who shall also provide necessary clerical and other assistance to the board. The board shall assess all real estate within the county or city on an annual or biennial basis and transfer such assessment to the commissioner of revenue. Prior to transferring the final assessment to the commissioner of the revenue, the board shall give any real property owner whose property has been assessed an opportunity to be heard.

B. The governing body of any such county or city may appoint a real estate appraiser either (i) an employee who qualified by the Department or (ii) an independent contractor who holds a valid certification issued by the Department to perform the actual function of determining value for real estate in the county or city for use by the board of assessors. Such appraiser may serve in lieu of the board of assessors provided for in subsection A, in which event he shall assess all real estate within the county or city on an annual or biennial basis and transfer such assessment to the commissioner of the revenue. In the event such appraiser is in addition to the board of assessors, he shall assemble information concerning real property in the county or city at the request of such board of real estate assessors and prepare and preserve all records of the board including the minutes of its meetings. The appraiser's compensation shall be fixed by the governing body.

Code 1950, §§ 58-769.3, 58-776.3, 58-788; 1950, p. 701; 1968, c. 631; 1979, c. 577; 1984, c. 675; 2008, c. 540.

Assessments made by the board of real estate assessors or real estate assessor shall be made in the same manner and on the same basis as is provided by general law, and the members of any board so appointed shall have the same powers and be charged with the same duties as the persons appointed according to the provisions of § 58.1-3276.

Code 1950, § 58-776.2; 1950, p. 700; 1979, c. 577; 1984, c. 675.

Reserved.

A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, Accomack, Goochland, James City, Orange, and Powhatan Counties may, by resolution duly adopted, establish departments of real estate assessment. Any such department shall assess all real estate within such county on an annual or biennial basis as authorized by § 58.1-3270 and transfer such assessment to the commissioner of the revenue of such county. Prior to transferring the final assessment to the commissioner of the revenue, the department shall give any real property owner whose property has been assessed an opportunity to be heard.

The department shall consist of such members as the governing body of such county shall deem necessary.

The compensation and terms of office of department members shall be fixed by the governing body.

B. Upon establishment of a department of real estate assessment, James City, Orange, and Powhatan Counties may, by resolution duly adopted, enter into an agreement with any contiguous county or city for the establishment of a joint department of real estate assessment. The joint department shall assess all real estate within such localities on an annual or biennial basis and transfer such assessment to the commissioner of the revenue pursuant to subsection A. The membership, compensation, terms of office, and office expenses of such members of the joint department shall be fixed by agreement by the governing body of James City, Orange, or Powhatan County and such county or city with which it may establish a joint department of real estate assessment.

Code 1950, § 58-769.3:1; 1974, c. 656; 1979, c. 299; 1984, c. 675; 1987, cc. 318, 362; 2003, c. 474; 2004, c. 576; 2024, c. 570.

Every general reassessment of real estate in a city or county shall be made by (i) a professional assessor appointed by the governing body, who is either an employee qualified by the Department or an independent contractor holding valid certification issued by the Department; or (ii) a board of assessors of not fewer than three members, with not more than one member from each district for the election of a member of the governing body within such city or county appointed by the governing body. The assessors shall be designated on or after July 1 in the year immediately preceding the year in which the general reassessment of real estate is required to be made.

Code 1950, § 58-786; 1976, c. 676; 1979, c. 577; 1983, c. 304; 1984, c. 675; 1985, c. 221; 1988, c. 896; 1994, c. 210; 2008, c. 540.

A. Any persons appointed to a board of assessors under the authority of this article shall be freeholders in the county or city for which they serve and shall be appointed by the governing body from the citizens of the county or city. If at any time the governing body is satisfied that any such assessor appointed under this article will not, or from any cause cannot, perform the duties devolved on him, the governing body may wholly supersede him and appoint another in his place. In order to be eligible for appointment, each prospective member of such board may, at the discretion of the Department, be required to attend and participate in the basic course of instruction given by the Department under § 58.1-206.

B. All supervisors, appraisers, and personnel employed by the board of assessors to perform the general reassessment shall have the qualifications prescribed by the Department for the particular position held, which shall include such combinations of education, training and experience as are deemed necessary for the performance of their duties. The provisions of this article as to the appointment or removal of such assessors shall apply to any appointments heretofore or hereafter made.

C. All supervisors, assessors and appraisers who have been contracted by the board of assessors to perform the general reassessment shall hold a valid certification issued by the Department pursuant to § 58.1-3258.1.

Code 1950, § 58-789; 1979, c. 577; 1983, c. 304; 1984, c. 675; 2008, c. 540.

The Department before January 1 of any year in which there is to be a general reassessment of real estate in any county, city or town under any provisions of this title shall prescribe, prepare and furnish proper forms for the use of the cities and counties and towns making general reassessment of real estate under the provisions of this article. Any county, city or town desiring to avail itself of the benefits of this section shall notify the Department of such desire at least six months prior to January 1 of the year when there will be a general reassessment in such city or county or town. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit any county, city or town from prescribing and preparing forms for its use in making such general reassessments, the cost thereof to be paid out of the county or city or town treasury.

Code 1950, § 58-793; 1956, c. 219; 1984, c. 675.

The Department, upon the request of the governing body of any county, city or town, shall render advisory aid and assistance in making any general reassessment of the real estate in such county, city or town.

Code 1950, § 58-794; 1956, c. 219; 1984, c. 675.

Every assessor or appraiser so designated under this chapter shall, as soon as practicable after being so designated, proceed to ascertain and assess the fair market value of all lands and lots assessable by them, with the improvements and buildings thereon. They shall make a physical examination thereof if required by the taxpayer, and in all other cases where they deem it advisable.

Code 1950, § 58-790; 1975, cc. 51, 547; 1976, c. 676; 1983, c. 161; 1984, c. 675.

Each commissioner of the revenue shall commence, annually, on January 1, and proceed without delay to ascertain all the real estate in his county or city, as the case may be, and the person to whom the same is chargeable with taxes on that day. The beginning of the tax year for the assessment of taxes on real estate shall be January 1 and the owner of real estate on that day shall be assessed for the taxes for the year beginning on that day.

The commissioner, before making out his land book, shall assess the value of any building and enclosure not previously assessed, found to be of the value of $100 and upwards. The value shall be added to the value at which the land was previously charged.

Code 1950, §§ 58-796, 58-810; 1984, c. 675.

When a public service corporation or a political subdivision of the Commonwealth does not own both a tract, piece or parcel of land and the improvements thereon, including leasehold improvements owned by the lessee which are to be removed by the lessee at the end of the lease term, the land and such improvements may be assessed separately.

Code 1950, § 58-773.1; 1952, c. 229; 1984, c. 675; 1988, c. 280.

When airspace is owned by anyone other than the owner of the subjacent land surface, the airspace and the surface will be separately assessed to their respective owners.

Code 1950, § 58-773.2; 1979, c. 431; 1984, c. 675.

A. When the land surface and standing timber trees are owned by the same person, the value of the land, inclusive of the standing timber trees, shall be ascertained and assessed at such ascertained value.

B. In any case when the surface of the land is owned by one person and the standing timber trees thereon are owned by another, the relative value of each shall be determined and the owners shall be assessed with the value of their respective interests.

Code 1950, § 58-804; 1958, c. 314; 1970, c. 440; 1971, Ex. Sess., cc. 3, 172; 1975, c. 547; 1980, c. 360; 1984, c. 675.

A. Residential or commercial property, which is part of a planned development which contains open or common space, which includes the right by easement, covenant, deed or other interest in real estate, to the use of the open or common space, shall be assessed at a value which includes the proportional share of the value of such open or common space.

All real property used for open or common space pursuant to this section shall be construed as having no value in itself for assessment purposes. Its only value lies in the value that is attached to the residential or commercial property which has a right by easement, covenant, deed or other interest.

"Open or common space" shall, for purposes of this section, include parks, parking areas, private streets, walkways, recreational facilities, natural or improved areas, lakes, ponds, recreational, community service, or maintenance buildings or structures, or any other property used and owned by an automatic membership corporation or association. It shall also include such property that is part of a planned residential development initially recorded before January 1, 1985, that is exempt from the requirements of the Property Owners' Association Act pursuant to § 55.1-1801 and did not include automatic membership in a membership corporation or association in its declaration.

B. No locality shall assess real estate taxes against a membership corporation or association for open or common space except as may be permitted pursuant to this section. Every locality shall reassess such open or common space, and the planned development of which it is part, as of the date of transfer of such open or common space to the association. The developer of such planned development shall pay all real estate taxes attributable to such open or common space at the time of transfer as provided in § 55.1-1802.

1985, c. 550; 1993, c. 956; 2005, c. 218.

A. As used in this section, "defective drywall" means the same as that term is defined in § 36-156.1.

B. An owner of residential property containing defective drywall may request the commissioner of the revenue or other assessing official where the property is located to reassess the property. After confirmation by the local building official of the presence of defective drywall in accordance with subsection C, the commissioner of the revenue or other assessing official shall (i) determine the amount by which the defective drywall has reduced the assessed value of the property, (ii) provide written notice to the owner of the reduction in value, and (iii) reassess the value of the property accordingly.

C. The local building official shall confirm the presence of defective drywall only after a review of the test results submitted to him from a testing agency that is approved by the building official and procured by the owner of the residential property.

D. The local governing body may, by ordinance, designate the residential property containing defective drywall as a rehabilitation district for purposes of granting the owner a partial real estate tax exemption pursuant to § 58.1-3219.4.

2011, cc. 34, 46.

A. Whenever real property is assessed or reassessed, the commissioner of the revenue or other assessing official shall consider, at the request of the property owner, specially and separately assessing at the fair market value all wetlands on such property, as defined in § 62.1-44.3. If the commissioner of the revenue or other assessing official disagrees with the property owner as to the presence of wetlands, then the commissioner of the revenue or other assessing official shall recognize (i) the National Wetlands Inventory Map prepared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, (ii) a wetland delineation map confirmed by a Preliminary Jurisdictional Determination, or (iii) an Approved Jurisdictional Determination issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and provided by the property owner in making his determination, and such map also shall be considered in any administrative or judicial appeal.

B. When wetlands on property are specially and separately assessed, the commissioner of the revenue or other assessing official shall set forth upon the land book (i) the area and the fair market value of such portion of each tract consisting of wetlands and (ii) the area and the fair market value of the remaining portion of each tract.

C. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the commissioner of the revenue or other assessing official from specially and separately assessing at the fair market value wetlands, as well as any other type of lands, even if not requested by the property owner.

D. Under the provisions of this section, the actual physical use of the property shall be the only determining factor of its land use value.

2012, c. 742; 2018, c. 603.

Whenever a tract of land is subdivided into lots under the provisions of law and plats thereof are recorded, subsequent to any general reassessment of real estate in the city or county in which such real estate is situated, each lot in such subdivision shall be assessed and shown separately upon the land books, as required by law. The commissioner of the revenue, in assessing each such lot, shall assess the same at fair market value as of January 1 of the year next succeeding the year in which such plat is recorded, without regard to the value at which such tract of land was assessed as acreage but with regard to other assessments of lots in such city or county. Such assessment shall stand until the next general reassessment of real estate in such city or county. The commissioner of the revenue shall also assess or reassess, as required, any lot, tract, piece or parcel of land which has been rezoned, reclassified or as to which any exception has been made, by the zoning authorities of the county. Further, the commissioner of the revenue shall assess or reassess, as required, any lot, tract, piece or parcel of land upon or to which improvements have been made, such as hard surfacing of streets or roadways, or installation of curbs, gutters, sidewalks and utilities, any one or all of which may add to the fair market value. Such an assessment shall be made with regard to other assessments of lots, tracts, pieces or parcels of land in the city or county. To such end the commissioner of the revenue shall be supplied by the city or county with the necessary data and records to indicate any rezoning, reclassification, exception or improvement.

Code 1950, § 58-772.1; 1950, p. 1017; 1954, c. 515; 1984, c. 675.

The several commissioners of the revenue shall, as soon as practicable after January 1 of each year, specially and separately assess at the fair market value all mineral lands and the improvements thereon and shall enter the same on the land books of their respective counties separately from other lands charged thereon.

The commissioner, in assessing mineral lands, shall set forth upon the land book:

1. The area and the fair market value of such portion of each tract as is improved and under development;

2. The fair market value of the improvements upon each tract; and

3. The area and fair market value of such portion of each tract not under development.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law and subject to the approval of the Board of Supervisors of Buchanan County, the commissioner of the revenue of the county may reassess gas wells and related improvements on an annual basis, provided that such gas wells and related improvements shall be reassessed in the general reassessment for the locality, as required by § 58.1-3287, and provided further a settlement agreement between the County and a taxpayer may provide a methodology for determining fair market value.

In the alternative to the procedure outlined in subdivision 1 above, any county or city may impose by ordinance a severance tax on all coal and gases extracted from the land lying within its jurisdiction. The rate of such tax shall not exceed one percent of the gross receipts from such coal or gases. Any such county or city may further require any producer of such coal or gases and any common carrier to maintain records showing the quantities of coal and gases which they have produced or transported, respectively.

If the surface of the land is held by one person, and the coal, iron and other minerals, mineral waters, gas or oil under the surface are held by another person, the estate therein of each and the relative fair market value of their respective interests shall be ascertained by the commissioner. If the surface of the land and the coal, iron and other minerals, mineral waters, gas or oil under the surface are owned by the same person, the commissioner shall ascertain the fair market value of the land, exclusive of the coal, iron, other minerals, mineral waters, gas or oils. He shall also ascertain the fair market value of the coal, iron, other minerals, mineral waters, gas, and oils and shall assess each at such ascertained values, stating separately in every case the value of the surface of the land and the value of the coal, iron, other minerals, mineral waters, gas and oils under the surface.

The commissioner of the revenue of any county or city is authorized to enter into agreements with taxpayers pertaining to the fair market value of the property taxed under this section. All such agreements entered into on or after January 1, 2013, but prior to July 1, 2014, between the commissioner of the revenue of any county or city and any taxpayer are deemed to be bona fide and are valid and enforceable.

Code 1950, § 58-774; 1972, c. 715; 1976, c. 53; 1984, c. 675; 2009, c. 770; 2014, cc. 48, 179.

Notwithstanding § 58.1-3286, whenever there is a general reassessment of real estate in any county or city, mineral lands and minerals shall be included in the general reassessment, but shall be separately assessed from other real estate, and the assessor or assessors shall be governed by the provisions of § 58.1-3286 in making the assessment. Taxes for each year on the mineral lands and minerals assessed under this section shall be extended by the commissioner of the revenue on the basis of the last general reassessment made prior to such year, subject to such changes as may be made by him in performing his annual duties under § 58.1-3286. In performing such annual duties he shall adjust the assessed values in such manner as to reflect such changes as may have occurred during the preceding year, especially such changes as may have operated to increase or decrease (i) the area and the value of such portion of each tract as is improved and under development, (ii) the value of the improvements upon each tract, and (iii) the area and value of such portion of each tract as shall not be under development.

Every county in which there are mineral lands shall have a general reassessment of real estate in the year prescribed by law, even though the greater part of the area of the county consists of mineral lands.

The Department shall render advisory aid and assistance of a technical nature to the assessor or assessors, in making a general reassessment of mineral lands and minerals, upon request of the governing body of the county or city, or to the commissioner of the revenue, upon his request, provided moneys are available to the Department to defray the cost thereof.

Code 1950, § 58-774.2; 1950, p. 1269; 1964, c. 296; 1983, c. 304; 1984, c. 675.

When the owner of any parcel of real property is unknown and the commissioner of the revenue has exercised due diligence to ascertain the owner of such parcel, such commissioner of the revenue is empowered on January 1 of each year to assess for taxation such parcel of real property in his county or city in the name of "unknown owner." Before such property is first assessed in the name of "unknown owner" each commissioner of the revenue shall advertise the description of the property in a local newspaper of general circulation once a week for two consecutive weeks preceding the first day of the year in which such first assessment is made and at the same time he shall make affidavit that he has used due diligence to ascertain the owner of the property.

Code 1950, § 58-770.1; 1956, c. 581; 1958, c. 32; 1984, c. 675.

Reserved.

When a tract or lot becomes the property of different owners in two or more parcels, subsequent to any general reassessment of real estate in the city or county in which such tract or lot is situated each of the two or more parcels shall be assessed and shown separately upon the land books, as required by law. The commissioner of the revenue, in assessing each lot or parcel, shall assess the same at its fair market value as of January 1 of the year next succeeding the year in which the tract or lot of land becomes the property of several owners, without regard to the value at which such tract of land was assessed as a whole, but with regard to other assessments of lots, pieces or parcels of land in the city or county. Such assessment shall stand until the next general reassessment of real estate in the city or county. Failure of the owner or person dividing and selling the land to record a plat thereof shall not relieve the commissioner of the revenue of the responsibility for assessing or reassessing any such tract of land when divided as provided for in this section.

Code 1950, § 58-773; 1954, c. 655; 1984, c. 675.

Any building and enclosure which may have been increased in value to $500 or upwards, by repairs or additions thereto, shall be assessed in the same manner as if they were new.

New buildings shall be assessed, whether entirely finished or not, at their actual value at the time of assessment.

Code 1950, §§ 58-811, 58-812; 1974, c. 133; 1983, c. 161; 1984, c. 675.

In any county, city or town that has not adopted an ordinance pursuant to § 58.1-3292.1, upon the adoption of an ordinance so providing, all new buildings substantially completed or fit for use and occupancy prior to November 1 of the year of completion shall be assessed when so completed or fit for use and occupancy, and the commissioner of the revenue of such county, city or town shall enter in the books the fair market value of such building. No partial assessment as provided herein shall become effective until information as to the date and amount of such assessment is recorded in the office of the official authorized to collect taxes on real property and made available for public inspection. The total tax on any such new building for that year shall be the sum of (i) the tax upon the assessment of the completed building, computed according to the ratio which the portion of the year such building is substantially completed or fit for use and occupancy bears to the entire year, and (ii) the tax upon the assessment of such new building as it existed on January 1 of that assessment year, computed according to the ratio which the portion of the year such building was not substantially complete or fit for use and occupancy bears to the entire year. With respect to any assessment made under this section after September 1 of any year, the penalty for nonpayment by December 5 shall be extended to February 5 of the succeeding year.

Code 1950, § 58-811.1; 1954, c. 250; 1958, c. 77; 1960, c. 414; 1964, c. 308; 1980, c. 497; 1984, c. 675; 1999, c. 760.

A. In the Counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William, and the Cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park, upon the adoption of an ordinance so providing, all new buildings shall be assessed when substantially completed or fit for use and occupancy, regardless of the date of completion or fitness, and the commissioner of the revenue of such county, city or town shall enter in the books the fair market value of such building.

B. No partial assessment as provided herein shall become effective until information as to the date and amount of such assessment is recorded in the office of the official authorized to collect taxes on real property and made available for public inspection. The total tax on any such new building for that year shall be the sum of (i) the tax upon the assessment of the completed building, computed according to the ratio which the portion of the year such building is substantially completed or fit for use and occupancy bears to the entire year and (ii) the tax upon the assessment of such new building as it existed on January 1 of that assessment year, computed according to the ratio which the portion of the year such building was not substantially complete or fit for use and occupancy bears to the entire year.

C. With respect to any assessment made under this section after November 1 of any year, no penalty for nonpayment shall be imposed until the last to occur of (i) December 5 of such year or (ii) 30 days following the date of the official billing.

1999, c. 760; 2003, cc. 6, 581; 2007, c. 813.

When from natural decay or other causes any previously assessed building and enclosure as aforesaid, is either wholly destroyed or reduced in value below $100, the commissioner shall deduct from the charge against the owner the value at which such building and enclosure may have been assessed; and if the value of the building has been impaired by violence to the extent of $100 or more, the commissioner shall assess the building in its present condition and reduce the charge for the same to the amount so assessed. When any timberland heretofore assessed, the owner of the timber on which is also the owner of the land, is reduced in value to the extent of $200 or more by the removal of the timber therefrom, the commissioner shall assess the land in its then present condition and reduce the charge for the same to the amount so assessed.

Code 1950, § 58-813; 1984, c. 675.

Any duly authorized real estate assessor, board of assessors, or department of real estate assessments may require that the owners of income-producing real estate in the county or city subject to local taxation, except property producing income solely from the rental of no more than four dwelling units, and except property being used exclusively as an owner-occupied property, not as a hotel, motel, or office building over 12,000 square feet, and not engaged in a retail or wholesale business where merchandise for sale is displayed, furnish to such assessor, board or department on or before a time specified, which time may be extended for not less than ninety days, upon application of the owner of such property statements of the income and expenses attributable over a specified period of time to each such parcel of real estate. Each such statement shall be certified as to its accuracy by an owner of the real estate for which the statement is furnished, or a duly authorized agent thereof. Any statement required by this section shall be kept confidential in accordance with the provisions of § 58.1-3. The failure of the owner of income-producing property, except property producing income solely from the rental of no more than four dwelling units, and except property being used exclusively as an owner-occupied property, not as a hotel, motel, or office building over 12,000 square feet, and not engaged in a retail or wholesale business where merchandise for sale is displayed, to furnish a statement of income and expenses as required by this section shall bar such owner or his representative from introducing into evidence, or using in any other manner, any of the required but not furnished income and expense information in any judicial action brought under § 58.1-3984. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the use or consideration of any such statement of income and expense in a complaint before a board of equalization pursuant to § 58.1-3379, as long as it is submitted to the board no later than the appeal filing deadline of such board.

Code 1950, § 58-769.3:2; 1982, c. 619; 1984, c. 675; 1990, c. 671; 2000, c. 515; 2011, c. 200.

A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in determining the fair market value of real property operated in whole or in part as affordable rental housing, in accordance with the provisions of (i) 26 U.S.C. § 42, 26 U.S.C. § 142(d), 24 C.F.R. § 983, 24 C.F.R. § 236, 24 C.F.R. § 241(f), 24 C.F.R. § 221(d)(3), the federal Rental Assistance Demonstration program established under the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012 (P.L. 112-55), or any successors thereto; (ii) applicable state law; or (iii) local ordinances adopted by the locality wherein such real property is located, the duly authorized real estate assessor shall consider:

1. The contract rent and the impact of applicable rent restrictions;

2. Restrictions on the transfer of title or other restraints on alienation of the real property; and

3. The actual operating expenses and expenditures and the impact of any such additional expenses or expenditures. If an owner has two or more units of real property that (i) are operated in whole or in part as affordable rental housing and (ii) are controlled by a single restrictive use agreement regulating income and rent restrictions, and the owner has expenses and expenditures common to two or more such units, and such expenses and expenditures cannot practicably be attributed to a particular unit, then the owner has a right to have the assessor make a pro rata apportionment of such expenses and expenditures to each such unit based on each unit's assessed value as a percentage of the total assessed value of all such units. The provisions of this subdivision apply whether or not the units are in one tax parcel or multiple tax parcels.

B. The owner of real property that is operated in whole or in part as affordable rental housing in accordance with the definition of affordable rental housing established by ordinance or resolution of the locality in which the real property is located may make an application to the locality to have the real property assessed pursuant to this section. Notwithstanding the exception in § 58.1-3294 for an owner of four or fewer residential units, upon application by such an owner, the duly authorized real estate assessor may require the owner to furnish to such assessor, board, or department statements of the income and expenses attributable over a specified period of time to each such parcel of real estate in the manner required by § 58.1-3294 and to comply with all provisions of § 58.1-3294 applicable to properties with more than four rental dwelling units. The application shall be granted by the locality if (i) the owner charges rents at levels that meet the locality's definition of affordable housing and (ii) the real property does not have any pending building code violations at the time of the application.

The duly authorized real estate assessor shall also consider evidence presented by the property owner of other restrictions imposed by law that impact the variables set forth in this subsection.

C. Federal or state income tax credits with respect to affordable housing rental property within the purview of subsection A shall not be considered real property or income attributable to real property.

D. For property where only a portion of the units are operated as affordable housing, as defined in § 42 of the Internal Revenue Code or as required by state law or applicable local ordinance, only the portion determined to be affordable housing shall be subject to this section.

E. Notwithstanding any other provision in this section or other law, the real property governed by this section that is generating income as affordable housing shall be assessed using the income approach based on: the property's current use, income restrictions, provisions of any arm's-length contract including but not limited to restrictions on the transfer of title or other restraints on alienation of the real property, the requirements of subsection B, and all other provisions of this section.

2006, c. 688; 2009, c. 264; 2010, cc. 552, 791, 824; 2011, c. 137; 2013, c. 249; 2022, c. 624.

A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, general or special, in any appeal of the real property assessment of real property defined below as residential rental apartments in excess of four units filed by a taxpayer pursuant to § 58.1-3379, the board of equalization shall consider:

1. The actual gross income generated from such real property and any resultant loss in income attributable to vacancies, collection losses, and rent concessions;

2. The actual operating expenses and expenditures and the impact of any additional expenses or expenditures; and

3. Any other evidence relevant to determining fair market value of such real property.

B. Real property subject to this section shall be limited to residential rental apartments containing more than four units. Individual attached or detached single-family dwelling units, regardless of whether such dwelling units are rented, shall not be subject to this section.

C. For real property governed by this section, where only a portion of the real property is operated as residential rental apartments, the portion of such real property not operated as residential rental apartments shall not be subject to this section.

D. The valuation of residential rental apartments governed by this section shall be made by the board using the income approach in accordance with this section, except when (i) such real property has been sold since the previous assessment, in which case the board may consider the sales price of such property; (ii) improvements on such real property are being constructed or renovated, in which case the board may consider the market value of such property; or (iii) the value arrived at by the income approach is not otherwise in accordance with generally accepted appraisal practices and standards prescribed by the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO), in which case the board may consider the market value of such property.

2012, cc. 536, 707.

A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in determining the fair market value of structural improvements conveyed by a community land trust as defined in § 55.1-1200, subject to a ground lease having a term of at least 90 years, while retaining a preemptive option to purchase such structural improvements at a price determined by a formula that is designed to ensure that the improvements remain affordable in perpetuity to low-income and moderate-income families earning less than 120 percent of the area median income, adjusted for family size, the duly authorized real estate assessor shall consider:

1. Restrictions on the price at which the improvements may be sold, as evidenced by a ground lease or memorandum thereof duly recorded with the land records of the jurisdiction with taxing authority; and

2. The amount of debt incurred by the owner of the improvements as evidenced by a deed of trust or leasehold deed of trust on the improvements or underlying real property owned by the community land trust and that earns no interest and requires no repayment prior to satisfaction of any interest-earning promissory note or a subsequent transfer of the property, whichever comes first.

B. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in determining the fair market value of real property owned by a community land trust, subject to a ground lease having a term of at least 90 years, while retaining a preemptive option to purchase any structural improvements on the real property at a price determined by a formula that is designed to ensure that the improvements remain affordable to low-income and moderate-income families earning less than 120 percent of the area median income, adjusted for family size, in perpetuity, the duly authorized real estate assessor shall utilize the income approach and, in so doing, shall consider the property's current use, the contract rent, the income restrictions, and provisions of any arms-length contract, including restrictions on the transfer of title or other restraints on the alienation of the real property.

2018, c. 436.

A. As used in this section:

"Computer equipment and peripherals" means computer equipment and peripherals subject to classification under the provisions of subdivision A 17 of § 58.1-3503 or under the provisions of subdivision A 43 of § 58.1-3506.

"Cost approach" means assessing value by determining the cost to construct a reproduction or suitable replacement of fixtures and deducting physical, functional, and economic depreciation sustained by such fixtures.

"Data center" means the same as such term is defined in subdivision A 43 of § 58.1-3506.

"Fixtures" means all fixtures and equipment used in a data center except computer equipment and peripherals, equipment used for external surveillance and security, and fire and burglar alarm systems. "Fixtures" includes generators, radiators, exhaust fans, and fuel storage tanks; electrical substations, power distribution equipment, cogeneration equipment, and batteries; chillers, computer room air conditioners, and cool towers; heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems; water storage tanks, water pumps, and piping; monitoring systems; and transmission and distribution equipment.

B. If fixtures are installed at a data center and taxed under the provisions of this chapter, such fixtures shall be assessed using the cost approach.

2022, cc. 671, 672.

As soon as the persons, or officers, designated under the provisions of Article 6 (§ 58.1-3270 et seq.) herein have completed the reassessment, they shall make two copies of such record, in the form in which the land books are made out, and shall certify on oath that no assessable real estate is omitted and that there is no error on the face of such record. Such persons, or officers, designated as aforesaid shall then file the original of such reassessment in the office of the circuit court clerk of the city or county, who shall preserve the same in his office; and he or they shall deliver one copy of such reassessment to the commissioner of the revenue of the city or county and one copy to the local board of equalization of such city or county. For cities having an additional court for the recordation of deeds, one extra copy of such reassessment, embracing real estate the conveyance of which is required to be recorded in the clerk's office of such additional court, shall be made and filed in such circuit court clerk's office.

Such persons or officers shall at the same time forward to the Department of Taxation a copy of the recapitulation sheets of such reassessment.

In lieu of complying with the foregoing provisions of this section, the person or persons appointed by the governing body to perform the annual or biennial reassessment of real estate set forth in §§ 58.1-3251 and 58.1-3253 shall sign the land book attesting to the valuations contained therein resulting from such assessment.

Code 1950, § 58-791; 1984, c. 675; 1985, c. 221.

A. The land books may be produced in one of the following forms: (i) paper; (ii) microfilm, microfiche, or any other microphotographic process; or (iii) electronic process. Such microfilm and microphotographic processes shall meet state archival microfilm standards and state electronic records guidelines pursuant to § 42.1-82. The Department of Taxation shall prescribe the form of the land book to be used by the commissioner of the revenue and shall furnish each commissioner of the revenue with four copies of blank land books prepared in the form so prescribed. The land books may be produced in the form of microfilm, microfiche, or any other similar microphotographic process and shall be distributed as provided in § 58.1-3310 in the form of such process so long as such process complies with standards adopted pursuant to regulations issued under § 42.1-82 for microfilm, microfiche, or such other microphotographic process and is acceptable to and meets the requirement of the recipients of copies of the land book as designated by § 58.1-3310.

B. Tracts of lands in counties shall be entered in the land book by magisterial or school districts and town lots shall be entered upon sheets provided in the land book for that purpose. The governing body of any county having sanitary districts may provide by resolution that land books, personal property books and other tax assessment records be entered and arranged alphabetically to show the persons chargeable with taxes in each such district. The sanitary district in which the property is located shall be designated by an appropriate coding which shall provide for the means of recapitulation by sanitary districts, setting forth the total assessment and tax levy for each such district.

C. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit any commissioner of the revenue of any city from using a land book in the form prescribed and furnished by or under the authority of the council of his city and at the cost of his city, provided that whether the land book is furnished by the city or the Tax Commissioner, it shall contain the name and street address of every owner of real property in the local jurisdiction. In cases where real property is owned by more than one person, the land book shall contain the name and street address of at least one of the owners.

D. In the event real estate is assessed at use value as provided in Article 4 (§ 58.1-3229 et seq.) of Chapter 32 of this title, the land book shall show both the use value and the fair market value.

Code 1950, § 58-804; 1958, c. 314; 1970, c. 440; 1971, Ex. Sess., cc. 3, 172; 1975, c. 547; 1980, c. 360; 1984, c. 675; 1995, c. 679; 2014, c. 330.

In the table of town or city lots the commissioner of the revenue shall enter separately each lot and shall set forth in as many separate columns as may be necessary the name of the person, his residence and estate, as in the table of tracts of land. The commissioner shall set forth in other columns the number of each lot in the town or city, with the name of the town or city, if not previously placed in the caption or heading of the table, a description, when the person does not own the whole lot, of the part which he owns, the value of the buildings on the lot, the value of the lot including buildings, the amount of tax at the legal rate and like notice of the source of title and explanation of alteration as in the table of tracts of land. The commissioner of revenue of Pulaski County, however, when assessing or listing for taxation the town lots in the town of Pulaski for such county, shall in addition set forth in other columns the number of each lot in the town and the number of the section or block in which it is located.

Code 1950, § 58-805; 1984, c. 675.

A. The clerk of every circuit court shall, before the fifteenth of each month, forward to the commissioner of revenue for his county or city and to the Department a copy of the recordation receipt for all deeds for the partition and conveyance of land, other than deeds of trust and mortgages, made to secure the payment of debts, which have been admitted to record in the clerk's office of such court within the month next preceding. In lieu of a printed paper copy of the recordation receipt, the Department shall accept the monthly electronic transfer of the recordation receipt copy on magnetic tape or other media acceptable to the Department. The receipt shall state the date of the deed, when admitted to record, the name of the grantor and grantee, the address of the grantee, given pursuant to § 17.1-223, and the description, quantity and specified value of land conveyed. Such clerk shall, at the same time, forward to the commissioner and the Department a list of all lands acquired in fee simple by the Commonwealth, through condemnation proceedings, and shall give the names of the persons from whom acquired, the dates of confirmation of the commissioners' reports in such proceedings, the quantity of land acquired in each case, the value thereof as specified in the reports and a description of each such tract. In lieu of a printed paper copy of such list, the clerk may provide an electronic list or secure remote electronic access to such list to the commissioner for his county or city and to the Department.

The commissioner shall, upon receipt of any such receipt, promptly and carefully check the same against the records in the office of the clerk who furnished the same and, if he finds any errors in the receipt or list, he shall make proper correction thereof.

B. Upon receipt and review of the recordation receipt in accordance with subsection A, the commissioner shall ensure that the land book is updated to reflect the grantee and property address or any such other address as may be specified in writing by the grantee for the delivery of future tax bills.

Code 1950, § 58-797; 1956, c. 34; 1962, c. 236; 1964, cc. 488, 644; 1972, c. 648; 1974, cc. 338, 352; 1975, c. 223; 1979, c. 527; 1984, c. 675; 1990, c. 46; 2006, c. 355; 2017, c. 42; 2023, c. 411.

The clerk of every court in which judgments are required to be docketed, except such clerks in cities having a population of more than 219,000 but not more than 300,000 and in cities having a population of more than 70,000 but not more than 86,000 and adjoining a city having a population of more than 200,000, shall make out a list of all judgments and decrees for the partition or recovery of lands which have been rendered and of all lands devised by will, which have been recorded in such court within the year ending on December 31 next preceding. The list shall state the date of the decree, the land which is the subject of the partition and between whom and in what proportion it is divided or, as the case may be, the date of the will containing the devise, when admitted to record, the names of the devisor and devisee and the description of the land devised. The clerk shall deliver the list to the commissioner for his county or city on or before January 15 in each year.

Upon receipt of any such list as hereinbefore provided for, the commissioner shall promptly and carefully check the list against the records in the office of the clerk who furnished the same and, if he finds any errors in the list, he shall make proper correction thereof.

Code 1950, § 58-798; 1956, c. 34; 1962, c. 236; 1964, c. 488; 1984, c. 675.

If any clerk fails to perform the duties required of him by § 58.1-3303 or § 58.1-3304 he shall forfeit to the Commonwealth the sum of $100 and the judge of each circuit court shall ascertain at the term of his court next succeeding January 15 of each year whether the clerk of such court has performed such duties. If it appears that the clerk has failed to perform such duties, in the manner and within the time prescribed, the judge shall issue a rule against the clerk, returnable within five days, to show cause, if any, why judgment shall not be entered against him for the penalty herein imposed.

Code 1950, § 58-799; 1984, c. 675.

An abstract shall be made out by the Librarian of Virginia on or before January 15 of each year, or as soon thereafter as practicable, for the commissioner of the revenue of each county or city, of all grants issued for lands therein from his office within the year ending December 31 next preceding. The Librarian of Virginia shall transmit every such abstract to the commissioner of the revenue for the proper county or city.

Code 1950, § 58-800; 1984, c. 675; 1998, c. 427.

Reserved.

The commissioner of the revenue shall enter in the books and assess the fair market value of all lands in his county or city appearing by the abstracts to have been granted.

Code 1950, § 58-802; 1984, c. 675.

The lands and standing timber appearing on the lists or statements referenced in §§ 58.1-3303 through 58.1-3308 shall be transferred accordingly on the land book and charged to the person to whom the transfer is made or the grant has issued. When standing timber is so transferred the commissioner shall apportion the assessed value of the land on which the timber is standing between the owner of the soil and the owner of the timber.

Code 1950, § 58-803; 1984, c. 675.

Each commissioner of the revenue shall retain in his office the original land book. Each commissioner of the revenue shall deliver to the treasurer of his county or city and, if requested by the Department in writing, to the Department of Taxation one copy each of the land book on or before September 1 of each year or within ninety days from the date on which the rate of tax on real property has been determined, whichever is later. However, the Department may, for good cause, extend the time for delivery of such copies. Each commissioner of the revenue shall file a copy of the land book in the office of the clerk of the circuit court of his county or city. Such clerk shall preserve such copies in his office, but the commissioner of the revenue need not preserve the original nor the treasurer his copy for a longer period than six years following the tax year to which such books relate. The commissioner or the clerk may satisfy the requirements of this section by use of (i) paper; (ii) microfilm, microfiche, or any other microphotographic process; or (iii) electronic process.

Code 1950, § 58-806; 1962, c. 282; 1976, c. 532; 1984, c. 675; 1997, c. 701; 2014, c. 330.

After the commissioner of the revenue shall have delivered a copy of his land book to the county or city treasurer, no alteration shall be made therein by him affecting the taxes or levies of that year.

Code 1950, § 58-807; 1984, c. 675.

Such changes as may happen within the county or city of any commissioner shall be noted by him in making out his land book.

Code 1950, § 58-808; 1984, c. 675.

Every commissioner, in making out his land book, shall correct any mistake made in any entry therein. But land which has been correctly charged to one person shall not afterwards be charged to another without evidence of record that such charge is proper.

Code 1950, § 58-809; 1984, c. 675.

The fees for entering and transferring lands on commissioners' land books shall be as follows:

1. For making an entry and assessment under § 58.1-3308, one dollar for every parcel, to be paid by the owner;

2. For making an entry and assessment, when required by any owner, under the provisions of § 58.1-3290, one dollar and seventy-five cents and the parties among whom the land is divided shall be jointly and severally liable for such fee, unless the land is divided in a court proceeding, in which event the fee shall be paid by the plaintiff, or by such person or persons as the court may direct;

3. For making an entry transferring to one person lands before charged to another, one dollar, which shall be paid by the person to whom the transfer is made, and shall be a compensation for all tracts in the commissioner's county or city conveyed by the same deed; and

4. For an entry of land according to § 58.1-3352, one dollar, which shall be paid by the person for whom the entry is made.

Code 1950, § 58-816; 1984, c. 675.

All the fees mentioned in § 58.1-3314 shall be collected by the clerks of the courts of record of the counties and cities at the time of recording the deed or will or upon the confirmation of a commissioner's report of partition, or at the time an entry is made by the commissioner under § 58.1-3308, which fee shall be paid by the vendee. In the case of lands acquired in fee simple by the Commonwealth, the quantity of land in each case shall be deducted from the land of the prior owner, but shall not be transferred to the Commonwealth, nor shall any transfer or other fee be charged or collected thereon.

Code 1950, § 58-817; 1973, c. 75; 1984, c. 675.

Taxes for each year on real estate subject to assessment or reassessment shall be extended on the basis of the last general reassessment or biennial assessment made prior to such year, subject to such changes as may have been lawfully made.

Code 1950, § 58-759; 1984, c. 675.

A. When any annual assessment, biennial assessment, or general reassessment of real property by a county, city, or town would result in an increase of one percent or more in the total real property tax levied, such county, city, or town shall reduce its rate of levy for the forthcoming tax year so as to cause such rate of levy to produce no more than 101 percent of the previous year's real property tax levies, unless subsection B is complied with, which rate shall be determined by multiplying the previous year's total real property tax levies by 101 percent and dividing the product by the forthcoming tax year's total real property assessed value. An additional assessment or reassessment due to the construction of new or other improvements, including those improvements and changes set forth in § 58.1-3285, to the property shall not be an annual assessment or general reassessment within the meaning of this section, nor shall the assessed value of such improvements be included in calculating the new tax levy for purposes of this section. Special levies shall not be included in any calculations provided for under this section.

B. The governing body of a county, city, or town may, after conducting a public hearing, which shall not be held at the same time as the annual budget hearing, increase the rate above the reduced rate required in subsection A if any such increase is deemed to be necessary by such governing body.

C. Notice of any public hearing held pursuant to this section shall be given at least seven days before the date of such hearing by the publication of a notice in (i) at least one newspaper of general circulation in such county or city and (ii) a prominent public location at which notices are regularly posted in the building where the governing body of the county, city, or town regularly conducts its business. Additionally, in a county, city, or town that conducts its reassessment more than once every four years, the notice for any public hearing held pursuant to this section shall be published on a different day and in a different notice from any notice published for the annual budget hearing. Any such notice shall be at least the size of one-eighth page of a standard size or a tabloid size newspaper, and the headline in the advertisement shall be in a type no smaller than 18-point. The notice described in clause (i) shall not be placed in that portion, if any, of the newspaper reserved for legal notices and classified advertisements. The notice described in clauses (i) and (ii) shall be in the following form and contain the following information, in addition to such other information as the local governing body may elect to include:

NOTICE OF PROPOSED REAL PROPERTY TAX INCREASE

The (name of the county, city or town) proposes to increase property tax levies.

1. Assessment Increase: Total assessed value of real property, excluding additional assessments due to new construction or improvements to property, exceeds last year's total assessed value of real property by ____ percent.

2. Lowered Rate Necessary to Offset Increased Assessment: The tax rate which would levy the same amount of real estate tax as last year, when multiplied by the new total assessed value of real estate with the exclusions mentioned above, would be $ ___ per $100 of assessed value. This rate will be known as the "lowered tax rate."

3. Effective Rate Increase: The (name of the county, city or town) proposes to adopt a tax rate of $ ___ per $100 of assessed value. The difference between the lowered tax rate and the proposed rate would be $ ___ per $100, or ___ percent. This difference will be known as the "effective tax rate increase."

Individual property taxes may, however, increase at a percentage greater than or less than the above percentage.

4. Proposed Total Budget Increase: Based on the proposed real property tax rate and changes in other revenues, the total budget of (name of the county, city or town) will exceed last year's by ___ percent.

A public hearing on the increase will be held on (date and time) at (meeting place).

D. All hearings shall be open to the public. The governing body shall permit persons desiring to be heard an opportunity to present oral testimony within such reasonable time limits as shall be determined by the governing body.

E. The provisions of this section shall not be applicable to the assessment of public service corporation property by the State Corporation Commission.

F. Notwithstanding other provisions of general or special law, the tax rate for taxes due on or before June 30 of each year may be fixed on or before May 15 of that tax year.

Code 1950, § 58-785.1; 1975, c. 622; 1979, c. 473; 1980, c. 396; 1981, c. 212; 1984, c. 675; 1990, c. 579; 2007, c. 948; 2009, cc. 30, 511; 2016, cc. 657, 663; 2022, c. 29; 2023, cc. 506, 507; 2024, cc. 225, 242.

A. Whenever in any county, city, or town there is a reassessment of real estate, or any change in the assessed value of any real estate, notice shall be given by mail directly to each property owner, as shown by the land books of the county, city, or town whose assessment has been changed. Such notice shall be sent by postpaid mail at least 15 days prior to the date of a hearing to protest such change to the address of the property owner as shown on such land books. The governing body of the county, city, or town shall require the officer of such county, city, or town charged with the assessment of real estate to send such notices or it shall provide funds or services to the persons making such reassessment so that such persons can send such notices.

B. Every notice shall, among other matters, show the magisterial or other district, if any, in which the real estate is located, the amount and the new and immediately prior two tax years' final assessed values of land, and the new and immediately prior two tax years' final assessed values of improvements. It shall further set out the time and place at which persons may appear before the officers making such reassessment or change and present objections thereto. The notice shall also inform each property owner of the right to view and make copies of records maintained by the local assessment office pursuant to §§ 58.1-3331 and 58.1-3332 and inform each property owner that the records available and the procedure for accessing them are set out in §§ 58.1-3331 and 58.1-3332. In counties that have elected by ordinance to prepare land and personal property books in alphabetical order as authorized by § 58.1-3301 B, such notice may omit reference to districts, as provided herein.

The following requirements shall apply to any notice of change in assessment other than one in which the change arises solely from the construction or addition of new improvements to the real estate. If the tax rate that will apply to the new assessed value has been established, then the notice shall set out such rate. In addition, whether or not the tax rate applicable to the new assessed value has been established, the notice shall set out the tax rates for the immediately prior two tax years, the total amount of the new tax levy, based on the current tax rate at the time the notices are prepared, and the amounts of the total tax levies for the immediately prior two tax years, based on the final tax rates for those tax years multiplied by the final assessed values of land and improvements for those tax years, and the percentage changes in the new tax levy from the tax levies in the immediately prior two tax years.

If the tax rate that will apply to the new assessed value has not been established, then the notice shall set out the time and place of the next meeting of the local governing body at which public testimony will be accepted on any real estate tax rate changes. Additionally, in any county, city, or town that conducts an annual or biennial reassessment of real estate or in which reassessment of real estate is conducted primarily by employees of the county, city, or town under direction of the commissioner of the revenue, if the overall total assessed value of real property in the locality, excluding additional assessments due to new construction or improvements to real property, would result in an increase of one percent or more in the total real property tax levied in the locality, the notice shall set forth the tax rate that would levy the same amount of real estate tax as the previous year when multiplied by the new total assessed value of real estate, excluding additional assessments due to new construction or improvements to real property. If this meeting will be more than 60 days from the date of the reassessment notice, then instead of the date of the meeting, the notice shall include information on when the date of the meeting will be set and where it will be publicized.

C. Any person other than the owner who receives such reassessment notice shall transmit the notice to such owner, at his last known address, immediately on receipt thereof and shall be liable to such owner in an action at law for liquidated damages in the amount of $25, in the event of a failure to so transmit the notice. Mailing such notice to the last known address of the property owner shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of this section.

D. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, if the address of the taxpayer as shown on the tax record is in care of a lender, the lender shall upon request furnish the county, city, or town a list of such property owners, together with their current addresses as they appear on the books of the lender, or the parties may by agreement permit the lender to forward such notices to the property owner, with the cost of postage to be paid by the county, city, or town.

Code 1950, § 58-792.01; 1973, c. 210; 1974, c. 179; 1975, c. 614; 1977, c. 594; 1984, c. 675; 2006, cc. 255, 509; 2007, cc. 344, 353; 2014, cc. 71, 802; 2015, cc. 151, 157; 2023, c. 667; 2024, cc. 14, 142.

A. All property appraisal cards or sheets within the custody of a county, city or town assessing officer, except those cards or sheets containing information made confidential by § 58.1-3, shall be open for inspection, after the notice of reassessment is mailed as provided in § 58.1-3330, the normal office hours of such official by any taxpayer, or his duly authorized representative, desiring to review such cards or sheets.

B. Any taxpayer, or his duly authorized representative, whose real property has been assessed for taxation shall, upon request, be allowed to examine the working papers used by any such assessing official in arriving at the appraised and assessed value of such person's land and any improvements thereon.

C. Upon request of any taxpayer or his duly authorized representative, the assessing officer of the governing body shall make available information regarding the methodology employed in the calculation of a property's assessed value to include the capitalization rate used to determine the property's value, a list of comparable properties or sales figures considered in the valuation, and any other market surveys, formulas, matrices, or other factors considered in determining the value of the property. Upon request of a taxpayer, or his duly authorized representative, whose property has been assessed for taxation, the assessing officer shall provide a written explanation or justification for an increase in the property's assessed value. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require disclosure of information that is prohibited from disclosure pursuant to §§ 58.1-3 and 58.1-3294.

D. The assessing officer of the governing body may fix and promulgate a limited period within normal office hours when such records shall be available for inspection and copying, but such period of time may not be less than four hours per day on Monday through Friday, except on such days when the office is otherwise closed.

E. Notwithstanding any special or general laws to the contrary, in any appeal of the assessment of residential property filed by a taxpayer as an owner of real property containing less than four residential units (i) to the board of equalization pursuant to § 58.1-3379, or (ii) to circuit court pursuant to § 58.1-3984, the assessing officer shall send the taxpayer a written notice provided for in this subsection. Such notice shall be on the first page of such notice and be in bold type no smaller than fourteen points and mailed to, or posted at, the last known address of the taxpayer as shown on the current real estate tax assessment books or current real estate tax assessment records. Notice under this subsection shall satisfy the notice requirements of this section. In an appeal before the board of equalization, such written notice may be contained in the written notice of the hearing date before the board. For all applicable assessments on or after January 1, 2012, such written notice shall: (a) be given at least 45 days prior to the hearing of the taxpayer's appeal; (b) include a statement informing the taxpayer of his rights under this section to review and obtain copies of all of the assessment records pertaining to the assessing officer's determination of fair market value of such real property; and (c) advise the taxpayer of his right to request that the assessor make a physical examination of the subject property.

F. If, within at least five days prior to any action by a court under § 58.1-3984 or by a board of equalization under § 58.1-3379, the assessing officer fails to disclose or make available for inspection any information required to be disclosed or made available for inspection and copying under this section, then the assessing official and the applicable local government shall not be allowed to introduce such information or use it in any other manner in any such appeal.

Code 1950, § 58-792.02; 1975, c. 615; 1979, c. 577; 1980, c. 124; 1983, c. 161; 1984, c. 675; 2010, c. 552; 2011, cc. 184, 232; 2015, c. 244.

Each county, city or town assessing officer shall maintain current property appraisal cards or sheets for all parcels of real estate assessed and assessable by him. Any such assessing officer who maintains such property appraisal cards or sheets shall include thereon the appraised value of the property and improvements, if any, and the calculations and methodology used in determining the assessed value of such property and improvements.

Code 1950, § 58-817.1; 1975, c. 618; 1983, c. 161; 1984, c. 675.

There shall be a lien on real estate for the payment of taxes and levies assessed thereon prior to any other lien or encumbrance. The lien shall continue to be such prior lien until actual payment shall have been made to the proper officer of the taxing authority. The purchaser at a sale, or trustee in the event of a foreclosure sale, shall cause the proceeds to be applied to the payment of all taxes and levies assessed on real estate. In the case of the purchase of a portion of a tract of land, the purchaser shall cause the proceeds to be applied to the payment of taxes and levies assessed on the entire tract, prorated in accordance with the relationship that the purchase price bears to the most recent assessed value of the entire tract. If the cost per acre of the purchased parcel is less than the assessed value per acre of the entire tract, or if, in the reasonable opinion of the local commissioner of the revenue or other assessing officer, the purchase price is less than the fair market value of the purchased parcel, the local commissioner of the revenue or other assessing officer may require that an appraisal, prepared by a state-certified or state-licensed appraiser, of the purchased parcel be provided, and in such event the proration shall be made in accordance with the relationship that the greater of (i) the appraised value of the purchased parcel or (ii) the purchase price bears to the most recent assessed value of the entire tract. In the event a proration is necessary, the purchaser's portion of such tract of land shall be relieved of such lien to the extent the proceeds exceed the purchaser's pro rata share of taxes. It shall be the responsibility of the treasurer or other proper officer of the taxing authority to cause the release of the lien. The seller's liability for taxes and levies shall be effectively prorated contractually. The words "taxes" and "levies" as used in this section include the penalties and interest accruing on such taxes and levies in pursuance of law. The lien imposed hereby shall, in addition to existing remedies for the collection of taxes and levies, be enforceable by suit in equity under the provisions of Article 4 (§ 58.1-3965 et seq.) of Chapter 39.

There shall be a further lien upon the rents of such real estate whether the same be in money or in kind, for taxes of the current year.

Code 1950, §§ 58-762, 58-1023; 1973, c. 467; 1979, c. 12; 1984, c. 675; 1994, c. 386; 1995, c. 143; 2010, c. 417.

No lien upon real estate for taxes and levies due and payable to the Commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof which has been, or shall hereafter become, delinquent for twenty or more years shall be enforced in any proceeding at law or in equity and such lien shall be deemed to have expired and to be barred and cancelled after such time. For purposes of this section, taxes deferred pursuant to an ordinance enacted in conformity with Article 2 (§ 58.1-3210 et seq.) or Article 2.1 (§ 58.1-3219 et seq.) of Chapter 32 of this title shall not be considered "delinquent" during the pendency of any period of deferral, and the lien upon real property for taxes and levies shall remain valid for twenty years plus any period of deferral afforded pursuant to such ordinance.

The right, title and interest of the Commonwealth in and to all real estate sold for taxes and levies which have been, or hereafter become, delinquent for twenty or more years, when such real estate has been purchased by the Commonwealth and not resold, is hereby unconditionally released unto and vested by operation of law in the person or persons who owned the real estate at the time the Commonwealth so acquired title or persons claiming, or to claim, by, through or under them.

No clerk shall make a tax deed conveying to any person any real estate sold for delinquent taxes or levies which have been, or hereafter become, delinquent for twenty or more years.

Code 1950, § 58-767; 1962, c. 93; 1984, c. 675; 1994, c. 209.

When an owner dies intestate, the commissioner of the revenue may ascertain who are the heirs of the intestate and charge the land to such heirs or he may charge the land to the decedent's estate until a transfer thereof. When the owner has devised the land, the commissioner may charge the same to such person as may be beneficially entitled thereto under the will. If, under the will, the land is to be sold, it shall continue charged to the decedent's estate until a transfer thereof and, while it continues so charged to the estate, the personal property shall be liable for the tax on all property so charged and subject to distress or other lawful process for the recovery of the same. Any assets in the hands of the personal representatives of the decedent shall be likewise liable therefor.

Code 1950, § 58-771; 1984, c. 675.

The lien on real estate owned by more than one person as tenants in common, joint tenants or otherwise for the payment of all prior, present and subsequent taxes and levies or assessments thereof, including any tax, levy, or assessment authorized under § 58.1-3712, 58.1-3713, 58.1-3713.4, or 58.1-3741, shall not be impaired if such real estate was or is assessed in the name of one of such owners with the notation "and another," or "and others," or "and wife," or "and husband," or "and spouse," or the appropriate abbreviations of such words, or their legal equivalents, so as to indicate that the real estate was or is owned by more than one person.

Code 1950, § 58-770; 1984, c. 675; 2001, c. 462; 2013, cc. 305, 618; 2020, c. 900.

In any city, county, district or town:

1. Taxes assessed against real estate subject to taxes shall be a lien on the property and the name of the person listed as owner shall be for convenience in the collection of the taxes. The lien for taxes shall not be limited to the interest of the person assessed but shall be on the entire fee simple estate. There shall be no lien when for any year the same property is assessed to more than one person and all taxes assessed against the property in one of the names have been paid for that year.

2. When taxes are assessed against land in the name of a life tenant or other person owning less than the fee or owing no interest, the land may be sold under § 58.1-3965 et seq. for delinquent taxes provided the owner of record or his heirs be made parties to the proceeding for sale.

Code 1950, § 58-1024; 1958, c. 602; 1972, cc. 10, 592; 1973, c. 467; 1984, c. 675.

In any county in this Commonwealth which adjoins three cities lying wholly within this Commonwealth, one of which cities has a population of 190,000 or more, taxes and levies assessed against the land of a life tenant shall be a lien upon any matured timber growing upon such land, and in any suit brought for the purpose of enforcing such lien the court may decree a sale of such timber. The term "matured timber," as used in this section, shall mean any timber which may be selectively cut without damage to the estate of the remainder, and the certificate of the State Forester that timber is matured shall be accepted as prima facie evidence of that fact.

Code 1950, § 58-768.1; 1984, c. 675.

Any person aggrieved by any assessment under this chapter may apply for relief to the board of assessors, or if none, to the board of equalization created under Article 14 (§ 58.1-3370 et seq.) of this chapter or may directly apply for relief to the appropriate circuit court of the county or city in those localities where application to the aforenamed board is not a prerequisite to the jurisdiction of the court.

1984, c. 675; 1985, c. 64.

The value of real estate as ascertained at a general reassessment and the ascertained value of new grants which may hereafter be entered and assessed shall only be changed to allow the addition of the value of improvements, or a total or partial deduction of the value of such improvements or an addition to or total or partial deduction from the value of the real estate caused by any easement affecting the real estate, except so far as the same are directed to be corrected by a court of competent jurisdiction or by the local board of equalization in the exercise of powers expressly conferred by law. Routine maintenance shall not be considered as improvements.

Code 1950, § 58-763; 1968, c. 593; 1983, c. 161; 1984, c. 675.

If land lying in one county or city be erroneously assessed in another, the commissioner on whose book it is erroneously assessed shall certify the owner's name and the quantity, description and value of the land to the proper commissioner, who shall enter the same on his book, and the commissioner on whose book it was erroneously entered shall strike the same therefrom upon being informed of the entry thereof by the proper commissioner.

Code 1950, § 58-814; 1984, c. 675.

No assessment of any real estate, whether heretofore or hereafter made, shall be held to be invalid because of any error, omission or irregularity by the commissioner of the revenue or other assessing officer in charging such real estate on the land book unless it be shown by the person or persons contesting any such assessment that such error, omission or irregularity has operated to the prejudice of his or their rights.

Code 1950, § 58-815; 1984, c. 675.

In the case of any real estate upon which any easement has been acquired for the installation of public service, highway or street facilities, and which has not been reassessed by the commissioner of the revenue on request of the landowner as provided in § 58.1-3351, the owner thereof may apply for relief to the circuit court of such county or any city court of record wherein such property is located. If the governing body of any county is of the opinion that any real estate therein is assessed at less than its fair market value, it shall direct the attorney for the Commonwealth to apply to the circuit court of such county to have the assessment corrected. Proceedings upon any such application shall be as provided in §§ 58.1-3984 to 58.1-3989 and the court shall enter such order with respect to the assessment as is just and proper.

Code 1950, § 58-764; 1968, c. 593; 1976, c. 717; 1984, c. 675.

In the event any deduction has been made from the value of real estate for any public service corporation easement under either § 58.1-3351 or § 58.1-3354, the commissioner of revenue or director of finance shall, on request, send the State Corporation Commission, the Department of Taxation, and the public service corporation owning said easement the amount of the deduction so made.

Code 1950, § 58-764.1; 1968, c. 593; 1977, c. 49; 1983, c. 570; 1984, c. 675.

Any taxpayer whose lands, or any portion thereof, are in any year acquired or taken in any manner by the United States; the Commonwealth; a political subdivision; a church or religious body, which is exempt from taxation by Article X, Section 6 of the Constitution of Virginia; a surviving spouse of a member of the armed forces of the United States who was killed in action for that portion of the property that is exempt under § 58.1-3219.9; or a disabled veteran for that portion of the property that is exempt from taxation pursuant to § 58.1-3219.5, shall be relieved from the payment of taxes and levies from the date of divestment of such land for that portion of the year in which the property was taken or acquired. The county treasurers as to land situated in counties and the city treasurers and city collectors as to lands situated in cities shall receive from and receipt to the original owner of the lands so taken, for his proportionate part of the taxes and levies for the year and credit the payment on the tax tickets and shall return at the same time he makes his return of lands and lots improperly assessed, as required by law, the proportional part of the taxes and levies exonerated from taxation for any such year, indicating the date on which the property was acquired by the government or religious body. Such list, when approved by the proper authorities, shall be considered as a credit to any such treasurer or collector in the settlement of the accounts for such year.

Code 1950, §§ 58-818, 58-822; 1960, c. 58; 1962, c. 149; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 47; 1984, c. 675; 2012, c. 782; 2014, cc. 330, 757.

The clerk of the court of the county or city in which is recorded the transfer of title to such property shall furnish a certificate to the county or city treasurer showing the quantity of land so taken or acquired, and whether by the Commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof; a church or religious body that is exempt from taxation by Article X, Section 6 of the Constitution of Virginia; a surviving spouse of a member of the armed forces of the United States who was killed in action for that portion of the property that is exempt from taxation pursuant to § 58.1-3219.9; or a disabled veteran for that portion of the property that is exempt from taxation pursuant to § 58.1-3219.5, the name of the former owner and a description of the property and the district or ward in which the property is situated, also the date of the recordation of the deed or order by which such property was taken or acquired by the Commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof or any such church or religious body, as shown by the records in his office. Such certificate shall be sufficient evidence to the county and city treasurers to authorize them to receive and prorate the taxes and levies as herein authorized. In lieu of a printed paper copy of such certificate, the clerk may provide an electronic certificate or secure remote electronic access to such certificate to his county or city treasurer.

Code 1950, § 58-823; 1958, c. 431; 1960, c. 58; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 47; 1984, c. 675; 2012, c. 782; 2015, c. 577; 2017, c. 42.

Any such taxpayer, or his heirs, successors or assigns, who shall fail to have his taxes prorated by the county or city treasurer, as above provided, shall be entitled to apply to the appropriate court for proration of the taxes, as herein provided, in the same manner and within the same time as provided by law for the correction of erroneous assessments and refunding taxes erroneously charged; provided, however that in such proceedings such taxpayer shall be entitled to relief of interest and penalties only as to the proportionate part of the property so taken or acquired by the Commonwealth or any county or municipality thereof; a church or religious body that is exempt from taxation by Article X, Section 6 of the Constitution of Virginia; a surviving spouse of a member of the armed forces of the United States who was killed in action for that portion of the property that is exempt from taxation pursuant to § 58.1-3219.9; or a disabled veteran for that portion of the property that is exempt from taxation pursuant to § 58.1-3219.5.

Code 1950, § 58-824; 1960, c. 58; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 1; 1984, c. 675; 2012, c. 782; 2015, c. 577.

The clerk of the court of the county or city in which the lands described in § 58.1-3360 lie shall furnish a certificate to the Comptroller and to the county or city treasurer, showing the quantity of land taken or acquired by the government or religious body, the name of the former owner and a description of the date of the recordation of the deed by which such lands were so taken or acquired as shown by the records in his office. Such certificate shall be sufficient evidence to county and city treasurers and city collectors to authorize them to receive and prorate the taxes and levies as herein authorized. In lieu of a printed paper copy of such certificate, the clerk may provide an electronic certificate or secure remote electronic access to such certificate to the Comptroller and his county or city treasurer.

Code 1950, § 58-819; 1984, c. 675; 2017, c. 42.

Any taxpayer whose lands are taken and who has paid his taxes and levies for the whole year, shall be entitled to recover such portion of the taxes, as he would be relieved from paying under the terms of § 58.1-3360, on any lands that may have been taken or acquired by the government or religious body in the same manner as provided by law for the correction of erroneous assessments and reducing taxes erroneously charged. Any taxpayer, who has not paid the taxes or levies on any such lands so taken or acquired, shall also be relieved of interest and penalties therefor; however, he shall make payment for his proportion of the taxes and levies for the year during which the land was so taken or acquired, on or before July 1 of the year following.

Code 1950, §§ 58-820, 58-822; 1960, c. 58; 1962, c. 149; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 47; 1984, c. 675.

Any taxpayer whose lands are taken by condemnation, who appeals from the order or decree of the trial court vesting title in the lands in the United States and who, pending such appeal, pays the taxes and levies on such lands, accruing subsequent to such order or decree vesting title to such lands in the United States, shall, in the event the order or decree appealed from is affirmed, be entitled to recover the taxes and levies so paid from the date upon which the title in the lands was vested in, and the possession and control thereof exercised by, the United States, in the same manner as provided by law for the correction of erroneous assessments and refunding taxes erroneously charged. Such right to recover such taxes and levies shall extend to September 1 of the year following the date of final determination of such appeal.

Code 1950, § 58-821; 1984, c. 675.

A. The circuit court having jurisdiction within each city and each county other than those counties operating under § 58.1-3371 shall, in each tax year immediately following the year a general reassessment or annual or biennial assessment is conducted in such city or county, appoint for such city or county a board of equalization of real estate assessments, unless such county or city has a permanent board of equalization appointed according to law. In addition, at the request of the local governing body, the circuit court may appoint alternate members as provided in subsection B of § 58.1-3373, and the provisions of that subsection shall apply mutatis mutandis.

B. The term of any board of equalization appointed under the authority of this section shall expire one year after the effective date of the assessment for which it was appointed. However, if a taxpayer applies to the commissioner of the revenue or other official performing the duties imposed on commissioners of the revenue for relief from a real property tax assessment prior to the expiration of the board of equalization's term, and the term of the board of equalization expires prior to a final determination on such application for relief, and the taxpayer advises the circuit court that he wishes to appeal the determination to the board of equalization, then the circuit court may reappoint the board of equalization to hear and act on such appeal.

Code 1950, § 58-895; 1975, c. 575; 1979, c. 577; 1983, c. 304; 1984, cc. 273, 675; 1991, c. 240; 2014, c. 19; 2018, c. 604.

Unless the county has a permanent board of equalization appointed according to law, the board of supervisors or other governing body of any county operating under the county executive form of government, or the county manager form of organization and government provided for in Chapter 5 (§ 15.2-500 et seq.) or Chapter 6 (§ 15.2-600 et seq.) of Title 15.2, shall for the year following any year a general reassessment or annual or biennial assessment is conducted create and appoint for the county a board of equalization of real estate assessments. For any county operating under the county executive form of government, the board shall be composed of not less than three nor more than the number of districts for the election of members of the board of supervisors in the county. In addition to such members, at the request of the local governing body, the circuit court for the locality may appoint not more than two alternate members. The qualifications, terms, and compensation of alternate members shall be the same as those of regular members. A regular member when he knows he will be absent from or will have to abstain from any proceeding at a meeting shall notify the chairman of the board of equalization at least 24 hours prior to the meeting of such fact. The chairman may select an alternate to serve in the absent or abstaining member's place and the records of the board shall so note. Such alternate member may vote on any proceeding in which a regular member is absent or abstains. A regular member shall have the right to apply to the board of equalization for relief the same as any other taxpayer. If a regular member applies for relief, and one or more alternate members has been appointed pursuant to this section, then the chairman shall appoint an alternate member to hear and vote on such regular member's application for relief. If the chairman applies for relief, then the vice chairman shall appoint an alternate member to hear and vote on the chairman's application for relief.

The terms of the regular and alternate members of any board so appointed shall expire on December 31 of the year in which they are appointed. Members of any board shall have the qualifications prescribed by § 58.1-3374 and shall conduct their business as required by § 58.1-3378.

Code 1950, § 58-897; 1950, p. 851; 1979, c. 577; 1983, c. 304; 1984, c. 675; 1995, c. 24; 2011, c. 10; 2014, c. 19.

Repealed by Acts 1985, c. 62.

A. Any county or city which uses the annual assessment method or the biennial assessment method authorized under § 58.1-3253 in lieu of periodic general assessments, may elect to create a permanent board of equalization in lieu of the board of equalization required under §§ 58.1-3370 and 58.1-3371. Such board shall consist of three or five members to be appointed by the circuit court of such county or city, or the circuit court having jurisdiction within such city, as follows: In the case of a three-member board, one member shall be appointed for a term of one year, one member shall be appointed for a term of two years, and one member shall be appointed for a term of three years. In the case of a five-member board, one member shall be appointed for a one-year term, one member shall be appointed for a two-year term, and three members shall be appointed for a three-year term. However, for any county operating under the county executive form of government, the number of members of the permanent board of equalization shall be no less than three nor more than the number of districts for the election of members of the board of supervisors in the county, and the members of the permanent board of equalization shall be appointed by the circuit court of such county for three-year terms. As the terms of the initial appointees expire, their successors shall be appointed for terms of three years. Members of such boards shall have the qualifications prescribed by § 58.1-3374, and shall conduct their business as required by § 58.1-3378. The compensation of the members of any such boards shall be fixed by the governing body.

B. In addition to regular members appointed under subsection A, at the request of the local governing body, the circuit court for any locality may appoint one alternate member in the case of a three-member board and two alternate members in the case of a five-member board. The qualifications and compensation of alternate members shall be the same as those of regular members. In the case of a three-member board, the alternate shall be appointed for a two-year term. In the case of a five-member board, one alternate shall be appointed for a term of one year and one alternate shall be appointed for a term of two years. Thereafter, the terms for alternate members of five-member boards shall be for three-year terms.

A regular member when he knows he will be absent from or will have to abstain from any proceeding at a meeting shall notify the chairman of the board of equalization at least 24 hours prior to the meeting of such fact. The chairman may select an alternate to serve in the absent or abstaining member's place and the records of the board shall so note. Such alternate member may vote on any proceeding in which a regular member is absent or abstains. A regular member shall have the right to apply to the board of equalization for relief the same as any other taxpayer. If a regular member applies for relief, and one or more alternate members has been appointed pursuant to this section, then the chairman shall appoint an alternate member to hear and vote on such regular member's application for relief. If the chairman applies for relief, then the vice chairman shall appoint an alternate member to hear and vote on the chairman's application for relief.

C. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections A and B concerning appointment of members and alternate members by the circuit court, the board of supervisors of Loudoun County may elect to appoint the members and alternate members of its board of equalization of real estate assessments.

Code 1950, § 58-898.1; 1979, c. 577; 1984, c. 675; 1989, c. 390; 1995, c. 24; 2011, c. 10; 2013, c. 548; 2014, c. 19.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the City of Richmond may by ordinance elect to provide for a board of equalization or permanent board of equalization as provided in this article instead of a board of review.

2014, cc. 61, 607.

Except as provided in § 58.1-3371 or 58.1-3373, every board of equalization shall be composed of not less than three members nor more than five members or the number of local election districts in the locality, whichever is greater. In addition to such regular members, at the request of the local governing body, the circuit court for any locality shall appoint one alternate member in the case of a board with less than five members, and two alternate members in the case of a board with five or more members. The qualifications, terms and compensation of alternate members shall be the same as those of regular members. A regular member when he knows he will be absent from or will have to abstain from any proceeding at a meeting shall notify the chairman of the board of equalization at least 24 hours prior to the meeting of such fact. The chairman may select an alternate to serve in the absent or abstaining member's place and the records of the board shall so note. Such alternate member may vote on any proceeding in which a regular member is absent or abstains.

All members of every board of equalization, including alternate members, shall be residents, a majority of whom shall be freeholders, in the county or city for which they are to serve and shall be selected from the citizens of the county or city. Appointments to the board of equalization shall be broadly representative of the community. Thirty percent of the members of the board shall be commercial or residential real estate appraisers, other real estate professionals, builders, developers, or legal or financial professionals, and at least one such member shall sit in all cases involving commercial, industrial or multi-family residential property, unless waived by the taxpayer. No member of the board of assessors shall be eligible for appointment to the board of equalization for the same reassessment. In order to be eligible for appointment, each prospective member of such board shall attend and participate in the basic course of instruction given by the Department of Taxation under § 58.1-206. In addition, at least once in every four years of service on a board of equalization, each member of a board of equalization shall take continuing education instruction provided by the Tax Commissioner pursuant to § 58.1-206. Any vacancy occurring on any board of equalization shall be filled for the unexpired term by the authority making the original appointment.

On any board or panel thereof considering appeals of commercial or multi-family residential property in a locality with a population exceeding 100,000, 30 percent of the members of such board or panel shall be commercial or multi-family residential real estate appraisers who are licensed and certified by the Virginia Real Estate Appraiser Board to serve as general real estate appraisers, other commercial or multi-family real estate professionals or licensed commercial or multi-family real estate brokers, builders, developers, active or retired members of the Virginia State Bar, or other legal or financial professionals whose area of practice requires or required knowledge of the valuation of property, real estate transactions, building costs, accounting, finance, or statistics. For the purposes of this section, commercial or multi-family residential property shall be defined as any property that is either operated as or zoned for use as commercial, industrial or multi-family residential rental property.

Code 1950, § 58-899; 1979, c. 577; 1983, c. 304; 1984, c. 675; 1995, c. 24; 2003, c. 1036; 2009, c. 25; 2010, c. 552; 2011, c. 10; 2013, c. 197; 2016, c. 38.

The members of every board of equalization shall receive compensation, for time actually engaged in the duties of the board, to be fixed by the governing body of the county or city and paid out of the local treasury. The governing body of every county and of every city may limit the compensation to such number of days as in its opinion is sufficient for the completion of the work of the board.

Code 1950, § 58-900; 1984, c. 675.

A. Every board of equalization shall elect one of its members as chairman and another as secretary, and may employ necessary clerical and other assistants and call in advisors and fix their compensation, subject to the approval of the governing body of the county or city, to be paid out of the local treasury.

B. In any city with a population of more than 100,000, when the board of equalization, in fulfilling its functions, desires legal advice, the board shall request such advice from the attorney for the city or county for which they were appointed.

Notwithstanding any contrary provision of law, general or special, such attorney shall in a timely manner give his advice to the board.

If there is no such attorney or the attorney has a conflict, the board shall make a written request to the city or county governing body to employ an attorney to advise the board. The governing body shall respond in writing within ten days from receipt of such request.

If the governing body refuses to honor the board's request, then the board shall apply to the circuit court that appointed it. The judge of such circuit court may authorize the employment of an attorney to advise the board and order that the attorney be paid out of the local treasury.

Code 1950, § 58-901; 1984, c. 675; 1994, c. 509.

Every board of equalization for a county not having a general reassessment of real estate shall procure for its use from the clerk of the circuit court of the county the copy of the land book on file in his office for the current year if available, otherwise for the preceding year, and the board shall return the land book to the clerk upon the completion of its work. Every board of equalization for a city having need of a copy of the land book for any year shall procure an existing copy if available for the purpose; otherwise the governing body of the city shall cause a new copy to be made and furnished the board at the expense of the city.

Code 1950, § 58-902; 1984, c. 675.

Each board of equalization shall sit at and for such time or times as may be necessary to discharge the duties imposed and to exercise the powers conferred by this chapter. Of each sitting public notice shall be given at least seven days beforehand by publication in a newspaper having general circulation in the county or city and, in a county, also by posting the notice at the courthouse and at each public library, voting precinct or both. Such posting shall be done by the sheriff or his deputy. Such notice shall inform the public that the board shall sit at the place or places and on the days named therein for the purpose of equalizing real estate assessments in such county or city and for the purpose of hearing complaints of inequalities wherein the property owners allege a lack of uniformity in assessment, or errors in acreage in such real estate assessments. The board also shall hear complaints that real property is assessed at more than fair market value. Except as otherwise provided by the Code of Virginia:

1. The fair market value of real property shall be established by the board as of January 1 of the applicable year; or

2. If a county or city has adopted July 1 as its tax day for real property pursuant to § 58.1-3011, then, for other than public service corporation property, the fair market value of real property shall be established by the board as of July 1 of the applicable year.

The governing body of any county or city may provide by ordinance the date by which applications must be made by property owners or lessees for relief. Such date shall not be earlier than 30 days after the termination of the date set by the assessing officer to hear objections to the assessments as provided in § 58.1-3330. If no applications for relief are received by such date, the board of equalization shall be deemed to have discharged its duties. Such governing body may also provide by ordinance the deadline by which all applications must be finally disposed of by the board of equalization. All such deadlines shall be clearly stated on the notice of assessment. Notwithstanding such deadlines, if a taxpayer applies to the commissioner of the revenue or other official performing the duties imposed on commissioners of the revenue for relief from a real property tax assessment prior to such deadlines, and such deadlines occur prior to a final determination on such application for relief, and the taxpayer advises the circuit court that he wishes to appeal the determination to the board of equalization, then the circuit court may require the board of equalization to hear and act on such appeal. The governing body may provide for applications for relief to be made electronically; however, taxpayers retain the right to file applications on traditional paper forms provided by the governing body as long as such forms are submitted prior to the established deadline. If such paper forms are mailed by the applicant, the postmark date shall be considered the date of receipt by the governing body. A hearing for relief before the board of equalization regarding an assessment on residential property shall not be denied on the basis of a lack of information on the application for relief, as long as the application includes the address, the parcel number, and the owner's proposed assessed value for the property. If the application for relief is sent electronically, the date the applicant sends the application shall be considered the date of receipt by the governing body. The application is considered sent when it meets the requirements of subsection (a) of § 59.1-493. A hearing for relief before the board of equalization regarding an assessment on commercial, multi-family residential, or industrial property on the basis of fair market value shall not be denied on the basis of a lack of information on the application, as long as documentation of any applicable assessment methodologies is submitted with the application, and the application includes the address, the parcel number, and the owner's proposed assessed value for the property.

Code 1950, § 58-903; 1976, c. 679; 1983, c. 304; 1984, c. 675; 1989, c. 300; 2000, c. 383; 2003, c. 1036; 2013, c. 197; 2018, cc. 341, 604; 2023, cc. 506, 507.

A. The board shall hear and give consideration to such complaints and shall adjust and equalize such assessments and shall, moreover, be charged with the especial duty of increasing as well as decreasing assessments, whether specific complaint be laid or not, if in its judgment, the same be necessary to equalize and accomplish the end that the burden of taxation shall rest equally upon all citizens of such county or city.

B. In all cases brought before the board, there shall be a presumption that the valuation determined by the assessor is correct. The burden of proof on appeal to the board shall be on the taxpayer to rebut the presumption and show by a preponderance of the evidence that the property in question is valued at more than its fair market value or that the assessment is not uniform in its application and that it was not arrived at in accordance with generally accepted appraisal practices, procedures, rules, and standards as prescribed by nationally recognized professional appraisal organizations such as the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO) and applicable Virginia law relating to valuation of property. Mistakes of fact, including computation, that affect the assessment shall be deemed not to be in accordance with generally accepted appraisal practice.

However, in any appeal of the assessment of residential property filed by a taxpayer as an owner of real property containing less than four residential units, the assessing officer shall give the required written notice to the taxpayer, or his duly authorized representative, under subsection E of § 58.1-3331, and, upon written request, shall provide the taxpayer or his duly authorized representative copies of the assessment records set out in subsections A, B, and C of § 58.1-3331 pertaining to the assessing officer's determination of fair market value of the property under appeal. The assessing officer shall provide such records within 15 days of a written request by the taxpayer or his duly authorized representative. If the assessing officer fails to do so, the assessing officer shall present the following into evidence prior to the presentation of evidence by the taxpayer at the hearing: (i) copies of the assessment records maintained by the assessing officer under § 58.1-3331, (ii) testimony that explains the methodologies employed by the assessing officer to determine the assessed value of the property, and (iii) testimony that states that the assessed value was arrived at in accordance with generally accepted appraisal practices, procedures, rules, and standards as prescribed by nationally recognized professional appraisal organizations such as the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO) and applicable Virginia law regarding the valuation of property. Upon the conclusion of the presentation of the evidence of the assessing officer, the taxpayer shall have the burden of proof by a preponderance of the evidence to rebut such evidence presented by the assessing officer as otherwise provided in this section.

C. In considering complaints, nothing shall be construed to prohibit consideration of any statement of income and expense or market sales that occurred through December 31, prior to the effective date of the assessment, so long as such information is submitted to the board no later than the locality's deadline for the application for relief. No studies or analyses published after December 31 immediately preceding the effective date of the assessment shall be considered in an appeal filed relating to that assessment.

D. In any case before the board concerning a taxpayer's complaint in which the commissioner of the revenue or other local assessing officer requests the board to increase the assessment after the taxpayer files an appeal to the board on a commercial, multifamily residential, or industrial property, the commissioner or other officer shall provide the taxpayer notice of the request not less than 14 days prior to the hearing of the board. Except as provided herein, if the taxpayer contests the requested increase, the assessor shall either withdraw the request or shall provide the board an appraisal performed by an independent contractor who is licensed and certified by the Virginia Real Estate Appraiser Board to serve as a general real estate appraiser, which appraisal affirms that such increase in value represents the property's fair market value as of the date of the assessment in dispute. The provisions of this subsection that require that the assessor provide the board with an appraisal shall not apply if (i) the requested increase is based on mistakes of fact, including computation errors, or (ii) the information on which the commissioner or other officer bases the requested increase was available to, but not provided by, the taxpayer in response to a request for information made by the commissioner or other officer at the time the challenged assessment was made.

E. The commissioner of the revenue or other local assessing officer of such county or city shall, when requested, attend the meetings of the board, without additional compensation, and shall call the attention of the board to such inequalities in real estate assessments in his county or city as may be known to him.

F. Every board of equalization may go upon and inspect any real estate subject to adjustment or equalization by it.

Code 1950, § 58-904; 1984, c. 675; 2003, c. 1036; 2010, c. 552; 2011, cc. 184, 232; 2013, c. 197.

Any taxpayer or his duly appointed representative may apply to the board of equalization for the adjustment to fair market value and equalization of his assessment, including errors in acreage, and any county or city through its appointed representative or attorney may apply to the board of equalization to adjust an assessment of real property to its fair market value and to equalize the assessment of any taxpayer. An executed and properly notarized letter from the property owner designating an appointed representative for the taxpayer shall be presumed to be a valid designation from the taxpayer, and the person whose signature is notarized shall be presumed to have the authority to designate such representative on behalf of the taxpayer.

Code 1950, § 58-905; 1984, c. 675; 2003, c. 1036; 2013, c. 197.

A. The board shall hear and determine any and all such petitions and, by order, may increase, decrease or affirm the assessment of which complaint is made; and, by order, it may increase or decrease any assessment, upon its own motion. No assessment shall be increased until after the owner of the property has been notified and given an opportunity to show cause against such increase. In addition, no assessment shall be increased on commercial, multi-family residential, or industrial property unless such increase is recommended by the assessor in compliance with the provisions of § 58.1-3379.

B. Any determination of the assessment by the board shall be deemed presumptively correct for the succeeding two years unless the assessor can demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that a substantial change in value of the property has occurred. This subsection shall apply to the City of Virginia Beach.

Code 1950, § 58-906; 1984, c. 675; 1993, c. 136; 2007, c. 813; 2013, c. 197.

The attorney for the county, city or town or any taxpayer, aggrieved by any such order, may apply to the circuit court of the county or city, for the correction and revision of such order, in the same manner and within the same time as is provided by law for the correction of erroneous assessments of real estate by any person who is aggrieved thereby.

Code 1950, § 58-907; 1984, c. 675.

The board may direct the commissioner of the revenue to enter upon the land books real estate which is found to have been omitted, and to cancel duplicate assessments of real estate.

Code 1950, § 58-908; 1984, c. 675.

The board shall keep minutes of its meetings and enter therein all orders made and transmit promptly copies of such orders as relate to the increase or decrease of assessments to the taxpayer and commissioner of the revenue. The orders shall be recorded on forms prepared by the Tax Commissioner and provided to localities by the Department of Taxation or on forms prepared by the board that contain, at a minimum, all the information required on the forms prepared by the Tax Commissioner.

Code 1950, § 58-909; 1984, c. 675; 2003, c. 1036.

The commissioner of the revenue shall make on his land book the changes so ordered by the board and, if such changes affect the land book for the then current year and such land book has been then completed, the commissioner of the revenue may for that year make a supplemental assessment in case of an increase in valuation. In case of a decrease in valuation, the order of the board shall entitle the taxpayer to an exoneration from so much of the assessment as exceeds the proper amount, if the taxes have not been paid by him and, in case the taxes have been paid, to a refund of so much thereof as is erroneous.

Code 1950, § 58-910; 1984, c. 675.

Such board shall have authority to summon taxpayers or their agents, or any person: (1) to furnish information relating to the real estate of any and all taxpayers, (2) to answer, under oath, all questions touching the ownership and value of real estate of any and all taxpayers, and (3) to bring before it their books of account or other papers and records containing information with respect to the valuation of real estate of the taxpayer or any other real estate subject to taxation within the county or city under review by the board. Such summons may be served in person or by registered mail.

Code 1950, § 58-911; 1984, c. 675.

Any person refusing to answer the summons of the board of equalization, to furnish information or to produce his books of account, papers and other records, as required by this chapter, shall be deemed guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor, and each day's failure to answer such summons, to furnish such information or to produce such books of account, papers and other records shall constitute a separate offense.

Code 1950, § 58-912; 1984, c. 675.

In every county not having a general reassessment or an annual or biennial assessment of real estate, taxes for each year on real estate shall be extended on the basis of the last equalization made prior to such year, subject to such changes as may have been lawfully made.

Code 1950, § 58-913; 1979, c. 577; 1984, c. 675.

This article shall not apply to any real estate which is assessable under the law by the State Corporation Commission or the Department of Taxation.

Code 1950, § 58-915; 1983, cc. 304, 570; 1984, c. 675.