Local Technical Assistance and Reports

AGREEMENTS DEFINING ANNEXATION RIGHTS

This is a streamlined process for towns to negotiate and establish terms for its rights to annex adjoining territory by ordinance. Any agreement also must permanently renounce the town’s right to transition to city status.

Overview and Procedure

Previous Commission Reports

Code of Virginia: § 15.2-3231 et seq.

Commission Regulations: VAC50-20-1801VAC50-20-2701VAC50-20-3101VAC50-20-5601VAC50-20-6161VAC50-20-6201VAC50-20-6301VAC50-20-640


ANNULMENT OF A TOWN CHARTER

This procedure is initiated by the town council, but requires voter approval. It provides for the town to divest itself of all of its assets and debts and for the General Assembly to formally revoke the charter. The commission does not review these proceedings.

Overview and Procedure

Code of Virginia: § 15.2-3700 et seq. 


BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENTS

Also known as “simple boundary line adjustments,” this procedure is for when localities resolve to adjust their boundaries with one another, among themselves, without any negotiated terms, which would require review under the Voluntary Settlement Agreement process. Simple boundary line adjustments do not require commission review, unless the location of the boundary is not agreed upon by the localities.

Overview and Procedure

Code of Virginia: § 15.2-3106 et seq.       

Commission Regulations: 1VAC50-20-3501VAC50-20-600


ECONOMIC GROWTH SHARING AGREEMENTS

Localities are also authorized to enter into voluntary economic growth-sharing agreements for purposes other than the settlement of a boundary change/transition issue, subject only to an advisory review by the Commission on Local Government.

Previous Commission Reports

Code of Virginia: § 15.2-1301


LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONSOLIDATION

Two or more adjoining units of government may consolidate, following a successful referendum. These actions may be initiated by the local governing body or by citizen petition. Various state incentives exist to encourage consolidation of governments. The commission only reviews these cases when the consolidation would result in a city form of government.

Overview and Procedure

Previous Commission Reports

Code of Virginia: § 15.2-3500 et seq.                       

Commission Regulations: 1VAC50-20-1801VAC50-20-6051VAC50-20-6201VAC50-20-6301VAC50-20-640


MUNICIPAL ANNEXATION

Often referred to as “contested annexation” because the localities cannot agree on terms of a boundary adjustment, this procedure can be initiated by the municipality, citizens or property owners. Currently, there is a moratorium on city-initiated annexations.

Overview and Procedure

Previous Commission Reports

Code of Virginia: § 15.2-3200 et seq.                       

Commission Regulations: 1VAC50-20-1801VAC50-20-5401VAC50-20-6201VAC50-20-6301VAC50-20-640


REVERSION FROM CITY TO TOWN STATUS

Cities with less than 50,000 inhabitants can revert to town status and become a component of a contiguous county. Various state incentives exist to encourage such transition.

Overview and Procedure

Previous Commission Reports

Code of Virginia: § 15.2-4100 et seq.                       

Commission Regulations: 1VAC50-20-1801VAC50-20-6011VAC50-20-6201VAC50-20-6301VAC50-20-640


STUDIES AT THE REQUEST OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 

Sometimes, the Commission on Local Government is asked to conduct a study or produce a report on a matter of local government importance at the request of the General Assembly. Please click here to access those reports.


TOWN INCORPORATION

New towns can be incorporated either by petitioning the Circuit Court or by act of the General Assembly. The court may request the Commission on Local Government to review the proposal. New towns cannot be formed in counties with a population density of 200 persons/square mile or greater.

Overview and Procedure

Code of Virginia: § 15.2-3600 et seq.       

Commission Regulations: 1VAC50-20-570


VOLUNTARY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

The Voluntary Settlement Agreement procedure is the most common action reviewed by the commission. These agreements are negotiated settlements between two or more local governments, usually resolving annexation issues, though a number of other intergovernmental actions can be resolved through this procedure.

Overview and Procedure

Previous Commission Reports

Code of Virginia: § 15.2-3400 et seq.       

Commission Regulations: 1VAC50-20-1801VAC50-20-2301VAC50-20-6101VAC50-20-6201VAC50-20-6301VAC50-20-640


OTHER INTERLOCAL OPTIONS

In addition to the interlocal agreements and transition options discussed above, numerous other options are granted to local governments and are discussed in greater detail here. Click here for more information on alternatives to interlocal concerns. Furthermore, State Code authorizes numerous discretionary authorities and special districts to local governments for a number of issues. Click here to learn more about those options.