Highlighted below: 28 of 30 extracted standards. Sections and highlights carry their own anchors. The rest quote wording that differs from this rendering of the text.
Article 23.5 - Nuisance Abatement#
Sec. 23.5-11. - Definitions.#
For the purposes of this chapter:
Director means the director of development.
Person means an individual, firm, owner, sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, unincorporated association, governmental body, municipal corporation, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, agent, occupant, or other legal entity.
Premises means a lot, plot, or parcel of land, including all structures upon it.
For the purposes of this article:
Nuisance means a condition, substance, material, or thing that is annoying, obnoxious, offensive, irritating, or otherwise detrimental or potentially hazardous to the health, safety, comfort, and welfare of the public or the environment. It includes refuse, trash, rubbish, debris, junk, garbage, containers, wire, glass, wood, ashes, animal matter, plant matter, human and animal wastes, and odors.
Overgrowth means grass, weeds, bush, underbrush, trees, and other vegetation, including running bamboo, vines, ivy, noxious weeds, and any other plant material that may inhibit the growth of native vegetation, that has grown to sufficient height and cover or accumulation that it may provide cover or harbor for rodents, vermin, or other animals that may be a nuisance.
Responsible person means (1) the person causing or creating the nuisance; (2) the person allowing the nuisance to remain or continue; (3) the occupant of the land or premises; (4) the executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, or agent having control of the land or premises; or (5) the owner of the land or premises.
City official means the director, the building official, the chief of police, or the fire marshal, each of which may act under this article.
(Ord. of 09-23-2025)
State Law reference—Virginia Code, §§ 15.2-900 through 15.2-926.4.
Sec. 23.5-12. - Enforcement.#
(a) The city official is authorized to enforce this article, and to require the abatement of any condition in the City that violates this article.
(b) The city official will conduct regular sanitary inspections of all areas of the City and cause all violations of this article to be abated, and, when necessary, to institute legal actions to enforce this article and to recover the City's expenses incurred in abating any violation.
(Ord. of 09-23-2025)
State Law reference—Virginia Code, §§ 15.2-900.
Sec. 23.5-13. - Notice of violation.#
(a) Whenever the city official believes that there exists upon any real property a nuisance, that person will serve, mail, or otherwise deliver a notice to every known responsible person, demanding that each responsible person abate the nuisance within 48 hours§, or any longer period set forth in the notice. Proof of service, receipt of mailing, or similar proof of other delivery method is sufficient evidence of this notice.
(b) If that city official determines that a nuisance constitutes an imminent threat to public health or the environment, the notice requirement may be dispensed with, and the procedure provided in sections 23.5-14 and 23.5-16 followed, instead.
(c) A responsible person who fails to abate the violation within the time specified in the notice has violated this article.
(d) With respect to overgrowth, one (1) written notice of violation per year, between March 1 and October 31§ ("growing season"), posted conspicuously upon the real property, is deemed reasonable notice. However, the city official may deliver a notice of violation to each responsible person. Upon failure to comply with such notice, the city official may remove or cause to be removed any excessive growth for the remainder of the growing season, without additional notice.
(Ord. of 09-23-2025)
State Law reference—Virginia Code, §§ 15.2-901 and 15.2-1115.
Sec. 23.5-14. - Abatement by the city.#
(a) If a nuisance remains upon a premises after the time specified in a notice of violation, the city official may cause the nuisance to be abated at the expense of each person, jointly and severally.
(b) The expenses described in subsection (a) constitute a lien on real property in parity with liens for unpaid property taxes and must be reported to the Treasurer, who must collect the expenses and fees in the same manner as for property taxes.
(c) Abatement by the City is exclusive of and in addition to any other penalty that may be imposed.
(Ord. of 09-23-2025)
State Law reference—Virginia Code, §§ 15.2-901 and 15.2-1115.
Sec. 23.5-15. - Trash and clutter.#
(a) The owner of any premises must, upon notice from the building official, remove within ten (10) days from such premises any trash, garbage, refuse, litter, clutter, and other substances§ that might endanger the health or safety of other residents. If the owner does not comply with the building official's notice, the building official may cause the trash, garbage, refuse, litter, clutter, and other substances removed, in which case the building official may charge the expense incurred to the owner, which expenses will be treated and collected in the same manner as taxes, and subject to lien as though they were taxes. For purposes of this section, "clutter" includes mechanical equipment, auto parts and construction materials and supplies, household furniture, containers, and similar items that may be detrimental to the well-being of a community when they are left in public view for an extended period or are allowed to accumulate.
(b) Trash, garbage, refuse, litter, clutter, and other debris must be disposed of in privately-owned receptacles, or in authorized facilities provided for such purpose and in no other manner not authorized by law.
(c) Violations of this section are subject to a civil penalty of fifty dollars ($50.00) for the first violation§, or violations arising from the same set of operative facts. Subsequent violations not arising from the same set of operative facts within twelve (12) months of the first violation are subject to a civil penalty of two hundred dollars ($200.00) Each business day during which the same violation is found to have existed constitutes a separate offense, and subject to an additional civil penalty. A series of violations arising from the same set of operative facts is subject to a maximum aggregate penalty of three thousand dollars ($3,000.00) in a twelve (12) month period§ or, for property that is zoned or used for industrial or commercial purposes, six thousand dollars ($6,000.00)§ in a twelve (12) month period.
(Ord. of 09-23-2025)
State Law reference—Virginia Code, § 15.2-901.
Sec. 23.5-16. - Placarding premises that constitute an imminent threat to public health or safety; unlawful to occupy.#
If the city official determines that a nuisance constitutes an imminent threat to the public health or the environment, the city official may placard the land or premises as unfit or unsafe for human occupancy or use. The placard will be posted at all normal means of egress to the land or premises. As soon as possible after placarding, the city official will mail or deliver a notice to the responsible persons, informing each of the reason for placarding and the penalty for occupancy or use while placarded. Once the land or premises is placarded, occupying or using it is a class 1 misdemeanor until the city official approves in writing its occupancy or use. Removal of a placard without the city official's approval is a class 1 misdemeanor.
(Ord. of 09-23-2025)
Sec. 23.5-17. - Cutting of overgrowth.#
Every responsible person must prevent overgrowth on land and premises under that person's control, as well as adjoining areas, extending to the curb as the center line of any abutting alley. Overgrowth is a violation of this article. In addition, grass, weeds, bush, underbrush, trees, and other vegetation, including running bamboo, vines, ivy, noxious weeds, and any other plant material that constitute one or more of the following is also a violation of this article:
(1) For grass, it is more than twelve (12) inches long;§
(2) It appears to be abandoned or unmaintained;
(3) It has caused the primary improvements on the land or premises to be substantially screened from view from a pedestrian standing at ground level upon any right-of-way;
(4) It obstructs the property's address numerals;
(5) It obstructs access to an emergency escape and rescue opening point, as defined by the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, or the path of travel from the street to the primary entrance of any primary or accessory structure; or
(6) It is growing into or on any primary or accessory structures in a manner that is determinantal to the structure or has caused damaged to the structure.
(7) It is capable of being ignited and endangering property, or otherwise violates the Statewide Fire Prevention Code.
No responsible person may deposit or pile overgrowth in any gutter, street, or storm water system. The occupant or the owner, or if unoccupied, the owner, of any such land or premises in front of which any overgrowth is found contrary to this section is prima facie the person responsible for its presence. Nothing in this section authorizes any person to cut or remove any tree or bush within the public right-of-way without first obtaining a permit from the director of public works or the director of recreation and parks.
Violations of this section are subject to a civil penalty of fifty dollars ($50.00) for the first violation, or violations arising from the same set of operative facts. Subsequent violations not arising from the same set of operative facts within twelve (12) months of the first violation are subject to a civil penalty of two hundred dollars ($200.00) Each business day during which the same violation is found to have existed constitutes a separate offense, and subject to an additional civil penalty. A series of violations arising from the same set of operative facts is subject to a maximum aggregate penalty of three thousand dollars ($3,000.00) in a twelve (12) month period or, for property that is zoned or used for industrial or commercial purposes, six thousand dollars ($6,000.00) in a twelve (12) month period.
(Ord. of 09-23-2025)
State Law reference—Virginia Code, §§ 15.2-901, 15.2-901.1, and 15.2-902.
Sec. 23.5-18. - Violations.#
Unless otherwise specified, a person who violates this chapter will be guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor. Each day that a violation continues is a new and separate violation. In addition to any penalties imposed for each violation, the court will order the person responsible for a violation to remove, remediate, or correct the violation, and each day of failure to do as ordered constitutes a separate violation under this article.
A responsible person who receives two (2) or more notices of violation within a twelve (12) month period, and who fails to abate the violation identified in the second notice of violation within the time specified, will be guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor.
Each time that a penalty under this chapter is treated as a tax or is collectible as a tax, the city official may assess an administrative fee, up to the maximum allowed under the Virginia Code.
(Ord. of 09-23-2025)
State Law reference—Virginia Code, §§ 15.2-1429, 58.1-3958.
Sec. 23.5-21. - Definitions.#
For the purposes of this article:
Affidavit means the affidavit prepared by the director under this article.
Bawdy place means the same as that term is defined in the Virginia Code.
Corrective action means any reasonable steps taken to abate a bawdy place, such as removal, repair, or securing of any building, wall or other structure.
(Ord. of 09-23-2025)
State Law reference—Virginia Code, §§ 15.2-908.1; 18.2-347.
Sec. 23.5-22. - Affidavit and notice.#
The chief of police may undertake corrective action with respect to a bawdy place, in accordance with these procedures.
(1) The chief of police executes an affidavit, citing the relevant section of the Virginia Code, as well as this chapter, and affirming that a bawdy place exists on the premises and in the manner described therein; that the City has used diligence without effect to abate the bawdy place; and that the bawdy place constitutes a present threat to the public's health, safety, or welfare. A present threat to the public's health, safety, or welfare is defined as the regular presence on the property of persons who engage in, aid, or give any information or direction to any person with the intent to enable such person to commit acts of lewdness, assignation, or prostitution.
(2) The chief of police sends by regular mail a copy of the affidavit and a notice to the owner's address as it appears in the assessor's records. The notice will advise the owner that the owner has thirty (30) days, or fewer if the chief of police deems necessary, from the date of mailing to undertake corrective action§ to abate the bawdy place, and that the City will, if requested to do so, assist the owner in determining and coordinating the appropriate corrective action to abate the bawdy place.
(Ord. of 09-23-2025)
State Law reference—Virginia Code, § 15.2-908.1.
Sec. 23.5-23. - Failure to take corrective action.#
If the owner does not take corrective action within the time specified in the chief of police's notice, the chief of police will send by regular mail an additional notice to the owner's address as it appears in the assessor's records. This notice will state that, after fifteen (15) days from the mailing of the notice, the chief of police may commence any corrective action§ that the chief of police deems appropriate, including, without limitation, removing any structure so as to abate the bawdy place. Within that fifteen (15) days, the owner may file suit seeking equitable relief, but must provide notice to the city attorney of such suit within the same fifteen (15) days. The chief of police will not begin any corrective action while such a petition is pending before a court of competent jurisdiction.
(Ord. of 09-23-2025)
State Law reference—Virginia Code, § 15.2-908.1.
Sec. 23.5-24. - Costs.#
If the owner takes timely corrective action upon receipt of the affidavit and notice, to the reasonable satisfaction of the chief of police, then the chief of police will provide prompt notice to the owner of such satisfaction, and charge the owner no costs or expenses. Such notice does not bar the chief of police from initiating a subsequent proceeding if a bawdy place again appears on the premises.
If the chief of police undertakes the corrective action after complying with the notice provisions of this article, then the chief of police may charge the costs and expenses for the corrective action against the owner of the premises. Such costs and expenses will be collected by the Treasurer in the same manner as taxes. A cost or expense charged under this section that remains unpaid constitutes a lien having the same priority as liens for unpaid local real estate taxes.
(Ord. of 09-23-2025)
State Law reference— Virginia Code, § 15.2-908.1.
Sec. 23.5-25. - Abridgement of rights.#
Nothing in this article abridges or waives any right or remedy available to an owner of real property.
(Ord. of 09-23-2025)
State Law reference— Virginia Code, § 15.2-908.1.
Sec. 23.5-31. - Definitions.#
For the purposes of this article:
Affidavit means the affidavit prepared by the chief of police under this article.
Controlled substance has the definition given in the Virginia Code.
Corrective action means any reasonable steps taken to abate a bawdy place, such as removal, repair, or securing of any building, wall or other structure.
Drug has the definition given in the Virginia Code.
Drug blight means a condition existing on a premises that tends to endanger the public health or safety of residents and is caused by the regular presence on the property of persons under the influence of controlled substances or the regular use of the property for the purpose of illegally possessing, manufacturing, or distributing controlled substances.
Owner means the record owner of a premises.
(Ord. of 09-23-2025)
State Law reference— Virginia Code, § 54.1-3401.
Sec. 23.5-32. - Affidavit and notice requirements.#
The chief of police may undertake corrective action with respect to drug blight, in accordance with these procedures:
(1) The chief of police executes an affidavit, citing the relevant section of the Virginia Code, as well as this article, and affirming that drug blight exists on the premises and in the manner described therein; that the City has used diligence without effect to abate the drug blight; and that the drug blight constitutes a present threat to the public's health, safety, or welfare.
(2) The chief of police sends by certified mail, hand delivery, or overnight delivery a copy of the affidavit and a notice to the owner's address as it appears in the assessor's records. The notice will advise the owner that the owner has thirty (30) days, or fewer if the chief of police deems necessary, from the date of mailing to undertake corrective action to abate the drug blight, and that the City will, if requested to do so, assist the owner in determining and coordinating the appropriate corrective action to abate the drug blight.
(Ord. of 09-23-2025)
State Law reference— Virginia Code, § 15.2-907.
Sec. 23.5-33. - Failure to take corrective action.#
If the owner does not take corrective action within the time specified in the chief of police's notice, the chief of police will send by certified mail an additional notice to the owner's address as it appears in the assessor's records. This notice will state that, after fifteen (15) days from the mailing of the notice, the chief of police may commence any corrective action that the chief of police deems appropriate, including, without limitation, removing any structure so as to abate the drug blight. Within that fifteen (15) days, the owner may file suit seeking equitable relief, but must provide notice to the city attorney of such suit within the same fifteen (15) days. The chief of police will not begin any corrective action while such a petition is pending before a court of competent jurisdiction.
(Ord. of 09-23-2025)
State Law reference— Virginia Code, § 15.2-907.
Sec. 23.5-34. - Costs.#
If the owner takes timely corrective action upon receipt of the affidavit and notice, to the reasonable satisfaction of the chief of police, then the chief of police will provide prompt notice to the owner of such satisfaction, and charge the owner no costs or expenses. Such notice does not bar the chief of police from initiating a subsequent proceeding if drug blight again appears on the premises.
If the chief of police undertakes the corrective action after complying with the notice provisions of this article, then the chief of police may charge the costs and expenses for the corrective action against the owner of the premises. Such costs and expenses will be collected by the Treasurer in the same manner as taxes. A cost or expense charged under this section that remains unpaid constitutes a lien having the same priority as liens for unpaid local real estate taxes.
(Ord. of 09-23-2025)
State Law reference— Virginia Code, § 15.2-907.
Sec. 23.5-35. - Abridgement of rights.#
Nothing in this article abridges or waives any right or remedy available to an owner of real property.
(Ord. of 09-23-2025)
State Law reference— Virginia Code, § 15.2-907.
Sec. 23.5-42. - Purpose; adoption of state law.#
The purpose of this article is to allow the City to acquire or repair any blighted property by purchase or through the exercise of the power of eminent domain, and further to hold, clear, repair, manage, or dispose of such property for purposes and in a manner consistent with state and federal law.
Each provision of the Virginia Code addressing spot blight abatement, condemnation, and eminent domain is hereby adopted and incorporated into this article by reference.
(Ord. of 09-23-2025)
State Law reference— Virginia Code, §§ 25.1-200 through 25.1-251; and 36-3 and 36-49.1:1.
Sec. 23.5-43. - Procedure.#
(a) The director will make a preliminary determination that a property is a blighted property. The director will then send, by certified mail, postage prepaid, notice to the owner of such property, at their address as shown in the assessor's records, explaining the basis of that preliminary determination.
(b) The owner must respond with a spot blight abatement plan, acceptable to the director, within thirty (30) days from the date that the notice was sent.§
(c) If the owner submits a spot blight abatement plan acceptable to the director, then the director will request that council declare the property blighted and approve the spot blight abatement plan. If the owner fails to submit a spot blight abatement plan acceptable to the director, then the director will request that council declare the property blighted and approve a city blight abatement plan.
(d) A declaration and spot blight abatement plan or city blight abatement plan must be contained in an ordinance to be effective.
(e) After an ordinance is adopted, the director will send notice by regular mail, together with a copy of the spot blight abatement plan or city blight abatement plan, to the owner's address, as shown in the assessor's records. The director may cause the spot blight abatement plan or city blight abatement plan to be carried out, including to acquire and dispose of the property. After adoption of the ordinance, the City will place a lien on all property repaired or acquired, sufficient to recover the cost of improvements or disposal made by the City to bring the blighted property into compliance with all applicable law.
(f) The lien will bear interest at the legal rate of interest beginning on the date the repairs are completed. The lien will be recorded among the land records of the circuit court, and treated in all respects as a tax lien and enforceable in the same manner as provided for tax liens.
(g) Notwithstanding anything in this article to the contrary, if the blighted property is occupied for personal residential purposes, then the City will not acquire such property by eminent domain, if doing so would result in a displacement of persons living on the premises. This subsection will not apply to acquisitions, under an approved spot blight abatement plan, of property that has been condemned for human habitation for more than one (1) year. In addition, if the eminent domain is being done in accordance with Virginia Code, Title 25.1, the City may provide for temporary relocation of any person living in the blighted property, if the relocation is within the financial means of that person.
(Ord. of 09-23-2025)
State Law reference— Virginia Code, §§ 6.2-301; 36-49.1:1; and 58.1-3940 et seq.
Sec. 23.5-44. - Other laws.#
Nothing in this article relieves an owner of blighted property, or any other person, from complying with other laws related to the development, use, rehabilitation, condition, maintenance, or taxation of real property. This article is cumulative of and in addition to any other remedies that the City has to abate blight.
(Ord. of 09-23-2025)
State Law reference— Virginia Code, § 36-49.1:1.
Sec. 23.5-51. - Definitions.#
For the purposes of this article, "derelict building" has the definition given in the Virginia Code.
(Ord. of 09-23-2025)
State Law reference— Virginia Code, § 15.2-907.1.
Sec. 23.5-52. - Enforcement.#
The director may enforce this article in accordance with these procedures:
(1) When the director becomes aware that there exists upon any premises any derelict building, the director will notify the owner of the building that the owner must submit a work plan within ninety (90) days§, committing either to demolish or renovate the derelict building so that lawful use and occupancy of the building is possible.
(2) The director will send notice by first-class mail, with certificate of mailing, to the owner at the address shown in the assessor's records. If such address is the address of the derelict building, then the director may also post a copy of the notice on the derelict building.
(3) The notice also constitutes a notice of violation under section 23.5-13.
(4) An owner who fails to submit a work plan, satisfactory to the director, within ninety (90) days will be assessed a civil penalty of five hundred dollars ($500.00) per month§ until the owner submits such work plan. The total civil penalty imposed cannot exceed the cost to demolish the derelict building. Civil penalties must be paid to the Treasurer.
(Ord. of 09-23-2025)
State Law reference— Virginia Code, § 15.2-907.1.
Sec. 23.5-53. - Work plan.#
(a) The work plan required by section 23.5-52 must be on a form prescribed by the director, and must provide a proposed time within which the plan must be commenced and completed. The work plan may include one (1) or more adjacent properties, if owned by the same owner, whether or not all have been declared to contain a derelict building. The work plan must be satisfactory to the director, and will not be deemed submitted unless satisfactory to the director. However, a satisfactory work plan will be deemed submitted on the date of submittal.
(b) Along with the work plan, the owner may request information on the land use and permitting requirements for demolition or renovation.
(c) If the director approves the work plan, the work plan is binding upon the owner. Failure to comply with any aspect of the work plan will be assessed a civil penalty of five hundred dollars ($500.00) per month until the compliance is achieved.
(d) Approval of a work plan does not relieve an owner of property in a historic district from complying with the requirements of the zoning ordinance before any demolition permit is issued or any demolition commences.
(Ord. of 09-23-2025)
State Law reference— Virginia Code, § 15.2-907.1.
Sec. 23.5-54. - Work plan completion; permit fee refund.#
(a) If the approved work plan calls for demolition of the derelict building, then, upon proof of demolition within ninety (90) days of permitting and in accordance with the work plan, the director will refund to the owner any demolition permit fees.
(b) If the approved work plan calls for renovation of the derelict building, and no rezoning is required for the intended use of the property, then the site plan or subdivision application and the building permit, as applicable, will be expedited. The site plan or subdivision fees will not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the standard fees§ established by the ordinance for site plan or subdivision applications for the proposed use of the property, or five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) per property, whichever is less§. The building permit fees will not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the standard fees§ established by the ordinance for building permit applications for the proposed use of the property, or five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) per property, whichever is less.
(Ord. of 09-23-2025)
State Law reference— Virginia Code, § 15.2-907.1.
Sec. 23.5-55. - Tax abatement.#
(a) Before commencing work under a work plan, the owner may request that the assessor perform an assessment of the derelict building.
(b) After demolition, the owner must report the demolition to the assessor, who will reflect the change in assessment resulting from the demolition.
(c) After renovation, the owner must report the renovation to the assessor, who will reflect the change in assessment resulting from the renovation. The real estate tax on an amount equal to the costs of demolition or an amount equal to the increase in the fair market value of the renovations will be abated for fifteen (15) years§, and is transferable with the property. This tax abatement does not apply to any property that either is a registered Virginia landmark or is determined by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources to contribute to the significance of a registered historic district.
(Ord. of 09-23-2025)
State Law reference— Virginia Code, § 15.2-907.1.
Sec. 23.5-56. - Vacant building registration.#
The owner of any building that has been vacant for a continuous period of twelve (12) months or more, and that (i) meets the definition of "derelict building" or "drug blight," or (ii) in which a person is living without the authority of the owner, must register such building annually with the director, on a form designated by the director. The fee for such registration is one hundred dollars ($100.00)§; failure to register is subject to a two hundred dollars ($200.00) civil penalty§. However, failure to register a vacant building in a conservation or rehabilitation district, or in an area designated as blighted, is subject to a civil penalty of four hundred dollars ($400.00)§. The director must mail notice to the owner, at the address shown in the assessor's records, at least thirty (30) days before assessing the civil penalty.
(Ord. of 09-23-2025)
State Law reference— Virginia Code, § 15.2-1127.
Sec. 23.5-61. - Definitions.#
For the purposes of this article:
Motor vehicle, trailer, and semitrailer have the definitions given in the Virginia Code.
Inoperable means (i) not in operating condition, (ii) does not display valid license plates; (iii) does not display an inspection decal that is valid or displays an inspection decal that has been expired for more than sixty (60) days. A vehicle is presumed to not be in operating condition if its tires, wheel, engine, or other essential parts required for operation have been removed or appear to be degraded to the point where it is unlikely to be able to operate.
Inoperable motor vehicle includes inoperable trailers and inoperable semitrailers.
Shielded or screened from view means not visible by someone standing at ground level from outside of the property on which the inoperable motor vehicle is located.
(Ord. of 09-23-2025)
State Law reference— Virginia Code, §§ 15.2-904—15.2-905, 46.2-100.
Sec. 23.5-62. - Keeping of inoperable motor vehicles.#
(a) No person is permitted to keep, except within a fully enclosed building or structure or otherwise shielded or screened from view§, on any property zoned or used for residential or commercial or agricultural purposes, an inoperable motor vehicle. One (1) inoperable motor vehicle per property is exempted from this prohibition§, only if it is shielded or screened from view, as defined in the Virginia Code.
(b) If the director becomes aware of a violation of subsection (a), the director will notify the owner of the property that the owner must abate the violation within fifteen (15) days of the notice§.
(c) If the owner does not abate the violation, the director will remove the inoperable motor vehicle and charge the cost of removal and storage to the owner.
(d) After removing the inoperable motor vehicle, the tow operator may give notice that it will dispose of the inoperable motor vehicle if the owner does not pay the cost of removal and any civil penalties, and take possession of the inoperable motor vehicle, within fifteen (15) days of the notice.
(e) Violations of this section are subject to the maximum civil penalties provided by the Virginia Code. Any costs and civil penalties under this section will be collected as taxes are collected and constitute a lien at parity with liens for unpaid local taxes.
(f) Notwithstanding this section, if the owner can demonstrate that the inoperable motor vehicle is actively being restored or repaired, and if it is shielded or screened from view, then the vehicle does not violate this section. Only one (1) inoperable motor vehicle per property may be exempted under this subsection.
(Ord. of 09-23-2025)
State Law reference— Virginia Code, §§ 15.2-904—15.2-905, 15.2-2209.