§ 15.2-4300. Short title
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Agricultural and Forestal Districts Act.” 1977, c. 681, § 15.1-1506; 1997, c. 587.
§ 15.2-4301. Declaration of policy findings and purpose
It is the policy of the Commonwealth to conserve and protect and to encourage the development and improvement of the Commonwealth’s agricultural and forestal lands for the production of food and other agricultural and forestal products. It is also the policy of the Commonwealth to conserve and protect agricultural and forestal lands as valued natural […]
§ 15.2-4302. Definitions
As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning: “Advisory committee” means the agricultural and forestal districts advisory committee. “Agricultural products” means crops, livestock and livestock products, including but not limited to: field crops, fruits, vegetables, horticultural specialties, cattle, sheep, hogs, goats, horses, poultry, furbearing animals, milk, eggs and furs. “Agricultural production” […]
§ 15.2-4303. Power of localities to enact ordinances; application form and fees; maps; sample form
A. Each locality shall have the authority to promulgate forms and to enact ordinances to effectuate this chapter. The locality may charge a reasonable fee for each application submitted pursuant to this chapter; such fee shall not exceed $500 or the costs of processing and reviewing an application, whichever is less. B. The locality shall […]
§ 15.2-4304. Agricultural and forestal districts advisory committee
A. Upon receipt of the first agricultural and forestal districts application, the local governing body shall establish an advisory committee which shall consist of four landowners who are engaged in agricultural or forestal production, four other landowners of the locality, the commissioner of revenue or the local government’s chief property assessment officer, and a member […]
§ 15.2-4305. Application for creation of district in one or more localities; size and location of parcels
On or before November 1 of each year or any other annual date selected by the locality, any owner or owners of land may submit an application to the locality for the creation of a district or addition of land to an existing district within the locality. Each district shall have a core of no […]
§ 15.2-4306. Criteria for evaluating application
Land being considered for inclusion in a district may be evaluated by the advisory committee and the planning commission through the Virginia Land Evaluation and Site Assessment (LESA) System or, if one has been developed, a local LESA System. The following factors should be considered by the local planning commission and the advisory committee, and […]
§ 15.2-4307. Review of application; notice; hearing
Upon the receipt of an application for a district or for an addition to an existing district, the program administrator shall refer such application to the advisory committee. The advisory committee shall review and make recommendations concerning the application or modification thereof to the local planning commission, which shall: 1. Notify, by first-class mail, adjacent […]
§ 15.2-4308. Repealed
Repealed by Acts 2011, cc. 344 and 355, cl. 2.
§ 15.2-4309. Hearing; creation of district; conditions; notice
A. The local governing body, after receiving the report of the local planning commission and the advisory committee, shall hold a public hearing as provided by law, and after such public hearing, may by ordinance create the district or add land to an existing district as applied for, or with any modifications it deems appropriate. […]
§ 15.2-4310. Additions to a district
Additional parcels of land may be added to an existing district at any time by following the process and application deadlines prescribed for the creation of a new district. 1977, c. 681, § 15.1-1511; 1979, c. 377; 1981, c. 546; 1984, c. 20; 1985, c. 13; 1987, c. 552; 1993, cc. 745, 761; 1997, c. […]
§ 15.2-4311. Review of districts
The local governing body may complete a review of any district created under this section, together with additions to such district, no less than four years but no more than ten years after the date of its creation and every four to ten years thereafter. If the local governing body determines that a review is […]
§ 15.2-4312. Effects of districts
A. Land lying within a district and used in agricultural or forestal production shall automatically qualify for an agricultural or forestal use-value assessment pursuant to Article 4 (§ 58.1-3229 et seq.) of Chapter 32 of Title 58.1, if the requirements for such assessment contained therein are satisfied. Any ordinance adopted pursuant to § 15.2-4303 shall […]
§ 15.2-4313. Proposals as to land acquisition or construction within district
A. Any agency of the Commonwealth or any political subdivision which intends to acquire land or any interest therein other than by gift, devise, bequest or grant, or any public service corporation which intends to: (i) acquire land or any interest therein for public utility facilities not subject to approval by the State Corporation Commission, […]
§ 15.2-4314. Withdrawal of land from a district; termination of a district
A. At any time after the creation of a district within any locality, any owner of land lying in such district may file with the program administrator a written request to withdraw all or part of his land from the district for good and reasonable cause. The program administrator shall refer the request to the […]