15.2-3306 - Limitations to immunity. - Virginia Statutes

§ 15.2-3306. Limitations to immunity.

A. Immunity granted by this chapter shall not be interpreted to prohibit anytown annexations, or to prohibit annexations to a city initiated under theprovisions of § 15.2-3203, except that no city may commence or be apetitioner in any such proceeding.

B. Notwithstanding other provisions of law, including § 15.2-3800, no grantof county immunity shall be interpreted to deny the right of any town, whichin 1979 possessed a population in excess of 5,000 persons and was situated ina county possessing a population of 20,000 or more persons and a populationdensity of 300 or more persons per square mile, or a population of 50,000 ormore persons and a population density of 140 persons or more per square mile,based either on the United States census, on population estimates of theWeldon Cooper Center for Public Service of the University of Virginia, or ona special census conducted under court supervision, to obtain city status.Where a town seeks to become a city under the provisions of this section, thespecial court shall be limited in its review to a determination of the town'spopulation and population density. Where the court determines that such townhas a population of at least 5,000 persons and a density of 200 persons persquare mile, it shall enter an order granting the town city status.

(1979, c. 85, § 15.1-977.23; 1997, c. 587; 2002, c. 199.)