Virginia Code

Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-1427 (2026)

Adoption of ordinances and resolutions generally; amending or repealing ordinances

✓ current as of May 2026

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A. Unless otherwise specifically provided for by the Constitution or by other general or special law, an ordinance may be adopted by majority vote of those present and voting at any lawful meeting.

B. On final vote on any ordinance or resolution, the name of each member of the governing body voting and how he voted shall be recorded; however, votes on all ordinances and resolutions adopted prior to February 27, 1998, in which an unanimous vote of the governing body was recorded, shall be deemed to have been validly recorded. The governing body may adopt an ordinance or resolution by a recorded voice vote unless otherwise provided by law, or any member calls for a roll call vote. An ordinance shall become effective upon adoption or upon a date fixed by the governing body.

C. All ordinances or resolutions heretofore adopted by a governing body shall be deemed to have been validly adopted, unless some provision of the Constitution of Virginia or the Constitution of the United States has been violated in such adoption.

D. An ordinance may be amended or repealed in the same manner, or by the same procedure, in which, or by which, ordinances are adopted.

E. An amendment or repeal of an ordinance shall be in the form of an ordinance which shall become effective upon adoption or upon a date fixed by the governing body, but, if no effective date is specified, then such ordinance shall become effective upon adoption.

F. In counties, except as otherwise authorized by law, no ordinance shall be passed until after notice of an intention to propose the ordinance for passage has been advertised by reference twice, with the first notice being published no more than 28 days before and the second notice appearing no less than seven days before the date of the meeting referenced in the notice, in a newspaper having a general circulation in the county. The publication shall include a statement that a copy of the full text of the ordinance is on file in the clerk's office of the circuit court of the county or in the office of the county administrator; or in the case of any county organized under the form of government set out in Chapter 5, 7 or 8 of this title, a statement that a copy of the full text of the ordinance is on file in the office of the clerk of the county board.

In counties, emergency ordinances may be adopted without prior notice; however, no such ordinance shall be enforced for more than sixty days unless readopted in conformity with the provisions of this Code.

G. In towns, no tax shall be imposed except by a two-thirds vote of the council members.

Code 1950, §§ 15-8, 15-10; 1950, p. 113; 1954, c. 529; 1956, cc. 218, 664; 1956, Ex. Sess., c. 40; 1958, cc. 190, 279; 1960, c. 606; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-504; 1966, cc. 405, 612; 1968, c. 625; 1970, c. 581; 1972, cc. 41, 837; 1973, c. 380; 1978, c. 235; 1983, c. 11; 1997, c. 587; 1998, c. 823; 2000, c. 895; 2023, cc. 506, 507; 2024, cc. 225, 242.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 7 cases, 1998–2010 · leading case: Covel v. Town of Vienna, 694 S.E.2d 609 (Va. 2010).

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Covel v. Town of Vienna, 694 S.E.2d 609 (Va. 2010). · cites it 14× “" Moreover, the enacting clause of the WHHD Ordinance states that the Historic Districts Ordinance is "amended by adding Section 18-280.”

Gas Mart v. Bd. of Sup'rs of Loudoun Cnty., 611 S.E.2d 340 (Va. 2005). · cites it 20× “In Count IV, the complainants alleged that the ZOAs were void ab initio because the Board had failed to comply with the public notice requirements of Code § 15.2-1427(F). In sustaining the County's demurrer to Count IV, the trial court concluded that Code § 15.”

Covel v. Town of Vienna, 78 Va. Cir. 190 (Fairfax Cir. Ct. 2009). · cites it 16× “Nonetheless, the Court finds Petitioners’ argument on this issue unavailing as it agrees with the Town that the effect of Va. Code § 15.2-1427(C) is dispositive. Virginia Code § 15.”

Town of Madison, Inc. v. Ford, 498 S.E.2d 235 (Va. 1998). · cites it 8× “" Code § 15.2-1427(C). Accordingly, if the procedure connected with enactment of a local ordinance is questioned, substantial compliance with constitutional or statutory provisions regarding recording of legislators' votes should be sufficient to validate the action.”

In re Zoning Ordinance Amendments, 67 Va. Cir. 462 (Loudoun Cir. Ct. 2003). · cites it 7× “The LSC argues that the provisions of Va. Code Ann. §§ 15.2-1427 , 15.2-2285, are applicable to the actions of the Board in this case.”

Ace Temporaries v. City Council, 649 S.E.2d 688 (Va. 2007). · cites it 2× “" Code § 15.2-1427(D). The City failed to initiate Ordinance No.”

Centex Homes, G.P. v. Loudoun Cnty. Bd. of Supervisors, 74 Va. Cir. 54 (Loudoun Cir. Ct. 2007). · cites it 4× “” Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-1427 (B) (2006). The Board established no fixed date when the rezoning would become effective.”

— Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-1427(C) — 3 cases

Covel v. Town of Vienna, 694 S.E.2d 609 (Va. 2010). “" Moreover, the enacting clause of the WHHD Ordinance states that the Historic Districts Ordinance is "amended by adding Section 18-280.”

Covel v. Town of Vienna, 78 Va. Cir. 190 (Fairfax Cir. Ct. 2009). “Nonetheless, the Court finds Petitioners’ argument on this issue unavailing as it agrees with the Town that the effect of Va. Code § 15.2-1427(C) is dispositive. Virginia Code § 15.”

Town of Madison, Inc. v. Ford, 498 S.E.2d 235 (Va. 1998). “" Code § 15.2-1427(C). Accordingly, if the procedure connected with enactment of a local ordinance is questioned, substantial compliance with constitutional or statutory provisions regarding recording of legislators' votes should be sufficient to validate the action.”

— Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-1427(D) — 1 case

Ace Temporaries v. City Council, 649 S.E.2d 688 (Va. 2007). “" Code § 15.2-1427(D). The City failed to initiate Ordinance No.”

— Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-1427(F) — 2 cases

Gas Mart v. Bd. of Sup'rs of Loudoun Cnty., 611 S.E.2d 340 (Va. 2005). “In Count IV, the complainants alleged that the ZOAs were void ab initio because the Board had failed to comply with the public notice requirements of Code § 15.2-1427(F). In sustaining the County's demurrer to Count IV, the trial court concluded that Code § 15.”

Covel v. Town of Vienna, 694 S.E.2d 609 (Va. 2010). “" Moreover, the enacting clause of the WHHD Ordinance states that the Historic Districts Ordinance is "amended by adding Section 18-280.”

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