Virginia Resources

Local governments in Virginia act as agents of the state, and do not have their own authority. The framework and laws for local governments are provided in Article VII of the Constitution of Virginia and Title 15.2 of the Code of Virginia.

Counties, cities and towns can apply to the General Assembly to become municipal corporations. The charters of municipal corporations are their organic (constitution-like) laws. Legislative provisions are provided in a locality's ordinances. Localities may exercise only those powers granted expressly by statute or charter.

More Sources:

• Functional Authority of Virginia Local Government (Virginia Department of Housing Community Development): Graphical illustration of creation, authority and function of local government entities in Virginia.
• Commission on Local Government (Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development): Assists cities and counties by promoting intergovernmental relations.
• Virginia Cities, Towns and Counties (Virginia.org)
• Virginia Association of Counties: Comprised of local government officials, supports and protects the interests of counties.
• Virginia Municipal Leagues: A nonprofit, nonpartisan association of city, town and county governments that assist local governments through legislative advocacy.

Finding Charters

Charters of counties and independent cities are officially published in the Acts of Assembly the year they are enacted. 

• In print: Acts of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia: Law Library Call Number: State 1st Floor KFV2425 .A213 (1968-1970, 1980, 1983 - ), currently updated at Law Library.
• Virginia's Legilslative Information System: Bills & Resolutions Searchable Database: Searchable across sessions, choose "Chapter" from the drop down menu (this will retrieve enacted laws only), and search for the word "charter" for all charters created or amended since 1994.
• Virginia Advance Legislative Service on Lexis (1989 - )
• Virginia Historical Enacted Legislation (Session Laws) on Westlaw (1990 - previous session)
• Virginia Acts on Bloomberg Law (1999 - )

Charters may also be included in a locality's ordinances.

Finding Ordinances

• Virginia Municipal Codes on Lexis
• Municode Library: Virginia
• General Code: Virginia
• Historical ordinances may be available electronically by searching for "Virginia ordinances" in the Law Library's catalog.