# Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-903: Ordinances taxing and regulating "automobile graveyards," "junkyards," and certain vacant and abandoned property

> Virginia · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T15.2_SII_C9_A1_S15.2-903

## Section

- **Citation:** Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-903
- **Heading:** Ordinances taxing and regulating "automobile graveyards," "junkyards," and certain vacant and abandoned property
- **Jurisdiction:** Virginia
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Virginia Code / Title 15.2 / Subtitle II / Chapter 9 / Article 1 / Section 15.2-903

## Text

A. Any locality may adopt ordinances imposing license taxes upon and otherwise regulating the maintenance and operation of places commonly known as automobile graveyards and junkyards and may prescribe fines and other punishment for violations of such ordinances.

No such ordinance shall be adopted until after notice in accordance with § 15.2-1427 has been published.

As used in this section the terms "automobile graveyard" and "junkyard" have the meanings ascribed to them in § 33.2-804 .

B. The Counties of Bedford, Campbell, Caroline, Fauquier, Rockbridge, Shenandoah, Tazewell, Warren and York may adopt an ordinance imposing the screening of automobile graveyards and junkyards, unless screening is impractical due to topography, as set forth in § 33.2-804 . Any such ordinance may apply to any automobile graveyard or junkyard within the boundaries of such county regardless of the date on which any such automobile graveyard or junkyard may have come into existence, notwithstanding the provisions of § 33.2-804 .

C. The City of Newport News may adopt an ordinance imposing screening or landscape screening for retail or commercial properties that have been vacant or abandoned for more than three years within designated areas consistent with the city's comprehensive plan.

Code 1950, § 15-18; 1956, c. 672; 1958, c. 552; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-28; 1968, c. 409; 1993, c. 714; 1995, c. 207 ; 1997, c. 587 ; 1998, c. 180 ; 2001, c. 10 ; 2004, c. 493 ; 2005, c. 702 ; 2006, cc. 669 , 722 ; 2024, cc. 225 , 242 .

## Nearby sections

- [Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-900 Abatement or removal of nuisances by localities; recovery of costs](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T15.2_SII_C9_A1_S15.2-900.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-901 Locality may provide for removal or disposal of trash and clutter, cutting of grass, weeds, and running bamboo; penalty in certain counties; penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T15.2_SII_C9_A1_S15.2-901.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-901.1 Locality may provide for control of running bamboo; civil penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T15.2_SII_C9_A1_S15.2-901.1.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-902 Authority of locality to control certain noxious weeds](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T15.2_SII_C9_A1_S15.2-902.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-903 Ordinances taxing and regulating "automobile graveyards," "junkyards," and certain vacant and abandoned property](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T15.2_SII_C9_A1_S15.2-903.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-904 Authority to restrict keeping of inoperable motor vehicles, etc., on residential or commercial property; removal of such vehicles; penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T15.2_SII_C9_A1_S15.2-904.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-905 Authority to restrict keeping of inoperable motor vehicles, etc., on residential or commercial property; removal of such vehicles](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T15.2_SII_C9_A1_S15.2-905.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-906 Authority to require removal, repair, etc., of buildings and other structures](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T15.2_SII_C9_A1_S15.2-906.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-907 Authority to require removal, repair, etc., of buildings and other structures harboring illegal drug use or other criminal activity](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T15.2_SII_C9_A1_S15.2-907.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-907.1 Authority to require removal, repair, etc., of buildings that are declared to be derelict; civil penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T15.2_SII_C9_A1_S15.2-907.1.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-907.2 Authority of locality or land bank entity to be appointed to act as a receiver to repair derelict and blighted buildings in certain limited circumstances](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T15.2_SII_C9_A1_S15.2-907.2.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-908 Authority of localities to remove or repair the defacement of buildings, walls, fences and other structures](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T15.2_SII_C9_A1_S15.2-908.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-908.1 Authority to require removal, repair, etc., of buildings and other structures harboring a bawdy place](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T15.2_SII_C9_A1_S15.2-908.1.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-909 Authority to require removal, repair, etc., of wharves, piers, pilings, bulkheads, vessels or abandoned, obstructing or hazardous property](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T15.2_SII_C9_A1_S15.2-909.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T15.2_SII_C9_A1_S15.2-903. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.