Code of Virginia - Title 15.2 Counties, Cities And Towns - Section 15.2-900 Abatement or removal of nuisances by localities; recovery of costs

§ 15.2-900. Abatement or removal of nuisances by localities; recovery of costs

In addition to the remedy provided by § 48-5 and any other remedy provided by law, any locality may maintain an action to compel a responsible party to abate, raze, or remove a public nuisance. If the public nuisance presents an imminent and immediate threat to life or property, then the locality may abate, raze, or remove such public nuisance, and a locality may bring an action against the responsible party to recover the necessary costs incurred for the provision of public emergency services reasonably required to abate any such public nuisance.

The term "nuisance" includes, but is not limited to, dangerous or unhealthy substances which have escaped, spilled, been released or which have been allowed to accumulate in or on any place and all unsafe, dangerous, or unsanitary public or private buildings, walls, or structures which constitute a menace to the health and safety of the occupants thereof or the public. The term "responsible party" includes, but is not limited to, the owner, occupier, or possessor of the premises where the nuisance is located, the owner or agent of the owner of the material which escaped, spilled, or was released and the owner or agent of the owner who was transporting or otherwise responsible for such material and whose acts or negligence caused such public nuisance.

(1990, c. 674, § 15.1-29.21; 1997, c. 587.)

Sections:  15.2-900  15.2-901  15.2-902  15.2-903  15.2-904  15.2-905  15.2-906  15.2-907  15.2-908  15.2-908.1  15.2-909  15.2-910  15.2-911  15.2-912  15.2-912.1  Next

Last modified: April 16, 2009