IN GENERAL

Richmond, Va., City Code ch. 8, art. I

in effect

Richmond, Va., City Code § 8-1 Report and recommendations on acquisition of real estate.

Sec. 8-1. - Report and recommendations on acquisition of real estate. The Chief Administrative Officer shall prepare and submit to the Mayor and the City Council a report of all of the transactions relating to the acquisition of real estate by the City during the six months preceding January 1 and July 1 of each year. (Code 1993, § 8-1; Code 2004, § 26-1; Code 2015, § 8-1; Code 2020, § 8-1; Ord. No. 2004-360-330, § 1, 12-13-2004; Ord. No. 2005-282-270, § 3, 12-12-2005)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 8-2 Authority of Chief Administrative Officer to lease real estate; terms and conditions of lease.

Sec. 8-2. - Authority of Chief Administrative Officer to lease real estate; terms and conditions of lease. (a) No City-owned real estate shall be leased, whether at-will or otherwise, for a period of longer than 90 calendar days unless the terms of such lease have first been approved by an ordinance adopted by the Council. The Mayor may introduce an ordinance to direct the Chief Administrative Officer to execute such a lease for specific City-owned real estate. The Chief Administrative Officer is hereby authorized to lease, for a period of no longer than 90 calendar days, real estate owned by the City or any part thereof not devoted to and not immediately needed for public use, upon the following terms and conditions: (1) The tenants shall pay rent to the City for the use and occupancy of each parcel at an annual rate commensurate with the fair rental value of the parcel or otherwise as determined by the Chief Administrative Officer, which shall be due and payable monthly in advance. (2) The tenants shall have exclusive possession of the real estate, except that the Chief Administrative Officer, or a designee thereof, shall have the right to enter such real estate at any time for the inspection thereof or for making such repairs to or alterations of any buildings or structures on the real estate, as the Chief Administrative Officer may deem advisable. However, the City shall not be obligated to maintain, repair or replace any building or structure or any fixture, equipment or facility which may be on or used in connection with the use of the real estate or any part thereof. (3) The tenants shall maintain the real estate in good order and state of repair and shall make such repairs thereto as shall from time to time be required by the Chief Administrative Officer or an authorized representative. (4) The tenants shall provide at their cost and expense all services required for their use and occupancy of the real estate, and the City shall not be obligated to provide for such services. However, where a single parcel of real estate is being leased to two or more tenants and such real estate has only one water, gas or electric meter or only one heating system, the Chief Administrative Officer is authorized to pay for the services where there is only one water, gas or electric meter or only one heating system and then to prorate the costs of the services between the tenants involved and add the net costs of the services to the fair rental value of the parcel as determined by the Chief Administrative Officer under Subsection (a)(1) of this section. (5) The tenants shall remove all of their property from the real estate, including that attached to the freehold, upon the termination of the lease. Upon the tenants' failure, refusal or neglect to do so, the Chief Administrative Officer, or a designee thereof, may remove such property from the real estate at the cost and expense of the tenants, without liability to the tenants for damages that may directly or indirectly result therefrom, or may allow such property to remain on the real estate, and fee simple title to the property shall vest in the City. (6) The tenants shall not transfer or assign the lease nor sublet the real estate or any part thereof without the approval of the Chief Administrative Officer. (7) The tenants shall surrender possession of the real estate to the City upon termination of the lease and shall leave the premises in the same or as good condition as when entered upon, damage beyond the control of the tenants and reasonable wear and tear excepted. (8) The tenants shall indemnify, keep and hold the City free and harmless from liability on account of injury or damage to themselves and others in person or property growing out of the making of the lease and their use and occupancy of the real estate. If suit shall be brought against the City, either independently or jointly with the tenants on account thereof, the tenants will defend the City in any such suit; if a final judgment is obtained against the City, either independently or jointly with the tenants, the tenants will pay such judgments with all costs and hold the City harmless therefrom. (9) The tenants shall waive the benefit of the homestead exemption laws of the State as to all obligations created under the lease and shall agree to pay all expenses incurred in collecting the obligations, including 20 percent attorney's fees if the obligations shall not be paid when due. (10) The use and occupancy of the premises by the tenants shall be at the will of either of the parties to the lease and may be terminated by the Chief Administrative Officer or an authorized representative or by the tenants at any time upon due notice. Upon the termination of the lease by the City, the tenants shall be refunded the rent paid for the remainder of the month from the day such termination becomes effective. (11) Whenever any building or structure which is a part of the real estate is rendered untenable by reason of force majeure, the lease shall terminate. (b) For each lease entered into pursuant to the provisions of Subsection (a) of this section for which the terms of such lease have not first been approved by an ordinance adopted by the Council, the following conditions shall apply: (1) Within five working days after the execution by the Chief Administrative Officer of such a lease, the Chief Administrative Officer shall cause a complete copy of such executed lease to be delivered to each member of the council, which delivery may be by electronic means. (2) No such lease shall be extended for a total of more than 30 additional calendar days until the Council has adopted a resolution approving the extension, which resolution must contain the location of the leased premises, the name of the tenant, the original duration of the lease, the duration of the extension, and the amount of rent. (3) Once such a lease has terminated, the tenant shall not be deemed to hold over, and no lease for the same premises to the same tenant may have a term commencing less than 90 calendar days after such termination unless the terms of such lease have first been approved by an ordinance adopted by the Council. (4) Whenever the Council determines that real estate leased by the Chief Administrative Officer pursuant to Subsection (a) of this section where the terms of such lease have not first been approved by an ordinance adopted by the Council or real estate leased pursuant to an at-will lease is needed for public use, the Chief Administrative Officer shall cause such lease to be terminated and the real estate devoted to that public use for which the council has determined it is needed. The Council's determination shall be expressed by the adoption of a resolution. (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, Bandy Field Park, Lewis G. Larus Park, Crooked Branch Ravine Park and City-owned real estate that has been designated as part of the James River Park System shall not be leased for any purpose that would result in or involve any development of any part of these public parklands. (Code 1993, § 8-2; Code 2004, § 26-2; Code 2015, § 8-2; Code 2020, § 8-2; Ord. No. 2004-360-330, § 1, 12-13-2004; Ord. No. 2005-283-271, § 1, 12-12-2005; Ord. No. 2009-220-2010-8, § 2, 1-25-2010; Ord. No. 2014-205-2015-32, § 1, 2-23-2015)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 8-3 Insurance required of certain permit holders using community facilities.

Sec. 8-3. - Insurance required of certain permit holders using community facilities. Every person to whom a permit is granted by the Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities under authority conferred in Article IV, V, or VI of this chapter to use any facility under the supervision of the Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities for any purpose shall insure liability for injury or death and property damage in connection with such person's use of such facility in an amount of not less than $1,000,000.00 to cover the injury to or death of one person in any one occurrence and not less than $1,000,000.00 to cover the injury or death of more than one person in any one occurrence, together with property damage of not less than $1,000,000.00. The City shall be named as an additional insured under the insurance contract. Premiums chargeable for the insurance contract shall be paid by such person, and the contract shall be kept in full force and effect during the term of the permit. The contract of insurance shall contain a provision that it shall not be canceled or terminated or otherwise allowed to expire during the term of the permit. The insurance contract shall be approved as to form by the City Attorney. The insurance contract shall be provided and shall be in force at the time the permit is issued. (Code 1993, § 8-5; Code 2004, § 26-3; Code 2015, § 8-3; Code 2020, § 8-3)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 8-4 Corporate surety bond required of certain permittees using community facilities.

Sec. 8-4. - Corporate surety bond required of certain permittees using community facilities. The Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities may require every person to whom a permit is granted to use any facility under the supervision of the Director to furnish and deliver to the City at the time the permit is issued a corporate surety bond, payable to the City, in such amount as shall be required by the Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, conditioned upon the payment by such person of all sums of money due the City for the use of such facility by such person and upon the restoration or repair of all property of the City damaged or destroyed as a result of or incident to such use of the facility. The bond shall be approved as to form by the City Attorney. The cost of the bond shall be paid by such person, and it shall be kept in full force and effect during the term of the permit. The bond shall contain a provision that it shall not be canceled or terminated or otherwise allowed to expire during the term of the permit. (Code 1993, § 8-6; Code 2004, § 26-4; Code 2015, § 8-4; Code 2020, § 8-4)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 8-5 Catering privileges at facilities.

Sec. 8-5. - Catering privileges at facilities. Every person, including any concessionaire of the City, who caters any event held in any facility assigned to the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities shall pay to the City a fee of ten percent of the gross charges made for catering such event. The term "gross charges" shall not include any sales tax which may be due and payable on such catered services; that is, gross charges shall be gross receipts, less sales tax. (Code 1993, § 8-7; Code 2004, § 26-5; Code 2015, § 8-5; Code 2020, § 8-5)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 8-6 Naming of buildings acquired for public use.

Sec. 8-6. - Naming of buildings acquired for public use. Upon determining that a building will be constructed, purchased or otherwise acquired by the City for public use, the City Council or a designated standing committee of the Council will accept recommendations from the Chief Administrative Officer, the proposed using agency or the public at large of suggested names for such building. The Council shall, within its sole discretion, adopt by resolution an appropriate name for the newly constructed or acquired public building. (Code 1993, § 8-9; Code 2004, § 26-6; Code 2015, § 8-6; Code 2020, § 8-6; Ord. No. 2004-360-330, § 1, 12-13-2004)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 8-7 Naming of City facilities—Purpose; definition of "City facility"; applicability.

Sec. 8-7. - Naming of City facilities—Purpose; definition of "City facility"; applicability. (a) The purpose of this section through Section 8-10 is to provide a systematic and consistent approach to considering, approving and implementing the naming or renaming of City buildings, streets, alleys, bridges, parks, recreation facilities and other public places owned by the City of Richmond. (b) For the purpose of this section through Section 8-10, the term "City facility" means any street, bridge, building, park, recreation or community facility or place as well as any natural feature and any other forms of historical interpretation or exhibit owned by the City of Richmond. (c) This section through Section 8-10 do not apply to street names designated through the subdivision or other land use processes pursuant to Chapter 25 or 30 or any City-owned building leased by the City to a tenant when the lease grants the tenant the right to transfer naming rights to that building. (Code 2004, § 26-7; Code 2015, § 8-7; Code 2020, § 8-7; Ord. No. 2004-35-64, § 1(8-15), 4-13-2004; Ord. No. 2015-253, § 1, 1-11-2016)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 8-8 Naming of City facilities—Policy.

Sec. 8-8. - Naming of City facilities—Policy. All naming or renaming of City facilities shall be in accordance with the following policies and considerations: (1) The City Council may, at its sole discretion, approve or disapprove by resolution any and all proposals for naming or renaming City facilities. (2) All citizens, especially parties affected by the naming or renaming, shall have the opportunity to participate in a public hearing on the naming or renaming resolution. (3) Once selected by the City Council for a City facility, a name shall be bestowed with the intention that it will be permanent for that City facility. (4) The names bestowed by the City Council shall be consistent with the values and character of the community served by the City facility. (5) The City Council shall give due consideration to the potential financial impact involved in changing the addresses of abutting private and public properties related to any proposal to rename a City road or street. (6) Street names should not be changed more frequently than once every 100 years. (Code 2004, § 26-8; Code 2015, § 8-8; Code 2020, § 8-8; Ord. No. 2004-35-64, § 1(8-16), 4-13-2004)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 8-9 Naming of City facilities—Criteria.

Sec. 8-9. - Naming of City facilities—Criteria. Because the naming or renaming of City facilities should be approached cautiously with forethought and deliberation, the evaluation and selection of names for City facilities shall comply with the criteria set forth below: (1) In all cases, City Council shall have the prerogative of accepting or rejecting a naming or renaming proposal. (2) Once the name of a City facility has been changed by City Council, renaming should be strongly resisted. (3) Names which could be construed as advertising a particular business shall be avoided. (4) Cumbersome, corrupted, or modified names and discriminatory or derogatory names from the point of view of race, sex, color, creed, political affiliation or other social factors shall be avoided. (5) Proposed names shall be based upon a relationship to: a. Individuals who have made major and distinct social, cultural, historical, or civic contributions; b. Neighborhood or geographic identification; c. Historical figures, places, events or other instances of cultural significance; and d. Natural or geological features. (6) City facilities shall be named after individuals only and not after multiple persons, groups or organizations. (7) Preference shall be given to the names of persons who are natives of the City of Richmond or who resided in the City during the time of their contributions. (8) With rare exception for individuals whose service or contributions are extraordinary, memorials shall only be made recognizing persons who have been deceased for five years or more in order to ensure that actions being recognized stand the test of time. (9) The naming of multiple facilities after the same individual shall be avoided. (10) Only surnames should be used, unless additional identification is necessary to prevent duplication. (11) Historical names placed on designated landmarks listed on City, State or National Registers of Historic Places shall not be changed. (12) Street names, plats, specific sites and places and natural features indicated on general usage maps for 50 years or more (i.e., age criteria applied by the National Register of Historic Places) should only be changed under exceptional circumstances. (13) In the development of new City facilities, address designations shall be used until City Council approves a naming proposal. To the extent possible, names shall be designated before opening new City facilities to public use. (Code 2004, § 26-9; Code 2015, § 8-9; Code 2020, § 8-9; Ord. No. 2004-35-64, § 1(8-17), 4-13-2004)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 8-10 Naming of City facilities—Procedures.

Sec. 8-10. - Naming of City facilities—Procedures. The submission, evaluation, approval and implementation of proposals for naming or renaming City facilities shall comply with the procedures set forth below: (1) All requests for naming or renaming a City facility shall be made in writing and indicate the specific City facility proposed for naming or name changes. Such written request, together with all other documentation required by this section, shall be submitted to the Chief Administrative Officer or to the Councilmember who patrons a naming resolution. Each request shall be accompanied by the payment of a fee in an amount set by the Chief Administrative Officer to cover the reasonable cost of administering these procedures. (2) At the request of a citizen or interested group, either the Mayor or a Councilmember may introduce a resolution to name or rename a City facility. (3) Within 90 days of the introduction of a naming resolution, the Chief Administrative Officer shall prepare and submit to the City Council a staff report that evaluates whether or not the proposal is consistent with the policies and criteria herein, and that indicates the financial impact of implementing the proposed naming or renaming. (4) In cases where citizens or interested groups request to change the name of a street, which has an existing, approved name, the proponents of such name change shall file with their request a petition of the affected property owners. The petition must bear the signatures of the owners of at least 51 percent of the lots, tracts, or parcels of property (excluding Federal, State, public utilities and municipal lands), which abut the street to be renamed. The percentage of owners shall be expressed in terms of both number of properties and land area. (5) The City Council, upon receipt of the staff report, shall conduct a public hearing to review recommendations, suggestions and obtain public comments from affected parties prior to any final action on a naming resolution. (6) The City Council may, at its sole discretion, approve or disapprove any and all proposals for naming or renaming a City facility. (7) The Chief Administrative Officer shall notify those who requested the name or name change as well as appropriate offices, departments and agencies of the Council's action on a proposed resolution. Upon the approval of a resolution, the Chief Administrative Officer shall take all action to implement the naming or name changes of City facilities, including, but not limited to, changing stationery and signs and the recovery of the costs thereof. (8) The provisions of this procedure shall not apply to the application of recognition for benches, trees, refuse cans, flagpoles, water fountains, or other similar items of personal property. (Code 2004, § 26-10; Code 2015, § 8-10; Code 2020, § 8-10; Ord. No. 2004-35-64, § 1(8-18), 4-13-2004; Ord. No. 2004-360-330, § 1, 12-13-2004)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 8-11 Schools.

Sec. 8-11. - Schools. All buildings, grounds and property of every description used for the purpose of public education, and purchased with money appropriated by the City Council, or received from any other source, unless on different conditions, shall be the property of the City. (Code 1993, § 8-4; Code 2004, § 26-11; Code 2015, § 8-11; Code 2020, § 8-11)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 8-12 Use of City-owned real estate.

Sec. 8-12. - Use of City-owned real estate. (a) Authority. Pursuant to Sections 2.03(h) and 4.02 of the City Charter, the power to control and regulate the use and management of all City-owned real estate is vested in the City Council. (b) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to provide for the: (1) Use and management of City-owned real estate for which no other ordinance provides; and (2) Change in use or management of City-owned real estate for which no other ordinance provides. (c) Use. (1) Where any provision of this Code or any other ordinance provides for a specific use for City-owned real estate, that use shall continue until such use is modified by ordinance. (2) No use of City-owned real estate shall be changed except by ordinance adopted by the City Council. (3) No City-owned real estate shall be used in a manner contrary to a use provided for by ordinance adopted by City Council. (d) Exceptions. (1) This section shall not apply to City-owned real estate designated for use as a community garden pursuant to the provisions of Article VIII, Division 5 of this chapter. (2) Notwithstanding Subsection (c) of this section or any other provision of this Code to the contrary, no City-owned real estate shall be used as a cold weather shelter for homeless persons until: a. The Chief Administrative Officer has submitted to the City Council: 1. Evidence that the Chief Administrative Officer has caused to be held one or more public meetings to allow public comment on the proposed use of such City-owned real estate as a cold weather shelter for homeless persons, together with the substance of any public comment made at any such meetings; and 2. A written plan for operating a cold weather shelter on the City-owned real estate proposed to be used as a cold weather shelter for homeless persons that includes the specific periods of time during which such City-owned real estate is proposed to be used as a cold weather shelter for homeless persons; and b. The City Council has approved the use of such City-owned real estate as a cold weather shelter for homeless persons in the manner provided by Subsection (c)(2) of this section. (Code 2004, § 26-12; Code 2015, § 8-12; Code 2020, § 8-12; Ord. No. 2007-161-157, § 1, 6-25-2007; Ord. No. 2011-50-45, § 2, 3-28-2011; Ord. No. 2018-287, § 1, 2-11-2019)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 8-13 Workforces.

Sec. 8-13. - Workforces. Pursuant to Code of Virginia, § 53.1-128, there is hereby established a workforce in the City under the conditions prescribed in this section. The workforce shall be authorized to work on such public property or works owned, leased or operated by the City as may be identified in writing by the Chief Administrative Officer and transmitted to the Sheriff. Those persons liable to work in the workforce pursuant to Code of Virginia, § 53.1-128 shall work in the workforce, and those persons who may work in the workforce on a voluntary basis pursuant to Code of Virginia, § 53.1-128 may work in such workforce under the conditions set forth pursuant to Code of Virginia, § 53.1-128. The Sheriff shall approve the use of the workforce and shall supervise the workforce, provided that such conditions for workforce members working on public property or works as may be prescribed by the Chief Administrative Officer are met. (Code 2004, § 26-13; Code 2015, § 8-13; Code 2020, § 8-13; Ord. No. 2011-21-30, § 1, 2-28-2011)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 8-14 Grant of licenses for space in parking facilities.

Sec. 8-14. - Grant of licenses for space in parking facilities. The Chief Administrative Officer, or the written designee thereof, on behalf of the City, may enter into and, from time to time, modify license agreements by which the City licenses to parties other than the City parking spaces within City-owned parking facilities not used for City employee parking, provided that: (1) The license agreement is terminable at-will by the City; (2) The fees or rates charged under the license agreement are in accordance with the provisions of Section 12-119; (3) The Chief Administrative Officer or the written designee thereof has approved the license agreement, and any amendment thereto, as to terms; and (4) The City Attorney or the designee thereof has approved the license agreement, and any amendment thereto, as to form. (Code 2004, § 26-14; Code 2015, § 8-14; Code 2020, § 8-14; Ord. No. 2013-28-31, § 1, 3-11-2013; Ord. No. 2014-66-116, § 3, 5-27-2014)

Source: City of Richmond, Virginia, Code (2026 recodification) and Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/va/richmond/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICICO_CH8CINEREES_ARTIINGEFetched: 11/8/2026