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GENERAL ENFORCEMENT PROVISIONS

Richmond, Va., City Code ch. 28, art. X, div. 3
in effect

Richmond, Va., City Code § 28-1262 Violations.

Sec. 28-1262. - Violations. A violation of any section of this article, any rule or regulation promulgated pursuant to Division 4 of this article, any order pursuant to this division or Division 4 of this article, or any provision of a pretreatment permit issued pursuant to Division 5 of this article shall constitute a misdemeanor and shall be punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor. Each violation of each requirement shall constitute a separate offense. (Code 2004, § 106-535; Code 2015, § 28-581; Code 2020, § 28-581)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 28-1263 Violation; evidentiary presumptions; penalty; appeals.

Sec. 28-1263. - Violation; evidentiary presumptions; penalty; appeals. (a) Violation. It shall be a violation of this division for any person to intentionally, knowingly, recklessly or negligently use, cause the use of or permit the use of water in violation of any of the mandatory sections of this division. (b) Evidentiary presumptions. For purposes of this division, when water has been used in a manner contrary to a mandatory section of this division, it shall be presumed that the person in whose name a water meter connection is registered with the Department has knowingly used, caused the use of or permitted the use of water in such a contrary manner. Proof that a particular premises had a water meter connection registered in the name of the defendant cited in a criminal complaint filed pursuant to this division shall constitute in evidence a prima facie presumption that the defendant is the person who used, caused the use of or permitted the use of water in a manner contrary to any mandatory section of this division. (c) Penalty for violation. Any person convicted of violating any of the sections of this division shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor. In lieu of conviction and punishment, the person on the first offense will receive a written warning. On the second offense, the person will be assessed as a civil penalty a water bill surcharge fee of $50.00 per violation for a residential account and $100.00 per violation for an institutional/commercial/industrial account. On the third and any subsequent offense, the person will be assessed as a civil penalty a water bill surcharge fee of $100.00 per violation for a residential account and $200.00 per violation for an institutional/commercial/industrial account. In addition, the Department may suspend the service of any person violating any of the mandatory water use restrictions. (d) Appeals. The person shall have the right to appeal to the Chief Administrative Officer upon receiving written notice of any violation or intent to discontinue service. The Chief Administrative Officer shall notify the person in writing of the time and place for the hearing of the appeal within a reasonable time prior to such hearing, which hearing shall occur no more than 15 business days after the Chief Administrative Officer receives written notice of such appeal. The Chief Administrative Officer shall notify the person in writing of the Chief Administrative Officer's final decision no more than 15 business days after the hearing. (Code 1993, § 29-285; Code 2004, § 106-501; Code 2015, § 28-547; Code 2020, § 28-547; Ord. No. 2004-360-330, § 1, 12-13-2004)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 28-1264 Enforcement.

Sec. 28-1264. - Enforcement. The Director of Public Utilities is authorized to designate qualified personnel of the Department of Public Utilities to enforce this division in the manner and to the extent allowed by the law, including the filing of notices of violations of this division and the filing of complaints with the Department of Police for such violations. (Code 1993, § 29-286; Code 2004, § 106-502; Code 2015, § 28-548; Code 2020, § 28-548)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 28-1265 Penalties for violation of division.

Sec. 28-1265. - Penalties for violation of division. (a) Violation. It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any provision or fail to comply with any of the requirements of this division. Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to one or more of the enforcement actions outlined in this section. (b) Abatement. (1) If the City abates a violation, then within ten days after abatement of the violation, the owner of the property shall be notified of the cost of abatement, including administrative costs, and that such costs shall be charged to the owner. Notice shall be given by personal delivery or by mail to the last known address of the owner as shown in the records of the City Assessor. The notice shall be effective upon the date of mailing or personal delivery. The property owner may file a written protest objecting to the amount of such charge within ten days of the effective date of the notice. (2) If no protest is filed, then such charge shall become due and payable on the date set forth in the notice. (3) In the event a protest is filed, the Director shall issue a decision within 15 days from the date of receipt of the written protest. Failure of the Director to issue an order within 15 days shall be deemed a denial of the protest. If any charges are upheld upon completion of such review, then such charges shall become due and payable ten days after the issuance of the order upon such protest. (c) Misdemeanor. A willful violation of this division shall constitute a Class 1 misdemeanor. Each day that a continuing violation of this article is permitted to remain shall constitute a separate offense. (d) Civil liability. In addition to any criminal penalties provided, any person who violates any provision of this division may be liable to the City in a civil action for damages. (e) Remedies not exclusive. The remedies in this chapter are cumulative and the exercise of any one or more remedies shall not prejudice any other remedies that may otherwise be pursued for a violation of this division. The remedies listed in this division are not exclusive of any other remedies available under any applicable Federal, State or local law and it is within the discretion of the City to seek cumulative remedies. (Code 2004, § 106-826; Code 2015, § 28-966; Code 2020, § 28-966; Ord. No. 2009-60-83, § 1, 5-26-2009)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 28-1266 Penalties for contractor to fail to pay service charge.

Sec. 28-1266. - Penalties for contractor to fail to pay service charge. It shall be a Class 1 misdemeanor for any contractor authorized to deposit waste material from a septic tank in a designated septage receiving station to dispose of waste material from a septic tank by discharging the waste material in a septage receiving station without paying the service charge. In addition, the Director may withdraw the permit and prohibit any contractor convicted under this section from the future discharging of waste material from a septic tank in a designated septage receiving station within the City. (Code 1993, § 29-301; Code 2004, § 106-723; Code 2015, § 28-801; Code 2020, § 28-801; Ord. No. 2008-98-126, § 2, 5-27-2008)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 28-1267 Discharge of septic tank waste by unauthorized person.

Sec. 28-1267. - Discharge of septic tank waste by unauthorized person. It shall be a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person not authorized to discharge waste material from a septic tank into a septage receiving station or at any other place in the City. (Code 1993, § 29-302; Code 2004, § 106-724; Code 2015, § 28-802; Code 2020, § 28-802; Ord. No. 2008-98-126, § 2, 5-27-2008)
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=CH28UT_ARTXENAP_DIV3GEENPRFetched: 11/8/2026

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