# Virginia SB171: Zoning; enhanced civil penalties for violations involving nonpermitted commercial uses.

Virginia SB171, Zoning; enhanced civil penalties for violations involving nonpermitted commercial uses., is a 2025 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Christie New Craig (Republican); status failed, last action 2024-11-18 (Left in Counties, Cities and Towns) (as of 2026-10-16).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB171-2025
- As of: 2026-10-16
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia SB171
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2025 Regular Session
- Title: Zoning; enhanced civil penalties for violations involving nonpermitted commercial uses.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2024-01-07
- Last action: 2024-11-18, Left in Counties, Cities and Towns
- Sponsor: Christie New Craig (Republican)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: Counties, Cities and Towns
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 4 (78 yes, 11 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Zoning; civil penalties; commercial uses. Allows enhanced civil penalties for zoning violations involving nonpermitted commercial uses. The bill also requires that for any violation involving nonpermitted commercial uses, a person who admits liability shall be required to abate or remedy the nonpermitted commercial use violation within a period of time specified by the locality that is no less than 30 days but no more than 24 months from the date of admission of liability.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Christie New Craig (Republican), Senate

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2024-02-16 | House | Continued to 2025 in Counties, Cities and Towns (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2024-01-26 | Senate | Read third time and passed Senate | pass | 30 | 7 |   |
| 2024-01-23 | Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed | pass | 39 | 0 |   |
| 2024-01-22 | Senate | Reported from Local Government with amendments | pass | 9 | 4 | 2 |

## Actions (19)

- 2024-11-18: Left in Counties, Cities and Towns (House)
- 2024-02-16: Continued to 2025 in Counties, Cities and Towns (Voice Vote) (House)
- 2024-02-13: Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns (House)
- 2024-02-13: Read first time (House)
- 2024-02-13: Placed on Calendar (House)
- 2024-01-26: Read third time and passed Senate (30-Y 7-N) (Senate)
- 2024-01-25: Printed as engrossed 24103232D-E (Senate)
- 2024-01-25: Engrossed by Senate as amended SB171E (Senate)
- 2024-01-25: Amendment by Senator Craig agreed to (Senate)
- 2024-01-25: Reading of amendment waived (Senate)
- 2024-01-25: Committee amendments agreed to (Senate)
- 2024-01-25: Reading of amendments waived (Senate)
- 2024-01-25: Read second time (Senate)
- 2024-01-24: Passed by for the day (Senate)
- 2024-01-23: Constitutional reading dispensed (39-Y 0-N) (Senate)
- 2024-01-22: Reported from Local Government with amendments (9-Y 4-N 2-A) (Senate)
- 2024-01-22: Senate committee, floor amendments and substitutes offered (Senate)
- 2024-01-07: Referred to Committee on Local Government (Senate)
- 2024-01-07: Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/10/24 24103232D (Senate)

## Bill text

- Engrossed, 2024-01-25: [HTML](https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/SB171)
- Introduced, 2024-01-23: [HTML](https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/SB171)
- Amendment: [HTML](https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/SB171)

## Related bills

- HR671: Commending JR's Auto Care. (adopted)
- SB941: Robbery; use of air or gas operated weapon, etc., penalty. (failed)
- HB1746: Public safety officer; definition. (failed)
- HB1600: Budget Bill. (failed)
- SB1449: Data centers; site assessment for high energy use facility. (failed)
- HB1609: Essential health benefits benchmark plan; Commission to consider coverage for infertility treatment. (to governor)

## Sources
- [Engrossed (HTML)](https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/SB171)

## Related
- [HR671: Commending JR's Auto Care.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HR671-2025)
- [SB941: Robbery; use of air or gas operated weapon, etc., penalty.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB941-2025)
- [HB1746: Public safety officer; definition.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1746-2025)
- [HB1600: Budget Bill.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1600-2025)
- [SB1449: Data centers; site assessment for high energy use facility.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB1449-2025)
- [HB1609: Essential health benefits benchmark plan; Commission to consider coverage for i…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1609-2025)
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- [Virginia state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB171-2025 (as of 2026-10-16).