To effectuate the purpose of this article, the Commissioner may, with a warrant or with the consent of the owner, make reasonable inspections of any property in the Commonwealth and may, without a warrant, stop and inspect, in a reasonable manner, any means of conveyance moving within the Commonwealth, upon probable cause that it contains or carries any pest, host, or other regulated article subject to this article, and may make any other reasonable inspection of any property or means of conveyance for which, under the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the Commonwealth, no warrant is required.
In accordance with § 19.2-52, the appropriate persons have authority to issue warrants for such inspections upon a showing by the Commissioner that there is probable cause to believe that there exists in or on the property to be inspected a pest, host, or other regulated article subject to this article.
1975, c. 29, § 3.1-188.26; 1980, c. 291; 2008, c. 860.
Structure Code of Virginia
Title 3.2 - Agriculture, Animal Care, and Food
Chapter 7 - Tree and Crop Pests
§ 3.2-701. Administration; regulations
§ 3.2-702. Abundance surveys; eradication or suppression of pests
§ 3.2-703. Authority to quarantine
§ 3.2-704. Quarantine against regulated articles in other states
§ 3.2-705. Authority for abatement and other emergency measures; compensation to property owners
§ 3.2-706. Authority for inspections; warrants
§ 3.2-707. Cooperation with other agencies and private organizations
§ 3.2-708. Cooperative Suppression Program Fund established
§ 3.2-709. Authority for compensation to growers in infested areas
§ 3.2-711. Costs of administration; reimbursements to Commonwealth
§ 3.2-712. Permit required to sell and transport plant pests