Private property needed by any city, incorporated town or county for an airport or landing field shall be acquired by purchase, if the city, town or county is able to agree with the owners on the terms thereof. The cities, incorporated towns or counties are hereby granted full power to exercise the right of eminent domain in the acquisition of any lands, easements and privileges that are necessary for airport and landing field purposes. Proceedings for the acquisition of such lands, easements and privileges by condemnation may be instituted and conducted in the name of such county, city or town, and the procedure shall be mutatis mutandis the same as in the acquisition of land by condemnation proceedings instituted by railroads and may acquire in like manner, for a term of years or perpetually, the right of easement to remove and control the growth of any tree or vegetation standing or growing in said land outside the boundaries of any airport or landing field and the right of easement to place and maintain suitable signs or markers or lights to adequately locate and mark objects or structures that are hazardous to aircraft using such airports or landing fields, of ingress and egress to and from such airport hazards for the purpose of maintaining and repairing such signs, markers and lights and cutting of trees or other growing vegetation penetrating the approach and departure slope easement. The right of condemnation granted herein shall be subject to the same provisions as are provided in § 25.1-102 concerning the condemnation of property belonging to a corporation possessing the power of eminent domain by another public service corporation.
Code 1950, §§ 5-23, 5-31; 1966, c. 576; 2003, c. 940.
Structure Code of Virginia
Chapter 3 - Municipal and County Airports and Other Air Navigation Facilities
§ 5.1-31. Authority to acquire, construct, maintain and operate; permission of Department required
§ 5.1-32. Easements and privileges outside of airport or landing field boundaries
§ 5.1-33. Public purpose declared
§ 5.1-34. Acquisition of property; exercise of right of eminent domain
§ 5.1-35. Powers may be exercised jointly by two or more political subdivisions
§ 5.1-36.1. Contributions by counties to construction of certain airports
§ 5.1-37. Public waters and submerged lands
§ 5.1-38. Right to zone property not limited
§ 5.1-39. Use, disposal and termination of rights acquired
§ 5.1-39.1. Use of airport property for industrial development purposes
§ 5.1-40. Lease of land acquired; approval by Department
§ 5.1-41. Operation by local governing body or special officer or board
§ 5.1-41.1. Local governing bodies authorized to require boarding fee
§ 5.1-42. Payment of purchase price or award for land acquired; issuance of bonds
§ 5.1-43. Expenses of construction, operation, etc., to be paid by political subdivision
§ 5.1-44. Rules and regulations; fees and charges
§ 5.1-45. Appropriations by local authorities
§ 5.1-46. Receipt and handling of federal and other funds
§ 5.1-47. Project and application to be approved by Department