Virginia statute
Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-223 — "Going out of business" sales; permit required
Current through 2026 Regular Session
Part of Article 8: Misrepresentations and Other Offenses Connected with Sales, Code of Virginia.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-223
Statutory text current through the 2026 Regular Session. This publication reproduces the text of the Code of Virginia from the official Virginia Law Portal API published by the Virginia General Assembly's Division of Legislative Automated Systems; it is not the official Code of Virginia.
It shall be unlawful for any person to advertise, or conduct, a sale for the purpose of discontinuing a retail business, or to modify the word "sale" in any advertisement with the words "going out of business" or any other words which tend to insinuate that the retail business is to be discontinued and the merchandise liquidated, unless such person obtains a permit to conduct such sale from the city, town or county, or from each city, town or county, wherein such sale is to be conducted.
A violation of the provisions of this section shall be punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
Is "Going out of business" sales a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?
"Going out of business" sales is a class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-223.
Which Virginia statute covers "Going out of business" sales?
"Going out of business" sales is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-223 ("Going out of business" sales; permit required).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.