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Virginia statute

Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-80 — Burning or destroying any other building or structure

Current through 2026 Regular Session

Part of Article 1: Arson and Related Crimes, Code of Virginia.

Criminal charges under this statute

Full text of Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-80

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.

Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-80Primary source, current through the 2026 Regular Session
If any person maliciously, or with intent to defraud an insurance company or other person, burn, or by the use of any explosive device or substance, maliciously destroy, in whole or in part, or cause to be burned or destroyed, or aid, counsel or procure the burning or destruction of any building, bridge, lock, dam or other structure, whether the property of himself or of another, at a time when any person is therein or thereon, the burning or destruction whereof is not punishable under any other section of this chapter, he shall be guilty of a Class 3 felony. If he commits such offense at a time when no person is in such building, or other structure, and such building, or other structure, with the property therein, be of the value of $1,000 or more, he shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony, and if it and the property therein be of less value, he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

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Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is burning or destroying any other building or structure a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?

It depends on the circumstances: burning or destroying any other building or structure ranges from a class 1 misdemeanor to a class 3 felony in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-80.

Burning occupied building/structure: class 3 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-80) · Burning unoccupied structure valued at $1,000 or more: class 4 felony (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-80) · Burning unoccupied structure valued under $1,000: class 1 misdemeanor (Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-80)

Which Virginia statute covers burning or destroying any other building or structure?

Burning or destroying any other building or structure is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-80 (Burning or destroying any other building or structure).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.