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Current as of January 01, 2026 | Updated by Findlaw Staff
If any person other than a resident, as defined in § 28.2-200, takes or catches oysters or clams in any of the waters of this Commonwealth, or in any of the waters under the Commonwealth's jurisdiction, for market or profit, he is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. If any person other than a resident, as defined in § 28.2-200, or a corporation authorized to occupy and hold oyster-planting grounds, rents any oyster-planting grounds or plants oysters or clams in any of the waters of the Commonwealth, or waters under the Commonwealth's jurisdiction, he is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor, and such rental, lease or assignment is void. The burden of proof of residency under this section is the defendant's. This section shall not apply to any oyster-planting ground against which foreclosure proceedings have been instituted or title to which is acquired because of the lessee's death. Any property interest so acquired shall not extend longer than twelve months from the time the title vests.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Virginia Code Title 28.2. Fisheries and Habitat of the Tidal Waters § 28.2-634. Nonresidents; taking, planting oysters prohibited; penalty - last updated January 01, 2026 | https://codes.findlaw.com/va/title-28-2-fisheries-and-habitat-of-the-tidal-waters/va-code-sect-28-2-634/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.
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