Section 3560. Exemptions to regulations

A. The following are exempt from this chapter as defined in §§ 35.1-25 and 35.1-26 of the Code of Virginia.

1. Boarding houses that do not accommodate transients;

2. Cafeterias operated by industrial plants for employees only;

3. Churches, fraternal, school and social organizations and volunteer fire departments and rescue squads which hold dinners and bazaars of not more than one time per week and not in excess of two days duration at which food prepared in homes of members or in the kitchen of the church or organization and is offered for sale to the public;

4. Grocery stores, including the delicatessen which is a part of a grocery store, selling exclusively for off-premises consumption and places manufacturing or selling packaged or canned goods;

5. Churches which serve meals for their members as a regular part of their religious observance; and

6. Convenience stores or gas stations that are subject to the State Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Retail Food Establishment Regulations (2VAC5-585) or any regulations subsequently adopted and that (i) have 15 or fewer seats at which food is served to the public on the premises of the convenience store or gas station and (ii) are not associated with a national or regional restaurant chain. Notwithstanding this exemption, such convenience stores or gas stations shall remain responsible for collecting any applicable local meals tax.

B. The governing body of any county, city or town may provide by ordinance that this chapter shall not apply to food booths at fairs and youth athletic activities, if such booths are promoted or sponsored by any political subdivision of the Commonwealth or by any charitable nonprofit organization or group thereof. The ordinance shall provide that the director of the county, city, or town in which the fair and youth athletic activities are held, or a qualified person designated by the director, shall exercise such supervision of the sale of food as the ordinance may prescribe.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 18, Issue 10, eff. March 1, 2002; amended, Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 02, eff. October 16, 2007.

Statutory Authority

§§ 35.1-11 and 35.1-14 of the Code of Virginia.