Chapter 74 OFFENSES AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
ARTICLE IV. OFFENSES AGAINST PROPERTY
Sec. 74-102. Destruction of trees, shrubs and other plants.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to pick, pull, pull up, tear, tear up, dig, dig up, cut, break, injure, burn or destroy, in whole or in part, any tree, shrub, vine, plant, flower or turf found, growing or being upon the land of another, including any city-owned property, or upon any land reserved, set aside or maintained by the commonwealth as a public park, or as a refuge or sanctuary for wild animals, birds or fish, or upon any land reserved, set aside or maintained as a public park by a park authority created under the provisions of Code of Virginia, § 15.2-5702, without having previously obtained the permission in writing of such owner or his agent or of the superintendent or custodian of such park, refuge or sanctuary so to do, unless such activity is done under the personal direction of such owner, his agent, tenant or lessee or superintendent or custodian of such park, refuge or sanctuary.
(b) Archaeological resources on city property are an accessible and irreplaceable part of the city's heritage which are increasingly endangered because of their commercial attractiveness. The purpose of this section is to prevent the loss and destruction of these archaeological resources from uncontrolled excavations and pillage and to secure for the present and future benefit of the citizens of the city the protection of archaeological resources and sights which are on city property.
(c) For purposes of this section, the term "archaeological resource" means any material remains of past human life or activities which are of archaeological interest which shall include, but not be limited to, pottery, basketry, bottles, weapons, weapon projectiles, tools, structures or portions of structures, pit houses, crockery, eating utensils, or any portion or piece of any of the foregoing items. For purposes of interpreting this section, any of the above enumerated items found below the surface of the ground are presumed to be of archaeological interest.
(d) It shall be unlawful for any person, without authority of the city council, to hunt, search out for, attempt to find or seek relics, or to use or be in possession of a mineral or metal detector, magnetometer, side scan sonar or other metal detecting device or sub-bottom profiler on city-owned property within the boundaries of the city or on property owned by the city located outside the city boundaries.
(e) Any person violating this section shall be guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor;