CHaP. 246.—An ACT to amend and re-enact section 12 of chap-
ter 3 of an act entitled an act to provide a charter for the city
of Petersburg, approved March 11, 1875.

Approved February 16, 1892.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia,
That section twelve of chapter three of an act entitled
an act to provide a charter for the city of Petersburg, ap-
proved March eleventh, eighteen hundred and seventy-five,
be amended and re-enacted so as to read as follows:

8 12. Whenever any new street shall be laid out or open-
ed, any existing street graded or paved, or any culvert or
sewer constructed, or any other public improvement what-
soever made, the common council may determine what por-
tion of the expenses thereof shall be paid by the city, and
what portion shall be paid by the owners of the adjacent
real estate: provided, however, that in no case shall more
than two-thirds of such expenses be assessed against the
owners of the adjacent real estate: and provided further,
that when such improvement shall consist of the paving
of any sidewalk or gutter, or the laying of any curbing
for such sidewalk, then that the expenses thereof shall he
paid, one-third by the city and two-thirds by the owners
of the real estate abutting on the side of the street so im-
proved. The assessments so made against the owners of
such real estate for such improvements shall be a lien on
such real estate, and may be collected by the same officer,
and in the same manner, as city taxes and levies are col-
lected. But no such improvment shall be made to be de-
frayed by a local assessment until first requested by a pe-
tition signed by at least a majority of the owners of prop-
erty to be assessed for such improvement, or unless two-
thirds of all the council shall concur in voting any im-
provement to be expedient, or in determining to make the
same after allegations have been heard; in which case no
request shall be necessary. And in order to the promo-
tion, protection, and preservation of the public health, the
common council shall have power and authority to com-
pel the owners of lots fronting or bordering on any street
along which a public sewer now runs, or shall hereaf-
ter run, to connect their respective premises with such
sewer, subject to such rules, restrictions, and regulations
as the common council or any regular committee thereof
shall prescribe.

2. All acts and parts of acts inconsistent with this act
are hereby repealed.

3. This act shall be in force from its passage.