Do you sell auto-renewing plans to Virginia consumers?
Quick answer
Do your Virginia customers get billed until they cancel? Since July 1, 2026 you must show the terms before they agree, get a clear yes before you charge, send them a confirmation they can keep, and make cancelling as easy as signing up. Customers can sue for $500 or more ($1,000 or more if willful), and the state can seek up to $2,500 per violation. Law: Va. Code §59.1-207.46.
Last reviewed October 13, 2026. Not legal advice.
Free guide: Virginia click-to-cancel law (§59.1-207.46): subscription rules since July 1, 2026
If you market subscriptions or memberships that renew automatically or keep billing until the customer cancels, Virginia says you cannot charge without a clear yes to the terms, and cancelling cannot be harder than signing up.
You also need a retainable acknowledgment, material-change notice before implementation, a free-trial notice when the trial lasts more than 30 days, and — for plans that renew after more than 30 days and extend more than 12 months — a 30-to-60-day advance renewal notice with four statutory disclosures.
This kit lays those duties out in plain words, with blank disclosure and notice templates, a cancel-request log, and the Code quoted word for word.
- ✓Printable checklist with §§59.1-207.45–.49 quoted word for word
- ✓Editable sign-up disclosure + consent wording (web, phone, in person)
- ✓Customer notices: acknowledgment, material change, free trial, long-term renewal
- ✓Cancel-request and notice-window log (Excel)
- ✓Official LIS / Code URLs and verified VCPA $500 / $1,000 / $2,500 figures
Blank templates from the public law. Not legal advice, and it does not decide if Chapter 17.8 applies to your business. Covers Va. Code §§59.1-207.45–59.1-207.49 (effective July 1, 2026) with verified §59.1-204 / §59.1-206 figures. English only.
- ✓Instant download after payment
- ✓Official sources listed in the kit
- ✓12-month re-download access
- ✓Secure checkout by Stripe
Frequently asked questions
What did Virginia change in 2026 for automatic renewals?
2026 Acts of Assembly Chapters 931 (HB 1022) and 932 (SB 493) amended Va. Code §§59.1-200 and 59.1-207.45 through 59.1-207.49. The current Code requires clear and conspicuous offer terms before consent, affirmative consent before charging, a retainable acknowledgment with terms and cancel information, and a cancellation mechanism at least as easy as sign-up and available through each initiation method (with special rules for in-person initiation). Effective July 1, 2026 under Virginia Constitution Art. IV §13 default.
When did the Virginia click-to-cancel amendments take effect?
July 1, 2026. Chapter 932 (SB 493) was approved April 13, 2026 and has no emergency clause; Virginia Constitution Art. IV §13 makes regular-session acts effective the following July 1 unless an emergency is expressed in the bill. The current Code on law.lis.virginia.gov cites 2026, cc. 931, 932.
What damages can a consumer seek under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act?
Va. Code §59.1-207.49 says any violation of Chapter 17.8 is a prohibited practice under §59.1-200 and is subject to VCPA enforcement. Va. Code §59.1-204(A) states a person who suffers loss may recover actual damages, or $500, whichever is greater; if willful, up to three times actual damages, or $1,000, whichever is greater. Separately, §59.1-206(A) authorizes a willful civil penalty of not more than $2,500 per violation. This kit does not decide whether a particular practice is a violation or willful.
Must cancellation be as easy as signing up?
Yes. Va. Code §59.1-207.46(B)(1) says the cancellation mechanism shall be at least as easy to use as the mechanism the consumer used to initiate the offer. (B)(2) requires cancel through each initiation method, except in-person initiation which follows (B)(6) (website/app or telephone). (B)(4): no live or virtual agent required unless that is the only initiation method.
What notices does Virginia require after sign-up?
§59.1-207.46(A)(3) requires a retainable acknowledgment with offer terms, cancellation policy, and how to cancel. (C) material-change notice before implementation. (D) free-trial notice within 30 days of the end of a trial lasting more than 30 days. (E) 30–60 day advance notice for renewals after more than 30 days that extend more than 12 months, with four statutory disclosures.
Who is exempt from Virginia Chapter 17.8?
Va. Code §59.1-207.48 lists four exemptions (certain franchise/SCC utility-authorized services; SCC/FCC/FERC-regulated services; licensed banks/credit unions/financial institutions; Title 38.2 insurers and affiliates). This page does not decide whether your business fits an exemption.
Is this legal advice?
No. This page and the kit are general information and blank templates built from the public law. They are not legal advice, are not tailored to your business, and buying a kit does not create a lawyer-client relationship. For your own situation, ask a Virginia licensed attorney.
Official sources
- Va. Code §59.1-207.46 — Affirmative consent; disclosures; prohibited conduct
- Va. Code §59.1-207.45 — Definitions
- Va. Code §59.1-207.49 — Enforcement; penalties (VCPA)
- Va. Code §59.1-204 — Individual action for damages or penalty
- Va. Code §59.1-206 — Civil penalties
- 2026 Acts Chapter 932 (SB 493) PDF
- LIS: SB 493 (2026)
Law text checked against the official sources above on October 13, 2026. General information, not legal advice; laws change, so check the current official text before you rely on it.
Who wrote this and how it was checked
Written and maintained by Astor Ventures. We publish template kits built from public law; we are not a law firm, and no attorney has reviewed this page.
- Last verified: , against Va. Code §§59.1-207.45–.49, §59.1-204, §59.1-206 on law.lis.virginia.gov and Chapter 932 (SB 493) PDF.
- Next scheduled check: if the Code or Acts citation is amended, or within 12 months.
- Found an error? Email [email protected] and we will correct the page and the kit.