The Town may impose taxes or assessments upon the owners of abutting property for constructing, improving, replacing or enlarging the sidewalks upon existing streets, for improving and paving existing alleys, and for the construction or the use of sanitary or storm water management facilities, retaining walls, curbs and gutters.  Such taxes or assessments may include the legal, financial or other directly attributable costs incurred by the Town in creating a district, if a district is created, and financing the payment of the improvements.  The taxes or assessments shall not be in excess of the peculiar benefits resulting from the improvements to such abutting property owners.  No tax or assessment for retaining walls shall be imposed upon any property owner who does not agree to such tax or assessment.

In addition to the foregoing, the Town Council may impose taxes or assessments upon the owners of abutting property for the construction, replacement or enlargement of waterlines; for the installation of street lights; for the construction or installation of canopies or other weather protective devices; for the installation of lighting in connection with the foregoing; and for permanent amenities, including, but not limited to, benches or waste receptacles.

Other than by voluntary agreement, any tax or assessment imposed for a local improvement shall be set by the Town Council by ordinance as provided herein.

The Town's assessment ordinances and policies shall be construed and interpreted to comply with the laws of the United States and the Commonwealth of Virginia, granting no additional rights or interest to the landowner and no additional restrictions or limitations upon the assessment authority of the Town than imposed by Federal and State law.