Virginia Law

A. In cooperation with local, state and federal organizations, certain public service signs may be placed within the right-of-way without a permit. The district administrator's designee shall determine the appropriate location for the following signs.

1. Forestry. Authorized representatives of the National and State Forest Service may place forest fire warning signs within the right-of-way without a permit. Fire warning signs will be placed near forest reservations or wooded areas; however, only a limited number of the small cardboard or metal signs should be allowed within the right-of-way within the forest reservations. The Department of Forestry may utilize other types of signs to more forcibly impress the public with the need for protecting forest areas. Sign placement shall be accomplished under an agreement, subject to the following conditions:

a. No highway sign should carry more than one message, no other signs shall appear on posts bearing highway signs;

b. No signs shall be erected that would restrict sight distance, or are close to highway warning and directional signs;

c. Signs regarding forest fires should be placed by fire wardens; and

d. Signs shall be maintained by the Department of Forestry.

In all cases, the forest warden is to coordinate the desired location of these signs with the district administrator's designee prior to placement.

2. Garden week. These signs are erected and removed by employees of VDOT. The appropriate committee of the Garden Club of Virginia will designate the gardens and places that are to be officially opened during Garden Week and notify the district administrator's designee accordingly, who will ensure the appropriate placement of these signs.

3. Roadside acknowledgement. These signs acknowledge the name and logo of businesses, organizations, communities, or individuals participating in the landscape of a segment of the right-of-way in accordance with the Comprehensive Roadside Management Program (see 24VAC30-151-760). As the landscaping is accomplished under a land use permit, the signs are considered to be covered by that permit.

4. Rescue squad. These signs are fabricated, erected, and maintained by VDOT. The signs may be used on the approaches to the rescue squad headquarters as shown in the Virginia Supplement to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (see 24VAC30-151-760).

5. Fire station. These signs are fabricated, erected, and maintained by VDOT. The signs may be used on the approaches to fire station headquarters as shown in the Virginia Supplement to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (see 24VAC30-151-760).

6. Bird sanctuary. Upon receipt of a request from a town or city, VDOT will fabricate and erect these signs, at the expense of the municipality, at the corporate limits of the town or city under the municipality name sign as shown in the Virginia Supplement to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (see 24VAC30-151-760). In order for a municipality to be designated as a bird sanctuary, the municipality must pass a resolution to that effect. The municipality shall be responsible for maintenance of bird sanctuary signs.

7. Historical highway markers. Information regarding the historical highway marker program may be obtained from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Applications for historical highway markers shall be obtained from and submitted to the Virginia Department of Historic Resources.

B. The district administrator's designee may authorize the placement of the following miscellaneous signs within right-of-way under the auspices of a single use permit:

1. Locality identification or "welcome to" signs. Requests for locality identification or "welcome to" signs to be located within nonlimited access right-of-way. These signs shall not be placed on limited access right-of-way. Locality identification or "welcome to" signs that interfere with roadway safety, traffic capacity, or maintenance shall not be permitted. A permit application requesting placement of a locality identification or "welcome to" sign within the right-of-way must be accompanied by a formal resolution from the local governing body or a letter from the chief executive officer of the local government. Such signs shall meet all VDOT breakaway requirements (see Road Design Manual, 24VAC30-151-760) or be erected outside of the clear zone. No advertising shall be placed on these signs. The local governing body shall be responsible for maintenance of the locality's identification or "welcome to" signs in perpetuity.

2. VDOT may authorize any individual, group, local government, and other entities to place storm drain pollution prevention markers or stenciling on VDOT storm drain inlet structures accessible by pedestrian facilities. A local government, through coordination with the district administrator's designee, may apply for a countywide permit to enable this type of activity of behalf of clubs, citizens groups, and other entities. The permit application must include, at a minimum, a graphic sample or samples of the proposed markers, structure locations and a comprehensive list of streets, if a wide distribution of marker placement is anticipated. Stencil measurements shall not exceed 15" L x 20" W.

3. VDOT may authorize a local government to install "no loitering" signs within the right-of-way. The district administrator's designee shall determine the appropriate location for these signs.