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 U.S. Forest Service and Virginia Department of Forestry may place forest fire warning signs within the right-of-way without a permit. A limited number of fire warning signs will be placed near forest reservations or wooded areas. 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 and 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 acknowledgment. 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 (24VAC30-121). As the landscaping is accomplished under a land use permit, the signs are considered to be covered by that permit.

4. 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. 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.

5. 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 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 specified in the terms of the permit 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 on behalf of clubs, citizens groups, and other entities. The permit application must include, at a minimum, a graphic sample 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 inches in length by 20 inches in width.

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.

C. The Commissioner of Highways or the commissioner's designee may authorize the placement of various automated traffic enforcement devices for the Commonwealth or its political subdivisions as may be allowed by law.