Virginia Law

A. Applicability. This regulation is intended to govern secondary street development and the criteria for acceptance of these streets by the department for subsequent maintenance. The Road Design Manual, 2011 (VDOT) and its Appendix B (1), the Subdivision Street Design Guide offer guidance on the design and construction features of secondary street development and set out design parameters deemed appropriate for most land development scenarios. However, the business of land development is fluid and the department, in consultation with the local official, is prepared to consider innovative transportation approaches associated with land development proposals that are consistent with the design and connectivity requirements of this chapter and the Subdivision Street Design Guide, Appendix B (1) of the Road Design Manual, 2011 (VDOT). However, when not specifically addressed in one of those documents, the relevant requirements of the Road Design Manual, 2011 (VDOT), standards, specifications, the Pavement Design Guide for Subdivision and Secondary Roads in Virginia, 2009 (VDOT) and associated instructions shall govern.

These requirements apply to all streets designated to be maintained by the department as part of the secondary system of state highways, except for streets whose construction was funded by state highway construction allocations. The department's review and approval shall apply only to streets proposed for addition to the secondary system of state highways maintained by the department. Any plans submitted for review that contain only streets proposed for maintenance by entities other than the department may be reviewed for general guidance at the discretion of the district administrator but will not be officially approved. However, any such review shall not represent the department's commitment to accept such streets for maintenance irrespective of the quality of the construction of the street or streets.

Any streets proposed to be privately maintained shall have a notation on the plat and impacted deeds that clearly indicates that as a prerequisite for the streets' future acceptance, the streets must be improved to the department's prevailing requirements for acceptance at no cost to the department. All notations made on plats or similar instruments pursuant to this section shall be in accordance with § 33.2-336 of the Code of Virginia.

B. Grandfathering.

1. Streets where the street layout has been proffered pursuant to § 15.2-2297, 15.2-2298, or 15.2-2303 of the Code of Virginia prior to February 1, 2012, may, at the discretion of the developer, be considered for acceptance in accordance with the applicable former requirements, provided the requirements of § 15.2-2307 of the Code of Virginia have been met. This grandfathering shall not apply to any streets where the proffered layout may be adjusted, without requiring a significant affirmative governmental zoning action to modify such proffered conditions, to meet the requirements of this chapter, unless a site plan, subdivision plat, or preliminary plat relying on such proffered street layout has been submitted for approval prior to February 1, 2012. In such instances the grandfathering may, at the discretion of the developer, apply to the applicable site plan, subdivision plat, or preliminary subdivision plat. Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, the grandfathering provided based upon proffers shall not be lost or adversely impacted due to a modification of the relevant plan or plat so long as no more than 20% (cumulative) of the original street centerline mileage is eliminated, realigned, or added compared to the proffered layout and the modification is not expected to result in an increase in traffic generation.

2. Streets that are part of a recorded plat or final site plan valid pursuant to § 15.2-2261 of the Code of Virginia and approved in accordance with §§ 15.2-2241 through 15.2-2245 and 15.2-2286 of the Code of Virginia prior to February 1, 2012, shall be considered for acceptance in accordance with the applicable former requirements as long as such plats or plans remain valid under applicable law. However, such streets may be considered for acceptance under requirements of this chapter at the discretion of the developer.

3. Streets that are part of a preliminary subdivision plat valid pursuant to § 15.2-2260 of the Code of Virginia approved in accordance with §§ 15.2-2241 through 15.2-2245 and 15.2-2286 of the Code of Virginia prior to February 1, 2012, shall be considered for acceptance in accordance with the applicable former requirements for a period of up to five years or such longer period as such preliminary subdivision plat is valid under applicable law, provided the requirements of § 15.2-2260 of the Code of Virginia have been met. Such grandfathering shall apply to construction plans, site plans, and final plats submitted and approved in furtherance of such preliminary subdivision plat for as long as such plans or plats remain valid under applicable law. However, such streets may be considered for acceptance under requirements of this chapter at the discretion of the developer.

4. Streets that are part of a street construction plan approved by the department prior to February 1, 2012, shall be considered for acceptance in accordance with the applicable former requirements. However, such streets may be considered for acceptance under requirements of this chapter at the discretion of the developer.

5. If requested by the applicable locality, the applicable former requirements shall apply if the applicant has submitted at a minimum a conceptual sketch that includes all of the elements required under 24VAC30-92-70 A prior to February 1, 2012. Subdivisions 1 through 4 of this subsection shall take precedence over this subdivision in any instances of a conflict.

C. Effective date. All streets proposed for acceptance by the department after January 1, 2012, shall be considered for acceptance in accordance with this chapter, except as provided for in this section and as may be waived by the commissioner pursuant to this chapter.

D. Transition. Prior to February 1, 2012, the department will consider complete plats and plans developed in accordance with the applicable former requirements or these requirements. Any plat or plan initially submitted to the department for consideration after January 31, 2012, however, shall be in accordance with these requirements.