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Virginia Administrative Code
Title 24. Transportation And Motor Vehicles
Agency 30. Department of Transportation
Chapter 151. Land Use Permit Regulations
11/29/2025

24VAC30-151-310. Utility installations within limited access highways.

Utility installations on all limited access highways shall comply with the following additional provisions:

1. Requests for all utility installations within limited access right-of-way shall be reviewed and, if appropriate, be approved by the Chief Engineer prior to permit issuance.

2. New utilities will not be permitted to be installed parallel to the roadway longitudinally within the controlled or limited access right-of-way lines of any highway, except that where other alternative locations are not in the public interest or under resource sharing agreements, such installations may be permitted under strictly controlled conditions and only with approval of the Commissioner of Highways. The applicant must satisfy the following conditions, at a minimum:

a. That the installation will not adversely affect the safety, design, construction, operation, maintenance, or stability of the highway.

b. That the accommodation will not interfere with or impair the present use or future expansion of the highway.

c. That any alternative location would be contrary to the public interest. This determination would include an evaluation of the direct and indirect environmental and economic effects that would result from the disapproval of the use of such right-of-way for the accommodation of such utility.

d. No tree removal or severe tree trimming is required for the installation.

3. Overhead and underground utilities may only be installed within limited access right-of-way under a shared resource agreement subject to VDOT's need for the shared resource.

4. All authorized longitudinal utility installations within limited access right-of-way shall be located in a utility area established along the outer edge of the right-of-way. Special exceptions must be approved by the Chief Engineer.

5. Authorized overhead utility installations within limited access right-of-way shall maintain a minimum of 21 feet of vertical clearance.

6. Authorized underground utility installations within limited access right-of-way shall have a minimum of 36 inches of cover.

7. Service connections to adjacent properties shall not be permitted from authorized utility installations within limited access right-of-way.

8. Overhead crossings shall be located on a line that is perpendicular to the highway alignment.

9. A utility access control line will be established between the proposed utility installation, the through lanes, and ramps.

Statutory Authority

§ 33.2-210 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 26, Issue 12, eff. March 17, 2010; amended, Virginia Register Volume 28, Issue 4, eff. November 23, 2011; Volume 42, Issue 5, eff. November 19, 2025.

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