Virginia Statewide Rule
Virginia Sign Ban Within State Highway Rights-of-Way
Key Facts
- Penalty
- $100 per sign
- Statute
- Va. Code 33.2-1224
- Removal
- VDOT, no notice required
- Right of Way
- 25 to 150 feet from centerline
Summary
Virginia law prohibits all signs, including garage sale and yard sale notices, placed within the limits of any state highway right-of-way, with a $100 civil penalty per occurrence.
Any person who in any manner (i) paints, prints, places, puts, or affixes any sign or advertisement upon or to any rock, stone, tree, fence, stump, pole, mile-board, milestone, danger-sign, guide-sign, guidepost, highway sign, historical marker, building, or other object lawfully within the limits of any highway or (ii) erects, paints, prints, places, puts, or affixes any sign or advertisement within the limits of any highway is subject to a civil penalty of $100.
Full Breakdown
Va. Code Section 33.2-1224 makes it unlawful to paint, print, place, put, or affix any sign or advertisement within the limits of any state-maintained highway. The Commissioner of Highways may remove offending signs without notice. Each sign placement is a separate $100 civil penalty, with proceeds deposited in the Highway Maintenance and Operating Fund. Signs and advertisements within highway limits are declared a public and private nuisance. State-maintained right of way generally extends 25 to 150 feet from the road's centerline. This statute applies uniformly across all Virginia localities and overrides any local rule that would permit such placement.
Violations & Penalties
Civil penalty of $100 per sign per occurrence; immediate removal without notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I post yard sale signs on Virginia utility poles along the road?
Where can garage sale signs go legally?
Sources
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.