{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/29.1-344.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/29.1-344.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/29.1-344.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/29.1-344.html"}],"law_id":70124,"edition_id":1,"section_id":70124,"structure_id":13740,"section_number":"29.1-344","catch_line":"Stationary blinds on shore and in the public waters for owners of riparian rights","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 29-85; 1987, c. 488; 1989, c. 217; 2004, c. 422; 2010, c. 9; 2012, c. 227; 2013, c. 745; 2020, c. 415; 2024, c. 186.","full_text":"A\n\nNotwithstanding the provisions of § 29.1-340, each year, the owners of riparian rights, their lessees or permittees shall have the exclusive privilege of licensing and erecting stationary blinds on their shoreline, and the prior right of licensing and erecting stationary blinds in the public waters in front of their shoreline, to shoot waterfowl over the public waters. Such blinds shall not be located in water having a depth greater than eight feet at mean high tide, nor shall they be located farther than halfway across the body of water from the riparian owner’s shoreline, except on the shores and waters of Back Bay in the City of Virginia Beach where such blinds are limited to (i) the riparian owner’s shoreline at the mean low water mark or (ii) blinds erected and licensed by the riparian owner in 2011. When licensing a stationary blind, the location of each blind licensed shall be provided as latitude and longitude coordinates. When such a license has been obtained and a stake or a stationary blind has been erected on the site with the license for that season properly affixed, no other stationary or floating blind shall be located in the public waters within 500 yards of the licensed site without the consent of the riparian owner, lessee or permittee.B\n\nAt the time of the license transaction pursuant to subsection A, the licensee shall provide the unique location of each stationary waterfowl blind to the Department, identified as standardized latitude and longitude coordinates, using the decimal degrees format with a minimum of five digit precision. The Department shall publish such coordinates by November 1 of each year, excluding any customer personal information, on its website in a searchable, publicly accessible, and conspicuous manner.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":253219,"text":"Notwithstanding the provisions of § 29.1-340, each year, the owners of riparian rights, their lessees or permittees shall have the exclusive privilege of licensing and erecting stationary blinds on their shoreline, and the prior right of licensing and erecting stationary blinds in the public waters in front of their shoreline, to shoot waterfowl over the public waters. Such blinds shall not be located in water having a depth greater than eight feet at mean high tide, nor shall they be located farther than halfway across the body of water from the riparian owner’s shoreline, except on the shores and waters of Back Bay in the City of Virginia Beach where such blinds are limited to (i) the riparian owner’s shoreline at the mean low water mark or (ii) blinds erected and licensed by the riparian owner in 2011. When licensing a stationary blind, the location of each blind licensed shall be provided as latitude and longitude coordinates. When such a license has been obtained and a stake or a stationary blind has been erected on the site with the license for that season properly affixed, no other stationary or floating blind shall be located in the public waters within 500 yards of the licensed site without the consent of the riparian owner, lessee or permittee.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":253220,"text":"At the time of the license transaction pursuant to subsection A, the licensee shall provide the unique location of each stationary waterfowl blind to the Department, identified as standardized latitude and longitude coordinates, using the decimal degrees format with a minimum of five digit precision. The Department shall publish such coordinates by November 1 of each year, excluding any customer personal information, on its website in a searchable, publicly accessible, and conspicuous manner.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13740,"edition_id":1,"name":"Licenses for Waterfowl Blinds and for Hunting Waterfowl","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12935,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:45","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:45","permalink":{"id":192751,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13740,"identifier":"2","token":"29.1\/3\/2","url":"\/29.1\/3\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12935,"edition_id":1,"name":"Licenses","identifier":"3","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12934,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:03","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:03","permalink":{"id":192475,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12935,"identifier":"3","token":"29.1\/3","url":"\/29.1\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12934,"edition_id":1,"name":"Wildlife, Inland Fisheries and Boating","identifier":"29.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:03","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:03","permalink":{"id":192277,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12934,"identifier":"29.1","token":"29.1","url":"\/29.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":59853,"structure_id":13740,"section_number":"29.1-340","catch_line":"Hunting waterfowl from unlicensed blinds and without season license","url":"\/29.1-340\/","token":"29.1\/3\/2\/29.1-340","metadata":false},{"id":74575,"structure_id":13740,"section_number":"29.1-341","catch_line":"Stationary blinds defined","url":"\/29.1-341\/","token":"29.1\/3\/2\/29.1-341","metadata":false},{"id":64571,"structure_id":13740,"section_number":"29.1-341.1","catch_line":"Number of stationary blinds permitted; when erected","url":"\/29.1-341.1\/","token":"29.1\/3\/2\/29.1-341.1","metadata":false},{"id":56680,"structure_id":13740,"section_number":"29.1-342","catch_line":"Floating blinds","url":"\/29.1-342\/","token":"29.1\/3\/2\/29.1-342","metadata":false},{"id":82593,"structure_id":13740,"section_number":"29.1-342.1","catch_line":"Waterfowl blinds in locality where bird hunting with firearms prohibited","url":"\/29.1-342.1\/","token":"29.1\/3\/2\/29.1-342.1","metadata":false},{"id":69144,"structure_id":13740,"section_number":"29.1-343","catch_line":"Fees for waterfowl blind licenses","url":"\/29.1-343\/","token":"29.1\/3\/2\/29.1-343","metadata":false},{"id":70124,"structure_id":13740,"section_number":"29.1-344","catch_line":"Stationary blinds on shore and in the public waters for owners of riparian rights","url":"\/29.1-344\/","token":"29.1\/3\/2\/29.1-344","metadata":false},{"id":74695,"structure_id":13740,"section_number":"29.1-344.1","catch_line":"Stationary duck blind license; riparian landowners exempted","url":"\/29.1-344.1\/","token":"29.1\/3\/2\/29.1-344.1","metadata":false},{"id":86607,"structure_id":13740,"section_number":"29.1-344.2","catch_line":"Time period for obtaining riparian stationary blind licenses","url":"\/29.1-344.2\/","token":"29.1\/3\/2\/29.1-344.2","metadata":false},{"id":63506,"structure_id":13740,"section_number":"29.1-345","catch_line":"Stationary blinds in the public waters for nonriparian owners","url":"\/29.1-345\/","token":"29.1\/3\/2\/29.1-345","metadata":false},{"id":65164,"structure_id":13740,"section_number":"29.1-345.1","catch_line":"Time period for obtaining nonriparian stationary blind licenses","url":"\/29.1-345.1\/","token":"29.1\/3\/2\/29.1-345.1","metadata":false},{"id":71793,"structure_id":13740,"section_number":"29.1-345.2","catch_line":"Damaged stationary blinds in Virginia Beach; civil penalty","url":"\/29.1-345.2\/","token":"29.1\/3\/2\/29.1-345.2","metadata":false},{"id":65544,"structure_id":13740,"section_number":"29.1-346","catch_line":"When license for floating blinds issued; distance from stationary blinds","url":"\/29.1-346\/","token":"29.1\/3\/2\/29.1-346","metadata":false},{"id":63392,"structure_id":13740,"section_number":"29.1-347","catch_line":"Renewing licenses","url":"\/29.1-347\/","token":"29.1\/3\/2\/29.1-347","metadata":false},{"id":56073,"structure_id":13740,"section_number":"29.1-348","catch_line":"Obtaining licenses","url":"\/29.1-348\/","token":"29.1\/3\/2\/29.1-348","metadata":false},{"id":54739,"structure_id":13740,"section_number":"29.1-349","catch_line":"Hunting, erecting blind within 500 yards of licensed blind","url":"\/29.1-349\/","token":"29.1\/3\/2\/29.1-349","metadata":false},{"id":86294,"structure_id":13740,"section_number":"29.1-350","catch_line":"Exemption from application of article","url":"\/29.1-350\/","token":"29.1\/3\/2\/29.1-350","metadata":false},{"id":67848,"structure_id":13740,"section_number":"29.1-350.1","catch_line":"Permits for waterfowl blinds in Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authorities","url":"\/29.1-350.1\/","token":"29.1\/3\/2\/29.1-350.1","metadata":false},{"id":56674,"structure_id":13740,"section_number":"29.1-351","catch_line":"Regulations to be issued; present regulations continued in force","url":"\/29.1-351\/","token":"29.1\/3\/2\/29.1-351","metadata":false},{"id":57354,"structure_id":13740,"section_number":"29.1-351.1","catch_line":"Penalty for violations","url":"\/29.1-351.1\/","token":"29.1\/3\/2\/29.1-351.1","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":69144,"structure_id":13740,"section_number":"29.1-343","catch_line":"Fees for waterfowl blind licenses","url":"\/29.1-343\/","token":"29.1\/3\/2\/29.1-343","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":74695,"structure_id":13740,"section_number":"29.1-344.1","catch_line":"Stationary duck blind license; riparian landowners exempted","url":"\/29.1-344.1\/","token":"29.1\/3\/2\/29.1-344.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/29.1-344\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 8 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1987, chapter 488; in 1989, chapter 217; in 2004, chapter 422<\/a>; in 2010, chapter 9<\/a>; in 2012, chapter 227<\/a>; in 2013, chapter 745<\/a>; in 2020, chapter 415<\/a>; in 2024, chapter 186<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":74695,"section_number":"29.1-344.1","catch_line":"Stationary duck blind license; riparian landowners exempted","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-344.1\/"},{"id":86607,"section_number":"29.1-344.2","catch_line":"Time period for obtaining riparian stationary blind licenses","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-344.2\/"},{"id":63506,"section_number":"29.1-345","catch_line":"Stationary blinds in the public waters for nonriparian owners","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-345\/"},{"id":63392,"section_number":"29.1-347","catch_line":"Renewing licenses","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-347\/"},{"id":56674,"section_number":"29.1-351","catch_line":"Regulations to be issued; present regulations continued in force","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-351\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":59853,"section_number":"29.1-340","catch_line":"Hunting waterfowl from unlicensed blinds and without season license","order_by":null,"url":"\/29.1-340\/"}],"permalink":{"id":192777,"object_type":"law","relational_id":70124,"identifier":"29.1-344","token":"29.1\/3\/2\/29.1-344","url":"\/29.1-344\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/29.1-344\/","token":"29.1\/3\/2\/29.1-344","dublin_core":{"Title":"Stationary blinds on shore and in the public waters for owners of riparian rights","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 29.1-344","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Notwithstanding the provisions of § 29.1-340<\/a>, each year, the owners of riparian rights, their lessees or permittees shall have the exclusive privilege<\/span> of licensing and erecting stationary blinds on their shoreline, and the prior right of licensing and erecting stationary blinds in the public waters in front of their shoreline, to shoot waterfowl over the public waters. Such blinds shall not be located in water having a depth greater than eight feet at mean high tide, nor shall they be located farther than halfway across the body of water from the riparian owner’s shoreline, except on the shores and waters of Back Bay in the City of Virginia Beach where such blinds are limited to (i) the riparian owner’s shoreline at the mean low water mark or (ii) blinds erected and licensed by the riparian owner in 2011. When licensing a stationary blind, the location of each blind licensed shall be provided as latitude and longitude coordinates. When such a license has been obtained and a stake or a stationary blind has been erected on the site with the license for that season properly affixed, no other stationary or floating blind shall be located in the public waters within 500 yards of the licensed site without the consent of the riparian owner, lessee or permittee. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> At the time of the license transaction pursuant to subsection A, the licensee shall provide the unique location of each stationary waterfowl blind to the Department<\/span>, identified as standardized latitude and longitude coordinates, using the decimal degrees format with a minimum of five digit precision. The Department<\/span> shall publish such coordinates by November 1 of each year, excluding any customer personal information, on its website in a searchable, publicly accessible, and conspicuous manner. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nSTATIONARY BLINDS ON SHORE AND IN THE PUBLIC WATERS FOR OWNERS OF RIPARIAN\nRIGHTS (\u00a7 29.1-344)\n\nA. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 29.1-340, each year, the owners of\nriparian rights, their lessees or permittees shall have the exclusive privilege\nof licensing and erecting stationary blinds on their shoreline, and the prior\nright of licensing and erecting stationary blinds in the public waters in front\nof their shoreline, to shoot waterfowl over the public waters. Such blinds shall\nnot be located in water having a depth greater than eight feet at mean high\ntide, nor shall they be located farther than halfway across the body of water\nfrom the riparian owner’s shoreline, except on the shores and waters of\nBack Bay in the City of Virginia Beach where such blinds are limited to (i) the\nriparian owner’s shoreline at the mean low water mark or (ii) blinds\nerected and licensed by the riparian owner in 2011. When licensing a stationary\nblind, the location of each blind licensed shall be provided as latitude and\nlongitude coordinates. When such a license has been obtained and a stake or a\nstationary blind has been erected on the site with the license for that season\nproperly affixed, no other stationary or floating blind shall be located in the\npublic waters within 500 yards of the licensed site without the consent of the\nriparian owner, lessee or permittee.\n\nB. At the time of the license transaction pursuant to subsection A, the licensee\nshall provide the unique location of each stationary waterfowl blind to the\nDepartment, identified as standardized latitude and longitude coordinates, using\nthe decimal degrees format with a minimum of five digit precision. The\nDepartment shall publish such coordinates by November 1 of each year, excluding\nany customer personal information, on its website in a searchable, publicly\naccessible, and conspicuous manner.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 29-85; 1987, c. 488; 1989, c. 217; 2004, c. 422; 2010, c.\n9; 2012, c. 227; 2013, c. 745; 2020, c. 415; 2024, c. 186.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}