{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/33.2-1216.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/33.2-1216.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/33.2-1216.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/33.2-1216.html"}],"law_id":63530,"edition_id":1,"section_id":63530,"structure_id":13335,"section_number":"33.2-1216","catch_line":"Certain advertisements or structures prohibited","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 33-317; 1954, c. 588; 1956, c. 676; 1958, c. 369; 1960, c. 406; 1966, c. 663; 1968, c. 230; 1970, c. 322, \u00a7 33.1-369; 1976, c. 14; 1977, c. 219; 1993, c. 538; 1999, c. 290; 2000, c. 140; 2001, c. 285; 2014, c. 805.","full_text":"No advertisement or advertising structure shall be erected, maintained, or operated:\n\n1\n\nWithin 660 feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Colonial National Parkway, the Mount Vernon Boulevard, or any other parkway within the Commonwealth or within 660 feet of any public cemetery, public park reservation, public playground, national forest, or state forest, outside the limits of any municipality; however, any advertisement or advertising structure that is lawfully in place on April 6, 1966, and that does not conform to the 660-foot distance requirement may be maintained for the life of the advertisement or advertising structure;2\n\nThat involves motion or rotation of any part of the structure, moving reflective disks, or running animation or that displays an intermittent light or lights visible from any highway. The prohibition of this subdivision shall not apply to (i) an advertisement or advertisement structure with messages that change no more than once every four seconds and that is consistent with agreements entered into between the Commissioner of Highways and the U.S. Department of Transportation or (ii) an on-premises advertisement or advertising structure with messages displayed as scrolling words or numbers;3\n\nThat uses the words “stop” or “danger” prominently displayed or presents or implies the need or requirement of stopping or the existence of danger on any highway or that is a copy or imitation of official highway signs;4\n\nThat, within visible distance of any highway, advertises any county, city, town, historic place, museum, or shrine without the consent in writing of such county, city, or town or of the owner of such historic place or shrine;5\n\nThat is mobile and is designed to and effectively does distract the attention of passing motorists on any highway by flashing lights, loud and blatant noises, or movable objects;6\n\nThat involves red, green, or amber lights or reflectorized material and resembles traffic signal lights or traffic control signs and is within visible distance of any highway;7\n\nWithin 15 feet of the nearest edge of the pavement of any highway; however, the Commissioner of Highways may waive this restriction whenever the advertisement or advertising structure is actually anchored outside of the right-of-way and, within his discretion, does not constitute a safety hazard or conflict with any other restriction contained in this section;8\n\nAt any public road intersection in such a manner as would obstruct the clear vision in either direction between a point on the centerline of the side road 20 feet from the nearest edge of the pavement of the main road and points on the main road 400 feet distant, measured along the nearest edge of the pavement of the main road;9\n\nAt any grade intersection of a public road and a railroad in such a manner as would obstruct the clear vision in either direction within triangular areas formed by (i) a point at the center of the railroad-public road intersection, (ii) a point on the public road 400 feet from the center of the railroad-public road intersection as measured along the center of the public road, and (iii) a point on the railroad 500 feet from the center of the railroad-public road intersection as measured along the center of the railroad;10\n\nAt or near any curve in a road in such a manner as to obstruct the clear vision of traffic from any one point on such curve to any other point not more than 400 feet apart, as measured between each point from the nearest edge of the pavement;11\n\nThat advertises activities that are illegal under state or federal laws or regulations in effect at the location of such sign or advertisement or at the location of such activities;12\n\nThat is obsolete or inconsistent with this article or regulations adopted by the Board pursuant to this article; or13\n\nAfter December 18, 1991, adjacent to any Interstate System, federal-aid primary, or National Highway System highway in the Commonwealth that has been designated as a Virginia byway or scenic highway, except directional and official signs and notices defined in this article and regulations adopted pursuant to this article, on-premises signs, and signs advertising the sale or lease of property upon which they are located.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":231439,"text":"No advertisement or advertising structure shall be erected, maintained, or operated:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":231440,"text":"Within 660 feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Colonial National Parkway, the Mount Vernon Boulevard, or any other parkway within the Commonwealth or within 660 feet of any public cemetery, public park reservation, public playground, national forest, or state forest, outside the limits of any municipality; however, any advertisement or advertising structure that is lawfully in place on April 6, 1966, and that does not conform to the 660-foot distance requirement may be maintained for the life of the advertisement or advertising structure;","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":231441,"text":"That involves motion or rotation of any part of the structure, moving reflective disks, or running animation or that displays an intermittent light or lights visible from any highway. The prohibition of this subdivision shall not apply to (i) an advertisement or advertisement structure with messages that change no more than once every four seconds and that is consistent with agreements entered into between the Commissioner of Highways and the U.S. Department of Transportation or (ii) an on-premises advertisement or advertising structure with messages displayed as scrolling words or numbers;","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":231442,"text":"That uses the words “stop” or “danger” prominently displayed or presents or implies the need or requirement of stopping or the existence of danger on any highway or that is a copy or imitation of official highway signs;","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":231443,"text":"That, within visible distance of any highway, advertises any county, city, town, historic place, museum, or shrine without the consent in writing of such county, city, or town or of the owner of such historic place or shrine;","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3","next_prefix":"5"},"5":{"id":231444,"text":"That is mobile and is designed to and effectively does distract the attention of passing motorists on any highway by flashing lights, loud and blatant noises, or movable objects;","type":"section","prefixes":["5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"5","prefix_anchor":"5","level":1,"prior_prefix":"4","next_prefix":"6"},"6":{"id":231445,"text":"That involves red, green, or amber lights or reflectorized material and resembles traffic signal lights or traffic control signs and is within visible distance of any highway;","type":"section","prefixes":["6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"6","prefix_anchor":"6","level":1,"prior_prefix":"5","next_prefix":"7"},"7":{"id":231446,"text":"Within 15 feet of the nearest edge of the pavement of any highway; however, the Commissioner of Highways may waive this restriction whenever the advertisement or advertising structure is actually anchored outside of the right-of-way and, within his discretion, does not constitute a safety hazard or conflict with any other restriction contained in this section;","type":"section","prefixes":["7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"7","prefix_anchor":"7","level":1,"prior_prefix":"6","next_prefix":"8"},"8":{"id":231447,"text":"At any public road intersection in such a manner as would obstruct the clear vision in either direction between a point on the centerline of the side road 20 feet from the nearest edge of the pavement of the main road and points on the main road 400 feet distant, measured along the nearest edge of the pavement of the main road;","type":"section","prefixes":["8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"8","prefix_anchor":"8","level":1,"prior_prefix":"7","next_prefix":"9"},"9":{"id":231448,"text":"At any grade intersection of a public road and a railroad in such a manner as would obstruct the clear vision in either direction within triangular areas formed by (i) a point at the center of the railroad-public road intersection, (ii) a point on the public road 400 feet from the center of the railroad-public road intersection as measured along the center of the public road, and (iii) a point on the railroad 500 feet from the center of the railroad-public road intersection as measured along the center of the railroad;","type":"section","prefixes":["9"],"prefix":"9","entire_prefix":"9","prefix_anchor":"9","level":1,"prior_prefix":"8","next_prefix":"10"},"10":{"id":231449,"text":"At or near any curve in a road in such a manner as to obstruct the clear vision of traffic from any one point on such curve to any other point not more than 400 feet apart, as measured between each point from the nearest edge of the pavement;","type":"section","prefixes":["10"],"prefix":"10","entire_prefix":"10","prefix_anchor":"10","level":1,"prior_prefix":"9","next_prefix":"11"},"11":{"id":231450,"text":"That advertises activities that are illegal under state or federal laws or regulations in effect at the location of such sign or advertisement or at the location of such activities;","type":"section","prefixes":["11"],"prefix":"11","entire_prefix":"11","prefix_anchor":"11","level":1,"prior_prefix":"10","next_prefix":"12"},"12":{"id":231451,"text":"That is obsolete or inconsistent with this article or regulations adopted by the Board pursuant to this article; or","type":"section","prefixes":["12"],"prefix":"12","entire_prefix":"12","prefix_anchor":"12","level":1,"prior_prefix":"11","next_prefix":"13"},"13":{"id":231452,"text":"After December 18, 1991, adjacent to any Interstate System, federal-aid primary, or National Highway System highway in the Commonwealth that has been designated as a Virginia byway or scenic highway, except directional and official signs and notices defined in this article and regulations adopted pursuant to this article, on-premises signs, and signs advertising the sale or lease of property upon which they are located.","type":"section","prefixes":["13"],"prefix":"13","entire_prefix":"13","prefix_anchor":"13","level":1,"prior_prefix":"12"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13335,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Policies and Regulations","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13334,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:40","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:40","permalink":{"id":205585,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13335,"identifier":"1","token":"33.2\/II\/12\/1","url":"\/33.2\/II\/12\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13334,"edition_id":1,"name":"Outdoor Advertising in Sight of Public Highways","identifier":"12","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12830,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:40","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:40","permalink":{"id":205583,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13334,"identifier":"12","token":"33.2\/II\/12","url":"\/33.2\/II\/12\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12830,"edition_id":1,"name":"Modes of Transportation: Highways, Bridges, Ferries, Rail, and Public Transportation","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12806,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","permalink":{"id":205369,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12830,"identifier":"II","token":"33.2\/II","url":"\/33.2\/II\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12806,"edition_id":1,"name":"Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems","identifier":"33.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:54","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:54","permalink":{"id":204785,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12806,"identifier":"33.2","token":"33.2","url":"\/33.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":68297,"structure_id":13335,"section_number":"33.2-1200","catch_line":"Policy; definitions","url":"\/33.2-1200\/","token":"33.2\/II\/12\/1\/33.2-1200","metadata":false},{"id":59200,"structure_id":13335,"section_number":"33.2-1201","catch_line":"Enforcement of provisions by Commissioner of Highways","url":"\/33.2-1201\/","token":"33.2\/II\/12\/1\/33.2-1201","metadata":false},{"id":66077,"structure_id":13335,"section_number":"33.2-1202","catch_line":"Territory to which article applies","url":"\/33.2-1202\/","token":"33.2\/II\/12\/1\/33.2-1202","metadata":false},{"id":58790,"structure_id":13335,"section_number":"33.2-1203","catch_line":"Entry upon lands; hindering Commissioner of Highways or agent","url":"\/33.2-1203\/","token":"33.2\/II\/12\/1\/33.2-1203","metadata":false},{"id":87257,"structure_id":13335,"section_number":"33.2-1204","catch_line":"Excepted signs, advertisements, and advertising structures","url":"\/33.2-1204\/","token":"33.2\/II\/12\/1\/33.2-1204","metadata":false},{"id":70142,"structure_id":13335,"section_number":"33.2-1205","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/33.2-1205\/","token":"33.2\/II\/12\/1\/33.2-1205","metadata":false},{"id":68592,"structure_id":13335,"section_number":"33.2-1206","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/33.2-1206\/","token":"33.2\/II\/12\/1\/33.2-1206","metadata":false},{"id":86088,"structure_id":13335,"section_number":"33.2-1207","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/33.2-1207\/","token":"33.2\/II\/12\/1\/33.2-1207","metadata":false},{"id":83618,"structure_id":13335,"section_number":"33.2-1208","catch_line":"Permits required","url":"\/33.2-1208\/","token":"33.2\/II\/12\/1\/33.2-1208","metadata":false},{"id":79923,"structure_id":13335,"section_number":"33.2-1209","catch_line":"Applications for permits; fees","url":"\/33.2-1209\/","token":"33.2\/II\/12\/1\/33.2-1209","metadata":false},{"id":66207,"structure_id":13335,"section_number":"33.2-1210","catch_line":"Duration and renewal of permit","url":"\/33.2-1210\/","token":"33.2\/II\/12\/1\/33.2-1210","metadata":false},{"id":80749,"structure_id":13335,"section_number":"33.2-1211","catch_line":"Revocation of permit","url":"\/33.2-1211\/","token":"33.2\/II\/12\/1\/33.2-1211","metadata":false},{"id":61989,"structure_id":13335,"section_number":"33.2-1212","catch_line":"Temporary permit","url":"\/33.2-1212\/","token":"33.2\/II\/12\/1\/33.2-1212","metadata":false},{"id":65820,"structure_id":13335,"section_number":"33.2-1213","catch_line":"Appeal from refusal or revocation of permit","url":"\/33.2-1213\/","token":"33.2\/II\/12\/1\/33.2-1213","metadata":false},{"id":86728,"structure_id":13335,"section_number":"33.2-1214","catch_line":"Transfer of permits to successor concerns","url":"\/33.2-1214\/","token":"33.2\/II\/12\/1\/33.2-1214","metadata":false},{"id":73655,"structure_id":13335,"section_number":"33.2-1215","catch_line":"Identification of advertising structure or advertisement","url":"\/33.2-1215\/","token":"33.2\/II\/12\/1\/33.2-1215","metadata":false},{"id":63530,"structure_id":13335,"section_number":"33.2-1216","catch_line":"Certain advertisements or structures prohibited","url":"\/33.2-1216\/","token":"33.2\/II\/12\/1\/33.2-1216","metadata":false},{"id":61349,"structure_id":13335,"section_number":"33.2-1217","catch_line":"Special provisions pertaining to Interstate System, National Highway System, and federal-aid primary highways","url":"\/33.2-1217\/","token":"33.2\/II\/12\/1\/33.2-1217","metadata":false},{"id":86265,"structure_id":13335,"section_number":"33.2-1218","catch_line":"Removal of billboard signs under this chapter prohibited without just compensation","url":"\/33.2-1218\/","token":"33.2\/II\/12\/1\/33.2-1218","metadata":false},{"id":80128,"structure_id":13335,"section_number":"33.2-1219","catch_line":"Maintenance and repair of nonconforming billboard signs","url":"\/33.2-1219\/","token":"33.2\/II\/12\/1\/33.2-1219","metadata":false},{"id":75609,"structure_id":13335,"section_number":"33.2-1220","catch_line":"Regulations and agreements with United States implementing \u00a7 33.2-1217","url":"\/33.2-1220\/","token":"33.2\/II\/12\/1\/33.2-1220","metadata":false},{"id":54319,"structure_id":13335,"section_number":"33.2-1221","catch_line":"Selective pruning permits; fees; penalty","url":"\/33.2-1221\/","token":"33.2\/II\/12\/1\/33.2-1221","metadata":false},{"id":57234,"structure_id":13335,"section_number":"33.2-1222","catch_line":"Tree-trimming policies","url":"\/33.2-1222\/","token":"33.2\/II\/12\/1\/33.2-1222","metadata":false},{"id":80074,"structure_id":13335,"section_number":"33.2-1223","catch_line":"Pasting advertisements prohibited in certain instances","url":"\/33.2-1223\/","token":"33.2\/II\/12\/1\/33.2-1223","metadata":false},{"id":74225,"structure_id":13335,"section_number":"33.2-1224","catch_line":"Signs or advertising on rocks, poles, etc., within limits of highway; civil penalty","url":"\/33.2-1224\/","token":"33.2\/II\/12\/1\/33.2-1224","metadata":false},{"id":85049,"structure_id":13335,"section_number":"33.2-1225","catch_line":"Commissioner of Highways may enter into certain agreements; civil penalties","url":"\/33.2-1225\/","token":"33.2\/II\/12\/1\/33.2-1225","metadata":false},{"id":75960,"structure_id":13335,"section_number":"33.2-1226","catch_line":"Harmony of regulations","url":"\/33.2-1226\/","token":"33.2\/II\/12\/1\/33.2-1226","metadata":false},{"id":86362,"structure_id":13335,"section_number":"33.2-1227","catch_line":"Violation a nuisance; abatement","url":"\/33.2-1227\/","token":"33.2\/II\/12\/1\/33.2-1227","metadata":false},{"id":72726,"structure_id":13335,"section_number":"33.2-1228","catch_line":"Disposition of fees","url":"\/33.2-1228\/","token":"33.2\/II\/12\/1\/33.2-1228","metadata":false},{"id":75069,"structure_id":13335,"section_number":"33.2-1229","catch_line":"Penalties for violation","url":"\/33.2-1229\/","token":"33.2\/II\/12\/1\/33.2-1229","metadata":false},{"id":66719,"structure_id":13335,"section_number":"33.2-1230","catch_line":"Adjustment or relocation of certain billboard signs","url":"\/33.2-1230\/","token":"33.2\/II\/12\/1\/33.2-1230","metadata":false},{"id":59479,"structure_id":13335,"section_number":"33.2-1231","catch_line":"Construction of article","url":"\/33.2-1231\/","token":"33.2\/II\/12\/1\/33.2-1231","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":73655,"structure_id":13335,"section_number":"33.2-1215","catch_line":"Identification of advertising structure or advertisement","url":"\/33.2-1215\/","token":"33.2\/II\/12\/1\/33.2-1215","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":61349,"structure_id":13335,"section_number":"33.2-1217","catch_line":"Special provisions pertaining to Interstate System, National Highway System, and federal-aid primary highways","url":"\/33.2-1217\/","token":"33.2\/II\/12\/1\/33.2-1217","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/33.2-1216\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 14 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 1954, chapter 588; in 1956, chapter 676; in 1958, chapter 369; in 1960, chapter 406; in 1966, chapter 663; in 1968, chapter 230; in 1970, chapter 322; in 1976, chapter 14; in 1977, chapter 219; in 1993, chapter 538; in 1999, chapter 290<\/a>; in 2000, chapter 140<\/a>; in 2001, chapter 285<\/a>; in 2014, chapter 805<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":87257,"section_number":"33.2-1204","catch_line":"Excepted signs, advertisements, and advertising structures","order_by":null,"url":"\/33.2-1204\/"},{"id":75069,"section_number":"33.2-1229","catch_line":"Penalties for violation","order_by":null,"url":"\/33.2-1229\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":205651,"object_type":"law","relational_id":63530,"identifier":"33.2-1216","token":"33.2\/II\/12\/1\/33.2-1216","url":"\/33.2-1216\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/33.2-1216\/","token":"33.2\/II\/12\/1\/33.2-1216","dublin_core":{"Title":"Certain advertisements or structures prohibited","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 33.2-1216","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

No advertisement or advertising structure shall be erected, maintained, or operated:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Within 660 feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Colonial National Parkway, the Mount Vernon Boulevard, or any other parkway within the Commonwealth or within 660 feet of any public cemetery, public park reservation, public playground, national forest, or state forest, outside the limits of any municipality; however, any advertisement or advertising structure that is lawfully in place on April 6, 1966, and that does not conform to the 660-foot distance requirement may be maintained for the life of the advertisement or advertising structure; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> That involves motion<\/span> or rotation of any part of the structure, moving reflective disks, or running animation or that displays an intermittent light or lights visible from any highway<\/span>. The prohibition of this subdivision shall not apply to (i) an advertisement or advertisement structure with messages that change no more than once every four seconds and that is consistent with agreements entered into between the Commissioner of Highways<\/span> and the U.S. Department<\/span> of Transportation or (ii) an on-premises advertisement or advertising structure with messages displayed as scrolling words or numbers; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> That uses the words “stop” or “danger” prominently displayed or presents or implies the need or requirement of stopping or the existence of danger on any highway<\/span> or that is a copy or imitation of official highway<\/span> signs; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> That, within visible distance of any highway<\/span>, advertises any county, city, town, historic place, museum, or shrine without the consent in writing of such county, city, or town or of the owner of such historic place or shrine; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> That is mobile and is designed to and effectively does distract the attention of passing motorists on any highway<\/span> by flashing lights, loud and blatant noises, or movable objects<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> That involves red, green, or amber lights or reflectorized material<\/span> and resembles traffic signal lights or traffic control signs and is within visible distance of any highway<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> Within 15 feet of the nearest edge of the pavement of any highway<\/span>; however, the Commissioner of Highways<\/span> may waive<\/span> this restriction whenever the advertisement or advertising structure is actually anchored outside of the right-of-way and, within his discretion, does not constitute a safety hazard or conflict with any other restriction contained in this section; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> At any public road intersection in such a manner as would obstruct the clear vision in either direction between a point on the centerline of the side road 20 feet from the nearest edge of the pavement of the main road and points on the main road 400 feet distant, measured along the nearest edge of the pavement of the main road; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

9.<\/span> At any grade intersection of a public road and a railroad in such a manner as would obstruct the clear vision in either direction within triangular areas formed by (i) a point at the center of the railroad-public road intersection, (ii) a point on the public road 400 feet from the center of the railroad-public road intersection as measured along the center of the public road, and (iii) a point on the railroad 500 feet from the center of the railroad-public road intersection as measured along the center of the railroad; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

10.<\/span> At or near any curve in a road in such a manner as to obstruct the clear vision of traffic from any one point on such curve to any other point not more than 400 feet apart, as measured between each point from the nearest edge of the pavement; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

11.<\/span> That advertises activities that are illegal under state or federal laws<\/span> or regulations in effect at the location of such sign or advertisement or at the location of such activities; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

12.<\/span> That is obsolete or inconsistent with this article or regulations adopted by the Board<\/span> pursuant to this article; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

13.<\/span> After December 18, 1991, adjacent to any Interstate System<\/span>, federal-aid primary, or National Highway System<\/span> highway in the Commonwealth that has been designated as a Virginia byway or scenic highway, except directional and official signs and notices defined in this article and regulations adopted pursuant to this article, on-premises signs, and signs advertising the sale or lease of property upon which they are located. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCERTAIN ADVERTISEMENTS OR STRUCTURES PROHIBITED (\u00a7 33.2-1216)\n\nNo advertisement or advertising structure shall be erected, maintained, or\noperated:\n\n1. Within 660 feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way of the Blue Ridge\nParkway, the Colonial National Parkway, the Mount Vernon Boulevard, or any other\nparkway within the Commonwealth or within 660 feet of any public cemetery,\npublic park reservation, public playground, national forest, or state forest,\noutside the limits of any municipality; however, any advertisement or\nadvertising structure that is lawfully in place on April 6, 1966, and that does\nnot conform to the 660-foot distance requirement may be maintained for the life\nof the advertisement or advertising structure;\n\n2. That involves motion or rotation of any part of the structure, moving\nreflective disks, or running animation or that displays an intermittent light or\nlights visible from any highway. The prohibition of this subdivision shall not\napply to (i) an advertisement or advertisement structure with messages that\nchange no more than once every four seconds and that is consistent with\nagreements entered into between the Commissioner of Highways and the U.S.\nDepartment of Transportation or (ii) an on-premises advertisement or advertising\nstructure with messages displayed as scrolling words or numbers;\n\n3. That uses the words “stop” or “danger” prominently\ndisplayed or presents or implies the need or requirement of stopping or the\nexistence of danger on any highway or that is a copy or imitation of official\nhighway signs;\n\n4. That, within visible distance of any highway, advertises any county, city,\ntown, historic place, museum, or shrine without the consent in writing of such\ncounty, city, or town or of the owner of such historic place or shrine;\n\n5. That is mobile and is designed to and effectively does distract the attention\nof passing motorists on any highway by flashing lights, loud and blatant noises,\nor movable objects;\n\n6. That involves red, green, or amber lights or reflectorized material and\nresembles traffic signal lights or traffic control signs and is within visible\ndistance of any highway;\n\n7. Within 15 feet of the nearest edge of the pavement of any highway; however,\nthe Commissioner of Highways may waive this restriction whenever the\nadvertisement or advertising structure is actually anchored outside of the\nright-of-way and, within his discretion, does not constitute a safety hazard or\nconflict with any other restriction contained in this section;\n\n8. At any public road intersection in such a manner as would obstruct the clear\nvision in either direction between a point on the centerline of the side road 20\nfeet from the nearest edge of the pavement of the main road and points on the\nmain road 400 feet distant, measured along the nearest edge of the pavement of\nthe main road;\n\n9. At any grade intersection of a public road and a railroad in such a manner as\nwould obstruct the clear vision in either direction within triangular areas\nformed by (i) a point at the center of the railroad-public road intersection,\n(ii) a point on the public road 400 feet from the center of the railroad-public\nroad intersection as measured along the center of the public road, and (iii) a\npoint on the railroad 500 feet from the center of the railroad-public road\nintersection as measured along the center of the railroad;\n\n10. At or near any curve in a road in such a manner as to obstruct the clear\nvision of traffic from any one point on such curve to any other point not more\nthan 400 feet apart, as measured between each point from the nearest edge of the\npavement;\n\n11. That advertises activities that are illegal under state or federal laws or\nregulations in effect at the location of such sign or advertisement or at the\nlocation of such activities;\n\n12. That is obsolete or inconsistent with this article or regulations adopted by\nthe Board pursuant to this article; or\n\n13. After December 18, 1991, adjacent to any Interstate System, federal-aid\nprimary, or National Highway System highway in the Commonwealth that has been\ndesignated as a Virginia byway or scenic highway, except directional and\nofficial signs and notices defined in this article and regulations adopted\npursuant to this article, on-premises signs, and signs advertising the sale or\nlease of property upon which they are located.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 33-317; 1954, c. 588; 1956, c. 676; 1958, c. 369; 1960,\nc. 406; 1966, c. 663; 1968, c. 230; 1970, c. 322, \u00a7 33.1-369; 1976, c. 14;\n1977, c. 219; 1993, c. 538; 1999, c. 290; 2000, c. 140; 2001, c. 285; 2014, c.\n805.","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}}