{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/33.2-1224.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/33.2-1224.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/33.2-1224.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/33.2-1224.html"}],"law_id":74225,"edition_id":1,"section_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","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 33-319; 1970, c. 322, \u00a7 33.1-373; 1993, c. 538; 1994, c. 696; 2012, c. 739; 2013, c. 457; 2014, c. 805.","full_text":"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. Each occurrence shall be subject to a separate penalty. All civil penalties collected under this section shall be paid into the Highway Maintenance and Operating Fund. Signs or advertisements placed within the limits of the highway are hereby declared a public and private nuisance and may be forthwith removed, obliterated, or abated by the Commissioner of Highways or his representatives without notice. The Commissioner of Highways may collect the cost of such removal, obliteration, or abatement from the person erecting, painting, printing, placing, putting, affixing, or using such sign or advertisement. When no one is observed erecting, painting, printing, placing, putting, or affixing such sign or advertisement, the person, firm, or corporation being advertised shall be presumed to have placed the sign or advertisement and shall be punished accordingly. Such presumption, however, shall be rebuttable by competent evidence. In addition, the Commissioner of Highways or his representative may seek to enjoin any recurring violator of this section. The Commissioner of Highways may enter into agreements with any local governing body authorizing local law-enforcement agencies or other local governmental entities to act as agents of the Commissioner of Highways for the purpose of (i) enforcing the provisions of this section and (ii) collecting the penalties and costs provided for in this section. Any such agreement may provide that penalties and costs collected pursuant to such agreement shall be paid as agreed.\n\t\tThe provisions of this section shall not apply to signs or outdoor advertising regulated under other provisions of this chapter.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":266886,"text":"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. Each occurrence shall be subject to a separate penalty. All civil penalties collected under this section shall be paid into the Highway Maintenance and Operating Fund. Signs or advertisements placed within the limits of the highway are hereby declared a public and private nuisance and may be forthwith removed, obliterated, or abated by the Commissioner of Highways or his representatives without notice. The Commissioner of Highways may collect the cost of such removal, obliteration, or abatement from the person erecting, painting, printing, placing, putting, affixing, or using such sign or advertisement. When no one is observed erecting, painting, printing, placing, putting, or affixing such sign or advertisement, the person, firm, or corporation being advertised shall be presumed to have placed the sign or advertisement and shall be punished accordingly. Such presumption, however, shall be rebuttable by competent evidence. In addition, the Commissioner of Highways or his representative may seek to enjoin any recurring violator of this section. The Commissioner of Highways may enter into agreements with any local governing body authorizing local law-enforcement agencies or other local governmental entities to act as agents of the Commissioner of Highways for the purpose of (i) enforcing the provisions of this section and (ii) collecting the penalties and costs provided for in this section. Any such agreement may provide that penalties and costs collected pursuant to such agreement shall be paid as agreed.\n\t\tThe provisions of this section shall not apply to signs or outdoor advertising regulated under other provisions of this chapter.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"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":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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/33.2-1224\/","history_text":"<p>The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 6 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 1970, chapter 322; in 1993, chapter 538; in 1994, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?941+ful+CHAP0696\">696<\/a>; in 2012, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?121+ful+CHAP0739\">739<\/a>; in 2013, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?131+ful+CHAP0457\">457<\/a>; in 2014, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?141+ful+CHAP0805\">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":85049,"section_number":"33.2-1225","catch_line":"Commissioner of Highways may enter into certain agreements; civil penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/33.2-1225\/"},{"id":72726,"section_number":"33.2-1228","catch_line":"Disposition of fees","order_by":null,"url":"\/33.2-1228\/"},{"id":67094,"section_number":"33.2-1530","catch_line":"Highway Maintenance and Operating Fund","order_by":null,"url":"\/33.2-1530\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":205683,"object_type":"law","relational_id":74225,"identifier":"33.2-1224","token":"33.2\/II\/12\/1\/33.2-1224","url":"\/33.2-1224\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/33.2-1224\/","token":"33.2\/II\/12\/1\/33.2-1224","dublin_core":{"Title":"Signs or advertising on rocks, poles, etc., within limits of highway; civil penalty","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 33.2-1224","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>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-<span class=\"dictionary\">board<\/span>, milestone, danger-sign, guide-sign, guidepost, <span class=\"dictionary\">highway<\/span> sign, historical marker, building, or other <span class=\"dictionary\">object<\/span> lawfully within the limits of any <span class=\"dictionary\">highway<\/span> or (ii) erects, paints, prints, places, puts, or affixes any sign or advertisement within the limits of any <span class=\"dictionary\">highway<\/span> is subject to a civil <span class=\"dictionary\">penalty<\/span> of $100. Each occurrence shall be subject to a separate <span class=\"dictionary\">penalty<\/span>. All civil penalties collected under this section shall be paid into the <span class=\"dictionary\">Highway<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">Maintenance<\/span> and Operating Fund. Signs or advertisements placed within the limits of the <span class=\"dictionary\">highway<\/span> are hereby declared a public and private nuisance and may be forthwith removed, obliterated, or abated by the <span class=\"dictionary\">Commissioner of Highways<\/span> or his representatives without notice. The <span class=\"dictionary\">Commissioner of Highways<\/span> may collect the cost of such removal, obliteration, or abatement from the person erecting, painting, printing, placing, putting, affixing, or using such sign or advertisement. When no one is observed erecting, painting, printing, placing, putting, or affixing such sign or advertisement, the person, firm, or corporation being advertised shall be presumed to have placed the sign or advertisement and shall be punished accordingly. Such <span class=\"dictionary\">presumption<\/span>, however, shall be rebuttable by competent <span class=\"dictionary\">evidence<\/span>. In addition, the <span class=\"dictionary\">Commissioner of Highways<\/span> or his representative may seek to enjoin any recurring violator of this section. The <span class=\"dictionary\">Commissioner of Highways<\/span> may enter into agreements with any local governing body authorizing local <span class=\"dictionary\">law<\/span>-enforcement agencies or other local governmental entities to act as agents of the <span class=\"dictionary\">Commissioner of Highways<\/span> for the purpose of (i) enforcing the provisions of this section and (ii) collecting the penalties and costs provided for in this section. Any such agreement may provide that penalties and costs collected pursuant to such agreement shall be paid as agreed.\n\t\tThe provisions of this section shall not apply to signs or outdoor advertising regulated under other provisions of this chapter.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nSIGNS OR ADVERTISING ON ROCKS, POLES, ETC., WITHIN LIMITS OF HIGHWAY; CIVIL\nPENALTY (\u00a7 33.2-1224)\n\nAny person who in any manner (i) paints, prints, places, puts, or affixes any\nsign or advertisement upon or to any rock, stone, tree, fence, stump, pole,\nmile-board, milestone, danger-sign, guide-sign, guidepost, highway sign,\nhistorical marker, building, or other object lawfully within the limits of any\nhighway or (ii) erects, paints, prints, places, puts, or affixes any sign or\nadvertisement within the limits of any highway is subject to a civil penalty of\n$100. Each occurrence shall be subject to a separate penalty. All civil\npenalties collected under this section shall be paid into the Highway\nMaintenance and Operating Fund. Signs or advertisements placed within the limits\nof the highway are hereby declared a public and private nuisance and may be\nforthwith removed, obliterated, or abated by the Commissioner of Highways or his\nrepresentatives without notice. The Commissioner of Highways may collect the\ncost of such removal, obliteration, or abatement from the person erecting,\npainting, printing, placing, putting, affixing, or using such sign or\nadvertisement. When no one is observed erecting, painting, printing, placing,\nputting, or affixing such sign or advertisement, the person, firm, or\ncorporation being advertised shall be presumed to have placed the sign or\nadvertisement and shall be punished accordingly. Such presumption, however,\nshall be rebuttable by competent evidence. In addition, the Commissioner of\nHighways or his representative may seek to enjoin any recurring violator of this\nsection. The Commissioner of Highways may enter into agreements with any local\ngoverning body authorizing local law-enforcement agencies or other local\ngovernmental entities to act as agents of the Commissioner of Highways for the\npurpose of (i) enforcing the provisions of this section and (ii) collecting the\npenalties and costs provided for in this section. Any such agreement may provide\nthat penalties and costs collected pursuant to such agreement shall be paid as\nagreed.\n\t\tThe provisions of this section shall not apply to signs or outdoor advertising\nregulated under other provisions of this chapter.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 33-319; 1970, c. 322, \u00a7 33.1-373; 1993, c. 538; 1994, c.\n696; 2012, c. 739; 2013, c. 457; 2014, c. 805.","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}}