{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/33.2-245.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/33.2-245.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/33.2-245.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/33.2-245.html"}],"law_id":72332,"edition_id":1,"section_id":72332,"structure_id":13137,"section_number":"33.2-245","catch_line":"Comprehensive highway access management standards","history":"2007, cc. 863, 928, \u00a7 33.1-198.1; 2014, c. 805; 2019, c. 157.","full_text":"A\n\nFor purposes of this section, “comprehensive highway access management standards” means a coordinated set of state standards and guidelines that allow the Commonwealth and its localities to manage access to the systems of state highways according to their federal functional classification or operational characteristics through the control of and improvements to the location, number, spacing, and design of entrances, median openings, turn lanes, street intersections, traffic signals, and interchanges.B\n\nThe General Assembly declares it to be in the public interest that comprehensive highway access management standards be developed and implemented to enhance the operation and safety of the systems of state highways in order to protect the public health, safety, and general welfare while ensuring that private property is entitled to reasonable access to the systems of state highways. The goals of the comprehensive highway access management standards are:1\n\nTo reduce traffic congestion and impacts to the level of service of highways, leading to reduced fuel consumption and air pollution;2\n\nTo enhance public safety by decreasing traffic crash rates;3\n\nTo support economic development in the Commonwealth by promoting the efficient movement of people and goods;4\n\nTo reduce the need for new highways and road widening by improving the performance of the existing systems of state highways; and5\n\nTo preserve public investment in new highways by maximizing their performance.C\n\nThe Commissioner of Highways shall develop and implement comprehensive highway access management standards for managing access to and preserving and improving the efficient operation of the systems of state highways. The comprehensive highway access management standards shall include standards and guidelines for the location, number, spacing, and design of entrances, median openings, turn lanes, street intersections, traffic signals, and interchanges.\n\t\t\tNothing in such standards shall preempt the authority of a local government to regulate the type or density of land uses abutting the systems of state highways.\n\t\t\tThe Commissioner of Highways shall require that any official who approves any highway access project shall certify that he has applied due diligence in approving such project and that such approval is, in his professional opinion, consistent with the minimum standards developed pursuant to this section. An appeal of the denial, revocation, or conditions of a permit shall be in accordance with the provisions of 24VAC30-73-50.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":260555,"text":"For purposes of this section, “comprehensive highway access management standards” means a coordinated set of state standards and guidelines that allow the Commonwealth and its localities to manage access to the systems of state highways according to their federal functional classification or operational characteristics through the control of and improvements to the location, number, spacing, and design of entrances, median openings, turn lanes, street intersections, traffic signals, and interchanges.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":260556,"text":"The General Assembly declares it to be in the public interest that comprehensive highway access management standards be developed and implemented to enhance the operation and safety of the systems of state highways in order to protect the public health, safety, and general welfare while ensuring that private property is entitled to reasonable access to the systems of state highways. The goals of the comprehensive highway access management standards are:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B1"},"2":{"id":260557,"text":"To reduce traffic congestion and impacts to the level of service of highways, leading to reduced fuel consumption and air pollution;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"3":{"id":260558,"text":"To enhance public safety by decreasing traffic crash rates;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"B3"},"4":{"id":260559,"text":"To support economic development in the Commonwealth by promoting the efficient movement of people and goods;","type":"section","prefixes":["B","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"B3","prefix_anchor":"B3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"B4"},"5":{"id":260560,"text":"To reduce the need for new highways and road widening by improving the performance of the existing systems of state highways; and","type":"section","prefixes":["B","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"B4","prefix_anchor":"B4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B3","next_prefix":"B5"},"6":{"id":260561,"text":"To preserve public investment in new highways by maximizing their performance.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"B5","prefix_anchor":"B5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B4","next_prefix":"C"},"7":{"id":260562,"text":"The Commissioner of Highways shall develop and implement comprehensive highway access management standards for managing access to and preserving and improving the efficient operation of the systems of state highways. The comprehensive highway access management standards shall include standards and guidelines for the location, number, spacing, and design of entrances, median openings, turn lanes, street intersections, traffic signals, and interchanges.\n\t\t\tNothing in such standards shall preempt the authority of a local government to regulate the type or density of land uses abutting the systems of state highways.\n\t\t\tThe Commissioner of Highways shall require that any official who approves any highway access project shall certify that he has applied due diligence in approving such project and that such approval is, in his professional opinion, consistent with the minimum standards developed pursuant to this section. An appeal of the denial, revocation, or conditions of a permit shall be in accordance with the provisions of 24VAC30-73-50.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B5"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13137,"edition_id":1,"name":"Commissioner of Highways","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13136,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:20","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:20","permalink":{"id":204989,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13137,"identifier":"3","token":"33.2\/I\/2\/3","url":"\/33.2\/I\/2\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13136,"edition_id":1,"name":"Transportation Entities","identifier":"2","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13135,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:20","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:20","permalink":{"id":204875,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13136,"identifier":"2","token":"33.2\/I\/2","url":"\/33.2\/I\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13135,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions and Transportation Entities","identifier":"I","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12806,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:20","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:20","permalink":{"id":204787,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13135,"identifier":"I","token":"33.2\/I","url":"\/33.2\/I\/","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":70893,"structure_id":13137,"section_number":"33.2-222","catch_line":"Commissioner of Highways","url":"\/33.2-222\/","token":"33.2\/I\/2\/3\/33.2-222","metadata":false},{"id":61222,"structure_id":13137,"section_number":"33.2-223","catch_line":"General powers of Commissioner of Highways","url":"\/33.2-223\/","token":"33.2\/I\/2\/3\/33.2-223","metadata":false},{"id":63338,"structure_id":13137,"section_number":"33.2-224","catch_line":"Employees; delegation of responsibilities","url":"\/33.2-224\/","token":"33.2\/I\/2\/3\/33.2-224","metadata":false},{"id":86590,"structure_id":13137,"section_number":"33.2-225","catch_line":"Liaison duties with other organizations","url":"\/33.2-225\/","token":"33.2\/I\/2\/3\/33.2-225","metadata":false},{"id":83170,"structure_id":13137,"section_number":"33.2-226","catch_line":"Authority to lease or convey airspace","url":"\/33.2-226\/","token":"33.2\/I\/2\/3\/33.2-226","metadata":false},{"id":62391,"structure_id":13137,"section_number":"33.2-227","catch_line":"Defense of employees","url":"\/33.2-227\/","token":"33.2\/I\/2\/3\/33.2-227","metadata":false},{"id":81611,"structure_id":13137,"section_number":"33.2-228","catch_line":"Agreements between Commissioner of Highways and certain localities","url":"\/33.2-228\/","token":"33.2\/I\/2\/3\/33.2-228","metadata":false},{"id":85565,"structure_id":13137,"section_number":"33.2-229","catch_line":"Furnishing information regarding right-of-way transactions","url":"\/33.2-229\/","token":"33.2\/I\/2\/3\/33.2-229","metadata":false},{"id":65625,"structure_id":13137,"section_number":"33.2-230","catch_line":"Written notice of decision to dispose of real property","url":"\/33.2-230\/","token":"33.2\/I\/2\/3\/33.2-230","metadata":false},{"id":74466,"structure_id":13137,"section_number":"33.2-231","catch_line":"Establish community service landscaping program","url":"\/33.2-231\/","token":"33.2\/I\/2\/3\/33.2-231","metadata":false},{"id":70228,"structure_id":13137,"section_number":"33.2-232","catch_line":"Biennial reports by Commissioner of Highways and the Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment","url":"\/33.2-232\/","token":"33.2\/I\/2\/3\/33.2-232","metadata":false},{"id":76784,"structure_id":13137,"section_number":"33.2-233","catch_line":"Gathering and reporting of information and statistics","url":"\/33.2-233\/","token":"33.2\/I\/2\/3\/33.2-233","metadata":false},{"id":81809,"structure_id":13137,"section_number":"33.2-234","catch_line":"Construction by state or local employees","url":"\/33.2-234\/","token":"33.2\/I\/2\/3\/33.2-234","metadata":false},{"id":66754,"structure_id":13137,"section_number":"33.2-235","catch_line":"Procurement","url":"\/33.2-235\/","token":"33.2\/I\/2\/3\/33.2-235","metadata":false},{"id":68789,"structure_id":13137,"section_number":"33.2-236","catch_line":" Maps or plats prepared at request and expense of local governing bodies and other groups; Department of Energy to seek other existing sources","url":"\/33.2-236\/","token":"33.2\/I\/2\/3\/33.2-236","metadata":false},{"id":64042,"structure_id":13137,"section_number":"33.2-237","catch_line":"Directional signs for certain educational institutions","url":"\/33.2-237\/","token":"33.2\/I\/2\/3\/33.2-237","metadata":false},{"id":82461,"structure_id":13137,"section_number":"33.2-238","catch_line":"Closing highways for safety of public or proper completion of construction; injury to barriers, signs, etc","url":"\/33.2-238\/","token":"33.2\/I\/2\/3\/33.2-238","metadata":false},{"id":60812,"structure_id":13137,"section_number":"33.2-239","catch_line":"Providing highway detours","url":"\/33.2-239\/","token":"33.2\/I\/2\/3\/33.2-239","metadata":false},{"id":73007,"structure_id":13137,"section_number":"33.2-240","catch_line":"Connections over shoulders of highways for intersecting private roads","url":"\/33.2-240\/","token":"33.2\/I\/2\/3\/33.2-240","metadata":false},{"id":71363,"structure_id":13137,"section_number":"33.2-241","catch_line":"Connections over shoulders of highways for intersecting commercial establishment entrances; penalty","url":"\/33.2-241\/","token":"33.2\/I\/2\/3\/33.2-241","metadata":false},{"id":59722,"structure_id":13137,"section_number":"33.2-242","catch_line":"Replacing entrances destroyed in the repair or construction of highways","url":"\/33.2-242\/","token":"33.2\/I\/2\/3\/33.2-242","metadata":false},{"id":61612,"structure_id":13137,"section_number":"33.2-243","catch_line":"Paying for damages sustained to personal property by reason of work projects, etc","url":"\/33.2-243\/","token":"33.2\/I\/2\/3\/33.2-243","metadata":false},{"id":78327,"structure_id":13137,"section_number":"33.2-244","catch_line":"Removal of snow and ice from public highways by private entities","url":"\/33.2-244\/","token":"33.2\/I\/2\/3\/33.2-244","metadata":false},{"id":72332,"structure_id":13137,"section_number":"33.2-245","catch_line":"Comprehensive highway access management standards","url":"\/33.2-245\/","token":"33.2\/I\/2\/3\/33.2-245","metadata":false},{"id":81160,"structure_id":13137,"section_number":"33.2-246","catch_line":"Recreational waysides; regulations; penalties","url":"\/33.2-246\/","token":"33.2\/I\/2\/3\/33.2-246","metadata":false},{"id":75411,"structure_id":13137,"section_number":"33.2-247","catch_line":"Wetlands mitigation banking","url":"\/33.2-247\/","token":"33.2\/I\/2\/3\/33.2-247","metadata":false},{"id":81124,"structure_id":13137,"section_number":"33.2-248","catch_line":"Expenditure of funds for interstate bridges and approaches","url":"\/33.2-248\/","token":"33.2\/I\/2\/3\/33.2-248","metadata":false},{"id":61311,"structure_id":13137,"section_number":"33.2-249","catch_line":"Maintenance and operation of bridges or tunnels on the city and state line","url":"\/33.2-249\/","token":"33.2\/I\/2\/3\/33.2-249","metadata":false},{"id":63896,"structure_id":13137,"section_number":"33.2-250","catch_line":"Improving certain private roads and certain town streets and roads","url":"\/33.2-250\/","token":"33.2\/I\/2\/3\/33.2-250","metadata":false},{"id":74888,"structure_id":13137,"section_number":"33.2-251","catch_line":"Installation and maintenance of \"children at play\" signs in counties and towns","url":"\/33.2-251\/","token":"33.2\/I\/2\/3\/33.2-251","metadata":false},{"id":61825,"structure_id":13137,"section_number":"33.2-252","catch_line":"Tramways and railways along or across public highways; appeals","url":"\/33.2-252\/","token":"33.2\/I\/2\/3\/33.2-252","metadata":false},{"id":73157,"structure_id":13137,"section_number":"33.2-253","catch_line":"Highway safety corridor program","url":"\/33.2-253\/","token":"33.2\/I\/2\/3\/33.2-253","metadata":false},{"id":54165,"structure_id":13137,"section_number":"33.2-254","catch_line":"Erection and maintenance of newspaper route boxes","url":"\/33.2-254\/","token":"33.2\/I\/2\/3\/33.2-254","metadata":false},{"id":60527,"structure_id":13137,"section_number":"33.2-255","catch_line":"Sale or lease of properties acquired for highway construction","url":"\/33.2-255\/","token":"33.2\/I\/2\/3\/33.2-255","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":78327,"structure_id":13137,"section_number":"33.2-244","catch_line":"Removal of snow and ice from public highways by private entities","url":"\/33.2-244\/","token":"33.2\/I\/2\/3\/33.2-244","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":81160,"structure_id":13137,"section_number":"33.2-246","catch_line":"Recreational waysides; regulations; penalties","url":"\/33.2-246\/","token":"33.2\/I\/2\/3\/33.2-246","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/33.2-245\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2007. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters 863<\/a> and 928<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 2 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 2014, chapter 805<\/a>; in 2019, chapter 157<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":205083,"object_type":"law","relational_id":72332,"identifier":"33.2-245","token":"33.2\/I\/2\/3\/33.2-245","url":"\/33.2-245\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/33.2-245\/","token":"33.2\/I\/2\/3\/33.2-245","dublin_core":{"Title":"Comprehensive highway access management standards","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 33.2-245","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> For purposes of this section, “comprehensive highway access management standards<\/span>” means a coordinated set of state standards and guidelines that allow the Commonwealth and its localities to manage access to the systems of state highways<\/span> according to their federal functional classification or operational characteristics through the control of and improvements to the location, number, spacing, and design of entrances, median openings, turn lanes, street intersections, traffic signals, and interchanges. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The General Assembly declares it to be in the public interest that comprehensive highway access management standards<\/span> be developed and implemented to enhance the operation and safety of the systems of state highways<\/span> in order<\/span> to protect the public health, safety, and general welfare while ensuring that private property is entitled to reasonable access to the systems of state highways<\/span>. The goals of the comprehensive highway access management standards<\/span> are: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> To reduce traffic congestion and impacts to the level of service of highways<\/span>, leading to reduced fuel consumption and air pollution; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> To enhance public safety by decreasing traffic crash rates; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> To support economic development in the Commonwealth by promoting the efficient movement of people and goods; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> To reduce the need for new highways<\/span> and road widening by improving the performance of the existing systems of state highways<\/span>; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> To preserve public investment in new highways<\/span> by maximizing their performance. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The Commissioner of Highways<\/span> shall develop and implement comprehensive highway access management standards<\/span> for managing access to and preserving and improving the efficient operation of the systems of state highways. The comprehensive highway access management standards<\/span> shall include standards and guidelines for the location, number, spacing, and design of entrances, median openings, turn lanes, street intersections, traffic signals, and interchanges.\n\t\t\tNothing in such standards shall preempt the authority of a local government to regulate the type or density of land uses abutting the systems of state highways.\n\t\t\tThe Commissioner of Highways<\/span> shall require that any official who approves any highway access project shall certify that he has applied due diligence in approving such project and that such approval is, in his professional opinion<\/span>, consistent with the minimum standards developed pursuant to this section. An appeal<\/span> of the denial, revocation<\/span>, or conditions of a permit shall be in accordance with the provisions of 24VAC30-73-50. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCOMPREHENSIVE HIGHWAY ACCESS MANAGEMENT STANDARDS (\u00a7 33.2-245)\n\nA. For purposes of this section, “comprehensive highway access management\nstandards” means a coordinated set of state standards and guidelines that\nallow the Commonwealth and its localities to manage access to the systems of\nstate highways according to their federal functional classification or\noperational characteristics through the control of and improvements to the\nlocation, number, spacing, and design of entrances, median openings, turn lanes,\nstreet intersections, traffic signals, and interchanges.\n\nB. The General Assembly declares it to be in the public interest that\ncomprehensive highway access management standards be developed and implemented\nto enhance the operation and safety of the systems of state highways in order to\nprotect the public health, safety, and general welfare while ensuring that\nprivate property is entitled to reasonable access to the systems of state\nhighways. The goals of the comprehensive highway access management standards\nare:\n\n 1. To reduce traffic congestion and impacts to the level of service of\n highways, leading to reduced fuel consumption and air pollution;\n\n 2. To enhance public safety by decreasing traffic crash rates;\n\n 3. To support economic development in the Commonwealth by promoting the\n efficient movement of people and goods;\n\n 4. To reduce the need for new highways and road widening by improving the\n performance of the existing systems of state highways; and\n\n 5. To preserve public investment in new highways by maximizing their\n performance.\n\nC. The Commissioner of Highways shall develop and implement comprehensive\nhighway access management standards for managing access to and preserving and\nimproving the efficient operation of the systems of state highways. The\ncomprehensive highway access management standards shall include standards and\nguidelines for the location, number, spacing, and design of entrances, median\nopenings, turn lanes, street intersections, traffic signals, and interchanges.\n\t\t\tNothing in such standards shall preempt the authority of a local government\nto regulate the type or density of land uses abutting the systems of state\nhighways.\n\t\t\tThe Commissioner of Highways shall require that any official who approves any\nhighway access project shall certify that he has applied due diligence in\napproving such project and that such approval is, in his professional opinion,\nconsistent with the minimum standards developed pursuant to this section. An\nappeal of the denial, revocation, or conditions of a permit shall be in\naccordance with the provisions of 24VAC30-73-50.\n\nHISTORY: 2007, cc. 863, 928, \u00a7 33.1-198.1; 2014, c. 805; 2019, c. 157.","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}}