{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/4.1-1402.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/4.1-1402.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/4.1-1402.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/4.1-1402.html"}],"law_id":78250,"edition_id":1,"section_id":78250,"structure_id":16404,"section_number":"4.1-1402","catch_line":"Outdoor advertising restrictions; limitations; variances","history":"2023, cc. 711, 712.","full_text":"A\n\nNo outdoor advertising regarding marijuana, marijuana products, or any substance containing a synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol or synthetic derivative of tetrahydrocannabinol shall be placed within 500 linear feet on the same side of the road, and parallel to such road, measured from the nearest edge of the sign face upon which the advertisement is placed to the nearest edge of a building or structure located on the real property of (i) a church, synagogue, mosque, or other place of religious worship; (ii) a public, private, or parochial school or an institution of higher education; (iii) a public or private playground or similar recreational facility; (iv) a substance use disorder treatment center; or (v) a dwelling used for residential use.B\n\nHowever, (i) if there is no building or structure on a playground or similar recreational facility, the measurement shall be from the nearest edge of the sign face upon which the advertisement is placed to the property line of such playground or similar recreational facility and (ii) if a public or private school providing grades K through 12 education is located across the road from a sign, the measurement shall be from the nearest edge of the sign face upon which the advertisement is placed to the nearest edge of a building or structure located on such real property across the road.C\n\nIf, at the time the advertisement was displayed, the advertisement was more than 500 feet from (i) a church, synagogue, mosque, or other place of religious worship; (ii) a public, private, or parochial school or an institution of higher education; (iii) a public or private playground or similar recreational facility; (iv) a substance use disorder treatment center; or (v) a dwelling used for residential use, but the circumstances change such that the advertiser would otherwise be in violation of subsection A, the Board shall permit the advertisement to remain as displayed for the remainder of the term of any written advertising contract, but in no event more than one year from the date of the change in circumstances.D\n\nThe Board may grant a permit authorizing a variance from the distance requirements of this section upon a finding that the placement of the advertisement on a sign will not unduly expose children to advertising regarding marijuana, marijuana products, or any substance containing a synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol or synthetic derivative of tetrahydrocannabinol.E\n\nThe distance and zoning restrictions contained in this section shall not apply to any sign that is included in the Integrated Directional Sign Program administered by the Virginia Department of Transportation or its agents.F\n\nNothing in this section shall be construed to authorize billboard signs containing outdoor advertising regarding marijuana, marijuana products, or any substance containing a synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol or synthetic derivative of tetrahydrocannabinol on property zoned agricultural or residential, or on any unzoned property. Nor shall this section be construed to authorize the erection of new billboard signs containing outdoor advertising that would be prohibited under state law or local ordinance.G\n\nAll lawfully erected outdoor signs regarding marijuana, marijuana products, or any substance containing a synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol or synthetic derivative of tetrahydrocannabinol shall comply with the provisions of this subtitle, Board regulations, and Chapter 12 (§ 33.2-1200 et seq.) of Title 33.2 and regulations adopted pursuant thereto by the Commonwealth Transportation Board. Further, any outdoor directional sign regarding marijuana, marijuana products, or any substance containing a synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol or synthetic derivative of tetrahydrocannabinol that is located or to be located on highway rights of way shall also be governed by and comply with the Integrated Directional Sign Program administered by the Virginia Department of Transportation or its agents.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":280495,"text":"No outdoor advertising regarding marijuana, marijuana products, or any substance containing a synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol or synthetic derivative of tetrahydrocannabinol shall be placed within 500 linear feet on the same side of the road, and parallel to such road, measured from the nearest edge of the sign face upon which the advertisement is placed to the nearest edge of a building or structure located on the real property of (i) a church, synagogue, mosque, or other place of religious worship; (ii) a public, private, or parochial school or an institution of higher education; (iii) a public or private playground or similar recreational facility; (iv) a substance use disorder treatment center; or (v) a dwelling used for residential use.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":280496,"text":"However, (i) if there is no building or structure on a playground or similar recreational facility, the measurement shall be from the nearest edge of the sign face upon which the advertisement is placed to the property line of such playground or similar recreational facility and (ii) if a public or private school providing grades K through 12 education is located across the road from a sign, the measurement shall be from the nearest edge of the sign face upon which the advertisement is placed to the nearest edge of a building or structure located on such real property across the road.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":280497,"text":"If, at the time the advertisement was displayed, the advertisement was more than 500 feet from (i) a church, synagogue, mosque, or other place of religious worship; (ii) a public, private, or parochial school or an institution of higher education; (iii) a public or private playground or similar recreational facility; (iv) a substance use disorder treatment center; or (v) a dwelling used for residential use, but the circumstances change such that the advertiser would otherwise be in violation of subsection A, the Board shall permit the advertisement to remain as displayed for the remainder of the term of any written advertising contract, but in no event more than one year from the date of the change in circumstances.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":280498,"text":"The Board may grant a permit authorizing a variance from the distance requirements of this section upon a finding that the placement of the advertisement on a sign will not unduly expose children to advertising regarding marijuana, marijuana products, or any substance containing a synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol or synthetic derivative of tetrahydrocannabinol.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":280499,"text":"The distance and zoning restrictions contained in this section shall not apply to any sign that is included in the Integrated Directional Sign Program administered by the Virginia Department of Transportation or its agents.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"5":{"id":280500,"text":"Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize billboard signs containing outdoor advertising regarding marijuana, marijuana products, or any substance containing a synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol or synthetic derivative of tetrahydrocannabinol on property zoned agricultural or residential, or on any unzoned property. Nor shall this section be construed to authorize the erection of new billboard signs containing outdoor advertising that would be prohibited under state law or local ordinance.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E","next_prefix":"G"},"6":{"id":280501,"text":"All lawfully erected outdoor signs regarding marijuana, marijuana products, or any substance containing a synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol or synthetic derivative of tetrahydrocannabinol shall comply with the provisions of this subtitle, Board regulations, and Chapter 12 (§ 33.2-1200 et seq.) of Title 33.2 and regulations adopted pursuant thereto by the Commonwealth Transportation Board. Further, any outdoor directional sign regarding marijuana, marijuana products, or any substance containing a synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol or synthetic derivative of tetrahydrocannabinol that is located or to be located on highway rights of way shall also be governed by and comply with the Integrated Directional Sign Program administered by the Virginia Department of Transportation or its agents.","type":"section","prefixes":["G"],"prefix":"G","entire_prefix":"G","prefix_anchor":"G","level":1,"prior_prefix":"F"}},"ancestry":[{"id":16404,"edition_id":1,"name":"Cannabis Control; Testing; Advertising","identifier":"14","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13297,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 04:16:54","date_modified":"2026-06-26 04:16:54","permalink":{"id":219509,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":16404,"identifier":"14","token":"4.1\/II\/14","url":"\/4.1\/II\/14\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13297,"edition_id":1,"name":"Cannabis Control Act","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13129,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:35","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:35","permalink":{"id":219415,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13297,"identifier":"II","token":"4.1\/II","url":"\/4.1\/II\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13129,"edition_id":1,"name":"Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Control","identifier":"4.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:19","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:19","permalink":{"id":218569,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13129,"identifier":"4.1","token":"4.1","url":"\/4.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":68058,"structure_id":16404,"section_number":"4.1-1400","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/4.1-1400\/","token":"4.1\/II\/14\/4.1-1400","metadata":false},{"id":87462,"structure_id":16404,"section_number":"4.1-1401","catch_line":"General advertising restrictions","url":"\/4.1-1401\/","token":"4.1\/II\/14\/4.1-1401","metadata":false},{"id":78250,"structure_id":16404,"section_number":"4.1-1402","catch_line":"Outdoor advertising restrictions; limitations; variances","url":"\/4.1-1402\/","token":"4.1\/II\/14\/4.1-1402","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":87462,"structure_id":16404,"section_number":"4.1-1401","catch_line":"General advertising restrictions","url":"\/4.1-1401\/","token":"4.1\/II\/14\/4.1-1401","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/4.1-1402\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2023. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters 711<\/a> and 712<\/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.<\/p>","references":[{"id":77880,"section_number":"4.1-1116","catch_line":"Illegal advertising; penalties; exception","order_by":null,"url":"\/4.1-1116\/"},{"id":85438,"section_number":"4.1-604","catch_line":"Powers and duties of the Board","order_by":null,"url":"\/4.1-604\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":68297,"section_number":"33.2-1200","catch_line":"Policy; definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/33.2-1200\/"}],"permalink":{"id":219519,"object_type":"law","relational_id":78250,"identifier":"4.1-1402","token":"4.1\/II\/14\/4.1-1402","url":"\/4.1-1402\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/4.1-1402\/","token":"4.1\/II\/14\/4.1-1402","dublin_core":{"Title":"Outdoor advertising restrictions; limitations; variances","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 4.1-1402","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> No outdoor advertising<\/span> regarding marijuana, marijuana products<\/span>, or any substance containing a synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol<\/span> or synthetic derivative<\/span> of tetrahydrocannabinol<\/span> shall be placed within 500 linear feet on the same side of the road, and parallel to such road, measured from the nearest edge of the sign face upon which the advertisement<\/span> is placed to the nearest edge of a building or structure located on the real property of (i) a church, synagogue, mosque, or other place of religious worship; (ii) a public, private, or parochial school or an institution of higher education; (iii) a public or private playground or similar recreational facility; (iv) a substance use disorder treatment center; or (v) a dwelling used for residential use. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> However, (i) if there is no building or structure on a playground or similar recreational facility, the measurement shall be from the nearest edge of the sign face upon which the advertisement<\/span> is placed to the property line of such playground or similar recreational facility and (ii) if a public or private school providing grades K through 12 education is located across the road from a sign, the measurement shall be from the nearest edge of the sign face upon which the advertisement<\/span> is placed to the nearest edge of a building or structure located on such real property across the road. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> If, at the time the advertisement<\/span> was displayed, the advertisement<\/span> was more than 500 feet from (i) a church, synagogue, mosque, or other place of religious worship; (ii) a public, private, or parochial school or an institution of higher education; (iii) a public or private playground or similar recreational facility; (iv) a substance use disorder treatment center; or (v) a dwelling used for residential use, but the circumstances change such that the advertiser would otherwise be in violation of subsection A, the Board<\/span> shall permit the advertisement<\/span> to remain as displayed for the remainder of the term of any written advertising<\/span> contract<\/span>, but in no event more than one year from the date of the change in circumstances. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> The Board<\/span> may grant a permit authorizing a variance from the distance requirements of this section upon a finding<\/span> that the placement of the advertisement<\/span> on a sign will not unduly expose children to advertising<\/span> regarding marijuana, marijuana products<\/span>, or any substance containing a synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol<\/span> or synthetic derivative<\/span> of tetrahydrocannabinol<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> The distance and zoning restrictions contained in this section shall not apply to any sign that is included in the Integrated Directional Sign Program administered by the Virginia Department of Transportation or its agents. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize billboard signs containing outdoor advertising<\/span> regarding marijuana, marijuana products<\/span>, or any substance containing a synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol<\/span> or synthetic derivative<\/span> of tetrahydrocannabinol<\/span> on property zoned agricultural or residential, or on any unzoned property. Nor shall this section be construed to authorize the erection of new billboard signs containing outdoor advertising<\/span> that would be prohibited under state law<\/span> or local ordinance<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

G.<\/span> All lawfully erected outdoor signs regarding marijuana, marijuana products<\/span>, or any substance containing a synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol<\/span> or synthetic derivative<\/span> of tetrahydrocannabinol<\/span> shall comply with the provisions of this subtitle, Board<\/span> regulations, and Chapter 12 (§ 33.2-1200<\/a> et seq.) of Title 33.2 and regulations adopted pursuant thereto by the Commonwealth Transportation Board<\/span>. Further, any outdoor directional sign regarding marijuana, marijuana products<\/span>, or any substance containing a synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol<\/span> or synthetic derivative<\/span> of tetrahydrocannabinol<\/span> that is located or to be located on highway rights of way shall also be governed by and comply with the Integrated Directional Sign Program administered by the Virginia Department of Transportation or its agents. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nOUTDOOR ADVERTISING RESTRICTIONS; LIMITATIONS; VARIANCES (\u00a7 4.1-1402)\n\nA. No outdoor advertising regarding marijuana, marijuana products, or any\nsubstance containing a synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol or synthetic derivative of\ntetrahydrocannabinol shall be placed within 500 linear feet on the same side of\nthe road, and parallel to such road, measured from the nearest edge of the sign\nface upon which the advertisement is placed to the nearest edge of a building or\nstructure located on the real property of (i) a church, synagogue, mosque, or\nother place of religious worship; (ii) a public, private, or parochial school or\nan institution of higher education; (iii) a public or private playground or\nsimilar recreational facility; (iv) a substance use disorder treatment center;\nor (v) a dwelling used for residential use.\n\nB. However, (i) if there is no building or structure on a playground or similar\nrecreational facility, the measurement shall be from the nearest edge of the\nsign face upon which the advertisement is placed to the property line of such\nplayground or similar recreational facility and (ii) if a public or private\nschool providing grades K through 12 education is located across the road from a\nsign, the measurement shall be from the nearest edge of the sign face upon which\nthe advertisement is placed to the nearest edge of a building or structure\nlocated on such real property across the road.\n\nC. If, at the time the advertisement was displayed, the advertisement was more\nthan 500 feet from (i) a church, synagogue, mosque, or other place of religious\nworship; (ii) a public, private, or parochial school or an institution of higher\neducation; (iii) a public or private playground or similar recreational\nfacility; (iv) a substance use disorder treatment center; or (v) a dwelling used\nfor residential use, but the circumstances change such that the advertiser would\notherwise be in violation of subsection A, the Board shall permit the\nadvertisement to remain as displayed for the remainder of the term of any\nwritten advertising contract, but in no event more than one year from the date\nof the change in circumstances.\n\nD. The Board may grant a permit authorizing a variance from the distance\nrequirements of this section upon a finding that the placement of the\nadvertisement on a sign will not unduly expose children to advertising regarding\nmarijuana, marijuana products, or any substance containing a synthetic\ntetrahydrocannabinol or synthetic derivative of tetrahydrocannabinol.\n\nE. The distance and zoning restrictions contained in this section shall not\napply to any sign that is included in the Integrated Directional Sign Program\nadministered by the Virginia Department of Transportation or its agents.\n\nF. Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize billboard signs\ncontaining outdoor advertising regarding marijuana, marijuana products, or any\nsubstance containing a synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol or synthetic derivative of\ntetrahydrocannabinol on property zoned agricultural or residential, or on any\nunzoned property. Nor shall this section be construed to authorize the erection\nof new billboard signs containing outdoor advertising that would be prohibited\nunder state law or local ordinance.\n\nG. All lawfully erected outdoor signs regarding marijuana, marijuana products,\nor any substance containing a synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol or synthetic\nderivative of tetrahydrocannabinol shall comply with the provisions of this\nsubtitle, Board regulations, and Chapter 12 (§ 33.2-1200 et seq.) of Title\n33.2 and regulations adopted pursuant thereto by the Commonwealth Transportation\nBoard. Further, any outdoor directional sign regarding marijuana, marijuana\nproducts, or any substance containing a synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol or\nsynthetic derivative of tetrahydrocannabinol that is located or to be located on\nhighway rights of way shall also be governed by and comply with the Integrated\nDirectional Sign Program administered by the Virginia Department of\nTransportation or its agents.\n\nHISTORY: 2023, cc. 711, 712.","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}}