{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/56-458.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/56-458.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/56-458.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/56-458.html"}],"law_id":84023,"edition_id":1,"section_id":84023,"structure_id":15083,"section_number":"56-458","catch_line":"Right to erect lines parallel to railroads; occupation of roads, streets, etc.; location of same","history":"Code 1919, \u00a7 4035; 1926, p. 907; 1997, cc. 474, 515; 1998, cc. 742, 758; 2002, cc. 479, 489; 2006, c. 780.","full_text":"A\n\nEvery telegraph company and every telephone company incorporated by this or any other state, or by the United States, may construct, maintain and operate its line along and parallel to any of the railroads of the Commonwealth, and shall have authority to occupy and use the public parks, roads, works, turnpikes, streets, avenues and alleys in any of the counties, with the consent of the board of supervisors or other governing authority thereof, or in any incorporated city or town, with the consent of the council thereof, and the waterways within this Commonwealth, for the erection of poles and wires, or cables, or the laying of underground conduits, portions of which they may lease, rent, or hire to other like companies; provided, however, that if the road or street be in the State Highway System or the secondary system of state highways, the consent of the board of supervisors or other governing authority of any county shall not be necessary, but a permit for such occupation and use shall first be obtained from the Commonwealth Transportation Board.B\n\nNo locality or the Commonwealth Transportation Board shall impose any fees on a certificated provider of telecommunications service for the use of public rights-of-way except in the manner prescribed in § 56-468.1; provided, however, the provisions of § 56-468.1 shall not apply to providers of commercial mobile radio services.C\n\nNo locality or the Commonwealth Transportation Board shall impose on certificated providers of telecommunications service, whether by franchise, ordinance or other means, any restrictions or requirements concerning the use of the public rights-of-way (including but not limited to the permitting process; notice, time and location of excavations and repair work; enforcement of the statewide building code; and inspections), which are (i) unfair or unreasonable or (ii) any greater than those imposed on the following users of the public rights-of-way: all providers of telecommunications services and nonpublic providers of cable television, electric, natural gas, water and sanitary sewer services. For purposes of this subsection, “restrictions or requirements concerning the use of the public rights-of-way” shall not include any existing franchise fee or the Public Rights-of-Way Use Fee.D\n\nNotwithstanding any other provision of law, any permit or other permission required by a locality pursuant to a franchise, ordinance, or other permission to use the public rights-of-way or by the Commonwealth Transportation Board of a certificated provider of telecommunications services to use the public rights-of-way shall be granted or denied within forty-five days from submission and, if denied, accompanied by a written explanation of the reasons the permit was denied and the actions required to cure the denial.E\n\nNo locality receiving directly or indirectly a Public Rights-of-Way Use Fee or the Commonwealth Transportation Board shall require a certificated provider of telecommunications services to provide in-kind services or physical assets as a condition of consent to use public rights-of-way or easements, or in lieu of the Public Rights-of-Way Use Fee. This shall not limit the ability of localities, their authorities or commissions which provide utility services, or the Commonwealth Transportation Board to enter into voluntary pole attachment, conduit occupancy or conduit construction agreements with certificated providers of telecommunications service. Any locality, other than a city or town electing to continue to enforce an existing franchise, ordinance or other form of consent under subsection J of § 56-468.1, or the Commonwealth Transportation Board may continue to use pole attachments and conduits utilized as of December 31, 1997. Any pole attachment or conduit occupancy fees charged by certificated providers of telecommunications services for this use shall be waived for facilities in place as of December 31, 1997, and shall be waived for future extensions in cities with populations between 60,000 and 70,000, so long as the locality or the Commonwealth Transportation Board continues to use these facilities on such poles or in such conduits solely for their internal communications needs. The fee waiver is for the occupancy fees only, does not cover any relocation, rearrangement or other make-ready costs, and does not apply to any county, city or town that has obtained a certificate pursuant to § 56-265.4:4.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":301132,"text":"Every telegraph company and every telephone company incorporated by this or any other state, or by the United States, may construct, maintain and operate its line along and parallel to any of the railroads of the Commonwealth, and shall have authority to occupy and use the public parks, roads, works, turnpikes, streets, avenues and alleys in any of the counties, with the consent of the board of supervisors or other governing authority thereof, or in any incorporated city or town, with the consent of the council thereof, and the waterways within this Commonwealth, for the erection of poles and wires, or cables, or the laying of underground conduits, portions of which they may lease, rent, or hire to other like companies; provided, however, that if the road or street be in the State Highway System or the secondary system of state highways, the consent of the board of supervisors or other governing authority of any county shall not be necessary, but a permit for such occupation and use shall first be obtained from the Commonwealth Transportation Board.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":301133,"text":"No locality or the Commonwealth Transportation Board shall impose any fees on a certificated provider of telecommunications service for the use of public rights-of-way except in the manner prescribed in § 56-468.1; provided, however, the provisions of § 56-468.1 shall not apply to providers of commercial mobile radio services.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":301134,"text":"No locality or the Commonwealth Transportation Board shall impose on certificated providers of telecommunications service, whether by franchise, ordinance or other means, any restrictions or requirements concerning the use of the public rights-of-way (including but not limited to the permitting process; notice, time and location of excavations and repair work; enforcement of the statewide building code; and inspections), which are (i) unfair or unreasonable or (ii) any greater than those imposed on the following users of the public rights-of-way: all providers of telecommunications services and nonpublic providers of cable television, electric, natural gas, water and sanitary sewer services. For purposes of this subsection, “restrictions or requirements concerning the use of the public rights-of-way” shall not include any existing franchise fee or the Public Rights-of-Way Use Fee.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":301135,"text":"Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any permit or other permission required by a locality pursuant to a franchise, ordinance, or other permission to use the public rights-of-way or by the Commonwealth Transportation Board of a certificated provider of telecommunications services to use the public rights-of-way shall be granted or denied within forty-five days from submission and, if denied, accompanied by a written explanation of the reasons the permit was denied and the actions required to cure the denial.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":301136,"text":"No locality receiving directly or indirectly a Public Rights-of-Way Use Fee or the Commonwealth Transportation Board shall require a certificated provider of telecommunications services to provide in-kind services or physical assets as a condition of consent to use public rights-of-way or easements, or in lieu of the Public Rights-of-Way Use Fee. This shall not limit the ability of localities, their authorities or commissions which provide utility services, or the Commonwealth Transportation Board to enter into voluntary pole attachment, conduit occupancy or conduit construction agreements with certificated providers of telecommunications service. Any locality, other than a city or town electing to continue to enforce an existing franchise, ordinance or other form of consent under subsection J of § 56-468.1, or the Commonwealth Transportation Board may continue to use pole attachments and conduits utilized as of December 31, 1997. Any pole attachment or conduit occupancy fees charged by certificated providers of telecommunications services for this use shall be waived for facilities in place as of December 31, 1997, and shall be waived for future extensions in cities with populations between 60,000 and 70,000, so long as the locality or the Commonwealth Transportation Board continues to use these facilities on such poles or in such conduits solely for their internal communications needs. The fee waiver is for the occupancy fees only, does not cover any relocation, rearrangement or other make-ready costs, and does not apply to any county, city or town that has obtained a certificate pursuant to § 56-265.4:4.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15083,"edition_id":1,"name":"Erection of Lines; Rights-Of-Way; Eminent Domain, Etc","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13123,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:52:04","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:52:04","permalink":{"id":249829,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15083,"identifier":"1","token":"56\/15\/1","url":"\/56\/15\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13123,"edition_id":1,"name":"Telegraph and Telephone Companies","identifier":"15","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12881,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:19","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:19","permalink":{"id":249827,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13123,"identifier":"15","token":"56\/15","url":"\/56\/15\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12881,"edition_id":1,"name":"Public Service Companies","identifier":"56","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","permalink":{"id":248473,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12881,"identifier":"56","token":"56","url":"\/56\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":84023,"structure_id":15083,"section_number":"56-458","catch_line":"Right to erect lines parallel to railroads; occupation of roads, streets, etc.; location of same","url":"\/56-458\/","token":"56\/15\/1\/56-458","metadata":false},{"id":84616,"structure_id":15083,"section_number":"56-458.1","catch_line":"Relocation of lines or works of certain public utilities acquired by Commonwealth Transportation Board","url":"\/56-458.1\/","token":"56\/15\/1\/56-458.1","metadata":false},{"id":76256,"structure_id":15083,"section_number":"56-459","catch_line":"Removal of old line not required by this chapter","url":"\/56-459\/","token":"56\/15\/1\/56-459","metadata":false},{"id":57498,"structure_id":15083,"section_number":"56-460","catch_line":"How consent of appropriate authorities obtained; terms of use","url":"\/56-460\/","token":"56\/15\/1\/56-460","metadata":false},{"id":80107,"structure_id":15083,"section_number":"56-461","catch_line":"Cost to Commonwealth in connection with construction of line to be paid by company","url":"\/56-461\/","token":"56\/15\/1\/56-461","metadata":false},{"id":59741,"structure_id":15083,"section_number":"56-462","catch_line":"Franchise to occupy parks, streets, etc.; imposition of terms, conditions, etc., as to use of streets, etc., and construction thereon","url":"\/56-462\/","token":"56\/15\/1\/56-462","metadata":false},{"id":65189,"structure_id":15083,"section_number":"56-463","catch_line":"Company may contract for right-of-way, etc","url":"\/56-463\/","token":"56\/15\/1\/56-463","metadata":false},{"id":74298,"structure_id":15083,"section_number":"56-464","catch_line":"Right of eminent domain","url":"\/56-464\/","token":"56\/15\/1\/56-464","metadata":false},{"id":58616,"structure_id":15083,"section_number":"56-465","catch_line":"Preceding sections subject to repeal or change at pleasure","url":"\/56-465\/","token":"56\/15\/1\/56-465","metadata":false},{"id":87026,"structure_id":15083,"section_number":"56-466","catch_line":"Location of posts, poles, cables and conduits; height of wires, etc","url":"\/56-466\/","token":"56\/15\/1\/56-466","metadata":false},{"id":67753,"structure_id":15083,"section_number":"56-466.1","catch_line":"Pole attachments; cable television systems and telecommunications service providers","url":"\/56-466.1\/","token":"56\/15\/1\/56-466.1","metadata":false},{"id":84760,"structure_id":15083,"section_number":"56-466.2","catch_line":"Undergrounding existing overhead distribution lines; relocation of facilities of cable operator","url":"\/56-466.2\/","token":"56\/15\/1\/56-466.2","metadata":false},{"id":73627,"structure_id":15083,"section_number":"56-467","catch_line":"Restoring condition of ground","url":"\/56-467\/","token":"56\/15\/1\/56-467","metadata":false},{"id":81178,"structure_id":15083,"section_number":"56-468","catch_line":"Endangering life or limb by stringing wires across other works","url":"\/56-468\/","token":"56\/15\/1\/56-468","metadata":false},{"id":75664,"structure_id":15083,"section_number":"56-468.1","catch_line":"(Contingent expiration -- see Editor's note) Public Rights-of-Way Use Fee","url":"\/56-468.1\/","token":"56\/15\/1\/56-468.1","metadata":false},{"id":72971,"structure_id":15083,"section_number":"56-468.2","catch_line":"Reimbursement for relocation costs","url":"\/56-468.2\/","token":"56\/15\/1\/56-468.2","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":84616,"structure_id":15083,"section_number":"56-458.1","catch_line":"Relocation of lines or works of certain public utilities acquired by Commonwealth Transportation Board","url":"\/56-458.1\/","token":"56\/15\/1\/56-458.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/56-458\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 4 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 1997, chapters 474<\/a> and 515<\/a>; in 1998, chapters 742<\/a> and 758<\/a>; in 2002, chapters 479<\/a> and 489<\/a>; in 2006, chapter 780<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":83742,"section_number":"15.2-2108.23","catch_line":"Regulation of rights-of-way; fees","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-2108.23\/"},{"id":64888,"section_number":"56-256","catch_line":"Powers of corporations generally; rights, powers, privileges and immunities, etc","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-256\/"},{"id":57498,"section_number":"56-460","catch_line":"How consent of appropriate authorities obtained; terms of use","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-460\/"},{"id":75664,"section_number":"56-468.1","catch_line":"(Contingent expiration -- see Editor's note) Public Rights-of-Way Use Fee","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-468.1\/"},{"id":72971,"section_number":"56-468.2","catch_line":"Reimbursement for relocation costs","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-468.2\/"},{"id":76084,"section_number":"56-533","catch_line":"Regulation by State Corporation Commission","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-533\/"},{"id":73796,"section_number":"56-618","catch_line":" Reimbursement for relocation costs","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-618\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":55350,"section_number":"56-265.4:4","catch_line":"Certificate to operate as a telephone utility","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-265.4_4\/"},{"id":75664,"section_number":"56-468.1","catch_line":"(Contingent expiration -- see Editor's note) Public Rights-of-Way Use Fee","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-468.1\/"}],"permalink":{"id":249831,"object_type":"law","relational_id":84023,"identifier":"56-458","token":"56\/15\/1\/56-458","url":"\/56-458\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/56-458\/","token":"56\/15\/1\/56-458","dublin_core":{"Title":"Right to erect lines parallel to railroads; occupation of roads, streets, etc.; location of same","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 56-458","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Every telegraph company<\/span> and every telephone company<\/span> incorporated by this or any other state, or by the United States, may construct, maintain and operate its line along and parallel to any of the railroads<\/span> of the Commonwealth, and shall have authority to occupy and use the public parks, roads, works, turnpikes, streets, avenues and alleys in any of the counties, with the consent of the board of supervisors or other governing authority thereof, or in any incorporated city or town, with the consent of the council thereof, and the waterways within this Commonwealth, for the erection of poles and wires, or cables, or the laying of underground conduits, portions of which they may lease, rent, or hire to other like companies; provided, however, that if the road or street be in the State Highway System or the secondary system of state highways, the consent of the board of supervisors or other governing authority of any county shall not be necessary, but a permit for such occupation and use shall first be obtained from the Commonwealth Transportation Board. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> No locality or the Commonwealth Transportation Board shall impose any fees on a certificated provider of telecommunications service for the use of public rights-of-way except in the manner prescribed in § 56-468.1<\/a>; provided, however, the provisions of § 56-468.1<\/a> shall not apply to providers of commercial mobile radio services. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> No locality or the Commonwealth Transportation Board shall impose on certificated providers of telecommunications service, whether by franchise, ordinance<\/span> or other means, any restrictions or requirements concerning the use of the public rights-of-way (including but not limited to the permitting process; notice, time and location of excavations and repair work; enforcement of the statewide building code; and inspections), which are (i) unfair or unreasonable or (ii) any greater than those imposed on the following users of the public rights-of-way: all providers of telecommunications services and nonpublic providers of cable television, electric, natural gas, water and sanitary sewer services. For purposes of this subsection, “restrictions or requirements concerning the use of the public rights-of-way” shall not include any existing franchise fee or the Public Rights-of-Way Use Fee. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Notwithstanding any other provision of law<\/span>, any permit or other permission required by a locality pursuant to a franchise, ordinance<\/span>, or other permission to use the public rights-of-way or by the Commonwealth Transportation Board of a certificated provider of telecommunications services to use the public rights-of-way shall be granted or denied within forty-five days from submission and, if denied, accompanied by a written explanation of the reasons the permit was denied and the actions required to cure the denial. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> No locality receiving directly or indirectly a Public Rights-of-Way Use Fee or the Commonwealth Transportation Board shall require a certificated provider of telecommunications services to provide in-kind services or physical assets<\/span> as a condition of consent to use public rights-of-way or easements, or in lieu of the Public Rights-of-Way Use Fee. This shall not limit the ability of localities, their authorities or commissions<\/span> which provide utility services, or the Commonwealth Transportation Board to enter into voluntary pole attachment<\/span>, conduit occupancy or conduit construction agreements with certificated providers of telecommunications service. Any locality, other than a city or town electing to continue to enforce an existing franchise, ordinance<\/span> or other form of consent under subsection J of § 56-468.1<\/a>, or the Commonwealth Transportation Board may continue to use pole attachments<\/span> and conduits utilized as of December 31, 1997. Any pole attachment<\/span> or conduit occupancy fees charged by certificated providers of telecommunications services for this use shall be waived for facilities in place as of December 31, 1997, and shall be waived for future extensions in cities with populations between 60,000 and 70,000, so long as the locality or the Commonwealth Transportation Board continues to use these facilities on such poles or in such conduits solely for their internal communications needs. The fee waiver<\/span> is for the occupancy fees only, does not cover any relocation, rearrangement or other make-ready costs, and does not apply to any county, city or town that has obtained a certificate pursuant to § 56-265.4:4<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nRIGHT TO ERECT LINES PARALLEL TO RAILROADS; OCCUPATION OF ROADS, STREETS, ETC.;\nLOCATION OF SAME (\u00a7 56-458)\n\nA. Every telegraph company and every telephone company incorporated by this or\nany other state, or by the United States, may construct, maintain and operate\nits line along and parallel to any of the railroads of the Commonwealth, and\nshall have authority to occupy and use the public parks, roads, works,\nturnpikes, streets, avenues and alleys in any of the counties, with the consent\nof the board of supervisors or other governing authority thereof, or in any\nincorporated city or town, with the consent of the council thereof, and the\nwaterways within this Commonwealth, for the erection of poles and wires, or\ncables, or the laying of underground conduits, portions of which they may lease,\nrent, or hire to other like companies; provided, however, that if the road or\nstreet be in the State Highway System or the secondary system of state highways,\nthe consent of the board of supervisors or other governing authority of any\ncounty shall not be necessary, but a permit for such occupation and use shall\nfirst be obtained from the Commonwealth Transportation Board.\n\nB. No locality or the Commonwealth Transportation Board shall impose any fees on\na certificated provider of telecommunications service for the use of public\nrights-of-way except in the manner prescribed in § 56-468.1; provided,\nhowever, the provisions of § 56-468.1 shall not apply to providers of\ncommercial mobile radio services.\n\nC. No locality or the Commonwealth Transportation Board shall impose on\ncertificated providers of telecommunications service, whether by franchise,\nordinance or other means, any restrictions or requirements concerning the use of\nthe public rights-of-way (including but not limited to the permitting process;\nnotice, time and location of excavations and repair work; enforcement of the\nstatewide building code; and inspections), which are (i) unfair or unreasonable\nor (ii) any greater than those imposed on the following users of the public\nrights-of-way: all providers of telecommunications services and nonpublic\nproviders of cable television, electric, natural gas, water and sanitary sewer\nservices. For purposes of this subsection, “restrictions or requirements\nconcerning the use of the public rights-of-way” shall not include any\nexisting franchise fee or the Public Rights-of-Way Use Fee.\n\nD. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any permit or other permission\nrequired by a locality pursuant to a franchise, ordinance, or other permission\nto use the public rights-of-way or by the Commonwealth Transportation Board of a\ncertificated provider of telecommunications services to use the public\nrights-of-way shall be granted or denied within forty-five days from submission\nand, if denied, accompanied by a written explanation of the reasons the permit\nwas denied and the actions required to cure the denial.\n\nE. No locality receiving directly or indirectly a Public Rights-of-Way Use Fee\nor the Commonwealth Transportation Board shall require a certificated provider\nof telecommunications services to provide in-kind services or physical assets as\na condition of consent to use public rights-of-way or easements, or in lieu of\nthe Public Rights-of-Way Use Fee. This shall not limit the ability of\nlocalities, their authorities or commissions which provide utility services, or\nthe Commonwealth Transportation Board to enter into voluntary pole attachment,\nconduit occupancy or conduit construction agreements with certificated providers\nof telecommunications service. Any locality, other than a city or town electing\nto continue to enforce an existing franchise, ordinance or other form of consent\nunder subsection J of § 56-468.1, or the Commonwealth Transportation Board\nmay continue to use pole attachments and conduits utilized as of December 31,\n1997. Any pole attachment or conduit occupancy fees charged by certificated\nproviders of telecommunications services for this use shall be waived for\nfacilities in place as of December 31, 1997, and shall be waived for future\nextensions in cities with populations between 60,000 and 70,000, so long as the\nlocality or the Commonwealth Transportation Board continues to use these\nfacilities on such poles or in such conduits solely for their internal\ncommunications needs. The fee waiver is for the occupancy fees only, does not\ncover any relocation, rearrangement or other make-ready costs, and does not\napply to any county, city or town that has obtained a certificate pursuant to\n§ 56-265.4:4.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1919, \u00a7 4035; 1926, p. 907; 1997, cc. 474, 515; 1998, cc. 742,\n758; 2002, cc. 479, 489; 2006, c. 780.","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}}