TITLE 4. CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES

DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY

Fast-Track Regulation

Title of Regulation: 4VAC10-30. Virginia State Forests Regulations (amending 4VAC10-30-10, 4VAC10-30-30 through 4VAC10-30-60, 4VAC10-30-140, 4VAC10-30-170, 4VAC10-30-180, 4VAC10-30-200, 4VAC10-30-220 through 4VAC10-30-250, 4VAC10-30-290, 4VAC10-30-300, 4VAC10-30-310, 4VAC10-30-330, 4VAC10-30-340, 4VAC10-30-350; adding 4VAC10-30-420 through 4VAC10-30-450; repealing 4VAC10-30-70 through 4VAC10-30-130, 4VAC10-30-150, 4VAC10-30-160, 4VAC10-30-210, 4VAC10-30-260, 4VAC10-30-270, 4VAC10-30-280).

Statutory Authority: § 10.1-104 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Hearing Information: No public hearing is currently scheduled.

Public Comment Deadline: September 24, 2025.

Effective Date: October 9, 2025.

Agency Contact: Nathan Thomson, Policy and Legislative Analyst, Department of Forestry, 900 Natural Resources Drive, Suite 800, Charlottesville, VA 22903, or email nathan.thomson@dof.virginia.gov.

Basis: Section 10.1-1101 of the Code of Virginia authorizes the Department of Forestry to promulgate regulations necessary to the performance of duties or execution of powers conferred under Chapter 11 (§ 10.1-1100 et seq.) of Title 10.1 of the Code of Virginia.

Purpose: This action benefits the public welfare by unencumbering citizens from unnecessarily complex or duplicative regulations and addressing emerging issues that are currently unregulated on Virginia's state forests.

Rationale for Using Fast-Track Rulemaking Process: This action is expected to be noncontroversial because it primarily eliminates regulations that are duplicative and modernizes language for state forest users, allowing the public a clearer understanding of the state forest regulations.

Substance: The amendments (i) eliminate language that is redundant to Virginia statute; (ii) clarify and consolidate regulatory requirements; and (iii) add sections that address horses, hours of operation, rock climbing, and target shooting.

Issues: The primary advantage of this action to the public will be to make the regulation easier to read and understand. No disadvantages to the public are anticipated. The amendments are anticipated to reduce confusion among forest users and improve rule-following behavior and reduce negative interactions between Department of Forestry employees and the public, including citation writing. The department does not anticipate any disadvantages to the public or the Commonwealth.

Department of Planning and Budget Economic Impact Analysis:

The Department of Planning and Budget (DPB) has analyzed the economic impact of this proposed regulation in accordance with § 2.2-4007.04 of the Code of Virginia and Executive Order 19. The analysis presented represents DPB's best estimate of the potential economic impacts as of the date of this analysis.¹

Summary of the Proposed Amendments to Regulation. The Department of Forestry (department) proposes revising Virginia State Forestry Regulations (4VAC10-30) to update terminology, clarify the language, remove sections that are redundant of statute or other regulations, and add four new sections to address emerging uses of state forests.

Background. Executive Directive 1 (2022) directs executive branch entities under the authority of the Governor to initiate regulatory processes to reduce by at least 25% the number of regulations not mandated by federal or state statute, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, and in a manner consistent with the laws of the Commonwealth.² The department undertook a comprehensive review of this regulation to meet this objective. The proposed changes would clarify or consolidate current requirements, remove requirements that are redundant of statute or other regulations, and add four sections pertaining to uses of state forests that are not currently addressed in the regulation. The proposed additions would reflect current practice and are intended to clarify what activities are allowed, with or without permits, and what activities are prohibited.

The most substantive changes are: 4VAC10-30-10 is amended to add certain definitions for clarity; definitions for "bicycle," "electric personal assistive mobility device," "electric power-assisted bicycle," and "motor vehicle" would refer to their current definitions in statute. Other terms such as "bike trail," "firearm," "group," "hiking trail," "hunting," "multi-use trail," "silvicultural activity," and "unmanned aerial system/unmanned aerial vehicle" would be newly defined. 4VAC10-30-40 is amended to specify the three types of permits currently issued by the department, the grounds for permit revocation, and penalties. Other sections in the regulation that pertain to specific activities would be amended to specify which permit is required, if any. 4VAC10-30-50 is amended to clarify that edible fruits, berries, fungi, or nuts may be collected for individual use only. 4VAC10-30-420 is added to specify that horses are only allowed on designated multi-use trails or roads designated for equestrian use, and that equestrian users shall remove residues (including manure) from designated parking areas. 4VAC10-30-430 is newly added to specify that state forests are open to public use during daylight hours only unless the forest user is permitted or engaged in lawful hunting activities as defined by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources and for other uses as permitted by the State Forests Superintendent. 4VAC10-30-440 is added to specify that these activities are prohibited in state forests except at designated areas and require a Conditional Activity Permit. 4VAC10-30-450 is added to prohibit target shooting in any state forest and to define target shooting as the discharge of a firearm, muzzleloader, or archery equipment for purposes other than hunting, trapping, or self-defense. Lastly, the following sections of the regulation would be struck because they are restatements of existing law or are otherwise no longer necessary: 4VAC10-30-70, 4VAC10-30-80, 4VAC10-30-90, 4VAC10-30-100, 4VAC10-30-110, 4VAC10-30-120, 4VAC10-30-130, 4VAC10-30-150, 4VAC10-30-160, 4VAC10-30-210, 4VAC10-30-260, 4VAC10-30-270, and 4VAC10-30-280).

Estimated Benefits and Costs. The proposed amendments seek to update and clarify the regulation to reflect current practice and remove redundant language. Members of the public would benefit from the proposed changes to the extent that they use the regulation to determine what activities are prohibited or need permits. The department website also provides the same information with a link to the regulation in the Virginia Administrative Code.³

Businesses and Other Entities Affected. The proposed amendments do not appear to directly affect any businesses or other entities. Businesses that operate educational or recreational group activities, or organize events, in state forests may benefit from referring to updated regulations. The Code of Virginia requires DPB to assess whether an adverse impact may result from the proposed regulation.⁴ An adverse impact is indicated if there is any increase in net cost or reduction in net benefit for any entity, even if the benefits exceed the costs for all entities combined.⁵ Since the proposed changes do not create any new costs or reduce benefits, an adverse impact is not indicated.

Small Businesses⁶ Affected.⁷ The regulation particularly affects localities that contain state forests by protecting the air and water and other environmental determinants of public health, and by indirectly supporting private economic activity that relies on the continued maintenance and protection of state forests. For example, the presence of state forest land likely drives tourism to the locality and enables businesses connected to hunting, fishing, and other permitted recreational activities. The proposed amendments do not affect costs for local governments.

Localities⁸ Affected.⁹ The proposed amendment neither disproportionally affect any particular localities nor introduce costs for local governments.

Projected Impact on Employment. The proposed amendments do not affect total employment.

Effects on the Use and Value of Private Property. The proposed amendments would not affect the use or value of private property. Real estate development costs would not be affected.

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¹ Section 2.2-4007.04 of the Code of Virginia requires that such economic impact analyses determine the public benefits and costs of the proposed amendments. Further the analysis should include but not be limited to: (1) the projected number of businesses or other entities to whom the proposed regulatory action would apply, (2) the identity of any localities and types of businesses or other entities particularly affected, (3) the projected number of persons and employment positions to be affected, (4) the projected costs to affected businesses or entities to implement or comply with the regulation, and (5) the impact on the use and value of private property.

² See https://www.governor.virginia.gov/media/governorvirginiagov/governor-of-virginia/pdf/ed/ED-1-Regulatory-Reduction.pdf.

³ See https://dof.virginia.gov/education-and-recreation/state-forests/before-you-visit/.

⁴ Pursuant to § 2.2-4007.04 D: In the event this economic impact analysis reveals that the proposed regulation would have an adverse economic impact on businesses or would impose a significant adverse economic impact on a locality, business, or entity particularly affected, the Department of Planning and Budget shall advise the Joint Commission on Administrative Rules, the House Committee on Appropriations, and the Senate Committee on Finance. Statute does not define "adverse impact," state whether only Virginia entities should be considered, nor indicate whether an adverse impact results from regulatory requirements mandated by legislation.

⁵ Statute does not define "adverse impact," state whether only Virginia entities should be considered, nor indicate whether an adverse impact results from regulatory requirements mandated by legislation. As a result, DPB has adopted a definition of adverse impact that assesses changes in net costs and benefits for each affected Virginia entity that directly results from discretionary changes to the regulation.

⁶ Pursuant to § 2.2-4007.04, small business is defined as "a business entity, including its affiliates, that (i) is independently owned and operated and (ii) employs fewer than 500 full-time employees or has gross annual sales of less than $6 million."

⁷ If the proposed regulatory action may have an adverse effect on small businesses, § 2.2-4007.04 requires that such economic impact analyses include: (1) an identification and estimate of the number of small businesses subject to the proposed regulation, (2) the projected reporting, recordkeeping, and other administrative costs required for small businesses to comply with the proposed regulation, including the type of professional skills necessary for preparing required reports and other documents, (3) a statement of the probable effect of the proposed regulation on affected small businesses, and (4) a description of any less intrusive or less costly alternative methods of achieving the purpose of the proposed regulation. Additionally, pursuant to § 2.2-4007.1 of the Code of Virginia, if there is a finding that a proposed regulation may have an adverse impact on small business, the Joint Commission on Administrative Rules shall be notified.

⁸ "Locality" can refer to either local governments or the locations in the Commonwealth where the activities relevant to the regulatory change are most likely to occur.

⁹ Section 2.2-4007.04 defines "particularly affected" as bearing disproportionate material impact.

Agency Response to Economic Impact Analysis: The Department of Forestry has reviewed the economic impact analysis prepared by the Department of Planning and Budget and has no comment.

Summary:

In response to Executive Directive One (2022), the amendments (i) update terminology, (ii) clarify language, (iii) eliminate redundancy, (iv) consolidate sections, and (v) add sections that address emerging state forest uses, including requirements regarding horses, hours of operation, rock climbing, and target shooting.

4VAC10-30-10. Definitions.

A. Section 46.2-100 of the Code of Virginia provides definitions for the following terms and phrases used in this chapter:

"Bicycle"

"Electric personal assistive mobility device"

"Electric power-assisted bicycle"

"Motor vehicle"

B. The following words and terms when used in this regulation shall chapter have the following meanings unless a different meaning is provided or is plainly required by the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Bike trail" means any road or trail maintained for bicycles.

"Department" means the Department of Forestry, as defined by § 10.1-1100 of the Code of Virginia.

"Firearm," as defined by § 29.1-100 of the Code of Virginia, means any weapon that will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel single or multiple projectiles by the action of an explosion of a combustible material.

"Forest or forests" means all state-owned lands designated as a state forest, including therein all sites, roadways, game food patches, ponds, lakes, streams, rivers, beaches, and recreational areas, together with recreational areas, beaches and lakes assigned to the Department of Forestry, for use, development, and administration.

"Forest Superintendent" means the individual designated the forest superintendent by the department or any assistant or assistants the Forest Superintendent may authorize to act for him.

"Group" means several individuals related by a common factor, having structured organization and defined leadership.

"Hiking trail" means any road or trail maintained for pedestrians.

"Hunting" means the lawful hunting of game animals as defined by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

"Multi-use trail" means any trail maintained for use for horseback riding, bicycling, hiking, or walking.

"Owner" means any person, firm, association, co-partnership, or corporation owning, leasing, or having the extensive use of a sawmill, chipper, debarker or any machinery any forest machinery for use in harvesting forest products, vehicle, animal, or any other property under a lease or otherwise.

"Parking area" means any area on a forest designated for parking of motor vehicles of all types, clearly marked on the ground and so indicated by signs or on state forest maps.

"Permits" means any written license issued by or under authority of the department, permitting the performance of a specified act or acts. Such permits may be purchased from a limited number of designated agents located within the general area of the forests.

"Permittee" means any person, partnership, corporation, company, or association in possession of a valid permit.

"Person" means any natural person, corporation, company, association, joint stock association, firm or co-partnership individual, firm, partnership, corporation, company, association, public or private institution, political subdivision, or government agency.

"Regulation" means any regulation adopted by the Department of Forestry.

"Road" means any road, logging road, trail, or path used in the harvesting and movement of forest products, hunting, or recreation, irrespective of the state of maintenance.

"Silvicultural activity" means any forest management activity, including harvest of timber, construction of roads and trails for forest management purposes, and preparation of property for reforestation.

"State Forests Superintendent" means the individual designated the State Forests Superintendent by the department or any assistant the State Forests Superintendent authorizes to act for in the superintendent.

"Timber sale" means any written signed agreement, pursuant to § 10.1-1107 of the Code of Virginia, wherein the State Forester agrees to sell and the purchaser agrees to purchase any designated forest products or other agricultural crops for a mutually agreed price per unit or lot.

"Unmanned aerial system," "UAS," "unmanned aerial vehicle," or "UAV," also known as a drone, is an aircraft that is remotely controlled and operates without a human pilot on board.

4VAC10-30-30. Territorial scope.

All Virginia State Forests Regulations shall be effective within and upon all state forests, lands, buildings, roads, sites, ponds, lakes, streams, rivers, beaches, trails, food patches, and recreational areas in the Commonwealth which may be that are under the jurisdiction of the department and shall regulate the use thereof of those areas by all persons. Areas designated by the department as state forests are: Appomattox-Buckingham in Appomattox and Buckingham Counties; Bourassa in Bedford County; Browne in Essex and King and Queen Counties; Chilton Woods in Lancaster County; Conway-Robinson in Prince William County; Crawfords in New Kent County; Cumberland in Cumberland County; Devil's Backbone in Shenandoah County; Hawks in Carroll County; Lesesne in Nelson County; Mathews in Grayson County; Niday Place in Craig County; Paul in Rockingham County; Prince Edward-Gallion in Prince Edward County; Sandy Point in King William County; Whitney in Fauquier County; and Zoar in King William County together with such other areas as the department may from time to time designate Failure to comply with this chapter and other applicable laws and regulations and agency signage may result in revocation of permits or registrations, forfeiture of applicable prices paid, or a Virginia uniform summons, arrest, or prosecution.

4VAC10-30-40. Permits.

A A. The department may issue a permit for activities otherwise prohibited in this chapter.

1. Use permits: A Virginia State Forest Use Permit is required for certain activities allowed by the department and authorized by law. The department may charge a fee for the Virginia State Forest Use Permit in accordance with § 10.1-1152 of the Code of Virginia. The holder of a Virginia State Forest Use Permit must always abide by the conditions and restrictions associated with the Virginia State Forest Use Permit and its associated activity. A State Forest Use Permit shall be valid for one year from the date of purchase.

2. Conditional activity permit: A State Forest Conditional Activity Permit grants authority to individuals or groups for specific activities that are otherwise prohibited on state forest property. An application for permit shall be made on a form prescribed by the department and shall be valid only for the period of time that appears on the Conditional Activity Permit.

3. Organized event permit: An Organized Event Permit grants organizers of a specific group the authority to conduct an organized event on state forest property. An Organized Event Permit shall be made on a form prescribed by the department and shall be valid only for the period of time that appears on the Organized Event Permit. The department may charge a fee for the Organized Event Permit in accordance with § 10.1-1152 of the Code of Virginia. This fee eliminates the requirement for one-time users participating in an organized event to obtain an annual Virginia State Forest Use Permit or a State Forest Conditional Activity Permit. The State Forests Superintendent may waive fees.

B. Any violation by a permit to do any act shall authorize the same only insofar as it may be performed in strict accordance with the terms and conditions thereof. Any violation by its holder or his agents or employees of the permit holder of any term or condition thereof of the permit shall constitute grounds for its permit revocation by the department, or by its authorized representative.

In case of revocation of any permit, all moneys paid for or on account thereof of the permit shall, at the option of the department, be forfeited to and be retained by it; and the department. The permit holder of such permit, together with his and any agents and employees who violated such terms and conditions, shall be jointly and severally liable to the department for all damages and loss suffered by it in excess of the department in addition to money so forfeited and retained; but neither such. Neither the forfeiture and retention by the department of the whole or any part of such the moneys paid for the permit, nor the recovery or collection thereby of such damages, or both, shall in any manner relieve such person or persons from liability to punishment for any violation of any provision of any Virginia State Forests Regulation. A state forest special use permit will be required to hunt, trap, fish, ride bikes, or ride horses on any state forest or portion thereof on which hunting, trapping, fishing, riding bikes, or riding horses is permitted.

4VAC10-30-50. Preservation of the forest.

A. No person shall remove, destroy, deface, cut down, scar, mutilate, injure, take, or gather in any manner any tree, flower, artifact, fern, shrub, rock, or other plant or mineral in any forest, except only for botanical or mineral rock collection and then only with approval of the Forest State Forests Superintendent.

B. Edible fruits, berries, fungi, or nuts may be collected for personal or individual use only.

C. Silvicultural activities performed in accordance with an approved prescription by the State Forests Superintendent are exempt from the provisions of this section.

4VAC10-30-60. Buildings, signs, structures, or other property.

A. No person shall in any manner injure, deface, disturb, destroy, or disfigure any part of any forest, nor or any building, structure, sign, equipment, road, trail, field, parking area, or other property found therein in the forest.

B. The department may bill any damage to state forest buildings or structures that is not considered normal wear and tear to the person registering for the building or structure on an itemized cost basis in accordance with the reservation acknowledgment or reservation confirmation.

C. No temporary or permanent structure may be constructed unless by permit, except for a temporary tree stand or blind for the purpose of hunting, which may be placed in a manner that does not cause injury or damage to the tree and must be removed at the conclusion of the hunting season during which it was placed. Tree stands and blinds may be placed two weeks prior to the start of hunting season and must be removed one month after the end of the hunting season for which the structure was established, after which the department may remove and dispose of the structure.

D. The department shall not be responsible for any damage occurring to or injury resulting from the use of any temporary structure, stand, or concealment while on any state forest.

4VAC10-30-70. Refuse and rubbish; disposal. (Repealed.)

No person shall deposit in any part of any forest any garbage, sewerage, refuse, waste, fruit, vegetables, foodstuffs, boxes, tin cans, paper, or other litter or other waste material or obnoxious material, except in containers designed for such purposes, or on areas designated by and under conditions specified by the Forest Superintendent.

4VAC10-30-80. Pollution of waters. (Repealed.)

No person shall in the streams, lakes, or other waters of any forest violate any statute of the Virginia Code relating to the pollution of said waters.

4VAC10-30-90. Disorderly conduct, public nuisance, etc. (Repealed.)

No person, while in any forest, shall disobey a lawful order of a Virginia Forest Superintendent, caretaker, ranger, patrolman or other forest officer; nor commit a nuisance, nor use abusive, profane, or insulting language; nor unreasonably disturb or annoy others; be under the influence of intoxicants or unlawful drugs; do any act tending to or amounting to a breach of the peace nor conduct himself in any disorderly manner whatsoever.

4VAC10-30-100. Gambling. (Repealed.)

Gambling in any forest is prohibited and no person shall bring into the forest or have in his possession while there, any implement or device commonly used, or intended for gambling purposes.

4VAC10-30-110. Intoxicating liquors, beverages or unlawful drugs. (Repealed.)

No person shall become intoxicated, or be under the influence of intoxicants or unlawful drugs, in public while within the confines of any forest. Public display or use of beer, wine, whiskey or other intoxicating liquor, beverage or unlawful drugs, or the containers thereof is prohibited.

4VAC10-30-120. Charges. (Repealed.)

No person 16 years of age or older shall make, use, or gain admittance to, or attempt to use or gain admittance to the facilities in any forest for the use of which a special use permit is required by the department unless he shall obtain a special use permit and pay an annual fee of $15. Any person under 16 years of age may hunt, trap, fish, ride bikes, or ride horses on any state forest and is not required to obtain a special use permit or pay an annual fee.

4VAC10-30-130. Picnic area. (Repealed.)

Picnicking is allowed only in the areas designated as picnic areas.

4VAC10-30-140. Camping.

No person may maintain a camp, either temporary or permanent, shall be maintained in any forest except under permit, a Conditional Activity Permit and at such places and for such periods as may be designated by the Forest State Forests Superintendent.

4VAC10-30-150. Bathing, where permitted. (Repealed.)

No person shall bathe, wade, or swim in any waters in a forest except at such times, and in places as the Forest Superintendent may designate as bathing areas, and unless so covered with a bathing suit as to prevent any indecent exposure of the person.

4VAC10-30-160. Dressing and undressing. (Repealed.)

Dressing and undressing, except in bathhouses, tents, trailers, motor homes, campers or vacation cabins, is prohibited.

4VAC10-30-170. Explosives, and firearms, etc.

No person shall bring into or have in any forest any explosive or explosive substance, as defined by § 59.1-137 of the Code of Virginia. This regulation The provisions of this section shall not apply to the lawful carrying of firearms and firearms ammunition. No person shall discharge any firearm except in self-defense or as permitted under lawful hunting activities, as defined by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

4VAC10-30-180. Fires, and lighted cigarettes, etc.

In any forest, no No person shall kindle, build, maintain, or use a fire in any forest other than in places provided or designated for such purposes except by special permit a Conditional Activity Permit. Any fire shall be continuously under the care and direction of a competent person over 16 years of age or older from the time it is kindled until it is extinguished. No person within the confines of any forest shall throw away or discard any lighted match, cigarette, cigar, or other burning object. Any lighted match, cigarette, cigar, campfire, cooking fire, or other burning object must be entirely extinguished before being thrown away, abandoned, or discarded. All Individuals must comply with all forest fire laws must be complied with.

4VAC10-30-200. Hunting and fishing.

A. No person within the confines of any forest, shall hunt, trap, shoot, injure, kill, or molest in any way any bird or animal, nor shall any. No person have in his possession shall possess any bird or animal, dead or alive, within the forest except any bird or animal designated as a game bird or animal by the Virginia Board of Game and Inland Fisheries Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR), and the trapping of, hunting of, shooting at, or possession of any such bird or animal is prohibited except during the lawful hunting season set for the forest or forest portion thereof by the Virginia Board of Game and Inland Fisheries DWR and only in those forests or portion thereof forest portions designated by the Forest State Forests Superintendent as lawful hunting areas. A state forest special use permit will be required. All provisions of the Virginia Code concerning hunting must be complied with.

B. Fishing is permitted in designated areas in each forest. A person fishing must have a valid state fishing license and a current Virginia State Forest Use Permit and comply with DWR regulations.

4VAC10-30-210. Fishing. (Repealed.)

Fishing is permitted in designated areas in each forest, the only stipulation being that persons fishing must have a state fishing license, have a special use permit, and comply with the Virginia Game and Inland Fisheries rules and regulations.

4VAC10-30-220. Boating.

Use of boats on ponds, lakes, or streams within forest areas assigned to the administration of the Department of Forestry department, in addition to other regulations of other state agencies, must comply with the rules and regulations of the Department department and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, and such use requires a current Virginia State Forest Use Permit. Use of gasoline-fueled motors is prohibited.

4VAC10-30-230. Dogs and other animals.

No person shall cause or permit any animal owned by him, in his custody, or under his control, except those animals of a resident employee and then only in the general area around the employee's residence, and in that person's custody, except a dog restrained by a leash not exceeding six feet in length, or harness, to enter any forest, and each such. Any animal found at large may be seized and disposed of as provided by the law or ordinance covering disposal of stray animals on highways or public property then currently in effect at the place when such where the animals may be animal is seized, except during the lawful hunting season in effect in the particular forest or forest portion thereof. Any owner of an animal that is trained and accompanying the owner for the sole purpose of assisting the owner with mobility is exempt from the provision of this section.

The provisions of this section shall not apply to lawful horse activity as defined in 4VAC10-30-420.

4VAC10-30-240. Sports and games.

In any forest, no games or athletic contests shall be allowed except in such places as may be designated therefor Sports activities, contests, and group events in any forest require an Organized Event Permit issued by the State Forests Superintendent.

4VAC10-30-250. Vehicles, where permitted.

A. No person shall drive operate a motorized vehicle anywhere in any forest on any, except on a road during any period where there is a sign or parking area designated by signs erected on or along the particular road or maps indicating that any such the road or parking area is closed open to vehicular motorized vehicle traffic.

B. Driving a motorized vehicle on a gated road is prohibited, except by Conditional Activity Permit. Any motorized vehicle used on state forest lands must be a highway-legal vehicle in compliance with Virginia Department of Transportation regulations and insured and licensed pursuant to Department of Motor Vehicles regulations. Any operator of a vehicle must possess a valid driver's license issued by the person's state of residency.

C. Persons engaged in silvicultural or maintenance activities are exempt from requirements of this section, except legal requirements described in subsection B of this section.

D. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the use of electric personal assistive mobility device or class one or class two electric power-assisted bicycles where traditional bicycles are allowed. Class three electric power-assisted bicycles are prohibited on gated roads and trails.

E. When crossing rivers or streams, bicycle or e-bike use shall be confined to bridges, culverts, and designated fords or crossings, if available.

4VAC10-30-260. Obstructing traffic. (Repealed.)

In any forest, no person or persons shall cause or permit a vehicle or vehicles to obstruct traffic on any road by unnecessary stopping, or to prevent or obstruct by any means the free use by others of any road.

4VAC10-30-270. Speed limit. (Repealed.)

Rate of vehicular speed in any forest in excess of the rate as posted by the Virginia Department of Transportation or Forest Superintendent is prohibited.

4VAC10-30-280. View into vehicles. (Repealed.)

Every car driven through any forest or parked in any parking space in any forest shall have the interior thereof open to full view at all times.

4VAC10-30-290. Use of roads.

No person shall operate an excessively loaded vehicle on any forest road. The determination of whether a load is excessive will be made by the Forest Superintendent and will be based upon the load and the condition of the road. In the exercise of his professional judgment, the Forest The State Forests Superintendent may at any time close to public use any forest road, trail, or area.

4VAC10-30-300. Meetings, exhibitions, commercial enterprises, etc Commercial activity.

No person shall, in any forest, without a permit, sell or offer for sale, hire, lease or let out, any object or merchandise, property, privilege, service or any other thing, or engage in any business or erect any building, booth, tent, stall or any other structure whatsoever. No person to whom any property of any forest by authorized permit has been entrusted for personal use shall hire, lease, let out or sell, the same to any other person commercial activity on state forest lands or in state forest structures unless an agreement or permit is made and approved by the department.

4VAC10-30-310. Advertising.

No person shall (i) erect or post a sign, notice, or advertisements advertisement of any nature shall be erected or posted at any place within any forest without permission in writing from the Forest Superintendent; nor shall any musical instrument, radio, talking machine, or drum be operated or any (ii) make noise be made for the purpose of attracting attention to any exhibition of any kind at any place within any state forest. The State Forests Superintendent may authorize exceptions for temporary signs that are coincidental to activities approved by either a Conditional Activity Permit or an Organized Event Permit.

4VAC10-30-330. Alms Gifts and contributions.

No person shall within any forest solicit alms gifts or contributions within any forest for any purpose without written permission by the State Forests Superintendent.

4VAC10-30-340. Aviation.

No person shall voluntarily bring, land or cause to descend or alight land or unlawfully operate within or upon any forest, any aeroplane, flying machine airplane, remote control model, aircraft, helicopter, unmanned aerial vehicle, drone, balloon, parachute, or other apparatus for aviation except under permit. "Voluntarily" in this connection shall mean anything other than a forced landing by written permission of the State Forests Superintendent.

4VAC10-30-350. Sale of forest products.

From time to time, forest Forest products and agricultural crops may be sold from state forest land lands under conditions determined by the department and in accordance with law.

4VAC10-30-420. Horses and horseback riding.

A. No person shall use, ride, or drive a horse except to, from, or along designated multi-use trails or roads designated for equestrian use, including across bridges, culverts, and designated fords or crossings, if available.

B. Each equestrian user shall remove from designated parking areas all residues, including manure, generated by the equestrian user's horse.

4VAC10-30-430. Hours of operation.

State forests are open to public use during daylight hours only, unless the forest user is permitted or engaged in lawful hunting activities as defined by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources and for other uses as permitted by the State Forests Superintendent.

4VAC10-30-440. Rock climbing and rappelling.

No person shall engage in rock climbing, cliff climbing, or rappelling within the boundaries of a state forest, except at designated areas and only after obtaining a Conditional Activity Permit.

4VAC10-30-450. Target shooting.

It shall be unlawful to target shoot on any state forest. Target shooting is defined as the discharge of a firearm as defined in § 18.2-308.2:2 of the Code of Virginia, a muzzleloader as defined in 4VAC15-50-71, or archery equipment as defined in 4VAC15-40-20 for purposes other than hunting, trapping, or self-defense.

FORMS (4VAC10-30)

Application for State Forest Special Use Permit (eff. 7/2025)