Titles of Regulations: 24VAC30-21. General Rules and Regulations of the Commonwealth Transportation Board (amending 24VAC30-21-30, 24VAC30-21-40).

24VAC30-91. Subdivision Street Requirements (amending 24VAC30-91-10, 24VAC30-91-30, 24VAC30-91-110, 24VAC30-91-150).

24VAC30-92. Secondary Street Acceptance Requirements (amending 24VAC30-92-10, 24VAC30-92-20, 24VAC30-92-60, 24VAC30-92-120, 24VAC30-92-130).

24VAC30-120. Rules and Regulations Controlling Outdoor Advertising and Directional and other Signs and Notices (amending 24VAC30-120-10, 24VAC30-120-80, 24VAC30-120-140, 24VAC30-120-160, 24VAC30-120-170, 24VAC30-120-190).

24VAC30-151. Land Use Permit Regulations (amending 24VAC30-151-20, 24VAC30-151-50, 24VAC30-151-110, 24VAC30-151-120, 24VAC30-151-270, 24VAC30-151-550, 24VAC30-151-590, 24VAC30-151-620, 24VAC30-151-710).

24VAC30-200. Vegetation Control Regulations on State Rights-Of-Way (amending 24VAC30-200-10 through 24VAC30-200-35).

24VAC30-271. Economic Development Access Fund Policy (amending 24VAC30-271-20).

24VAC30-325. Urban Maintenance and Construction Policy (amending 24VAC30-325-10).

24VAC30-380. Public Hearings for Location and Design of Highway Construction Projects (amending 24VAC30-380-10).

24VAC30-401. Change of Limited Access Control (amending 24VAC30-401-10).

24VAC30-451. Airport Access Fund Policy (amending 24VAC30-451-10, 24VAC30-451-20).

24VAC30-540. Conveyance of Land and Disposal of Improvements (amending 24VAC30-540-10, 24VAC30-540-30).

24VAC30-620. Rules, Regulations, and Rates Concerning Toll and Bridge Facilities (amending 24VAC30-620-20).

Statutory Authority: § 33.2-210 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: December 31, 2014.

Agency Contact: Robert H. Hofrichter, Assistant Director for Land Use, Department of Transportation, 1401 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219, telephone (804) 786-0780, FAX (804) 786-0628, or email robert.hofrichter@vdot.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The amendments update (i) citations to the Code of Virginia to reflect the recodification of Title 33.1 to Title 33.2 of the Code of Virginia pursuant to Chapter 805 of the 2014 Acts of Assembly and (ii) citations to the Virginia Administrative Code.

24VAC30-21-30. General provisions concerning use of right of way.

A. No person, firm, or corporation shall use or occupy the right of way of any highway for any purpose except travel, except as may be authorized by VDOT, either pursuant to regulation or as provided by law.

B. Except as permitted by subdivision 2 of this subsection, the following restrictions apply to activities occurring on bridges forming a part of the system of state highways:

1. No person, firm, or corporation shall stand or park a vehicle of any description on any bridge unless authorized by VDOT.

2. No person shall fish or seine from any bridge except when facilities are provided for such purposes as set out in § 33.1-207 33.2-278 of the Code of Virginia.

3. No person, firm, or corporation shall use any bridge as a wharf from which to load or unload any vehicle, as a place of deposit for any property, or for any other purpose except crossing.

4. No master or owner of any vessel shall make it fast to or lay it alongside such bridge.

5. Provisions of this subsection shall not apply to highway maintenance vehicles or vessels.

C. No person, firm, or corporation shall, without the consent of VDOT, remove, injure, destroy, break, deface, or in any way tamper with any property, real or personal, that is growing or has been placed on the right of way of any highway within the system of state highways by or with the consent of VDOT.

D. No person, firm, or corporation may cause water to flow from any source upon the right of way of any highway within the system of state highways, nor shall any person, firm, or corporation cause any increase of the water, at present, lawfully on the right of way of any highway or concentrate the flow of water upon the right of way of any highway in the system of state highways without the written consent of VDOT.

E. No road, railroad, or tracks of any description shall be laid along, upon, or across any portion of a highway in the system of state highways without the written consent of VDOT.

24VAC30-21-40. Board authority to regulate entrances from adjacent property to right of way of highways within the state highway system.

The board, under subdivision 3 of § 33.1-12 33.2-210 of the Code of Virginia, reserves the power to regulate entrances from adjacent property upon the right of way of any highway within the system of state highways. No entrance of any nature shall be made, built, or constructed upon the right of way of any highway within the system of state highways until the location has been determined in the opinion of the commissioner or designee of VDOT to be acceptable from a public safety standpoint and, further, until approval has been granted by VDOT. The design and construction of such entrances as approved by the commissioner pursuant to §§ 33.1-198 33.2-241 and 33.1-198.1 33.2-245 of the Code of Virginia must comply with VDOT's regulations where applicable.

Part I
General Provisions

24VAC30-91-10. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in these regulations shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"AASHTO" means the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

"Abandon" in all its forms means the legislative action reserved for and granted to the local governing body to extinguish the public's right to a roadway under the jurisdiction of the Virginia Department of Transportation, pursuant to §§ 33.1-151 33.2-909 and 33.1-155 33.2-912 of the Code of Virginia.

"Accessible route" means a continuous unobstructed, stable, firm and slip-resistant path connecting all accessible elements of a facility (may include parking access aisles, curb ramps, crosswalks at vehicular ways, walks, ramps and lifts) that can be approached, entered and used by persons with disabilities. An accessible route shall, to the maximum extent feasible, coincide with the route for the general public.

"ADT" means average daily traffic count (see "Projected Traffic").

"Board" means the Commonwealth Transportation Board.

"Clear zone" means the total border area of a roadway or shared use path that is sufficiently wide for an errant vehicle to avoid a serious accident. (See the Subdivision Street Design Guide (24VAC30-91-160) for details.)

"Commissioner" means the chief executive officer of the Virginia Department of Transportation.

"Complete development (land)" means the utilization of the available areas in a manner as to realize its highest density for the best potential use based on zoning, pending rezoning, the adopted comprehensive plan of the governing body, or the customary use of similar parcels of land.

"Complete development (streets)" means the development of a subdivision street in full compliance with all applicable provisions of these regulations to the necessary standards of design and construction for the effective and efficient accommodation of the traffic generated by the complete development of the land, both internal and external to the subdivision.

"County controlled grade separation structure" means a grade separation structure that does not qualify for maintenance by the department but was established within the right-of-way of a street intended for state maintenance.

"County official" means the representative of the governing body appointed to serve as its agent in matters relating to subdivisions.

"Cul-de-sac" means a street with only one outlet and having an appropriate turnaround for a safe and convenient reverse traffic movement and more specifically the turning area.

"Dam" means an embankment or structure intended or used to impound, retain, or store water, either as a permanent pond or as a temporary storage facility.

"Department" means the Virginia Department of Transportation.

"Design manual" means the department's Road Design Manual (see 24VAC30-91-160), Location and Design Division.

"Design speed" means a speed selected for purposes of design and correlation of those features of a street such as curvature, super elevation, and sight distance, upon which the safe operation of vehicles is dependent.

"Developer" means an individual, corporation, or registered partnership engaged in the subdivision of land.

"Discontinue," in all its forms, means the legislative act of the Commonwealth Transportation Board, pursuant to § 33.1-150 33.2-908 of the Code of Virginia, that determines that a road no longer serves public convenience warranting its maintenance with funds at the disposal of the department.

"District administrator" means the department employee assigned the overall supervision of the departmental operations in each of the Commonwealth's nine construction districts.

"Drainage manual" means the department's Drainage Manual (see 24VAC30-91-160), Location and Design Division.

"Dwelling unit" means a structure or part of a structure containing sleeping, kitchen, and bathroom facilities that is suitable for occupancy as a home or residence by one or more persons.

"Easement" means a grant of a right to use property of an owner for specific, limited use or purpose.

"Functional classification" means the process by which streets and highways are grouped into classes, or systems, according to the character of service they are intended to provide.

"Governing body" means the board of supervisors of the county but may also mean the local governing body of a town or city, if appropriate, in the application of these requirements.

"Intersection" means the juncture of two or more streets at which point there are three or more legs.

"Level of service" means a qualitative measure describing operational conditions within a traffic stream, and their perception by motorists and passengers. For the purposes of these requirements, the applicable provisions of the Highway Capacity Manual (see 24VAC30-91-160) shall serve as the basis for determining "levels of service."

"Level terrain" means that condition where highway sight distances, as governed by both horizontal and vertical restrictions, are generally long or could be made so without construction difficulty or major expense.

"Loop street" means a street whose two outlets are to the same street.

"Mountainous terrain" means that condition where longitudinal and traverse changes in the elevation of the ground with respect to the road or street are abrupt and where benching and side hill excavation are frequently required to obtain acceptable horizontal and vertical alignment.

"Neotraditional development" means a type of subdivision that creates a neighborhood or community design with qualities of a traditional small town, combining a mix of uses that may include retail establishments, offices, civic buildings, public squares, and multi-family and single-family housing, all within walking distance of one another, as well as a mix of transportation facilities that focuses on the needs of pedestrians and bicyclists in addition to the needs of motorists. These developments may include a variety of buildings and land use densities along the same street. Street layout may follow a grid pattern using narrow streets and having multiple connections to surrounding neighborhoods. These developments may be referred to as "villages" or "hamlets" within the ordinances of the governing body.

"Nonresidential street" means a subdivision street adjacent to property that is anticipated to develop for purposes other than residential use.

"Office building" means a building that is used primarily for conducting business transactions other than retail sales.

"Parking bay" means an off-street area for parking two or more vehicles that are served by a short driveway connecting the parking area and the public street.

"Parking lane" means an area, generally seven or eight feet in width, adjacent to and parallel with the travel lane of a roadway that is used for parking vehicles.

"Pavement Design Guide" means the Pavement Design Guide for Subdivision and Secondary Roads in Virginia (see 24VAC30-91-160).

"Permit Regulations" means the department's Land Use Permit Regulations (see 24VAC30-91-160) (24VAC30-151).

"Phased development" (streets) means the method outlined in 24VAC30-91-70 (Phased development of subdivision streets) whereby the acceptance of certain subdivision streets into the secondary system of state highways may be considered before being completely developed in accordance with all applicable requirements (e.g., two lanes of a four-lane facility are considered for acceptance in advance of lanes 3 and 4 being finished).

"Plans" means the standard drawings, including profile and roadway typical section, that show the location, character, dimensions and details for the proposed construction of the subdivision street.

"Plat" means the schematic representation of the land divided or to be divided.

"Private streets" means subdivision streets that have not been dedicated to public use or that require the permission or invitation of a resident or owner to use the street. Such streets are not intended to be included in the secondary system of state highways maintained by the department.

"Privately maintained streets" means any public or private street that is not maintained by the department or the local governing body.

"Projected traffic" means the number of vehicles, normally expressed in average daily traffic (ADT), forecast to travel over the segment of the subdivision street involved.

"Public street" means a street dedicated to public use and available to the public's unrestricted use without regard to the jurisdictional authority responsible for its operation and maintenance.

"Requirements" means the design, construction, and related administrative considerations herein prescribed for the acceptance of a subdivision street for maintenance by the department as part of the secondary system of state highways.

"Resident engineer" means the department employee or employees designated by the district administrator to oversee the implementation of this regulation. In cities and towns that maintain and operate their own system of streets and elect to use the pavement and right-of-way width requirements of the Subdivision Street Design Guide (24VAC30-91-160) as a basis for street maintenance payments under the provisions of § 33.1-41.1 33.2-319 of the Code of Virginia, as well as the counties of Arlington and Henrico, the local official responsible for the review and approval of subdivision street design.

"Residential street" means a subdivision street adjacent to property that is anticipated to develop as single-family residences, apartment buildings, or other similar dwelling structures.

"Right-of-way" means the land, property, or interest therein, usually in a strip, acquired for or devoted to a public street designated to become part of the secondary system of state highways.

"Roadway" means the portion of the road or street within the limits of construction and all structures, ditches, channels, etc., necessary for the correct drainage thereof.

"Secondary system of state highways" means those public roads, streets, bridges, etc., established by a local governing body pursuant to § 33.1-229 33.2-705 of the Code of Virginia and subsequently accepted by the department for supervision and maintenance under the provisions of Articles 6 (§ 33.1-67 et seq.) and 11 (§ 33.1-150 et seq.) of Chapter 1 of Title 33.1 Article 3 (§ 33.2-324 et seq.) of Chapter 3 and Article 2 (§ 33.2-908 et seq.) of Chapter 9 of Title 33.2 of the Code of Virginia.

"Shared use path" means a facility, as defined in § 46.2-100 of the Code of Virginia, that is set apart from the travelway and intended to be used by pedestrians and bicyclists.

"Shopping center" means a building or buildings containing two or more stores that are used primarily for retail sales but may include commercial trade or professional uses.

"Single-family residence" means a structure, other than an apartment building, maintained and used as a single dwelling unit or any dwelling unit that has direct access to a street and shares neither heating facilities, hot water equipment, nor any other essential facility or service with any other dwelling unit.

"Specifications" means the department's Road and Bridge Specifications (24VAC30-91-160), including related supplemental specifications and special provisions.

"Standards" means the applicable drawings and related criteria contained in the department's Road and Bridge Standards (24VAC30-91-160).

"Subdivision" means the division of a lot, tract, or parcel into two or more lots, plats, sites, or other divisions of land for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of sale or of building development. Any resubdivision of a previously subdivided tract or parcel of land shall also be interpreted as a "subdivision." The division of a lot or parcel permitted by § 15.2-2244 of the Code of Virginia will not be considered a "subdivision" under this definition, provided no new road or street is thereby established. However, any further division of such parcels shall be considered a "subdivision."

"Subdivision street" means a public way for purposes of vehicular travel that results from the subdivision of land, including the entire area within the right-of-way. Public streets developed in accordance with these requirements and meeting the necessary public service provisions established herein shall be eligible for addition to the secondary system of state highways maintained by the department. Streets primarily intended to access property abutting or in the immediate vicinity of the street are deemed "local" subdivision streets.

"Subdivision Street Design Guide" means Appendix B of the Road Design Manual (24VAC30-91-160).

"Swale" means a broad depression within which stormwater may drain during inclement weather, but which does not have a defined bed or banks.

"Through street" means a street that provides access between two other streets.

"Traveled way" means the portion of the subdivision street designated for the movement of vehicles, exclusive of shoulders, parking areas, turn lanes, etc.

"VDOT" means the Virginia Department of Transportation.

"VPD" means vehicles per day.

"VPH" means vehicles per hour.

"Watercourse" means a definite channel with bed and banks within which water flows, either continuously or in season.

24VAC30-91-30. Local subdivision ordinances

A. Precedence of local subdivision ordinance. Pursuant to § 33.1-229 33.2-705 of the Code of Virginia, new streets are established by the governing body of the locality in which they are located. Any requirements of the subdivision ordinance adopted by the governing body that are equal to or greater than these provisions shall become the department's requirements in that locality and govern unless the local governing body concurs with an exception to their higher standards.

B. Exemptions in local ordinances. The department does not recognize any provision of an ordinance adopted by the governing body that exempts the development of streets from these requirements based on its definition of the term subdivision. Consequently, any street proposed for addition to the secondary system of state highways maintained by the department shall comply with applicable requirements as herein provided or, if greater than these provisions, the requirements of the local ordinance.

Part II
Specific Provisions

24VAC30-91-110. Design and agreement requirements.

A. General requirements. Most criteria addressing the design of new subdivision streets can be found in the Subdivision Street Design Guide (24VAC30-91-160). However, the following provisions are provided for guidance, particularly in regard to features that require agreements or formal acknowledgements of the governing body before VDOT's acceptance of the street or streets within a subdivision.

When an agreement is required between the local governing body and the department as a prerequisite to the acceptance of a subdivision street, nothing in these requirements shall preclude the local governing body from entering into separate agreements with other entities to fulfill its responsibilities. However, if the provisions are intended to ensure the safety of the public using the street, the department reserves the right to approve the involvement of the other party or parties.

B. Geometric requirements. Geometric requirements for new subdivision streets are established in the Subdivision Street Design Guide of the Road Design Manual (24VAC30-91-160). In certain circumstances the Subdivision Street Design Guide (24VAC30-91-160) allows reduced pavement widths for curb and gutter sections. Any such reduction must be specifically requested by the governing body in writing and be approved by the resident engineer. Sufficient off-street parking must be provided by the local governing body as indicated in the Subdivision Street Design Guide (24VAC30-91-160) to accommodate any request for reduced pavement widths. However, no special request from the local governing body shall be required in the event the department has approved a design standard for use throughout that county that includes street width reductions for a specific type of subdivision, such as a Neotraditional subdivision.

C. Turn lanes. Left or right turn lanes shall be provided at intersections when the department determines that projected turning movements warrant their installation. These facilities shall be designed in accordance with the Subdivision Street Design Guide (24VAC30-91-160) and, if necessary, additional right-of-way shall be provided to accommodate these facilities.

D. Pavement structure.

1. Pavement design. The pavement structure for new subdivision streets shall be in accordance with the Pavement Design Guide (24VAC30-91-160), including any prescribed underdrains. Prior to construction of the pavement sub-base and finish courses, the resident engineer shall approve the proposed pavement design.

2. Special pavement surfaces. The resident engineer may approve special pavement surfaces, such as the use of stamped pavement or the use of paving blocks or bricks. However, if the pavement design is a type not addressed by the Pavement Design Guide (24VAC30-91-160) or otherwise not in general use by the department, an agreement shall be provided by the governing body that addresses the future maintenance of such pavement.

3. Pavement additions to existing streets. When an existing VDOT maintained roadway is to be widened to accommodate additional lanes or the addition of turn lanes, the necessary pavement design shall be obtained from the resident engineer and the entire surface of the roadway (old and new portions) shall be overlaid and re-striped as required by the resident engineer.

E. Parking.

1. Perpendicular and angle parking along subdivision streets is normally prohibited. However, perpendicular and angle parking along subdivision streets may be considered if the features along the street cause the street to readily appear to be a street rather than a travel way through a parking lot. In addition, additional pavement width may be necessary between the travel lanes and the parking spaces to allow a car to back from its normal parked position, orient itself for entering the travel lanes and stop without either encroaching into the travel lanes or having the driver's vision of oncoming traffic obscured by adjacent, parked vehicles.

Street designs that anticipate the restriction of on-street parking shall only be approved with the consent of the county official and the resident engineer.

2. Localities are encouraged to adopt local ordinances to appropriately address adequate off street parking in subdivisions. In the absence of local regulations that are deemed acceptable by the department, the following criteria shall apply for the design of subdivision streets:

a. A minimum of two off-street parking spaces per dwelling unit, exclusive of garage facilities associated with the unit, shall be provided in the proximity of the unit they are intended to serve. Additional off-street parking space shall be provided when the width of any residential curb and gutter roadway is proposed for reduction as permitted in the Subdivision Street Design Guide (24VAC30-91-160). Except as may be associated with corner dwellings, the availability of on-street parking along other streets will not normally be considered as additional off-street parking.

b. If parking bays are provided, they shall be located off the street's right-of-way and designed to prevent vehicles from backing into the adjacent subdivision street.

c. Entrances to parking bays shall be separated by at least 50 feet and designed in accordance with the appropriate provisions of the standards or Land Use Permit Regulations.

F. Cul-de-sacs and turnarounds. An adequate turnaround facility shall be provided at the end of each cul-de-sac or stub street to permit the safe and convenient maneuvering by service vehicles. Various configurations of turnarounds are illustrated in the Subdivision Street Design Guide (24VAC30-91-160); however, alternative configurations may be approved by the resident engineer. Additional right-of-way shall be provided as required by the design of the turnaround. Normally, any nontraveled way areas within the turnaround, such as an island, shall be included in the dedicated right-of-way of the facility.

For circular turnarounds, a well-defined, identifiable street segment, equal to the normal lot width along the intersected street that serves the cul-de-sac or 50 feet, whichever is greater, shall extend from the intersected street to the turning area.

G. Curb and gutter. For the purpose of these requirements, the use of curb and gutter is an acceptable roadway design alternative, rather than a requisite. However, when used, curb and gutter shall be designed in accordance with the Subdivision Street Design Guide (24VAC30-91-160) and only one curb and gutter design may be used along the length of a street.

1. Driveway entrance requirements. Without regard to the curb design used, the curb shall incorporate a driveway entrance apron, as illustrated in the Subdivision Street Design Guide (24VAC30-91-160), to provide a smooth transition from the gutter invert or roadway surface onto the driveway. However, exceptions may be granted by the resident engineer when roll top curb is used if requested by the local official.

2. Curb ramps. All streets that incorporate accessible routes for pedestrian use shall, without regard to the curb design used, include curb ramps at intersections for use by persons with disabilities and shall incorporate other applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

H. Private entrances. All private entrances shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the Subdivision Street Design Guide (24VAC30-91-160).

I. Pedestrian, bicycle, and shared use path facilities. The Commonwealth Transportation Board's "Policy for Integrating Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodations" emphasizes accommodating pedestrian and bicycle traffic as an essential part of any VDOT financed transportation project. While separate pedestrian and bicycle facilities are not mandated for local subdivision streets, unless required by local ordinance, any street proposed for VDOT acceptance should accommodate the anticipated pedestrian and bicycle traffic. When separate pedestrian and bicycle facilities are deemed appropriate, they should be included in the initial construction of the street, prior to VDOT acceptance. These facilities are eligible for VDOT acceptance based on the criteria of this section.

1. Compliant facilities. Pedestrian and bicycle facilities, including shared use paths as defined under § 46.2-100 of the Code of Virginia, shall be accepted as part of subdivision streets, unless otherwise requested by the governing body, provided they are located fully within the dedicated right-of-way of the street and they are constructed in accordance with applicable criteria and standards of the department.

a. Sidewalk criteria. Sidewalks shall be constructed in accordance with the Subdivision Street Design Guide (24VAC30-91-160). However, sidewalks that meander vertically in comparison to the grade of the roadway may be considered noncompliant sidewalks.

b. Bicycle facility criteria. Bicycle facilities contiguous with the street shall be in accordance with the department's design and construction criteria set forth in the Road Design Manual (24VAC30-91-160).

c. Shared use path criteria. Shared use paths shall be constructed in accordance with the Road Design Manual (24VAC30-91-160) and closely follow the vertical alignment of the roadway without meandering on and off the right-of-way.

2. Noncompliant sidewalk, bicycle, and shared use paths. Noncompliant sidewalk, bicycle and shared use paths that fail to meet requirements of the department's standards for construction, alignment, or placement within the dedicated right of the street shall be deemed to be noncompliant and not qualify for maintenance. However, such facilities may co-exist within the dedicated right-of-way of the street under a land use permit issued by the resident engineer to the local governing body responsible for having established the facility through its subdivision process.

Such permits will clearly specify the responsibility for maintenance of the facility and related activities to the extent the facility occupies the street's right-of-way. The permit applicant should be a county, incorporated town, or other entity that has perpetual maintenance capability. Noncompliant sidewalks and shared use paths may be constructed of bituminous concrete, hydraulic concrete, gravel, or other stabilizer convenient to the applicant.

J. Bridge, drainage, and other grade separation structures. Bridges, drainage, and other grade separation structures shall be designed and constructed in accordance with all applicable department criteria and standards. The resident engineer may require special review of the plans and construction inspection.

The department will accept grade separation structures as part of new subdivision streets provided the structure is a drainage structure or is intended to separate the movement of registered motor vehicles. In addition, the department will accept grade separation structures intended to separate pedestrians or bicyclists or any combination thereof from traffic using the roadway, provided:

1. The structure is available for unrestricted public use;

2. The structure is accessible to pedestrian facilities, if any, situated along the street; and

3. The projected traffic volume of the street is not less than 4000 vpd or, if the structure otherwise serves as part of the principle pedestrian access to a school and a peak hour traffic volume of 450 vph is projected.

In all other instances, the grade separation structure shall be deemed to be a county controlled grade separation structure within the right-of-way of the street, in which case the street will only be accepted as part of the secondary system of state highways maintained by the department after the local governing body and the department have executed an agreement acceptable to the department that (i) acknowledges the department has no responsibility or liability due to the presence of the structure and (ii) assures the costs of inspection, maintenance, and future improvements to the structure are provided from sources other than those administered by the department.

In all cases, whether the structure is accepted as an integral part of the roadway for maintenance by the department or it remains a county controlled structure, the responsibility for lighting, safety, and security of those using such facilities shall remain a responsibility of local government.

K. Dams. The department will only consider accepting subdivision streets for maintenance that occupy dams when all of the following provisions are satisfied. For the purpose of this section, a roadway will be considered to occupy a dam if any part of the fill for the roadway and the fill for the dam overlap or if the area between the two embankments is filled in so that the downstream face of the dam is obscured or if a closed drainage facility from a dam extends under a roadway fill.

1. Agreements with the governing body. Except as exempt under subdivision 6 of this subsection, the governing body acknowledges by formal agreement the department's liability is limited to the maintenance of the roadway and that the department has no responsibility or liability due to the presence of the dam, the maintenance of which shall remain the responsibility of an owner, other than VDOT, as established by § 33.1-176 33.2-409 of the Code of Virginia.

2. Design review. An engineer, licensed to practice in the Commonwealth of Virginia, shall certify that the hydraulic and structural design of any dam, as described below, is in accordance with current national and state engineering practice and that all pertinent provisions of the Subdivision Street Design Guide (24VAC30-91-160) have been considered. Prior to approval of the roadway construction plans, the hydraulic and structural design of a proposed dam shall be reviewed by and meet the department's satisfaction if:

a. A roadway is considered to occupy a dam; or

b. A roadway is located below but sufficiently close to the dam that a catastrophic breach could endanger the roadway or the safety of those using the roadway.

3. Right-of-way requirements. The right-of-way of roads considered to occupy dams shall be recorded either as an easement for public road purposes or as a dedication specifically to the governing body. Right-of-way dedicated in the name of the Commonwealth or any of its agencies is not acceptable if it includes a dam and roads through such right-of-way will not be accepted as a part of the secondary system of state highways maintained by the department.

4. Supplemental, alternative access. To be considered for VDOT maintenance, roadways that occupy a dam must be supplemented by an appropriate alternative roadway facility for public ingress or egress, having suitable provisions that ensure perpetual maintenance.

5. Permits. All applicable federal and state permits associated with dams shall be secured and filed with the county prior to VDOT's acceptance of any street that occupies a dam.

6. Dams exempt from agreements. The acceptance of roadways that occupy dams shall be exempt from the requirements for an agreement with the governing body, as required by subdivision 1 of this subsection, if all of the following is satisfied:

a. The dam is used to create a stormwater detention or retention facility;

b. The maximum depth of the water retained by the impoundment at its 100-year storm flood elevation is not greater than four feet; and

c. The surface area of the impoundment at full flood is not greater than two acres and is beyond the right-of-way dedicated to public use.

L. Roadway drainage.

1. Policy and procedures. All drainage facilities shall be designed in accordance with the department's Drainage Manual (24VAC30-91-160) and supplemental directives. All drainage computations supporting a proposed drainage design shall be submitted to the department for review as part of the documents necessary for the approval of a construction plan.

2. Stormwater management. Whereas the department considers matters regarding stormwater management associated with the construction of new subdivision streets to be under the authority of the local governing body, decisions regarding stormwater management in the construction of subdivision streets are deferred to the locality. However, stormwater management, including the construction of detention or retention facilities, or both, is recognized as an available design alternative. Where the developer is required by regulations promulgated by an agency or governmental subdivision other than the department or the developer chooses to use stormwater management facilities in the design of a subdivision, the governing body shall, by formal agreement, and as a prerequisite for the transfer of jurisdiction over the street to the department, acknowledge that the department is not responsible for the operation, maintenance, or liability of the stormwater management facility or facilities associated with the subdivision. However, in the event the governing body has executed a comprehensive, countywide agreement with the department addressing these matters, a specific agreement addressing stormwater management controls in the subdivision will not be required as a condition for street acceptance.

Stormwater management controls for VDOT projects are designed in accordance with the VDOT Erosion and Sediment Control and Stormwater Management Program Specifications Manual (24VAC30-91-160), the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Regulations, 4VAC50-30 9VAC25-840, and the Virginia Stormwater Management Regulations, 4VAC3-20 Program (VSMP) Regulation, 9VAC25-870. While these controls may be necessary whenever a street maintained by VDOT is widened or relocated, the department does not require them in the development of new subdivision streets, because such activity is regulated by the local governments. However, developers and counties may find these controls useful in managing land development activity.

Devices and treatments intended to mitigate the impact of stormwater shall be placed off of the right-of-way and shall be designed to prevent the backup of water against the roadbed.

Where development activity results in increased runoff to the extent that adjustment of an outfall facility is required, such adjustment shall be at the developer's expense and be contained within an appropriate easement.

3. Drainage easements.

a. An acceptable easement shall be provided from all drainage outfalls to a natural watercourse, as opposed to a swale. (See 24VAC30-91-10 for definitions.)

b. The department normally accepts and maintains only that portion of a drainage system that falls within the limits of the dedicated right-of-way for a street. The department's responsibility to enter drainage easements outside of the dedicated right-of-way shall be limited to undertaking corrective measures to alleviate problems that may adversely affect the safe operation or integrity of the roadway.

c. In the event drainage to a natural watercourse is not accomplished or is interrupted, an acceptable agreement from the governing body may be considered as an alternative to providing an easement to a natural watercourse, provided the agreement acknowledges that the department is neither responsible nor liable for drainage from the roadway.

M. Other design considerations.

1. Guardrail. Guardrail shall be used when required by the resident engineer consistent with the Road Design Manual (24VAC30-91-160). For placement considerations, see the Subdivision Street Design Guide (24VAC30-91-160).

2. Landscaping and erosion control. All disturbed areas within the dedicated right-of-way and easements of any subdivision street shall be restored with vegetation compatible with the surrounding area. Where there is visual evidence of erosion or siltation, acceptance of the street as part of the secondary system of state highways maintained by the department will be postponed until appropriate protective measures, in accordance with VDOT's construction practices, are taken. Except as otherwise approved by the resident engineer, planting of trees or shrubs on the right-of-way shall be in accordance with the Subdivision Street Design Guide (24VAC30-91-160).

3. Lighting. Roadway, security, or pedestrian lighting, when required by the governing body or desired by the developer, shall be installed in accordance with the Subdivision Street Design Guide (24VAC30-91-160). However, VDOT shall not be responsible for the maintenance or replacement of lighting fixtures or the provision of power for lighting.

4. Railroad crossings.

a. Short-arm gates with flashing signals, flashing signals alone, or other protective devices as deemed appropriate by the department shall be provided at any at-grade crossing of an active railroad by a subdivision street.

b. Crossings of railroad right-of-way are subject to the requirements of the railroad. Subdivision streets to be accepted by the department for maintenance as part of the secondary system of state highways that cross railroad right-of-way will only be considered if the protective measures outlined under this section have been fully installed and an agreement between the railroad, the developer and the local governing body has been executed. Prior to execution, such agreements shall be presented to the department for consideration in consultation with the Department of Rail and Public Transportation.

5. Utilities. Local governments, the development community, and the utility community are encouraged to coordinate and consolidate their interests as part of the initial development plan.

a. Underground utilities. The department allows the placement of underground utilities within the dedicated right-of-way of streets, but normally restricts placement to areas outside of the travel lanes and desirably beyond pavement areas. However, if the governing body has established adequate requirements for the design, location, and construction of underground utilities within the right-of-way of subdivision streets, including provisions that ensure that adequate testing and inspection is performed to minimize future settlement, those requirements shall become the department's requirements and govern unless those requirements conflict with a requirement of the department.

When location of the utilities outside of the pavement area is not practical and is endorsed by the local government through its requirements, such installations:

(1) Are acceptable within the shoulders along the street or within the parking area adjacent to curb and gutter roadways.

(2) May be acceptable beneath the travel lanes of the street when provisions are made to ensure adequate inspection and compaction tests and:

(a) Longitudinal installations and manholes are located outside of the normal travel lanes, or

(b) Longitudinal installations and manholes are placed in the center of an undivided roadway out of the wheel path.

However, manholes shall not be placed in sidewalk or shared use path facilities within five feet of curb ramps or within driveway entrances.

b. Open-cutting of hard-surfaced roadways. The department usually prohibits the open-cutting of hard-surfaced roads except in extenuating circumstances. Therefore, all underground utilities within the right-of-way, as determined necessary by good engineering practice to serve the complete development of adjacent properties, shall be installed during the street's initial construction and prior to the application of its final pavement surface course. This shall include extensions of all necessary cross-street connections or service lines to an appropriate location beyond the pavement and preferably the right-of-way line.

In the event it is necessary to open the street pavement to work on utilities after the surface has been placed, additional compaction tests and paving as necessary to restore the integrity and appearance of the roadway may be required at the discretion of the resident engineer.

c. Cross-street conduits. To facilitate the placement of future underground utilities, cross-street conduits are encouraged, with placement of such conduits occurring on each street at intersections and approximately every 1,000 feet along the length of a street.

d. Aboveground utilities. All aboveground utilities shall be installed behind the sidewalk or as close as possible to the limits of the street's right-of-way but shall not encroach on the sidewalk, the shared use path, or any clear zone.

To assure the unencumbered dedication of the right-of-way for subdivision street additions, easements or other interests within the platted right-of-way shall be quitclaimed of any prior rights therein. In exchange, a permit may be issued by the department for a utility to occupy the area involved. This permit will be processed by the resident engineer upon acceptance of the street into the secondary system of state highways maintained by the department. No inspection fee is required for permits so issued. However, the approval of the permit shall be contingent upon the utility's compliance with applicable provisions of the Land Use Permit Regulations.

Part III
Reference Section

24VAC30-91-150. Subdivision street development, plan review, and acceptance.

A. The county-state partnership governing VDOT acceptance of new streets for maintenance. Section 33.1-229 33.2-705 of the Code of Virginia (a Byrd Act provision) creates the authority under which local governments establish new roads as part of the secondary system of state highways. Sections 15.2-2240 and 15.2-2241 of the Code of Virginia establish the authority of local subdivision ordinances and the authority of counties to set the standards for new streets within their territories.

VDOT's participation in the development and acceptance of subdivision streets for maintenance is a cooperative commitment of the Commonwealth Transportation Board.

VDOT's concurrence with or approval of a construction plan represents VDOT's commitment to accept the streets shown on the plan when satisfactorily constructed and all other requirements governing the department's acceptance of streets are satisfied, including the governing body's request for the acceptance of or transfer of the maintenance and operational jurisdiction over the street, as outlined in these requirements.

Pursuant to these principles:

1. Local government controls land development activity and establishes new streets, the relocation of existing streets, and the criteria governing the development of such streets.

2. VDOT establishes the minimum standards that must be satisfied for new subdivision streets to be considered for maintenance by the department as part of the secondary system of state highways under its jurisdiction.

Within each locality, VDOT is represented by a resident engineer or comparable designee.

B. Street development and acceptance of maintenance process.

1. Concept and construction plan approval phase. The proposed construction plan shall be considered incomplete in the absence of a preliminary pavement design based on the Pavement Design Guide (24VAC30-91-160) and the presumed values therein.

2. Construction phase. Upon approval of the construction plan and prior to construction, the resident engineer should advise the developer regarding inspection of the construction phases and the scheduling of those inspections. VDOT approval of each of the following phases of construction is recommended.

a. Installation of any enclosed drainage system before it is covered.

b. Installation of any enclosed utility placements within the right-of-way before being covered.

c. Construction of the cuts and fills, including field density tests, before placement of roadbed base materials.

d. A final pavement design, based on actual soil characteristics and certified tests, shall be completed and approved before the pavement structure is placed.

e. Placement of base materials, including stone depths, consistent with the approved pavement design, prior to placement of the paving course or courses, followed by field density and moisture tests and the placement of a paving course as soon as possible.

f. Construction of pavement, including depth and density, upon completion as part of the final inspection.

3. Street acceptance process. In the absence of any other formal acceptance, the governing body's resolution requesting the department to accept a street for maintenance as part of the secondary system of state highways completes the dedication and is deemed to constitute the governing body's acceptance of the street.

4. Post acceptance phase.

24VAC30-92-10. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in these regulations shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Abandonment" in all its forms means the legislative action reserved for and granted to the local governing body to extinguish the public's right to a roadway under the jurisdiction of the Virginia Department of Transportation pursuant to §§ 33.1-151 33.2-909 and 33.1-155 33.2-912 of the Code of Virginia.

"Accessible route" means a public or private continuous unobstructed, stable, firm and slip-resistant path connecting all accessible elements of a facility (which may include parking access aisles, curb ramps, crosswalks at vehicular ways, walks, ramps and lifts) that can be approached, entered and used by persons with disabilities. An accessible route shall, to the maximum extent feasible, coincide with the route for the general public.

"ADT" means average daily traffic count (see "projected traffic").

"Applicable former requirements" means the 2005 Subdivision Street Requirements for developments submitted prior to July 1, 2009, and the 2009 edition of the Secondary Street Acceptance Requirements for developments submitted between July 1, 2009, and January 31, 2012, inclusive.

"Best management practice" or "BMP" means schedules of activities; prohibitions of practices, including both structural and nonstructural practices; maintenance procedures; and other management practices to prevent or reduce the pollution of surface waters and groundwater systems from the impacts of land-disturbing activities.

"Clear zone" means the total border area of a roadway including, if any, parking lanes or planting strips that is sufficiently wide for an errant vehicle to avoid a serious accident. (See the Road Design Manual, 2011 (VDOT) and its Appendix B (1) (the Subdivision Street Design Guide) for details.)

"Commissioner" means the chief executive officer of the Virginia Department of Transportation or his designee.

"Conceptual sketch" means a drawing of the proposed development showing the location of existing and proposed land uses, any existing and proposed transportation facilities, and any additional information required so that the reviewer can determine the appropriate functional classification of the proposed street or streets and verify if the connectivity standards have been met.

"Cul-de-sac" means a street with only one outlet and having an appropriate turnaround for a safe and convenient reverse traffic movement.

"Dam" means an embankment or structure intended or used to impound, retain, or store water, either as a permanent pond or as a temporary storage facility.

"Department" or "VDOT" means the Virginia Department of Transportation.

"Design speed" means a speed selected for purposes of design and correlation of those features of a street such as curvature, super elevation, and sight distance, upon which the safe operation of vehicles is dependent.

"Developer" means an individual, corporation, local government, or registered partnership engaged in the subdivision, improvement, or renovation of land.

"Discontinuance," in all its forms, means the legislative act of the Commonwealth Transportation Board, pursuant to § 33.1-150 33.2-908 of the Code of Virginia, that determines that a road no longer serves public convenience warranting its maintenance with funds at the disposal of the department.

"District administrator" means the department employee assigned the overall supervision of the departmental operations in one of the Commonwealth's construction districts.

"District administrator's designee" means the department employee or employees designated by the district administrator to oversee the implementation of this regulation.

"Drainage Manual" means the department's Drainage Manual, 2002.

"Dwelling unit" means a structure or part of a structure containing sleeping, kitchen, and bathroom facilities that is suitable for occupancy as a home or residence by one or more persons.

"Easement" means a grant of a right to use property of an owner for specific or limited purpose.

"FAR" means floor area ratio, which is the ratio of the total floor area of a building or buildings on a parcel to the land area of the parcel where the building or buildings are located.

"Functional classification" means the assigned classification of a roadway based on the roadway's intended purpose of providing priority to through traffic movement and access to adjoining property as determined by the department, based on the federal system of classifying groups of roadways according to the character of service they are intended to provide.

"Governing body" means the board of supervisors of the county, but may also mean the local governing body of a town or city, if appropriate, in the application of these requirements.

"Level of service" means a qualitative measure describing operational conditions within a vehicular traffic stream, and their perception by motorists and passengers. For the purposes of these requirements, the applicable provisions of the Highway Capacity Manual, 2010 (TRB) shall serve as the basis for determining "levels of service."

"Locally controlled grade separation structure" means a grade separation structure that does not qualify for maintenance by the department but was established within the right-of-way of a street intended for state maintenance.

"Local official" means the representative of the governing body appointed to serve as its agent in matters relating to subdivisions and land development.

"Multiuse trail" means a facility designed and constructed for the purpose of providing bicycle and pedestrian transportation, located within a dedicated public way and is anticipated to be maintained by an entity other than the department.

"Municipal separate storm sewer system" or "MS4" means all separate storm sewers that are designated under 4VAC50-60-380 9VAC25-870-380 as municipal separate storm sewer systems.

"Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Management Program" or "MS4 Program" means a management program covering the duration of a permit for a municipal separate storm sewer system that includes a comprehensive planning process that involves public participation and intergovernmental coordination, to reduce the discharge of pollutants to the maximum extent practicable, to protect water quality, and to satisfy the appropriate water quality requirements of the Clean Water Act and corresponding regulations and the Virginia Stormwater Management Act and attendant regulations, using management practices, control techniques, and system, design and engineering methods, and such other provisions that are appropriate.

"Network addition" means a group of interconnected street segments and intersections shown in a plan of development that are connected to the state highway system.

"Parking bay" means an off-street area for parking two or more vehicles that provides access to a public street.

"Parking lane" means an area, generally seven or eight feet in width, adjacent to and parallel with the travel lane of a roadway that is used for parking vehicles.

"Pavement Design Guide" means the Pavement Design Guide for Subdivision and Secondary Roads in Virginia, 2009 (VDOT).

"Permit Regulations" means the department's Land Use Permit Regulations (24VAC30-151).

"Phased development (streets)" means the method outlined in 24VAC30-92-80 (phased development of streets) whereby the acceptance of certain streets into the secondary system of state highways may be considered before being completely developed in accordance with all applicable requirements (e.g., two lanes of a four-lane facility are considered for acceptance in advance of lanes three and four being finished).

"Plan of development" means any site plat, subdivision plan, preliminary subdivision plat, conceptual subdivision sketch, or other engineered or surveyed drawings depicting proposed development of land and street layout, including plans included with rezoning proposals.

"Plans" means the standard drawings, including profile and roadway typical section, that show the location, character, dimensions, and details for the proposed construction of the street.

"Planting strip" means a section of land between the curb face and the pedestrian accommodation or shared use path.

"Plat" means the schematic representation of the land divided or to be divided.

"Projected traffic" means the number of vehicles, normally expressed in average daily traffic (ADT), forecast to travel over the segment of the street involved.

"Public street" means a street dedicated to public use and available to the public's unrestricted use without regard to the jurisdictional authority responsible for its operation and maintenance.

"Requirements" means the design, construction, public benefit, and related administrative considerations herein prescribed for the acceptance of a street for maintenance by the department as part of the secondary system of state highways.

"Right-of-way" means the land, property, or interest therein, usually in a strip, acquired for or devoted to a public street designated to become part of the secondary system of state highways.

"Roadway" means the portion of the road or street within the limits of construction and all structures, ditches, channels, etc., necessary for the correct drainage thereof.

"Secondary system of state highways" means those public roads, streets, bridges, etc., established by a local governing body pursuant to § 33.1-229 33.2-705 of the Code of Virginia and subsequently accepted by the department for supervision and maintenance under the provisions of Articles 6 (§ 33.1-67 et seq.) and 11 (§ 33.1-150 et seq.) of Chapter 1 of Title 33.1 Article 3 (§ 33.2-324 et seq.) of Chapter 3 and Article 2 (§ 33.2-908 et seq.) of Chapter 9 of Title 33.2 of the Code of Virginia.

"Shared use path" means a facility that is designed and constructed according to the Road Design Manual, 2011 (VDOT), for the purpose of providing bicycle and pedestrian transportation.

"Specifications" means the department's Road and Bridge Specifications, 2007, revised 2011, including related supplemental specifications and special provisions.

"Standards" means the applicable drawings and related criteria contained in the department's Road and Bridge Standards, 2008, revised 2011.

"Storm sewer system" means a conveyance or system of conveyances and its appurtenances, including roads with drainage systems, municipal streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, manmade channels, or storm drains.

"Street" means any roadway that is created as part of a plan of development, other subdivision of land, or is constructed by or at the direction of the local governing body and is a public way for purposes of vehicular traffic, including the entire area within the right-of-way.

"Stub out" means a transportation facility (i) whose right-of-way terminates at a parcel abutting the development, (ii) that consists of a short segment that is intended to serve current and future development by providing continuity and connectivity of the public street network, (iii) that based on the spacing between the stub out and other streets or stub outs, and the current terrain there is a reasonable expectation that connection with a future street is possible, and (iv) that is constructed to the property line.

"Subdivision" means the division of a lot, tract, or parcel into two or more lots, plats, sites, or other divisions of land for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of sale or of building development. Any resubdivision of a previously subdivided tract or parcel of land shall also be interpreted as a "subdivision." The division of a lot or parcel permitted by § 15.2-2244 of the Code of Virginia will not be considered a "subdivision" under this definition, provided no new road or street is thereby established. However, any further division of such parcels shall be considered a "subdivision."

"Subdivision Street Design Guide" means Appendix B (1) of the Road Design Manual, 2011 (VDOT).

"Swale" means a broad depression within which stormwater may drain during inclement weather, but that does not have a defined bed or banks.

"Total maximum daily load" or "TMDL" is a water quality term that means the sum of the individual wasteload allocations for point sources, load allocations (LAs) for nonpoint sources, natural background loading and a margin of safety. TMDLs can be expressed in terms of either mass per time, toxicity, or other appropriate measure. The TMDL process provides for point versus nonpoint source trade-offs.

"Traveled way" means the portion of the secondary street designated for the movement of vehicles, exclusive of shoulders, parking areas, turn lanes, etc.

"Tree well" means an opening on a sidewalk, generally abutting the curb, where a tree may be planted.

"VPD" means vehicles per day.

"VPH" means vehicles per hour.

"Wasteload allocation" or "wasteload" or "WLA" means the portion of a receiving surface water's loading or assimilative capacity allocated to one of its existing or future point sources of pollution. WLAs are a type of water quality-based effluent limitation.

"Watercourse" means a defined channel with bed and banks within which water flows, either continuously or periodically.

24VAC30-92-20. Applicability, effective date, and transition.

A. Applicability. This regulation is intended to govern secondary street development and the criteria for acceptance of these streets by the department for subsequent maintenance. The Road Design Manual, 2011 (VDOT) and its Appendix B (1), the Subdivision Street Design Guide offer guidance on the design and construction features of secondary street development and set out design parameters deemed appropriate for most land development scenarios. However, the business of land development is fluid and the department, in consultation with the local official, is prepared to consider innovative transportation approaches associated with land development proposals that are consistent with the design and connectivity requirements of this chapter and the Subdivision Street Design Guide, Appendix B (1) of the Road Design Manual, 2011 (VDOT). However, when not specifically addressed in one of those documents, the relevant requirements of the Road Design Manual, 2011 (VDOT), standards, specifications, the Pavement Design Guide for Subdivision and Secondary Roads in Virginia, 2009 (VDOT) and associated instructions shall govern.

These requirements apply to all streets designated to be maintained by the department as part of the secondary system of state highways, except for streets whose construction was funded by state highway construction allocations. The department's review and approval shall apply only to streets proposed for addition to the secondary system of state highways maintained by the department. Any plans submitted for review that contain only streets proposed for maintenance by entities other than the department may be reviewed for general guidance at the discretion of the district administrator but will not be officially approved. However, any such review shall not represent the department's commitment to accept such streets for maintenance irrespective of the quality of the construction of the street or streets.

Any streets proposed to be privately maintained shall have a notation on the plat and impacted deeds that clearly indicates that as a prerequisite for the streets' future acceptance, the streets must be improved to the department's prevailing requirements for acceptance at no cost to the department. All notations made on plats or similar instruments pursuant to this section shall be in accordance with § 33.1-72.2 33.2-336 of the Code of Virginia.

B. Grandfathering.

1. Streets where the street layout has been proffered pursuant to § 15.2-2297, 15.2-2298, or 15.2-2303 of the Code of Virginia prior to February 1, 2012, may, at the discretion of the developer, be considered for acceptance in accordance with the applicable former requirements, provided the requirements of § 15.2-2307 of the Code of Virginia have been met. This grandfathering shall not apply to any streets where the proffered layout may be adjusted, without requiring a significant affirmative governmental zoning action to modify such proffered conditions, to meet the requirements of this chapter, unless a site plan, subdivision plat, or preliminary plat relying on such proffered street layout has been submitted for approval prior to February 1, 2012. In such instances the grandfathering may, at the discretion of the developer, apply to the applicable site plan, subdivision plat, or preliminary subdivision plat. Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, the grandfathering provided based upon proffers shall not be lost or adversely impacted due to a modification of the relevant plan or plat so long as no more than 20% (cumulative) of the original street centerline mileage is eliminated, realigned, or added compared to the proffered layout and the modification is not expected to result in an increase in traffic generation.

2. Streets that are part of a recorded plat or final site plan valid pursuant to § 15.2-2261 of the Code of Virginia and approved in accordance with §§ 15.2-2286 and 15.2-2241 through 15.2-2245 and 15.2-2286 of the Code of Virginia prior to February 1, 2012, shall be considered for acceptance in accordance with the applicable former requirements as long as such plats or plans remain valid under applicable law. However, such streets may be considered for acceptance under requirements of this chapter at the discretion of the developer.

3. Streets that are part of a preliminary subdivision plat valid pursuant to § 15.2-2260 of the Code of Virginia approved in accordance with §§ 15.2-2286 and 15.2-2241 through 15.2-2245 and 15.2-2286 of the Code of Virginia prior to February 1, 2012, shall be considered for acceptance in accordance with the applicable former requirements for a period of up to five years or such longer period as such preliminary subdivision plat is valid under applicable law, provided the requirements of § 15.2-2260 of the Code of Virginia have been met. Such grandfathering shall apply to construction plans, site plans, and final plats submitted and approved in furtherance of such preliminary subdivision plat for as long as such plans or plats remain valid under applicable law. However, such streets may be considered for acceptance under requirements of this chapter at the discretion of the developer.

4. Streets that are part of a street construction plan approved by the department prior to February 1, 2012, shall be considered for acceptance in accordance with the applicable former requirements. However, such streets may be considered for acceptance under requirements of this chapter at the discretion of the developer.

5. If requested by the applicable locality, the applicable former requirements shall apply if the applicant has submitted at a minimum a conceptual sketch that includes all of the elements required under 24VAC30-92-70 A prior to February 1, 2012. Subdivisions 1 through 4 of this subsection shall take precedence over this subdivision in any instances of a conflict.

C. Effective date. All streets proposed for acceptance by the department after January 1, 2012, shall be considered for acceptance in accordance with this chapter, except as provided for in this section and as may be waived by the commissioner pursuant to this chapter.

D. Transition. Prior to February 1, 2012, the department will consider complete plats and plans developed in accordance with the applicable former requirements or these requirements. Any plat or plan initially submitted to the department for consideration after January 31, 2012, however, shall be in accordance with these requirements.

24VAC30-92-60. Public benefit requirements.

A. Public benefit. A street or network addition may only be accepted by the department for maintenance as part of the secondary system of state highways if it provides sufficient public benefit to justify perpetual public maintenance as defined by this chapter. A street shall be considered to provide sufficient public benefit if it meets or exceeds the public service, pedestrian accommodation, and connectivity requirements of this chapter.

B. Public service requirements. In the event the governing body requests the addition of a street or network addition before it meets these public service provisions, the district administrator will review each request on an individual case basis and determine if the acceptance of a street prior to normal service requirements is justified, provided the street or network addition meets all other applicable requirements including the connectivity requirements of this chapter. At the request of the local governing body, subject to approval by the district administrator, the public service requirements may be reduced for individual streets serving state or local economic development projects.

1. Individual streets. For the purpose of these requirements, public service may include, but is not necessarily limited to, streets meeting one or more of the following situations:

a. Serves three or more occupied units with a unit being a single-family residence, owner-occupied apartment, owner-occupied residence in a qualifying manufactured home park, a stand-alone business, or single business entity occupying an individual building, or other similar facility. Also, streets serving manufactured home parks may only be considered when the land occupied by the manufactured home is in fee simple ownership by the residents of such manufactured home.

b. Constitutes a connecting segment between other streets that qualify from the point of public service.

c. Such street is a stub out.

d. Serves as access to schools, churches, public sanitary landfills, transfer stations, public recreational facilities, or similar facilities open to public use.

e. Serves at least 100 vehicles per day generated by an office building, industrial site, or other similar nonresidential land use in advance of the occupancy of three or more such units of varied proprietorship. Any addition under this provision shall be limited to the segment of a street that serves this minimum projected traffic and has been developed in compliance with these requirements.

f. Constitutes a part of the network of streets envisioned in the transportation plan or element of a locality's comprehensive plan that, at the time of acceptance, serves an active traffic volume of at least 100 vehicles per day.

2. Multifamily, townhouse, and retail shopping complexes. A through street that serves a multifamily building may be considered for maintenance as part of the secondary system of state highways if it is deemed by the department to provide a public service and provided it is well defined and the district administrator's designee determines that it is not a travel way through a parking lot.

Entrance streets and the internal traffic circulation systems of retail shopping complexes qualify only if more than three property owners are served and the district administrator's designee determines that it is not a travel way through a parking lot.

3. Network additions. A network addition shall be considered to provide service if each street within the addition meets at least one of the criteria in subdivision 1 of this subsection.

4. Special exceptions. There may be other sets of circumstances that could constitute public service. Consequently, any request for clarification regarding unclear situations should be made in writing to the district administrator's designee.

C. Connectivity requirements. All streets in a development as shown in a plan of development shall be considered for acceptance into the secondary system of state highways as one or multiple network additions. However, streets with a functional classification of collector and above may be eligible for acceptance as individual streets.

For the purposes of this subsection, connection shall mean a street connection to an adjacent property or a stub out that will allow for future street connection to an adjacent property.

The connectivity requirements of this chapter shall not apply to the following: a frontage road or reverse frontage road as defined in the Access Management Regulations: Principal Arterials (24VAC30-72) or Access Management Regulations: Minor Arterials, Collectors, and Local Streets (24VAC-30-73), streets petitioned for acceptance into the secondary system of state highways through the Rural Addition Program pursuant to §§ 33.1-72.1 33.2-335 and 33.1-72.2 33.2-336 of the Code of Virginia, or streets petitioned for acceptance into the secondary system of state highways through the Commonwealth Transportation Board's Rural Addition Policy provided such streets were constructed prior to January 1, 2012.

1. Stub out connection standard. If a stub out or stub outs maintained by the department adjoin the property of a development with a network addition or individual street proposed for acceptance into the secondary system of state highways, such network addition or individual street must connect to such stub out or stub outs to be eligible for acceptance into the secondary system of state highways. The district administrator may waive this requirement if the existing stub out is of such design as to make such a connection unsafe.

2. Multiple connections in multiple directions standard. The streets within a network addition may be accepted into the secondary system of state highways if the network addition

provides at least two external connections, one of which must be to a publicly maintained highway and the other providing a connection to a different highway or a stub out to an adjoining property. Local street stub outs generally should not exceed 500 feet in length. If a stub out is constructed, the applicant shall post a sign in accordance with the department's standards that indicates that such stub out is a site for a future roadway connection. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as to prohibit a stub out from providing service to lots within a development. The district administrator's designee shall waive or modify the second required connection of this standard if one or more of the following situations renders the provision of such connection impracticable:

a. The adjoining property is completely built out, its state is such that redevelopment within 20 years is unlikely, and there is no stub out (either constructed or platted) to the property served by the network addition;

b. The adjoining property is zoned for a use whose traffic is incompatible with the development being served by the network addition, providing, however, that in no case shall retail, residential, or office uses be considered incompatible with other retail, residential, or office uses; or

c. There is no reasonable connection possible to adjoining property or adjacent highways due to a factor outside the control of the developer of the network addition, such as the presence of conservation easements not put in place by the developer of the network addition, water features such as rivers or lakes, jurisdictional wetlands, grades in excess of 15% whose total elevation change is greater than five feet, limited access highways, railroads, or government property to which access is restricted.

3. Additional connections standard. Network additions providing direct access to (i) more than 200 dwelling units or (ii) lots whose trip generation is expected to be over 2,000 VPD may be accepted into the secondary system of state highways if the network addition provides an additional external connection beyond that required under subdivision 2 of this subsection for each additional 200 dwelling units or 2,000 VPD or portion of each over and above the initial 200 dwelling units or 2,000 VPD. For the purposes of this requirement, each external connection of collector facilities that are elements of the county's transportation plan and to which there is no direct lot access provided counts as two external connections. The district administrator's designee shall waive or modify this additional connections standard if one or more of the following situations renders the provision of such connection impracticable:

a. The adjoining property is completely built out, its state is such that redevelopment within 20 years is unlikely, and there is no stub out (either constructed or platted) to the property served by the network addition;

b. The adjoining property is zoned for a use whose traffic is incompatible with the development being served by the network addition, providing, however, that in no case shall retail, residential, or office uses be considered incompatible with retail, residential, or office uses;

c. In developments with a median density of more than eight lots per acre or with a FAR of 0.4 or higher, where the number of connections provided would be contrary to the public interest; or

d. There is no reasonable connection possible to adjoining property or adjacent highways due to a factor outside the control of the developer of the network addition, such as the presence of conservation easements not put in place by the developer of the network addition, water features such as rivers or lakes, jurisdictional wetlands, grades in excess of 15% whose total elevation change is greater than five feet, limited access highways, railroads, or government property to which access is restricted.

4. Individual street standard. Streets that are not part of a network addition shall be accepted into the secondary system of state highways upon petition by the local governing body as long as they meet the requirements of the applicable design standard and one terminus of the street is an intersection with a roadway that is part of the existing publicly maintained highway network and the other terminus is either an intersection with a roadway that is part of the existing publicly maintained highway network or a stub out to an adjoining property. Streets considered for individual acceptance should be (i) streets that provide a connection between two existing publicly maintained streets or (ii) streets with a functional classification as collector or higher.

5. Connectivity exceptions.

Where the above standards for waiver or modification have been met, the connectivity requirements for a network addition shall be waived or modified by the district administrator's designee. The developer shall submit any request for connectivity waiver or modification to the district administrator's designee with a copy to the local official. The district administrator's designee shall respond to requests for connectivity exceptions within 30 calendar days of receipt of a request. For projects where a scoping meeting pursuant to the Traffic Impact Analysis regulations Regulations (24VAC30-155) will be held, requests for exceptions and supporting data should be presented and discussed.

6. In instances where there is potential for conflict between this chapter and the Access Management Regulations: Principal Arterials (24VAC30-72) or the Access Management Regulations: Minor Arterials, Collectors, and Local Streets (24VAC30-73), the following shall apply:

a. For streets with a functional classification of collector where additional connections necessary to meet the connectivity requirements of this chapter cannot be accommodated within the applicable spacing standards and cannot otherwise be met through connections to lower order roadways or stub outs, such spacing standards shall be modified by the district administrator's designee to allow for such connection. Such connection or connections shall be required to meet intersection sight distance standards specified in the Road Design Manual, 2011 (VDOT).

b. For streets with a functional classification of minor arterial where additional connections necessary to meet the connectivity requirements of this chapter cannot be accommodated within the applicable spacing standards and cannot otherwise be met through connections to lower order roadways or stub outs, the district administrator's designee shall, in consultation with the developer and the local official, either modify the applicable spacing standards to allow for such connection or connections, or modify the connectivity requirements of this chapter to account for the inability to make such connection. Such connection shall be required to meet intersection sight distance as specified in the Road Design Manual, 2011 (VDOT).

c. For streets with a functional classification of principal arterial where additional connections necessary to meet the external connectivity requirements of this chapter cannot be accommodated within the applicable spacing standards and cannot otherwise be met through connections to lower order roadways or stub outs, the connectivity requirements shall be modified by the district administrator's designee to account for the inability to make such connection.

7. Failure to connect. If a local government approves a subdivision plat for a new development that does not connect to a stub out or stub outs in an adjacent development and such development's network addition or individual street would meet the applicable requirements of this chapter if it connected to a stub out or stub outs in the adjacent development, the network addition or individual street may or may not be accepted into the secondary system of state highways for maintenance pursuant to the authority granted to the district administrators in accordance with 24VAC30-92-100.

24VAC30-92-120. Design and agreement requirements.

A. General requirements. Most criteria addressing the design of new streets can be found in the Road Design Manual, 2011 (VDOT) and its Appendix B (1), the Subdivision Street Design Guide. However, the following provisions are provided for guidance, particularly in regard to features that require agreements or formal acknowledgements of the governing body before VDOT's acceptance of the street or streets within a development.

When an agreement is required between the local governing body and the department as a prerequisite to the acceptance of a street, nothing in these requirements shall preclude the local governing body from entering into separate agreements with other entities to fulfill its responsibilities. However, if the provisions are intended to ensure the safety of the public using the street, the department reserves the right to approve the involvement of the other party or parties.

All streets functionally classified as local shall have a design speed equal to the posted speed limit, except for streets functionally classified as local with a projected traffic volume of 400 vehicles per day or less, which may have a design speed less than the posted speed limit.

The department, locality, and developer shall take measures to minimize the impacts of through traffic on streets functionally classified as local and accepted into the secondary system of state highways under these regulations. Such measures shall include initial street designs that manage motor vehicle speed to match local context.

B. Geometric requirements. Geometric requirements for new streets are established in the Road Design Manual, 2011 (VDOT) and its Appendix B (1), the Subdivision Street Design Guide. Sufficient off-street parking must be provided by the local governing body in accordance with this chapter if streets in a proposed network addition are constructed in accordance with design requirements for streets with off-street parking.

C. Turn lanes. Left or right turn lanes shall be provided at intersections when the department determines that projected turning movements warrant their installation. These facilities shall be designed in accordance with the Road Design Manual, 2011 (VDOT) and its Appendix B (1), the Subdivision Street Design Guide and, if necessary, additional right-of-way shall be provided to accommodate these facilities.

D. Pavement structure.

1. Pavement design. The pavement structure for new streets shall be in accordance with the Pavement Design Guide for Subdivision and Secondary Roads in Virginia, 2009 (VDOT), including any prescribed underdrains. Prior to construction of the pavement sub-base and finish courses, the district administrator's designee shall approve the proposed pavement design.

2. Special pavement surfaces. The district administrator's designee may approve special pavement surfaces, such as the use of stamped pavement. However, if the pavement design is a type not addressed by the Pavement Design Guide for Subdivision and Secondary Roads in Virginia, 2009 (VDOT), an agreement shall be provided by the governing body that addresses the future maintenance of such pavement.

3. Pavement additions to existing streets. When an existing VDOT-maintained roadway is to be widened to accommodate additional lanes or the addition of turn lanes, the necessary pavement design shall be obtained from the district administrator's designee and the entire surface of the roadway (old and new portions) may be required to be overlaid and restriped if required by the district administrator's designee. The district administrator's designee shall not require the entire surface of the roadway to be overlaid and restriped when the only pavement addition to the existing roadway was for bicycle lanes unless extenuating circumstances require that the entire surface of the roadway be overlaid and restriped.

E. Parking.

1. Perpendicular and angle parking along streets is normally prohibited. However, perpendicular and angle parking along streets may be considered if the features along the street cause the street to readily appear to be a street rather than a travel way through a parking lot.

Street design that anticipates limited or no on-street parking shall be approved when sufficient off-street parking is provided in accordance with this chapter. Street design that anticipates the restriction of on-street parking on one side of the street shall be approved when sufficient off-street parking is provided for buildings on the side of the street where it is anticipated parking will be restricted.

2. For streets designed without on-street parking, a minimum of two off-street parking spaces per dwelling unit shall be provided in proximity of the unit that they are intended to serve. Such spaces, which may be provided in a parking bay, driveway, or garage facilities, shall be provided outside of the street's right-of-way. The district administrator's designee may approve lesser parking requirements for individual developments or classes of developments when evidence is presented to support such an approval such as proximity to transit service or the nature of the development. Entrances to parking bays and garage facilities shall be designed in accordance with the appropriate provisions of the Access Management Regulations: Principal Arterials (24VAC30-72) and Access Management Regulations: Minor Arterials, Collectors, and Local Streets (24VAC30-73).

3. In instances where the local governing body has determined, through adoption of a parking ordinance or other similar ordinance, that lesser parking requirements are sufficient for certain classes of development, such lesser requirements shall govern.

4. The department shall not prohibit roadway design that allows for the provision of on-street parking on any roadway with a functional classification of collector or local where the posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less.

F. Cul-de-sacs and turnarounds. An adequate turnaround facility shall be provided at the end of each cul-de-sac to permit the safe and convenient maneuvering by service vehicles. Various configurations of turnarounds are illustrated in the Subdivision Street Design Guide (Appendix B (1) of the Road Design Manual, 2011 (VDOT)); however, alternative configurations may be approved by the district administrator's designee. Additional right-of-way shall be provided as required by the design of the turnaround. Normally, any nontraveled way areas within the turnaround, such as an island, shall be included in the dedicated right-of-way of the facility unless the department and the locality are able to reach an agreement for the maintenance of such nontraveled way areas. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the provision of stormwater management facilities in the nontraveled way areas of a cul-de-sac, provided the requirements of subsection L of this section are met.

For circular turnarounds, a well-defined, identifiable street segment, equal to the normal lot width along the intersected street that serves the cul-de-sac, or 50 feet, whichever is greater, shall extend from the intersected street to the turning area.

G. Curb and gutter. For the purpose of these requirements, the use of curb and gutter is an acceptable roadway design, rather than a requirement. However, when used, curb and gutter shall be designed in accordance with the Road Design Manual and the Subdivision Street Design Guide (Appendix B (1) of the Road Design Manual, 2011 (VDOT)) and only one curb and gutter design may be used along the length of a street.

1. Driveway entrance requirements. Without regard to the curb design used, the curb shall incorporate a driveway entrance apron, as illustrated in the Subdivision Street Design Guide (Appendix B (1) of the Road Design Manual, 2011 (VDOT)), to provide a smooth transition from the gutter invert or roadway surface onto the driveway.

2. Curb ramps. All streets that incorporate accessible routes for pedestrian use shall, without regard to the curb design used, include curb ramps at intersections for use by persons with disabilities and shall incorporate other applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 USC § 12101 et seq.).

H. Private entrances. All private entrances shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the Subdivision Street Design Guide (Appendix B (1) of the Road Design Manual, 2011 (VDOT)).

I. Pedestrian, bicycle, and shared use path facilities. The Commonwealth Transportation Board's "Policy for Integrating Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodations," 2004 emphasizes accommodating pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Any street proposed for VDOT acceptance shall accommodate pedestrian and bicycle traffic in accordance with the Commonwealth Transportation Board's policy and this chapter. Pedestrian and bicycle facilities should be generally uniform between intersections and included in the initial construction of the street, prior to VDOT acceptance.

1. Pedestrian accommodation requirements. Pedestrian accommodations shall be provided based upon density of development, the plans for or existence of public schools in the vicinity, the presence of existing pedestrian accommodations, and the operational nature of the fronting street. In all developments with pedestrian accommodations, such accommodations shall connect with existing pedestrian accommodations and allow for connection to future pedestrian accommodations to adjacent parcels. If multiple requirements apply to a street, the greater accommodation requirement shall govern. The district administrator's designee may waive or modify these requirements for the provision of pedestrian accommodations in situations when the accommodation exception provisions of the Commonwealth Transportation Board's policy are met.

a. Pedestrian accommodations shall be provided along both sides of the street or provisions made that provide equivalent pedestrian mobility for streets with an ADT over 400 that are located in a development with a median lot size of one-quarter acre or smaller or when the ADT for the street is over 8,000.

b. Pedestrian accommodations shall be provided along at least one side of the street or provisions made that provide equivalent pedestrian mobility for streets with an ADT over 400 that are located in a development with a median lot size between one-quarter acre and one-half acre or when the ADT for the street is between 2,000 and 8,000.

c. Pedestrian accommodations shall be provided along at least one side of the street or provisions made that provide equivalent pedestrian mobility within one-half street centerline mile of a public school.

d. When connecting to a stub street that has pedestrian accommodations, the new street shall also include pedestrian accommodations.

e. Pedestrian accommodations shall be provided along both sides of, or provisions made that provide equivalent pedestrian mobility along, streets functionally classified as collectors or arterials with three or more travel lanes. In no instance shall any sidewalk abut the curb or the edge of a collector or higher order street, unless the sidewalk is at least eight feet wide. In such instances tree wells shall be provided. In instances where it is necessary to retrofit streets with pedestrian accommodations to allow the streets to be accepted into the secondary system of state highways, the pedestrian accommodations less than eight feet wide may abut the curb or the edge of the street.

2. Maintenance of pedestrian and bicycle accommodations. Pedestrian and bicycle facilities are eligible for VDOT acceptance and maintenance based on the criteria of this section. A copy of an agreement or other document showing the proposed maintenance responsibilities of pedestrian and bicycle facilities shall be provided to VDOT for any pedestrian accommodation outside of the VDOT right-of-way that is used to meet the accommodation requirements of this subsection.

a. Compliant facilities. Pedestrian and bicycle facilities, including shared use shared-use paths as defined under § 46.2-100 of the Code of Virginia, shall be accepted as part of the street or network addition, unless otherwise requested by the governing body, provided they are located fully within the dedicated right-of-way of the street and they are constructed in accordance with applicable criteria and standards of the department.

(1) Sidewalk criteria. Sidewalks shall be constructed in accordance with the Subdivision Street Design Guide (Appendix B (1) of the Road Design Manual, 2011 (VDOT)).

(2) Bicycle facility criteria. Bicycle facilities contiguous with the street shall be in accordance with the department's design and construction criteria set forth in the Road Design Manual, 2011.

(3) Shared use path criteria. Shared use paths shall be constructed in accordance with the Road Design Manual, 2011 and closely follow the vertical alignment of the roadway without meandering on and off the right-of-way.

b. Noncompliant sidewalk, bicycle, and shared use paths. Noncompliant sidewalk, bicycle, and shared use paths that fail to meet requirements of the department's standards for construction, alignment, or placement within the dedicated right-of-way of the street shall be deemed to be noncompliant and not qualify for maintenance unless a design waiver or exemption is granted by the department. Noncompliant sidewalks and shared use paths may be constructed of stabilizer convenient to the applicant. Noncompliant facilities may co-exist within the dedicated right-of-way of the street under a land use permit issued by the district administrator's designee to the local governing body responsible for having established the facility through its subdivision process or other development process.

Such permits will clearly specify the responsibility for maintenance of the facility and related activities to the extent the facility occupies the street's right-of-way. The permit applicant should be an entity that can be reasonably expected to have perpetual maintenance capability.

J. Bridge, drainage, and other grade separation structures. Bridges, drainage, and other grade separation structures shall be designed and constructed in accordance with all applicable department criteria and standards. The district administrator's designee may require special review of the plans and construction inspection.

The department will accept grade separation structures as part of new streets, provided the structure is a drainage structure or is intended to separate the movement of registered motor vehicles. In addition, the department will accept grade separation structures intended to separate pedestrians or bicyclists or any combination thereof from traffic using the roadway, provided:

1. The structure is available for unrestricted public use;

2. The structure is accessible to pedestrian accommodations situated along the street; and

3. The projected traffic volume of the street is (i) not less than 4,000 ADT or (ii) if the structure otherwise serves as part of the principal pedestrian access to a school or a mass transit facility including stops and stations and a peak hour traffic volume of 450 VPH or greater.

In all other instances, the grade separation structure shall be deemed to be a locally controlled grade separation structure within the right-of-way of the street, in which case the street will only be accepted as part of the secondary system of state highways maintained by the department after the local governing body and the department have executed an agreement acceptable to the department that (i) acknowledges the department has no responsibility or liability due to the presence of the structure and (ii) assures the burden and costs of inspection, maintenance, and future improvements to the structure are provided from sources other than those administered by the department.

In all cases, whether the structure is accepted as an integral part of the roadway for maintenance by the department or it remains a locally controlled structure, the lighting, safety, and security of those using such facilities shall remain a responsibility of local government.

K. Dams. The department will only consider accepting streets for maintenance that traverse dams when all of the following provisions are satisfied. For the purpose of this section, a roadway will be considered to traverse a dam if any part of the fill for the roadway and the fill for the dam overlap or if the area between the two embankments is filled in so that the downstream face of the dam is obscured or if a closed drainage facility from a dam extends under a roadway fill.

1. Agreements with the governing body. Except as exempt under subdivision 6 of this subsection, the governing body acknowledges by formal agreement the department's liability is limited to the maintenance of the roadway and that the department has no responsibility or liability due to the presence of the dam, the maintenance of which shall remain the responsibility of an owner, other than the department, as established by § 33.1-176 33.2-409 of the Code of Virginia.

2. Design review. An engineer licensed to practice in the Commonwealth of Virginia shall certify that the hydraulic and structural design of any dam, as described below, is in accordance with current national and state engineering practice and that all pertinent provisions of the Subdivision Street Design Guide (Appendix B (1) of the Road Design Manual, 2011 (VDOT)) have been considered. Prior to approval of the roadway construction plans, the hydraulic and structural design of a proposed dam shall be reviewed by the department and meet the department's satisfaction if:

a. A roadway is considered to traverse a dam; or

b. A roadway is located below but sufficiently close to the dam that a catastrophic breach could endanger the roadway or the safety of those using the roadway.

3. Right-of-way requirements. The right-of-way of roads considered to occupy dams shall be recorded either as an easement for public road purposes or as a dedication specifically to the governing body. Right-of-way dedicated in the name of the Commonwealth or any of its agencies is not acceptable if it includes a dam, and roads through such right-of-way will not be accepted as a part of the secondary system of state highways maintained by the department.

4. Supplemental, alternative access. To be considered for VDOT maintenance, roadways that traverse a dam must be supplemented by an appropriate alternative roadway facility for public ingress or egress having suitable provisions that ensure perpetual maintenance.

5. Permits. All applicable federal and state permits associated with dams shall be secured and filed with the locality prior to VDOT's acceptance of any street that traverses a dam.

6. Dams exempt from agreements. The acceptance of roadways that traverse dams shall be exempt from the requirements for an agreement with the governing body, as required by subdivision 1 of this subsection, if all of the following is satisfied:

a. The dam is used to create a stormwater detention or retention facility;

b. The maximum depth of the water retained by the impoundment at its 100-year storm flood elevation is not greater than four feet; and

c. The surface area of the impoundment at full flood is not greater than two acres and is beyond the right-of-way dedicated to public use.

L. Roadway drainage.

1. Policy and procedures. All drainage facilities shall be designed in accordance with the department's Drainage Manual, 2002 and supplemental directives or the Subdivision Street Design Guide (Appendix B (1) of the Road Design Manual, 2011 (VDOT)) as may be appropriate. All drainage computations supporting a proposed drainage design shall be submitted to the department for review as part of the documents necessary for the approval of a construction plan.

2. Stormwater management. Whereas the department considers matters regarding stormwater management associated with the construction of streets to be under the authority of the local governing body, decisions regarding stormwater management in the construction of streets are deferred to the locality. However, stormwater management, including the construction of detention or retention facilities, or both, is recognized as an available design alternative or BMP for water quantity, quality, or both. Where the developer is required by regulations promulgated by an agency or governmental subdivision other than the department or the developer chooses to use stormwater management facilities in the design of a subdivision or other development, the governing body shall, by formal agreement, and as a prerequisite for the transfer of jurisdiction over the street to the department, acknowledge that the department is not responsible for the operation, maintenance, retrofitting, or liability of the stormwater management facility or facilities associated with the subdivision or the development. Any retrofits required to comply with a TMDL WLA will be the responsibility of the locality. However, in the event the governing body has executed a comprehensive, localitywide agreement with the department addressing these matters, a specific agreement addressing stormwater management controls in the subdivision or development will not be required as a condition for street acceptance.

Stormwater management controls for VDOT projects are to be designed in accordance with the approved VDOT Erosion and Sediment Control and Stormwater Management Program Standards and Specifications, 2010, as annually approved by the Department of Conservation and Recreation State Water Control Board, the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Regulations (4VAC50-30) (9VAC25-840), and the Virginia Stormwater Management Program (VSMP) Permit Regulations (4VAC50-60) Regulation (9VAC25-870), and, if applicable, VDOT's MS4 Program Plan, 2008. While these controls may be necessary whenever a street maintained by the department is widened or relocated, the department does not require them in the development of new streets because such activity is regulated by the local governments. However, developers and counties may find these controls useful in managing land development activity.

Generally devices and treatments intended to mitigate the impact of stormwater shall be placed off of the right-of-way and shall be designed to prevent the backup of water against the roadbed. However, such devices and treatments may be placed within the right-of-way if the department and the local governing body have executed an agreement that (i) acknowledges the department has no responsibility or liability due to the presence of the devices or treatments, or both; (ii) assures the burden and costs of inspection, maintenance, VSMP permit requirements, TMDL WLA requirements, retrofitting or other future improvements to the devices and treatments, or other costs related to the placement of such devices or treatments within the right-of-way are provided from sources other than those administered by the department; (iii) a professional engineer licensed by the Commonwealth or the manufacturer as required by the department, certifies the construction of the facility to plans reviewed by the department; and (iv) design requirements of the facility are included in the department's Drainage Manual, 2002, the Department of Conservation and Recreation's Stormwater Management Handbook, First Edition, 1999, or supplemental directives.

Where development activity results in increased runoff to the extent that adjustment of an outfall facility is required, such adjustment shall be at the developer's expense and shall be contained within an appropriate easement.

The department is required to implement the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit for facilities located on its right-of-way. To comply with these requirements, the local governing body shall provide to the district administrator's designee all aspects of a proposed development's storm sewer system and associated stormwater management plan that are pertinent to the locality's or the department's MS4 permit. Additionally, the local governing body shall provide to the district administrator's designee an inventory of all outfalls to waters of the United States, physical interconnections with other stormwater systems, stormwater management devices, or both related to the project that are located within VDOT right-of-way as a condition of street acceptance in accordance with the VDOT MS4 Stormwater Outfall Inventory Manual, 2011. VDOT shall not accept a street for maintenance as part of the secondary system of state highways that are not in compliance with conditions of the pertinent MS4 permit and VDOT's MS4 Program Plan, 2008, as such conditions existed at the time of the relevant street construction plan's approval. VDOT shall not accept a street for maintenance if there is an illicit discharge to the system, as defined by 4VAC50-60-10 9VAC25-870-10 until the illicit discharge is eliminated.

3. Drainage easements.

a. An acceptable easement shall be provided from all drainage outfalls to a natural watercourse, as opposed to a swale.

b. The department normally accepts and maintains only that portion of a drainage system that falls within the limits of the dedicated right-of-way for a street. The department's responsibility to enter drainage easements outside of the dedicated right-of-way shall be limited to undertaking corrective measures to alleviate problems that may adversely affect the safe operation or integrity of the roadway.

c. In the event drainage to a natural watercourse is not accomplished or is interrupted, an acceptable agreement from the governing body may be considered as an alternative to providing an easement to a natural watercourse, provided the agreement acknowledges that the department is neither responsible nor liable for drainage from the roadway.

M. Other design considerations.

1. Guardrail. Guardrail shall be used when required by the district administrator's designee, consistent with the Road Design Manual, 2011. For placement considerations, see the Subdivision Street Design Guide (Appendix B (1) of the Road Design Manual, 2011 (VDOT)).

2. Landscaping and erosion control. All disturbed areas within the dedicated right-of-way and easements of any street shall be restored with vegetation compatible with the surrounding area. Where there is visual evidence of erosion or siltation, acceptance of the street as part of the secondary system of state highways maintained by the department will be postponed until appropriate protective measures, in accordance with VDOT's construction practices, are taken. Except as otherwise approved by the district administrator's designee, planting of trees or shrubs on the right-of-way shall be in accordance with the Road Design Manual, 2011 (VDOT) and its Appendix B (1) (the Subdivision Street Design Guide).

3. Lighting. Roadway, security, or pedestrian lighting, when required by the governing body or desired by the developer, shall be installed in accordance with the Road Design Manual, 2011 (VDOT) and its Appendix B (1) (the Subdivision Street Design Guide). However, VDOT shall not be responsible for the maintenance or replacement of lighting fixtures or the provision of power for lighting.

4. Railroad crossings.

a. Short-arm gates with flashing signals, flashing signals alone, or other protective devices as deemed appropriate by the department shall be provided at any at-grade crossing of an active railroad by a street.

b. Crossings of railroad right-of-way are subject to the requirements of the railroad. Streets to be accepted by the department for maintenance as part of the secondary system of state highways that cross railroad right-of-way will only be considered if the protective measures outlined under this section have been fully installed and an agreement between the railroad, the developer, and the local governing body has been executed. Prior to execution, such agreements shall be presented to the department for consideration in consultation with the Department of Rail and Public Transportation.

5. Utilities. Local governments, the development community, and the utility community are encouraged to coordinate and consolidate their interests as part of the initial development plan.

a. Underground utilities. The department allows the placement of underground utilities within the dedicated right-of-way of streets, but normally restricts placement to areas outside of the travel lanes. However, if the governing body has established adequate requirements approved by the department for the design, location, and construction of underground utilities within the right-of-way of streets, including provisions that ensure that adequate testing and inspection is performed to minimize future settlement, those requirements shall become the department's requirements and govern provided those requirements exceed the department's requirements.

Manholes shall not be placed in sidewalk, multiuse trail, or shared use path facilities, within five feet of curb ramps or within driveway entrances.

When location of the utilities outside of the pavement area is not practical such as in high density developments incorporating the principles of new urbanism as described in § 15.2-2223.1 of the Code of Virginia, such installations:

(1) Are acceptable within the shoulders along the street or within the parking area.

(2) May be acceptable beneath the travel lanes of the street or alley when provisions are made to ensure adequate inspection and compaction tests and:

(a) Longitudinal installations and manholes are located outside of the normal travel lanes; or

(b) Longitudinal installations and manholes are placed in the center of a travel lane out of the wheel path.

b. Open-cutting of hard-surfaced roadways. The department usually prohibits the open-cutting of hard-surfaced roads except in extenuating circumstances. Therefore, all underground utilities within the right-of-way, as determined necessary by good engineering practice to serve the complete development of adjacent properties, shall be installed during the street's initial construction and prior to the application of its final pavement surface course. This shall include extensions of all necessary cross-street connections or service lines to an appropriate location beyond the pavement and preferably the right-of-way line.

In the event it is necessary to open the street pavement to work on utilities after the surface has been placed, additional compaction tests and paving as necessary to restore the integrity and appearance of the roadway may be required at the discretion of the district administrator's designee.

c. Cross-street conduits. To facilitate the placement of future underground utilities, cross-street conduits are encouraged, with placement of such conduits occurring on each street at intersections.

d. Aboveground utilities. All aboveground utilities shall be installed behind the sidewalk or as close as possible to the limits of the street's right-of-way but shall not encroach on the sidewalk, the shared use path, or any clear zone.

To assure the unencumbered dedication of the right-of-way for street additions, easements or other interests within the platted right-of-way shall be quitclaimed of any prior rights therein. In exchange, a permit may be issued by the department for a utility to occupy the area involved. This permit will be processed by the district administrator's designee upon acceptance of the street into the secondary system of state highways maintained by the department. No fee is required for permits so issued. However, the approval of the permit shall be contingent upon the utility's compliance with applicable provisions of the Land Use Permit Regulations (24VAC30-151).

24VAC30-92-130. Right-of-way width, spite strips, and encroachments.

A. Right-of-way width. A clear and unencumbered right-of-way shall be dedicated to public use for any street proposed for addition to the secondary system of state highways maintained by the department. However, in certain rare extenuating circumstances involving a party beyond the influence of the developer, an easement for transportation purposes may be approved by the district administrator's designee in lieu of dedicated right-of-way. In all other cases, any easement that might interfere with the public's unencumbered use of the street shall be quitclaimed in exchange for a land use permit as outlined in 24VAC30-92-120 M 5.

The width of right-of-way shall be as indicated in the Subdivision Street Design Guide (Appendix B (1) of the Road Design Manual, 2011 (VDOT)) and the Road Design Manual, 2011 (VDOT) and shall be sufficient to include all essential elements of the roadway intended to be maintained by the department, including pedestrian, multiuse trail, bicycle, or shared use path facilities and clear zone. However, supplemental easements may be used to accommodate sight distance requirements and slopes for cuts and fills. The right-of-way requirements are defined in the Subdivision Street Design Guide (Appendix B (1) of the Road Design Manual, 2011 (VDOT)) and the Road Design Manual, 2011 (VDOT).

When an existing state maintained road is widened, the additional right-of-way should be dedicated as follows:

1. If the existing right-of-way consists of a prescriptive easement, to the degree that the developer controls the land, the right-of-way shall be dedicated to public use from the centerline of the alignment.

2. If the existing right-of-way is dedicated to public use, the additional right-of-way shall be dedicated to public use.

3. If the existing right-of-way is titled in the name of the department or the Commonwealth, the additional right-of-way shall be deeded to the department or to the Commonwealth, consistent with the title of the existing right-of-way.

B. "Spite strips." Plans that include a reserved or "spite" strip that prohibits otherwise lawful vehicular access to a street from the adjacent properties, whether within or outside the subdivision or development, will not be approved.

C. Encroachments within the right-of-way. Recording of a plat causes the fee title interest of areas dedicated to public use to transfer to the local governing body. Therefore, objects installed within the right-of-way for purposes other than transportation may be considered an unlawful encroachment in the right-of-way and prevent the right-of-way from being considered clear and unencumbered.

Posts, walls, signs, or similar ornamental devices that do not interfere with roadway capacity, encroach into a clear zone, or interfere with prescribed sight distance requirements, or are not in conflict with Chapter 7 (§ 33.1-351 et seq.) of Title 33.1 Chapter 12 (§ 33.2-1200 et seq.) of Title 33.2 of the Code of Virginia may be permitted within the right-of-way. However, specific authorization by the district administrator's designee or as authorized under the Land Use Permit Regulations (24VAC30-151) is a requisite for these devices or any other encroachment located within the right-of-way. For the purposes of this subsection, mailboxes installed on breakaway posts may occupy the right-of-way without permit. Otherwise, encroachments that do not fall within the clear zone may be allowed within the right-of-way pursuant to a land use permit issued by the district administrator's designee.

Part I
Outdoor Advertising in Zoned and Unzoned Commercial and Industrial Areas

24VAC30-120-10. Definitions.

For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:

"Commercial or industrial activities" means those activities generally recognized as commercial or industrial by zoning authorities in this Commonwealth, except that none of the following activities shall be considered commercial or industrial:

1. Outdoor advertising structures.

2. Agricultural, forestry, grazing, farming, and related activities including, but not limited to, wayside fresh produce stands.

3. Transient or temporary activities.

4. Activities not visible from the main-traveled way.

5. Activities more than 300 feet from the nearest edge of the right of way.

6. Activities conducted in a building principally used as a residence.

7. Railroad tracks and minor sidings.

"National highway system" means the federal-aid highway system described in subsection (b) of § 103 of Title 23, United States Code, and regulations adopted pursuant to that law, or as defined in § 33.1-351 33.2-1200 of the Code of Virginia.

"Unzoned commercial or industrial areas" means those areas on which there is located one or more permanent structures devoted to a business on industrial activity or on which a commercial or industrial activity is actually conducted, whether or not a permanent structure is located thereon, and the area along the highway extending outward 500 feet from and beyond the edge of such activity. Each side of the highway will be considered separately in applying this definition.

"Zoned commercial or industrial areas" means those areas which are reserved for business, commerce, or trade pursuant to a comprehensive state or local zoning ordinance or regulation. All measurements shall be from the outer edges of the regularly used buildings, parking lots, storage or processing areas of the activities, not from the property lines of the activities, and shall be along or parallel to the edge or pavement of the highway.

Part II
Directional and Other Official Signs and Notices (Located Off Highway Right of Way)

24VAC30-120-80. Definitions.

The following definitions apply to directional and other official signs and notices which are erected and maintained within 660 feet of the nearest edge of the right of way of interstate, federal-aid primary and national highway systems, which are not erected on the highway right of way and which are visible from the main-traveled way of the system.

"Directional and other official signs and notices" means only official signs and notices, public utility signs, service club and religious notices, public service signs, and directional signs.

"Directional signs" means signs containing directional information about public places owned or operated by federal, state, or local governments or their agencies; publicly or privately owned natural phenomena, historic, cultural, scientific, educational, and religious sites; and areas of natural scenic beauty or naturally suited for outdoor recreation, deemed to be in the interest of the traveling public.

"Erect" means to construct, build, raise, assemble, place, affix, attach, create, paint, draw, or in any other way bring into being or establish.

"Federal or state law" means a federal or state constitutional provision or statute, or an ordinance, rule or regulation enacted or adopted by a state or federal agency or a political subdivision of a state pursuant to a federal or state constitution or statute.

"Freeway" means a divided arterial highway for through traffic with full control of access.

"Interstate system" means the national system of interstate and defense highways, described in § 103(e) of Title 23, United States Code.

"Maintain" means to allow to exist.

"Main-traveled way" means the through traffic lanes of the highway, exclusive of frontage roads, auxiliary lanes and ramps.

"National highway system" means the federal-aid highway system described in subsection (b) of § 103 of Title 23, United States Code, and regulations adopted pursuant to that law, or as defined in § 33.1-351 33.2-1200 of the Code of Virginia.

"Official signs and notices" means signs and notices erected and maintained by public officers or public agencies within their territorial or zoning jurisdiction and pursuant to and in accordance with direction or authorization contained in federal, state or local law for the purposes of carrying out an official duty or responsibility. Historical markers authorized by state law and erected by state or local government agencies or nonprofit historical societies may be considered official signs.

"Parkland" means any publicly owned land which is designated or used as a public park, recreation area, wildlife or waterfowl refuge or historic site.

"Primary system" means the federal-aid highway system described in § 103(b) of Title 23, United States Code.

"Public service signs" means signs located on school bus stop shelters, which:

1. Identify the donor, sponsor, or contributor of said shelter;

2. Contain safety slogans or messages, which shall occupy not less than 60% of the area of the sign;

3. Contain no other message;

4. Are located on school bus shelters which are authorized or approved by city, county, or state law, regulation or ordinance, and at places approved by the city, county, or state agency controlling the highway involved; and

5. May not exceed 32 square feet in area. Not more than one sign on each shelter shall face in any one direction.

"Public utility signs" means warning signs, informational signs, notices, or markers which are customarily erected and maintained by publicly or privately owned public utilities, as essential to their operations.

"Rest area" means an area or site established and maintained within or adjacent to the highway right of way by or under public supervision or control for the convenience of the traveling public.

"Scenic area" means any area of particular scenic beauty or historical significance as determined by the federal, state, or local officials having jurisdiction thereof, and includes interests in land which has been acquired for the restoration, preservation, and enhancement of scenic beauty.

"Service club and religious notices" means signs and notices whose erection is authorized by law, relating to meetings of nonprofit service clubs or charitable associations, or religious services, which signs do not exceed eight square feet in area.

"Sign" means an outdoor sign, light, display device, figure, painting, drawing, message, placard, poster, billboard, or other thing which is designed, intended, or used to advertise or inform any part of the advertising or informative contents of which is visible from any place on the main-traveled way of the interstate or federal-aid primary highway.

"Single route" means one numbered highway or a combination of numbered highways affording a means of reaching an advertised activity from any one point.

"State" means any one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico.

"Visible" means capable of being seen (whether or not legible) without visual aid by a person of normal visual acuity.

24VAC30-120-140. Administration of regulations.

The Commissioner of Highways, under § 33.1-352 33.2-1201 of the Code of Virginia, has the duty to administer and enforce provisions of Chapter 7 (§ 33.1-351 et seq.) of Title 33.1 Chapter 12 (§ 33.2-1200 et seq.) of Title 33.2 of the Code of Virginia. The board and the Commissioner of Highways recognize that there are other state agencies which have as their primary purpose the control and administration of the type of specific unique phenomena or site, for which a directional sign application may be made, that have valuable experience and knowledge in the matters contained in the definition of "directional signs." Therefore, the following state agencies are hereby recognized for the purpose of making recommendations whether a site, area, agency, or phenomena falls within the definition of "directional signs" set forth in 24VAC30-120-80:

Department of Conservation and Recreation

Department of Historic Resources

The Library of Virginia

The recommendations must be based upon criteria presently utilized or hereinafter adopted by one of these agencies.

After the recommendation is received the commissioner must employ the following standards in addition to those which appear elsewhere to ascertain whether a site, area, agency, or phenomena is eligible for directional signs.

1. That publicly or privately owned activities or attractions eligible for directional signing are limited to the following: natural phenomena; scenic attractions; historic, educational, cultural, scientific, and religious sites; and areas naturally suited for outdoor recreation.

2. Any of the above must be nationally or regionally known as determined by the commissioner.

3. Any of the above must be of outstanding interest to the traveling public as determined by the Commissioner of Highways.

The area, site, agency, or phenomena seeking to qualify for "directional signs" shall be the principal area, site, agency, or phenomena which would appear on proposed sign and not ancillary to the message which would appear on the sign.

Part IV
Control and Continuance of Nonconforming Signs, Advertisements, and Advertising Structures

24VAC30-120-160. Definitions.

The definitions set out in § 33.1-351 33.2-1200 of the Code of Virginia and the following definitions shall apply:

"Erect" means to construct, build, raise, assemble, place, affix, attach, create, paint, draw, or in any other way bring into being or establish.

"Nonconforming sign" means one which was lawfully erected but which does not comply with the provisions of state law or state regulations passed at a later date or which later fails to comply with state law or state regulations due to changed conditions.

An example of changed conditions would be a sign or advertisement lawfully in existence in a commercial area which at a later date becomes noncommercial and thus required to be protected, or a sign or advertisement lawfully erected on a federal-aid secondary highway later upgraded to a federal-aid primary highway. Illegally erected or maintained signs or advertisements are not nonconforming signs.

"Nonconforming sign - grandfather clause" means a sign lawfully in existence on certain dates or as specified in the state-federal agreement erected in a commercial or industrial area which does not conform to size, lighting, or spacing criteria.

24VAC30-120-170. Criteria for the maintenance and continuance of a nonconforming sign, advertisement or advertising structure.

A. To be classified as a nonconforming sign or structure, such sign or structure must have been in lawful existence on the effective date of the state law or regulation or changed condition and must continue to be lawfully maintained.

B. To be allowed to continue as nonconforming, a sign or structure must remain substantially unchanged from its condition as of the effective date of the state law or regulations or changed condition.

1. Replacement, extension, or enlargement of the sign or structure is a substantial change in the existing use.

2. The change of location or height of such sign or structure is a substantial change in the existing use.

3. A change of the message content is not a substantial change in existing use. In the event a sign has been blank for a period of 18 consecutive months, the owner will be given written notice of 120 days to display a message on or remove such sign structure. In the event a message is not displayed on the sign structure within 120 days from the postdate of the aforementioned written notice, the permit shall be cancelled.

4. Rebuilding, or re-erecting the sign or structure, is a substantial change in existing use if such rebuilding, or re-erection expenses exceed 50% of the current replacement cost new of the entire sign or structure.

EXCEPTION:

If it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the commissioner that a nonconforming sign or structure has been vandalized or subject to other criminal or tortious act, then the replacement, rebuilding, or re-erecting of such sign or structure will not be considered a substantial change in existing use irrespective of the cost of such replacement; however, it will be considered a substantial change in existing use if damage to nonconforming signs or structures is caused by natural disasters, hurricanes, high winds, hail, or the like, and such damage exceeds 50% of the current replacement cost new of the entire sign or structure. In the event vandalism and an act of God combine to damage a nonconforming sign or structure, the commissioner shall determine the percentage allocated to each cause of damage before determining whether a substantial change in existing use has occurred.

5. Normal upkeep and repair of such sign or structure on a frequent basis, to the extent that the total cost of such repairs in the 12-month period would not exceed 50% of the current replacement cost new of the entire sign or structure, is not a substantial change in existing use.

C. In reaching a determination on the cost point in subdivisions B 4 and B 5 of this section the following will apply:

1. The sign owner shall furnish the commissioner cost data supporting any contention that such sign or structure is not damaged more than 50% of the current replacement cost new.

2. The commissioner may also utilize any other data available to him.

3. A sign or advertising structure lawfully in existence under the "Grandfather Clause" (see 24VAC30-120-160, Definitions) must conform to the criteria set out herein.

4. Certain standard maintenance practices and techniques utilized by the industry relating to how repairs are accomplished may be individually approved, in which case nonconforming rights shall not be terminated.

5. A nonconforming sign or structure that does not conform to the foregoing criteria shall constitute a substantial change in existing use thereby terminating nonconforming rights and legal status.

D. Once the sign owner has submitted the data per subsection C of this section, the commissioner, per §§ 33.1-352 33.2-1201 and 33.1-370.2 33.2-1219 of the Code of Virginia, shall make a determination whether the cost of the requested or required repairs exceeds 50% of the current replacement cost new of the entire billboard or structure. The determination shall be communicated to the sign owner and the building official of the locality. The sign owner is required to apply for a building permit from the locality before repairs can be commenced. If the building official of the locality objects to the commissioner's determination, for good cause shown, he may submit the objection to the commissioner, with a copy to the sign owner, within 30 days of the building permit application by the sign owner. Upon receipt of the objection the commissioner, per §§ 33.1-352 33.2-1201 and 33.1-370.2 33.2-1219 of the Code of Virginia, shall consider the documentation submitted by the building official and reissue a determination, which shall be binding upon the locality.

24VAC30-120-190. Owner's responsibility.

The owner is responsible for the maintenance and continuance of a sign, advertisement, or advertising structure in conformity with the foregoing, which is not construed to relieve owner of such responsibility, nor to waive applicable provisions of the Code of Virginia relating to outdoor advertising including, but not limited to, §§ 33.1-351, 33.1-364, 33.1-369, 33.1-370, 33.1-371 33.2-1200, 33.2-1211, 33.2-1216, 33.2-1217, 33.2-1220, and 33.1-375 33.2-1227 of the Code of Virginia.

Part II
Authority

24VAC30-151-20. Authority.

The General Rules and Regulations of the Commonwealth Transportation Board (see 24VAC30-151-760) are adopted pursuant to the authority of § 33.1-12 33.2-210 of the Code of Virginia, and in accordance with the Virginia Administrative Process Act (Chapter 40 (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.) of Title 2.2 of the Code of Virginia). These rules and regulations provide that no work of any nature shall be performed on any real property under the ownership, control, or jurisdiction of VDOT until written permission has been obtained from VDOT. Real property includes, but is not limited to, the right-of-way of any highway in the state highways system. Written permission is granted either by permit or a state-authorized contract let by VDOT. By issuing a permit, VDOT is giving permission only for whatever rights it has in the right-of-way; the permittee is responsible for obtaining permission from others who may also have an interest in the property. Employees of VDOT are authorized to issue permits as described in this chapter. This chapter prescribes the specific requirements of such permits.

24VAC30-151-50. Violations of rules and regulations.

A. Objects placed on, above, or under the right-of-way in violation of the general rules and regulations shall be removed within 10 calendar days of receipt of notice from VDOT. Objects not removed within 10 calendar days shall be moved at the owner's expense. Objects requiring immediate removal for public safety, use, or maintenance of any highway shall be moved immediately at the owner's expense. The provisions of § 33.1-373 33.2-1224 of the Code of Virginia shall govern the removal of advertisements from within the right-of-way. The provisions of § 33.1-375 33.2-1227 of the Code of Virginia shall govern the removal of other signs from within the right-of-way.

B. The permittee will be civilly liable to the Commonwealth for expenses and damages incurred by VDOT as a result of violation of any of the rules and regulations of this chapter. Violators shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished as provided for in § 33.1-19 33.2-210 of the Code of Virginia.

C. Failure to implement proper traffic control and construction standards mandated by the permit shall be cause for the district administrator's designee to remove the permittee from the right-of-way or revoke the permit, or both.

D. See 24VAC30-151-30 for violations related to specific district-wide permit types.

Part III
Denial or Revocation of Permits

24VAC30-151-110. Denial; revocation; refusal to renew.

A. A land use permit may be revoked upon written finding that the permittee violated the terms of the permit, which shall incorporate by reference these rules, as well as state and local laws and ordinances regulating activities within the right-of-way. Repeated violations may result in a permanent denial of the right to work within the right-of-way. A permit may also be revoked for misrepresentation of information on the application, fraud in obtaining a permit, alteration of a permit, unauthorized use of a permit, or violation of a water quality permit. Upon revocation, the permit shall be surrendered without consideration for refund of fees. Upon restoration of permit privileges a new land use permit shall be obtained prior to performing any work within the right-of-way.

B. Land use permits may be denied to any applicant or company, or both, for a period not to exceed six months when the applicant or company, or both, has been notified in writing by the Commissioner of Highways, the central office permit manager, district administrator, or district administrator's designee that violations have occurred under the jurisdiction of a districtwide or previously issued single use permit. Any person, firm, or corporation violating a water quality permit shall permanently be denied a land use permit. Furthermore, these violators may be subject to criminal prosecution as provided for by § 33.1-19 33.2-210 of the Code of Virginia.

Part IV
Entrances

24VAC30-151-120. Provisions governing entrances.

VDOT's authority to regulate highway entrances is provided in §§ 33.1-197, 33.1-198, 33.2-240, 33.2-241, and 33.198.1 33.2-245 of the Code of Virginia and its authority to make regulations concerning the use of highways generally is provided in § 33.1-12 (3) 33.2-210 of the Code of Virginia.

Regulations regarding entrances are set forth in VDOT's regulations promulgated pursuant to § 33.1-198.1 33.2-245 of the Code of Virginia (see 24VAC30-151-760).

24VAC30-151-270. Railroad crossing permit requests by other companies.

Where a person, firm or chartered company engaged in mining, manufacturing or lumber getting, as defined in § 33.1-211 33.2-252 of the Code of Virginia, applies directly for a permit to construct a tramway or railroad track across the right-of-way, a permit may be issued under the following conditions:

1. Operations by the permittee shall conform to applicable statutes of the Code of Virginia in regard to construction and maintenance of the crossing surface, signing and other warning devices, blocking of crossing, etc.

2. In the event of future widening of the highway, the permittee shall lengthen the crossing surface, relocate signs and signals, etc., as may be necessary, at no expense to the Commonwealth.

3. The permittee shall furnish a performance and indemnifying bond of such amounts as VDOT deems necessary and agree to continue the same in force so long as the crossing is in place.

4. The permittee shall notify VDOT prior to the permittee transferring ownership of a crossing so that proper arrangement can be made for the transfer of permitted responsibilities.

24VAC30-151-550. Roadside memorials.

A. Section 33.1-206.1 33.2-216 of the Code of Virginia directs the Commonwealth Transportation Board to establish regulations regarding the authorized location and removal of roadside memorials. Roadside memorials shall not be placed on state right-of-way without first obtaining a permit. At the site of fatal crashes or other fatal incidents, grieving families or friends often wish for a roadside memorial to be placed within the highway right-of-way. The following rules shall be followed in processing applications to place roadside memorials within the highway right-of-way:

1. Applications for a memorial shall be submitted to the district administrator's designee. The district administrator's designee will review, and if necessary, amend or reject any application.

2. If construction or major maintenance work is scheduled in the vicinity of the proposed memorial's location, the district administrator's designee may identify an acceptable location for the memorial beyond the limits of work, or the applicant may agree to postpone installation.

3. If the applicant requests an appeal to the district administrator's designee's decision regarding amendment or rejection of an application, this appeal will be forwarded to the district administrator.

4. Criteria used to review applications shall include, but not be limited to, the following factors:

a. Potential hazard of the proposed memorial to travelers, the bereaved, VDOT personnel, or others;

b. The effect on the proposed site's land use or aesthetics; installation or maintenance concerns; and

c. Circumstances surrounding the accident or incident.

5. Approval of a memorial does not give the applicant, family, or friends of the victim permission to park, stand, or loiter at the memorial site. It is illegal to park along the interstate system, and because of safety reasons and concerns for the public and friends and family of the deceased, parking, stopping, and standing of persons along any highway is not encouraged.

B. The following rules will be followed concerning roadside memorial participation:

1. Any human fatality that occurs on the state highway system is eligible for a memorial. Deaths of animals or pets are not eligible.

2. The applicant must provide a copy of the accident report or other form of information to the district administrator's designee so that the victim's name, date of fatality, and location of the accident can be verified. This information may be obtained by contacting the local or state police. The district administrator's designee may also require that the applicant supply a copy of the death certificate.

3. Only family members of the victim may apply for a memorial.

4. The applicant will confirm on the application that approval has been obtained from the immediate family of the victim and the adjacent property owner or owners to locate the memorial in the designated location. If any member of the immediate family objects in writing to the memorial, the application will be denied or the memorial will be removed if it has already been installed.

5. If the adjacent property owner objects in writing, the memorial will be relocated and the applicant will be notified.

6. Memorials will remain in place for two years from the date of installation, at which time the permit shall expire. The Commissioner of Highways may, upon receipt of a written request, grant an extension of the permit. An extension may be granted for a period of one year, and requests for further extensions must be submitted for each subsequent year. The applicant or the family of the victim may request that the memorial be removed less than two years after installation.

7. The applicant shall be responsible for the fabrication of the memorial. VDOT will install, maintain, and remove the memorial, but the cost of these activities shall be paid by the applicant to VDOT.

C. Roadside memorial physical requirements.

1. The memorial shall be designed in accordance with Chapter 7 (§ 33.1-351 et seq.) of Title 33.1 Chapter 12 (§ 33.2-1200 et seq.) of Title 33.2 and § 46.2-831 of the Code of Virginia and the Rules and Regulations Controlling Outdoor Advertising and Directional and Other Signs and Notices and Vegetation Control Regulations on State Rights-Of-Way (see 24VAC30-151-760). The use of symbols, photographs, drawings, logos, advertising, or similar forms of medium is prohibited on or near the memorial.

2. Only one memorial per fatality shall be allowed.

3. VDOT reserves the right to install a group memorial in lieu of individual memorials to commemorate a major incident where multiple deaths have occurred.

4. The memorial shall be located as close as possible to the crash site, but location of the memorial may vary depending on the site and safety conditions.

a. Memorials shall be installed outside of the mowing limits and ditch line and as close to the right-of-way line as reasonably possible.

b. Memorials shall be located in such a manner as to avoid distractions to motorists or pose safety hazards to the traveling public.

c. Memorials shall not be installed in the median of any highway, on a bridge, or within 500 feet of any bridge approach.

d. Memorials shall not be permitted in a construction or maintenance work zone. VDOT reserves the right to temporarily remove or relocate a memorial at any time for highway maintenance or construction operations or activities.

e. If VDOT's right-of-way is insufficient for a memorial to be installed at the crash site, the district administrator's designee will locate a suitable location as close as possible to the incident vicinity to locate the memorial where sufficient right-of-way exists.

D. Removal. After the two-year term or any extension of the term approved in accordance with this section, the memorial shall be removed by VDOT personnel. The memorial nameplate will be returned to the applicant or the designated family member, if specified on the application. If the applicant does not wish to retain the nameplate, the nameplate will be reused, recycled, or disposed at VDOT's discretion.

24VAC30-151-590. Outdoor advertising adjacent to the right-of-way.

Permits for outdoor advertising located off the right-of-way are obtained through the roadside management section at any VDOT district office or the Maintenance Division in accordance with Chapter 7 (§ 33.1-351 et seq.) of Title 33.1 Chapter 12 (§ 33.2-1200 et seq.) of Title 33.2 of the Code of Virginia. Selective pruning permits for outdoor advertising shall be issued in accordance with § 33.1-371.1 33.2-1221 of the Code of Virginia.

24VAC30-151-620. Roadside management, landscaping.

Placement and maintenance of plant materials by individuals or organizations may be allowed under permit in strict accordance with VDOT Road and Bridge Specifications (see 24VAC30-151-760), VDOT Road and Bridge Standards (see 24VAC30-151-760), § 33.1-223.2:9 33.2-265 of the Code of Virginia, and the Comprehensive Roadside Management Program (see 24VAC30-151-760). The applicant shall maintain any altered roadside area in perpetuity. All related permit applications shall be accompanied by a corresponding maintenance agreement. If permit conditions, including the maintenance agreement, are violated at any time, VDOT reserves the right to reclaim and restore such permitted area to its original condition or otherwise establish turf in accordance with VDOT Road and Bridge Specifications (see 24VAC30-151-760). The costs of reclamation and restoration activities shall be paid by the permittee. Tree pruning or removal may be allowed on right-of way for maintenance purposes for utility facilities or as part of a roadside beautification project sponsored by the local government or to daylight an outdoor advertising structure in accordance with Vegetation Control Regulations on State Rights-of-Way (see 24VAC30-151-760). See VDOT's Tree and Brush Trimming Policy (see 24VAC30-151-760) for further information.

All pesticide applicators shall meet the applicable requirements established by the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services in Rules and Regulations for Enforcement of the Virginia Pesticide Law (2VAC20-20) (2VAC5-670) (see 24VAC30-151-760). Pesticide activities shall comply with all applicable federal and state regulations.

24VAC30-151-710. Fees.

A. Single use permit. A nonrefundable application fee shall be charged to offset the cost of reviewing and processing the permit application and inspecting the project work, in accordance with the requirements below:

1. The application fee for a single permit is $100.

2. Additive costs shall be applied as indicated below. The district administrator's designee will determine the total permit fees using the following schedule:

Activity	Fee
Private Entrances	none
Commercial Entrance	$150 for first entrance $50 for each additional entrance
Street Connection	$150 for first connection $50 for each additional connection
Temporary Logging Entrance	$10 for each entrance
Temporary Construction Entrance	$10 for each entrance
Turn Lane	$10 per 100 linear feet
Crossover	$500 per crossover
Traffic Signal	$1,000 per signal installation
Reconstruction of Roadway	$10 per 100 linear feet
Curb and Gutter	$10 per 100 linear feet
Sidewalk	$10 per 100 linear feet
Tree Trimming (for outdoor advertising)	in accordance with § 33.1-371 33.2-1221 of the Code of Virginia
Tree Trimming (all other activities)	$10 per acre or 100 feet of frontage
Landscaping	$10 per acre or 100 feet of frontage
Storm Sewer	$10 per 100 linear feet
Box Culvert or Bridge	$5 per linear foot of attachment
Drop Inlet	$10 per inlet
Paved Ditch	$10 per 100 linear feet
Under Drain or Cross Drain	$10 per crossing
Above-ground Structure (including poles, pedestals, fire hydrants, towers, etc.)	$10 per structure
Pole Attachment	$10 per structure
Span Guy	$10 per crossing
Additive Guy and Anchor	$10 per guy and anchor
Underground Utility - Parallel	$10 per 100 linear feet
Overhead or Underground Crossing	$10 per crossing
Excavation Charge (including Test Bores and Emergency Opening)	$10 per opening

3. Time extensions for active permits shall incur a monetary charge equal to one-half the application fee charged to the initial permit. Expired permits may be reinstated; however, fees for reinstatement of expired permits shall equal the application fee.

4. If a permit is cancelled prior to the beginning of work, the application fee and one-half of the additive fee will be retained as compensation for costs incurred by VDOT during plan review.

5. The district administrator's designee may establish an account to track plan review and inspection costs, and may bill the permittee not more often than every 30 calendar days. If an account is established for these costs, the permittee shall be responsible for the nonrefundable application fee and the billed costs. When actual costs are billed, the district administrator's designee shall waive the additive fees above.

B. Districtwide permits. Districtwide permits, as defined in 24VAC30-151-30, are valid for a period of two years. The biennial fee for a districtwide permit for utilities and logging operations is $750 per district. The biennial fee for a districtwide permit for surveying is $200 per district. The central office permit manager may exercise discretion in combining requests for multijurisdictional districtwide permits.

C. Miscellaneous permit fees. To connect the facility to the transmission grid pipeline, the operator of a nonutility renewable energy facility that produces not more than two megawatts of electricity from a renewable energy source, not more than 5,000 mmBtus/hour of steam from a renewable energy source, or landfill gas from a solid waste management facility, shall remit to VDOT a one-time permit fee of $1,500 per mile as full compensation for the use of the right-of-way in accordance with § 67-1103 of the Code of Virginia.

D. No-fee permits. The following permits shall be issued at no cost to the applicant:

1. In-place permits as defined in 24VAC30-151-30 and 24VAC30-151-390.

2. Prior-rights permits as defined in 24VAC30-151-30 and 24VAC30-151-390.

3. As-built permits as defined in 24VAC30-151-30.

4. Springs and wells as defined in 24VAC30-151-280.

5. Crest stage gauges and water level recorders as defined in 24VAC30-151-500.

6. Filming for movies as defined in 24VAC30-151-520.

7. Roadside memorials as defined in 24VAC30-151-550.

8. No loitering signs as defined in 24VAC30-151-570.

24VAC30-200-10. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Agent" means the person, firm, or corporation representing the permittee.

"Board" means the Commonwealth Transportation Board as defined in § 33.1-1 33.2-200 of the Code of Virginia.

"Certified arborist" means an individual who has taken and passed the certification examination sponsored by the International Society of Arboriculture and who maintains a valid certification status.

"Cutting" means to completely remove at ground level.

"Daylighting" means to prune or remove vegetation to improve the motorists' view of an outdoor advertising structure or business.

"Department" means the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and its employees.

"Federal-aid primary highway" means any highway as defined in § 33.1-351 33.2-1200 of the Code of Virginia.

"Inspector" means any employee designated by the Commissioner of Highways or local government official, to review and approve or deny the permit application and landscape plan, inspect the work performed under authority of this chapter, and make a final approval concerning the work performed.

"Interstate system" means any highway as defined in § 33.1-48 33.2-100 of the Code of Virginia.

"Land Use Permit Regulations" means the regulations (24VAC30-151) promulgated by the board for the purpose of authorizing activities within the limits of state rights-of-way.

"Limited access highway" means any highway as defined in § 33.1-57 33.2-400 of the Code of Virginia.

"Local beautification project" means any project in a locality that includes installation of plant materials, using public or other funds, in any public right-of-way within a city or town, or on a highway or street in a county with the county manager form of government.

"Local government official" means an employee of a local government delegated authority by the city or town council or county board of supervisors where the public right-of-way is within the jurisdictional limits of a city or town on a highway or street not within the jurisdiction of the Commissioner of Highways under § 33.1-353 33.2-1202 of the Code of Virginia, or on a highway or street in a county with the county manager form of government.

"Permittee" means the person, firm, or corporation owning the outdoor advertising sign, advertisement, or advertising structure or the business for whom the vegetation control work is being performed.

"Pruning" means to remove branches from healthy vegetation in a manner that is acceptable using the natural method under the standards and guidelines listed in 24VAC30-200-40 published by the American National Standards Institute, the American Association of Nurserymen, and the International Society of Arboriculture.

"Specifications" means the current Virginia Department of Transportation's Road and Bridge Specifications (effective January 2002).

"Unsightly" means vegetation to be selectively removed at VDOT's or the local government official's discretion.

24VAC30-200-20. General provisions.

A. Permits will be issued by the department to control vegetation in front of a sign/structure that is not exempt from the provisions of § 33.1-355 33.2-1204 of the Code of Virginia or business that is visible from any highway as defined in § 33.1-351 33.2-1200 of the Code of Virginia and regulated by the territorial limitations as defined in § 33.1-353 33.2-1202 of the Code of Virginia provided the vegetation control work meets the criteria set forth in § 33.1-371.1 33.2-1221 and this chapter. An application may be filed with the Commissioner of Highways by an agent, including but not limited to companies that trim trees. In all other areas the local government official shall issue the permits.

B. All cutting to make an outdoor advertising structure more visible from the roadway shall be limited to vegetation with trunk base diameters of less than six inches. All cutting to make a business more visible from the roadway shall be limited to vegetation with trunk base diameters of less than two inches. All stumps shall be treated with a cut-stump pesticide applied by a licensed pesticide applicator with a license issued by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in Category 6. All pesticides shall be approved by the department or local government official prior to use. Selective thinning in accordance with specifications or removal of unsightly vegetation will be allowed on an individual basis to enhance the health and growth of the best trees or to eliminate roadway hazards if recommended by the certified arborist supervising the work and agreed to by the department or local government official. Trees that are diseased, damaged by insects, unsightly, or that pose a safety hazard may be removed when recommended by the certified arborist supervising the work and approved by the department or local government official. When tree removal is recommended by the certified arborist and approved by this permit, the permittee shall provide a list of suitable trees and shrubs and a landscape plan to replace vegetation removed to the inspector or local government official for review and approval prior to issuance of the permit. The certified arborist and the department or local government official shall agree on size and species of replacement vegetation. The permittee shall plant, at his expense, all replacement vegetation at the locations shown on the landscape plan in accordance with the specifications. The establishment period for replacement vegetation shall be in accordance with § 605.05 of the specifications. No pruning of vegetation to make an outdoor advertising sign more visible from the roadway will be permitted if the cut at the point of pruning will exceed four inches in diameter. No pruning of vegetation to make a business more visible from the roadway will be permitted if the cut at the point of pruning will exceed two inches in diameter. No leader branches shall be cut off in such a manner as to retard the normal upright growth of the tree unless recommended by the certified arborist and approved by the department or local government official. All trees and brush removed shall be cut at ground level. Dogwood or other small flowering trees on the site shall not be removed. The use of climbing irons or spurs is positively forbidden in any tree.

C. When daylighting signs, every effort shall be made to form a picture frame around the sign with remaining vegetation so as to accent the beauty of the surrounding roadside. A picture frame effect shall be achieved by leaving vegetation in place that will cover the sign structure supports below the face as seen from the main-traveled way.

D. A permit must be obtained from the department or local government official prior to any vegetation control work on the state's rights-of-way. All work shall be performed by the permittee at his expense, including permit and inspection fees.

E. A violation of this chapter shall, in addition to penalties provided in § 33.1-377 33.2-1229 of the Code of Virginia, result in a permittee or its agent or both losing its vegetation control permit privilege for five years. Additionally, the bond amount used to secure the permit will be used for any reparations to the site. Inadvertent violations of this permit will require replacement on a four-to-one basis with other suitable small trees approved by the department or local government official to enhance the roadside beauty. The department or local government official shall have full authority to determine specie and size of all replacement vegetation if inadvertent cutting occurs.

24VAC30-200-30. Special provisions.

A. The permittee shall attach two each 8" x 10" color glossy photographs (a closeup and a distant view) with the permit application showing the vegetation to be controlled, the highway, and the sign or business.

The permit for selective pruning or tree cutting, or both, will be inspected by the department or local government official and approval or denial given.

A permit may be denied any applicant, and all permits issued by the board or local government official may be revoked whenever, in the opinion of the inspector, the safety, use, or maintenance of the highway so requires or the integrity of the permit system so dictates.

If, during or before work begins, it is deemed necessary by the department or local government official to assign inspectors to the work, the permittee shall pay the department or local government issuing the permit an additional inspection fee in an amount that will cover the salary, expense and mileage allowance, equipment rental, etc., of the inspector or inspectors assigned by the department or local government for handling work covered by this chapter. Said inspection fee to be paid promptly each month on bills rendered by the department or local government.

The absence of a state or local government inspector does not in any way relieve the permittee of his responsibility to perform the work in accordance with provisions of § 33.1-371.1 33.2-1221 of the Code of Virginia, this chapter, or permit.

B. The inspector or local government official shall be notified at least seven days in advance of the date any work is to be performed and when completed, in order than an inspection may be made.

C. No trees, shrubs, vines, or plant material, except as covered by this chapter, shall be cut or disturbed. Stubs and dead wood in trees covered by this chapter must be removed, whether occasioned by present requirements or not.

Pruning of trees shall only be performed by qualified tree workers who, through related training or experience or both, are familiar with the techniques and hazards of arboricultural work including trimming, maintaining, repairing or removing trees, and the equipment used in such operations. The supervisor, a certified arborist, and tree workers shall be approved by the inspector or local government official, prior to issuance of a permit to perform work under this chapter. The certified arborist supervising the work shall remain on-site whenever work is underway.

All brush, wood, etc., shall be chipped and beneficially used or removed immediately and disposed of in accordance with the Solid Waste Management Regulations (9VAC20-81) of the Virginia Waste Management Board.

D. All access and work shall be accomplished from the abutting property side of rights-of-way on interstate and other limited access highways, except where a local beautification project has allowed landscape plant material to be planted within a median area. Plant material in median areas may be relocated to other areas within the local beautification project limits in accordance with an approved landscape plan. All work performed on VDOT rights-of-way shall comply with the Virginia Work Area Protection Manual (part of 24VAC30-310-10 et seq.). Any damage caused to property owned by the Commonwealth shall be repaired or replaced in kind when work is complete.

All work done under this chapter on the right-of-way shall in all respects be subject to department or local government official directions and shall be completed to the satisfaction of the inspector or local government official, or his representative.

E. The department or local government official reserves the right to stop the work at any time the terms of this chapter are not satisfactorily complied with, and the department or local government official may, at its discretion, complete any of the work covered in the permit at the expense of the permittee. If it is in the best interest of traffic safety, the department or local government official may complete or have completed at the expense of the permittee any of the work that must be done to properly protect the traveling public.

F. The permittee shall immediately have corrected any condition that may arise as a result of this work that the department or local government official deems hazardous to the traveling public or state maintenance forces even though such conditions may not be specifically covered in this chapter or in the Land Use Permit Regulations (24VAC30-151).

G. Permittees and their agents to whom permits are issued shall at all times indemnify and save harmless the Commonwealth Transportation Board, local city or town councils, local boards of supervisors, and the Commonwealth of Virginia and its employees, agents, and officers from responsibility, damage, or liability arising from the exercise of the privilege granted in such permit except if political subdivisions are the applicants. Then special arrangements will be made whereby the agent of the political subdivision performing the work will indemnify and save harmless the board and others. All work shall be performed by the permittee at his expense. All permit and inspection fees shall be paid to the department or local government official by the permittee.

H. The permittee agrees that if the work authorized by this chapter including any work necessary to restore shoulders, ditches, and drainage structures to their original condition, is not completed by the permittee to the satisfaction of the department or local government official, the department or local government official will do whatever is required to restore the area within the right-of-way to department standards, and the permittee will pay to the Commonwealth or local government official the actual cost of completing the work. When the permittee is a political subdivision, this requirement will be satisfied by a sum certain that will appear in the permit.

I. Road and street connections and private and commercial entrances are to be kept in a satisfactory condition. Entrances shall not be blocked. Ample provisions must be made for safe ingress and egress to adjacent property at all times. Where entrances are disturbed, they shall be restored to the satisfaction of the department or local government official.

J. Road drainage shall not be blocked. The pavement, shoulders, ditches, roadside and drainage facilities, shall be kept in an operable condition satisfactory to the department or local government official. Necessary precautions shall be taken by the permittee to ensure against siltation of adjacent properties, streams, etc., in accordance with the Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Law (§ 10.1-560 62.1-44.15:51 et seq. of the Code of Virginia) and Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Regulations (4VAC50-30) (9VAC25-840).

K. Any conflicts with existing utility facilities shall be resolved between the permittee and the utility owners involved. The permittee shall notify and receive clearance from the utility owner or owners and comply with the Overhead High Voltage Line Safety Act (§ 59.1-406 et seq. of the Code of Virginia) before proceeding with work in the vicinity of utilities.

L. Where landscape is disturbed on state rights-of-way or local street and roads not under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner of Highways in accordance with § 33.1-353 33.2-1202 of the Code of Virginia, it shall be replaced with a minimum of two inches of topsoil and reseeded according to department specifications.

24VAC30-200-35. Appeal to the Commissioner of Highways.

A. Appeals by the local government official.

1. The local government official appeal of a landscape plan shall be in writing within 60 days of the permittee submitting a permit application and accompanied by a $400 fee.

2. The appeal shall specify reasons why the local government official is dissatisfied with the landscape plan and why it does not meet the intent of § 33.1-371.1 33.2-1221 of the Code of Virginia. It shall include any motorist or worker safety concerns, selection of plant material, placement of plant material, method or time-of-year for planting or relocating plant material, and any other pertinent information.

B. Appeals by the permittee.

1. The permittee appeal of a landscape plan shall be in writing within 10 days after final action of the local government official and shall be accompanied by a $400 fee.

2. The appeal shall specify reasons why the permittee is dissatisfied with the action or stipulations placed on the permittee by the local government official including all pertinent information to help the Commissioner of Highways make a final determination.

C. Commissioner of Highways' determination of appeal.

The Commissioner of Highways shall consult department personnel with expertise in horticulture and landscape architecture in making a final determination on the merits of the landscape plan presented by the permittee, weigh objections by both the local government official and the permittee, and shall provide a final determination within 30 days of receipt of the appeal request.

24VAC30-271-20. General provisions.

A. The use of economic development access funds shall be limited to:

1. Providing adequate access to economic development sites on which new or substantially expanding manufacturing, processing, research, and development facilities; distribution centers; regional service centers; corporate headquarters or other establishments that also meet basic employer criteria as determined by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) in consultation with the Virginia Department of Business Assistance (DBA);

2. Improving existing roads that may not be adequate to serve the establishments as described in subdivision 1 of this subsection; and

3. Providing for costs associated directly with program administration and management of project requests prior to board approval with such costs not expected to exceed 1.0% of the allocation annually.

B. Economic development access funds shall not be used for the acquisition of rights of way or adjustment of utilities. These funds are to be used only for the actual construction and engineering of a road facility adequate to serve the traffic generated by the new or expanding eligible establishments.

C. Economic development access funds may not be used for the construction of access roads to schools, hospitals, libraries, airports, armories, speculative office buildings, shopping centers, apartment buildings, professional offices, residential developments, churches, hotels, motels, or similar facilities, whether public or private. (Access roads to licensed, public-use airports, while provided for in § 33.1-221 33.2-1509 of the Code of Virginia, are funded and administered separately.)

D. No cost incurred prior to the board's approval of an allocation from the economic development access funds may be reimbursed by such funds. Economic development access funds shall be authorized only after certification that the economic development establishment as listed or meeting the criteria as described will be built under firm contract, or is already constructed, or upon presentation of acceptable surety in accordance with § 33.1-221 33.2-1509 A of the Code of Virginia.

E. When an eligible establishment is not yet constructed or under firm contract and a local governing body guarantees by bond or other acceptable surety that such will occur, the maximum time limit for such bond shall be five years, beginning on the date of the allocation of the economic development access funds by the Commonwealth Transportation Board. At the end of the five-year period, the amount of economic development access funds expended on the project and not justified by eligible capital outlay of one or more establishments acceptable to the board shall be reimbursed to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) voluntarily by the locality or by forfeiture of the surety. In the event that, after VDOT has been reimbursed, but still within 24 months immediately following the end of the five-year period, the access funds expended come to be justified by eligible capital outlay of one or more eligible establishments, then the locality may request a refund of one-half of the sum reimbursed to VDOT, which request may be granted if funds are available, on a first-come, first-served basis in competition with applications for access funds from other localities.

F. Economic development access funds shall not be used to construct or improve roads on a privately owned economic development site. Nor shall the construction of a new access road to serve any economic development site on a parcel of land that abuts a road constituting a part of the systems of state highways or the road system of the locality in which it is located be eligible for economic development access funds, unless the existing road is a limited access highway and no other access exists. Further, where the existing road is part of the road system of the locality in which it is located, or the secondary system of state highways, economic development access funds may be used to upgrade the existing road only to the extent required to meet the needs of traffic generated by the new or expanding eligible establishment.

In the event an economic development site has access according to the foregoing provisions of this chapter, but it can be determined that such access is not adequate in that it does not provide for safe and efficient movement of the traffic generated by the eligible establishment on the site or that the site's traffic conflicts with the surrounding road network to the extent that it poses a safety hazard to the general public, consideration will be given to funding additional improvements. Such projects shall be evaluated on a case-by-case basis upon request, by resolution, from the local governing body. Localities are encouraged to establish planning policies that will discourage incompatible mixes such as industrial and residential traffic.

G. Not more than $500,000 of unmatched economic development access funds may be allocated in any fiscal year for use in any county, city or town that receives highway maintenance payments under § 33.1-41.1 33.2-319 of the Code of Virginia. A town whose streets are maintained under either § 33.1-79 33.2-339 or § 33.1-82 33.2-340 of the Code of Virginia shall be considered as part of the county in which it is located. The maximum eligibility of unmatched funds shall be limited to 20% of the capital outlay of the designated eligible establishments and certain investment by the locality in the land or the building, or both, on the site occupied by the designated eligible establishment. The unmatched eligibility may be supplemented with additional economic development access funds, in which case the supplemental access funds shall be not more than $150,000, to be matched dollar-for-dollar from funds other than those administered by the board. Such supplemental funds shall be considered only if the total estimated cost of eligible items for the economic development access improvement exceeds $500,000.

If an eligible site is owned by a regional industrial facility authority, as defined in § 15.2-6400 of the Code of Virginia, funds may be allocated for construction of an access road project to that site without penalty to the jurisdiction in which the site is located. This provision may be applied to one regional project per fiscal year in any jurisdiction with the same funding limitations as prescribed for other individual projects.

H. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, for Major Employment and Investment (MEI) projects as defined in § 2.2-2260 of the Code of Virginia and administered by the VEDP, the locality may receive up to the maximum unmatched allocation and matched allocation for a design-only project. The local governing body shall guarantee by bond or other acceptable surety that plans for a MEI project will be developed to standards acceptable to VDOT.

In addition, for projects utilizing economic development access funds to serve approved MEI projects, the locality may receive up to the maximum unmatched allocation and an additional $500,000 matched allocation for a road construction project. Project allocations for a given MEI project may be cumulative for not more than two years.

I. Eligible items of construction and engineering shall be limited to those that are essential to providing an adequate facility to serve the anticipated traffic while meeting all appropriate Commonwealth Transportation Board and state policies and standards. However, additional pavement width or other features may be eligible where necessary to qualify the road facility in a city or town for maintenance payments under § 33.1-41.1 33.2-319 of the Code of Virginia.

J. Except as provided for in subsection H of this section pertaining to MEI projects, it is the intent of the board that economic development access funds not be anticipated from year to year. Unused eligibility cannot be allowed to accumulate and be carried forward from one fiscal year to another.

K. The Commonwealth Transportation Board will consult and work closely with the VEDP and the DBA in determining the use of economic development access funds and will rely on the recommendations of the VEDP and the DBA in making decisions as to the allocation of these funds. In making its recommendations to the board, the VEDP and the DBA will take into consideration the impact of the proposed facility on the employment and tax base of both the area in which the facility is to be located and the Commonwealth of Virginia.

L. Prior to the formal request for the use of economic development access funds to provide access to new or expanding eligible establishments, the location of the access road shall be submitted for approval by VDOT. VDOT shall take into consideration the cost of the facility as it relates to the location and as it relates to the possibility of the future extension of the road to serve other possible eligible establishments, as well as the future development of the area traversed.

M. Prior to the board's allocation of funds for such construction or road improvements to an eligible economic development establishment proposing to locate or expand in a county, city or town, the governing body shall by resolution request the access funds and shall be responsible for the preliminary negotiations with the eligible establishment and others who may be interested. Engineers of VDOT will be available for consultation with the governing bodies and others, and may prepare surveys, plans, engineering studies, and cost estimates.

N. The Commissioner of Highways is directed to establish administrative procedures to assure the provisions of this chapter and legislative directives are adhered to and complied with.

24VAC30-325-10. Eligibility criteria and conditions governing receipt and use of urban maintenance and construction funds.

A. In addition to the eligibility requirements identified in § 33.1-41.1 33.2-319 of the Code of Virginia, the road and street eligibility criteria for urban maintenance payments shall also include the following:

1. The basic right-of-way width for cul-de-sacs eligible for payment will be 40 feet, with consideration of requests for pavement widths less than 30 feet. For the purpose of making this assessment, a cul-de-sac will be defined as a dead-end street, open only at one end.

2. If a municipality has jurisdiction over and operates a toll facility, such facility is eligible for street payments.

3. Local one-way streets, loop roads, and school bus entrances will be eligible for payment provided that they are constructed to a width of 16 feet with a right-of-way width of not less than 40 feet. This includes service and frontage roads where contiguous to an interstate, primary, or urban system route.

4. VDOT can consider a waiver of standards on a site-specific basis with appropriate supporting information. Each case will be considered on its own merits.

B. In determining lane mileage eligibility, the following conditions will apply:

1. Turning lanes and ramps will not be considered for street payments. This includes center turn lanes unless they serve as moving through lanes during peak hours.

2. Parking must be restricted and enforced by towing during peak traffic periods.

3. Each road or street with more than two moving lanes must have pavement markings in accordance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways, 2003 Edition, including Revision 1 dated November 2004, published by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration.

4. Pavement widths of less than 14 feet qualify for only one moving lane even if it carries traffic in two directions.

5. Nonhard surfaced streets do not qualify for street payments.

C. Mileage adjustments, including the results of annexations, mergers, or incorporations, will be made on an annual basis as part of the board's approval of the annual maintenance payments. All adjustments submitted to the department by February 1 will be eligible for payment effective July 1 of the following fiscal year.

D. For the purpose of calculating maintenance payments, streets will be functionally classified based on the Federal Functional Classification system, except where the federal system is not parallel with the state system.

E. Bridge safety and regular inspection is of utmost importance. The Federal Highway Administration and the department require strict compliance with the National Bridge Inspection Standards (23 CFR Part 650) regarding the frequency of inspection and load posting requirements. The Commissioner of Highways may elect to withhold street payments from a municipality for delinquent or inadequate bridge inspection reports.

F. Municipalities, by resolution of their governing body and agreement with the department, may elect to utilize up to one-third of their urban construction allocation for reimbursement of debt incurred for eligible project costs on approved projects. The payback is limited to a maximum 20-year timeframe.

G. Landscaping is important to enhance the safety and visual quality of roads and to maintain quality of life for communities. It is the intent of the board that a maximum of 3.0% of the construction budget for individual urban construction projects may be allocated for landscape improvements. Pavers and stamped asphalt for crosswalks are considered a pedestrian safety and traffic calming measure for project participation and are not subject to this limitation. Elements of streetscape can also be constructed at project expense if the project is an identified gateway project or located within a historic or cultural district.

H. The Commissioner of Highways is directed to establish administrative procedures to assure the provisions of this chapter and legislative directives are adhered to and complied with.

24VAC30-380-10. General provisions.

A. In the development of highway construction projects, VDOT shall consider a wide range of factors and opportunity shall be allowed for consideration and participation by public and private interests before final approval of highway locations or designs, or both. A public hearing is a well-publicized opportunity for VDOT to present studies and projects while receiving and documenting comments from affected or interested citizens.

B. These are the rules that apply to the implementation of this regulation:

1. A notice to hold a public hearing or the willingness to hold a public hearing must be stated in public advertisement.

2. All public hearings should be scheduled approximately 60 days in advance. Advertisements must appear 30 days prior to the hearing.

3. The public involvement process must be held in accordance with applicable federal and state statutes and regulations, including §§ 33.1-18, 33.1-70.2 33.2-208, 33.2-333 and 51.5-40 of the Code of Virginia, 23 USC § 128, 23 CFR Part 771, and 40 CFR Parts 1500-1508.

4. The publication of a notice of willingness to hold a public hearing, with no public request for such a hearing by the established expiration date in the notice, or conducting a public hearing pursuant to subsection C of this section will satisfy any public hearing requirements.

C. If the system is interstate, primary, urban, or secondary, the following types of hearings will be held for the following project categories:

1. Projects on proposed roadway corridors, which are completely on new location, require a location public hearing followed by a design public hearing.

2. Projects within the existing roadway corridor with a predominant portion of the work on new location require a combined location and design public hearing.

3. Projects within the existing roadway corridor that have a significant social, economic or environmental impact require a design public hearing.

4. Projects within the existing roadway corridor where insignificant public interest or environmental impacts, or both, are anticipated require publication of a notice of willingness to hold a design public hearing. VDOT will hold a design public hearing if a request for such a hearing is made, and the issues raised in relation to the request cannot be resolved through any other means.

D. Exceptions from the public hearing process. Hearing processes are not required for emergency projects, as well as those that are solely for highway maintenance or operational improvements, or both, except when they:

1. Involve emergency paving of unpaved secondary roads pursuant to § 33.1-70.2 33.2-333 of the Code of Virginia;

2. Require the acquisition of additional right of way;

3. Would have an unfavorable effect upon abutting real property; or

4. Would change the layout or function of connecting roadways or of the facility being improved.

E. The Commissioner of Highways or his designee shall establish administrative procedures to assure the adherence to and compliance with the provisions of this regulation.

24VAC30-401-10. Authority.

A. Pursuant to the authority granted by § 33.1-58 33.2-401 of the Code of Virginia, the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) may designate all or any part of any existing or new highway as limited access, as the term "limited access highway" is defined in § 33.1-57 33.2-400 of the Code of Virginia, the designation of which requires the CTB to extinguish all easements of access, light or air. Actions regarding limited access control, including changes in control, require CTB approval. These changes typically include shifting, moving, or breaking control, or any combination of these, after a project is completed, finalized and serving in its intended capacity. The commissioner shall pay damages, if any, to owners of properties abutting the existing or new highway for the extinguishment of these rights. This chapter establishes the rules pertaining to change of limited access control.

B. The commissioner or his designee may issue additional instructions to implement this chapter.

24VAC30-451-10. Purpose.

This chapter describes the conditions set by the Commonwealth Transportation Board governing the use of funds for the construction or improvement of access roads to public use airports within the counties, cities, and towns of the Commonwealth pursuant to § 33.1-221 33.2-1509 of the Code of Virginia.

24VAC30-451-20. General provisions.

A. The program for implementation of this policy and the funding available for this program shall be designated respectively as the Airport Access Roads Program and Airport Access Fund.

B. The use of airport access funds shall be limited to assisting in the financing of adequate access to a licensed, public use airport. Termination of access to a licensed, public use airport shall be at the property line of the airport.

C. No cost incurred prior to this board's approval of the allocation of airport access funds may be reimbursed by such funds. Airport access funds shall be authorized only upon confirmation that the licensed airport facility is already constructed or will be built under firm contract or upon provision of acceptable surety in accordance with § 33.1-221 33.2-1509 A of the Code of Virginia.

D. Airport access funds shall be used only for the design and construction of the roadway, including preliminary environmental review and standard drainage and storm water facilities required solely by construction of the road. Airport access funds shall not be used for the acquisition of rights of way, the adjustment of utilities, or the attainment of necessary environmental permits.

E. Eligible items in the design and construction of an airport access road shall be limited to those essential for providing an adequate roadway facility to serve the anticipated traffic generated by the airport's operations with adherence to all appropriate Commonwealth Transportation Board and state policies and standards. However, additional pavement width or other features may be eligible where necessary to qualify the road facility in a city or town for maintenance payments under § 33.1-41.1 33.2-319 of the Code of Virginia.

F. The governing body of a city, county, or town in which the proposed airport access road is located shall serve as the applicant and submit a formal resolution to request airport access funds from this board. A town whose streets are maintained under either § 33.1-79 33.2-339 or 33.1-82 33.2-340 of the Code of Virginia shall file the application through the governing body of the county in which it is located. The resolution of request shall include commitments to provide for the rights of way, adjustment of utilities, and necessary environmental permits for the project from funds other than airport access funds allocated by this board.

G. Not more than $650,000 ($500,000 unmatched and $150,000 matched dollar for dollar) of the airport access funds may be used in any fiscal year to provide access to any one airport. Local matching funds shall be provided from funds other than those administered by this board.

H. It is the intent of the Commonwealth Transportation Board that airport access funds not be anticipated from year to year. Unused eligibility cannot be allowed to accumulate and be carried forward from one fiscal year to another.

I. Prior to the formal request for the use of airport access funds, the location for the new access road shall be submitted for approval by the Virginia Department of Transportation.

J. The board will consult with, and may rely on, the recommendations of the Virginia Department of Aviation in determining the use of these airport access funds for a requested project.

K. Airport access funds may be authorized only after all contingencies of the Commonwealth Transportation Board's allocation of funding to the project have been met for airport access.

L. The Commissioner of Highways is directed to establish administrative procedures to assure adherence to and compliance with the provisions of this chapter and legislative directives.

24VAC30-540-10. Policy.

It is the policy of VDOT to convey residue and surplus land based upon highest and best use.

VDOT classifies residue and surplus land in two ways:

1. Residue and surplus land suitable for independent development;

2. Residue and surplus land assembled with adjacent properties.

Upon the approval to dispose of land, the locality in which the land is located shall be notified in writing of VDOT's interest in accordance with § 33.1-223.2:2 33.2-230 of the Code of Virginia once all previous landowner obligations have been satisfied.

24VAC30-540-30. Land assembled with adjacent properties.

A. Certain surplus land is unsuitable for independent development and therefore is only usable for assemblage with adjacent property.

B. Whenever VDOT conveys land or an interest in land to owners of record of adjoining land, one of the following actions is required to verify and confirm adjacent ownership:

STEP	ACTION
1	Owners of record must furnish the Right of Way and Utilities Division with an affidavit signed by one or more of the owners. This affidavit must certify the exact manner and names in which title to adjoining land stands in the local courthouse records.
2	Certification of title from the adjacent landowner's attorney may be required by the Chief Engineer or Director of Right of Way and Utilities if: substantial road frontage is involved and liens or deeds of trust exist on the adjacent property.

Upon satisfying the above, the Commissioner of Highways will execute the deeds in accordance with §§ 33.1-93, 33.1-149, 33.2-907, 33.2-913, and 33.1-154 33.2-1010 of the Code of Virginia.

24VAC30-620-20. General conditions and criteria concerning suspension of toll collection.

A. Tolls may be temporarily suspended on any toll facility subject to this chapter, under the following conditions:

1. The Commissioner of Highways or his designee has investigated or assessed a threat to public safety on or in the vicinity of the toll facility; and

2. As a result of the investigation or assessment, the Commissioner of Highways or his designee believes that a temporary suspension of toll collection will alleviate an actual or potential threat or risk to the public's safety, or facilitate the flow of traffic on or within the vicinity of the toll facility.

B. Incidents which may justify the temporary suspension of toll collection operations include, but are not limited to, the following: natural disasters, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, and floods; accidental releases of hazardous materials, such as chemical spills; major traffic accidents, such as multi-vehicle collisions; and any other incidents deemed to present a risk to public safety.

C. Judicial proceedings arising from any incident resulting in the suspension of toll collection will be conducted as provided for by § 33.1-252 33.2-613 of the Code of Virginia.