Sign Removal from the Right-of-Way (ROW)

Are you seeing more signs along major roads, such as in medians and near sidewalks? If so, relief is coming. The County started its Illegal Sign Removal Program in 2013, under an agreement with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). We remove signs placed along roads for advertising, realtors, political campaigns, and more. The program covers ninety-nine (99) roads, most of which are major routes, like Richmond Highway. Removal of signs from other roads doesn't happen as part of the program.  

Due to staff shortages, sign removal stopped in Summer 2022. Fortunately, the County was successful in supporting a new Virginia law passed to allow contractors to remove signs from the roads in the program. It took effect July 1, 2023. As of mid-July, a contractor has begun removal of these signs. The Department of Code Compliance (DCC) continues to administer the program and issue fines to repeat violators.

Additional information is available in an informational flyer and on DCC’s website.

How does DCC administer this program?

• Our signs team drives the designated roads and documents all illegal signs. Unlike other issues we handle, we don’t respond to complaints or concerns related to signs in the ROW, but please be assured roads are checked several times each month.
• We coordinate our inspection schedules with the contractor. The day after our inspection, the contractor will remove all signs.
• First time offenders will receive a courtesy letter instead of a fine. After the courtesy letter, there are fines of $110 for each sign.