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2010 SESSION

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SB 64 Signs; provides local government authority to regulate.

Introduced by: L. Louise Lucas | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles | history

SUMMARY AS ENACTED WITH GOVERNOR'S RECOMMENDATION:

Regulation of signage in highway rights of way.  Allows county employees and volunteers who are acting as agents of the Commonwealth Transportation Commissioner to remove and confiscate signs from the public right-of-way.  If a sign is confiscated by an employee or volunteer, the sign owner shall have the right to reclaim the sign within five business days of the date of such confiscation.  Finally, the legislation clarifies that a sign installed (on private property) that does not require use of tools or equipment does not trigger the requirement to call Miss Utility before installing the sign.  This bill is identical to HB 553.

SUMMARY AS PASSED:

Regulation of signage in highway rights of way.  Allows county employees and volunteers who are acting as agents of the Commonwealth Transportation Commissioner to remove and confiscate signs from the public right-of-way.  If a sign is confiscated by an employee or volunteer, the sign owner shall have the right to reclaim the sign within 10 business days of the date of such confiscation.  Finally, the legislation clarifies that a sign installed (on private property) that does not require use of tools or equipment does not trigger the requirement to call Miss Utility before installing the sign.  This bill is identical to HB 553.

SUMMARY AS PASSED SENATE:

Local government authority to regulate signs.  Provides that a zoning ordinance may include provisions for the regulations of signs in the highway rights of way. Localities may also adopt an ordinance in order to control signs within any highway rights of way and to control local enforcement of such signage. If a locality enacts an ordinance to regulate signs and also authorizes volunteers to enforce the provisions of such an ordinance, the volunteer, and any local government employee, will be personally liable to the owner of the signs for any damage that may result from such enforcement. Additionally, the Commonwealth Transportation Commissioner may enter into agreements with any locality, instead of just Fairfax County, authorizing local law-enforcement agencies to act as agents of the Commissioner for purposes of this legislation. Finally, this legislation limits the definition of excavation to not include installation of a sign that is installed by pushing metal, plastic or wooden poles in the ground.  This bill is identical to HB 553.

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Local government authority to regulate signs.  Provides that a zoning ordinance may include provisions for the regulations of signs in the highway rights of way. Localities may also adopt an ordinance in order to control signs within any highway rights of way and to control local enforcement of such signage. If a locality enacts an ordinance to regulate signs and also authorizes volunteers to enforce the provisions of such an ordinance, the volunteer, and any local government employee, will be personally liable to the owner of the signs for any damage that may result from such enforcement. Additionally, the Commonwealth Transportation Commissioner may enter into agreements with any locality, instead of just Fairfax County, authorizing local law-enforcement agencies to act as agents of the Commissioner for purposes of this legislation. Finally, this legislation limits the definition of excavation to not include installation of a sign that is installed by pushing metal, plastic or wooden poles in the ground.