Land Use Permits

Please use the online portal for land use permit submissions

24 VAC 30-151

VDOT's Land Use Permit Form Number LUP-A

Written permission is granted either by permit or a state-authorized contract let by VDOT.

About Land Use Permit Regulations

Land use permit regulations set forth the rules that individuals, localities, and other entities must follow in order to conduct activities other than travel on the commonwealth's highway systems that are under VDOT jurisdiction. 

These include activities such as installation of utilities, construction of private and commercial entrances, landscaping, the temporary use of the right-of-way, as well as numerous other types of activities.

The regulations set forth criteria used by VDOT when determining whether to issue a permit.  

The regulations are intended to preserve the integrity of the highway system and protect the safety of motorists, pedestrians and highway workers.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Apply online for a new permit

Note: See the permits types and required forms lists below before applying online.

Broadband Coordination

Most land use permits can be obtained at local VDOT district permit offices. Certain permits, such as district-wide permits that cover regional activities rather than a specific location, are issued through the VDOT Central Office Land Use Permit section in Richmond.


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Annual Permit Billing Process

LUP-APBP

Annual permit billing process

The Annual Land Use Permit Billing Process is available to utility owners or localities for permits submitted online or by mail. The permit request(s) will be reviewed and processed in accordance with the Land Use Permit Regulations and the permit fees, instead of being paid individually prior to permit issuance, will be billed annually

 What type of permit do I need? 

The type of activities that are requested through the land use permitting process varies greatly. 

The following documents have been provided for many of the typical land use permit types. Consult the local VDOT district permit office for guidance relating to unique requests not found here.

Note:  All documents are in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) unless otherwise noted.

LUP-BM Building movement

This permit is required for all proposed building movements over 16 feet in width upon or across VDOT maintained highways.

LUP-BR Bicycle race events

This permit allows a group or organization to conduct a bicycle race on VDOT maintained highways.

LUP-CEI Road construction - Commercial entrance installation

This permit authorizes the installation of a street connection, commercial entrance or other access onto VDOT maintained right-of-way including the construction of road improvements necessary to accommodate the proposed access.

LUP-CFV

Single Use Permit - Mobile Food Vending in Commuter Lots (NOVA District - Planning District Eight Only.

Single use permit authorizing the Mobile Food Vending in Commuter Lots (NOVA District - Planning District Eight Only to operate at the park and ride lots in Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties located within state maintained right-of-way.

LUP-CWOFC

Countywide Permit – Overhead Fiber Co-Location

The countywide land use permit authorizes the installation of fiber optic lines on existing or replacement poles across or along a non-limited access primary or secondary highway.

LUP-DWSCF District-wide permit - Wireless small cell facility

This permit authorizes installation of wireless small cell telecommunications facilities on existing non-VDOT owned facilities located within VDOT maintained right-of-way at multiple locations without obtaining a single-use permit for each installation.

LUP-DWSV District-wide permit - Surveying operations

This permit authorizes the performance of multiple surveying operations within VDOT maintained right-of-way at multiple locations without obtaining a single-use permit for each activity.

LUP-DWTLE District-wide permit - Temporary logging entrances

This permit authorizes the installation, maintenance and removal of temporary logging entrances within VDOT maintained right-of-way at multiple locations without obtaining a single-use permit for each entrance installation.

LUP-DWUSC District-wide permit  utility service connections installation

This permit allows cities, towns, counties and public service agencies or utility companies to perform multiple occurrences of the installation and maintenance of end user utility service connections to existing main line facilities located within VDOT maintained right-of-way without obtaining a single-use permit for each service connection.

LUP-EVTCS Permit for Emergency Vehicle Traffic Control Signal (EVTCS) 

This permit grants authorization for localities to install, operate and maintain EVTCS facilities at a specific location within VDOT non‐limited access highways rights‐of‐way. 
 
LUP-PSMD Sign Installation for the Prohibition of Specific Mobility Devices

This permit grants a local governing body permission to install signs prohibit the use of roller skates, skateboards, and electric personal delivery devices and/or the riding of bicycles, electric personal assistive mobility devices, motorized skateboards or foot-scooters, motor-driven cycles, or electric power-assisted bicycles on designated sidewalks or crosswalks within VDOT maintained right-of-way.

LUP-GC Golf cart and utility vehicle accommodation

This permit grants a local governing body permission to authorize the use of golf carts and utility vehicles on designated public highways within its boundaries.

LUP-IR Private irrigation system installation

This permit authorizes the installation and maintenance of a privately owned irrigation system within VDOT maintained right-of-way.

LUP-LS Landscape installation and maintenance

This permit authorizes the installation and maintenance of plant materials within VDOT maintained right-of-way.

LUP-LT Lighting installation

This permit authorizes the placement of lighting facilities on or overhanging VDOT maintained highway right-of-way.

LUP-MFV Mobile food vending

This permit grants a local governing body the authority to operate a program for the temporary occupation of VDOT maintained right-of-way by mobile food vendors.

LUP-OAVC Outdoor advertising structure vegetation control

This permit authorizes the implementation of vegetation control measures within VDOT maintained right-of-way for the purpose of daylighting outdoor advertising structures visible from state maintained highways.

LUP-OTLP  

One-Time Litter Pick Up

This permit allows local governments, businesses, informal groups, formal organizations, and individuals to pick up litter (one-time) on highway right-of-way.

LUP-PE Private entrance installation

This permit authorizes the installation of an entrance on VDOT maintained highway right-of way that serves no more than two private residences and is used for the exclusive benefit of the occupants, or an entrance that allows agricultural operations to obtain access to fields, or an entrance to civil and communication infrastructure facilities that generate 10 or fewer trips per day.

LUP-PRC Photo-red camera system installation

This permit grants a local governing body the authority to install and maintain photo-red camera systems on VDOT maintained highway right-of way.

LUP-PU Private utility service crossing

This permit authorizes the installation of private utility service across VDOT maintained right-of-way in certain limited circumstances.

LUP-CRI Regional permit - Cultural resource investigation

This permit authorizes the investigation of cultural resources within VDOT maintained highway right-of way at multiple locations without obtaining a single-use permit for each site.

LUP-UT Utility installations

This permit authorizes the installation and maintenance of utility facilities within VDOT maintained right-of-way.

LUP-UTT Regional permit - Biennial utility tree trimming

This permit authorizes utility companies to perform tree pruning and/or removal operations within VDOT maintained right-of-way associated with the routine maintenance of aerial utility facilities.

LUP-RM Roadside Memorial Sign Installation

This permit authorizes the placement of a roadside memorial sign within VDOT maintained highway right-of-way at the site of a fatal crash or other fatal incident by grieving family members or friends.

LUP-RWZU Work zone traffic control for utility work located off right-of-way

This permit authorizes the placement of construction equipment and related work zone traffic control on VDOT maintained highway right-of-way associated with the installation and/or maintenance of utility facilities located off the highway right-of-way at multiple locations without obtaining a single-use permit for each site.

LUP-SDS Storm drain stenciling

This permit authorizes the placement of storm drain pollution prevention markers or stenciling on VDOT maintained storm drain inlet structures that are accessible by pedestrian facilities.

LUP-SE Special events

This permit authorizes a group or organization to conduct road races, parades and marches, protests or other special events within VDOT maintained highway right-of-way.

LUP-SUSCF Single-use wireless small cell facility

This permit authorizes the installation of wireless small cell telecommunications facilities on existing non-VDOT owned structures located within VDOT maintained right-of-way at a specific location.

LUP-SUSO Single use permit surveying operations

This permit authorizes the permittee to perform surveying operations on VDOT maintained right-of-way at a specific location.

LUP-SUTLE Single use temporary logging entrance

This permit authorizes the installation, maintenance and removal of a temporary logging entrance on VDOT maintained highway right-of-way at a specific location.

LUP-SUWFC

Single Use Permit - Wireless facility Co-location on an existing wireless support structure 

This permit authorize the co-location and maintenance of a wireless facility on an existing wireless support structure located within state maintained right-of-way.  

LUP-SUWSS

Single-Use Permit - Wireless Support Structure

Single use permit authorizing the installation and maintenance of a wireless support structure and associated facilities located within state maintained right-of-way.

LUP-SWCD Soil and water conservation district sign installation

This permit authorizes the placement of Soil & Water Conservation District identification signs on VDOT maintained highway right-of-way.

LUP-VCSB Vegetation control single business

This permit authorizes the implementation of vegetation control operations and subsequent maintenance activities on VDOT maintained right-of-way along the property frontage of a single business.

LUP-VM Volunteer mowing activities

This permit authorizes an individual to mow the grass on VDOT maintained highway right-of-way.

LUP-WSP This permit authorizes the installation and maintenance of wayfinding signs within non-limited access highway within state maintained highway right of way

 

Forms Files below are in Adobe PDF and require the Adobe  Acrobat Reader.

The applicable land use permit form is dependent upon the type of activity to be performed within VDOT right-of-way. Because this work can vary significantly, the following forms have been provided to assist in applying for a land use permit.

Note:  All documents are in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) unless otherwise noted.

LUP-A Land use permit application  
LUP-AUA Agricultural use agreement  
LUP-BMI Building movement - Investigator’s report  
LUP-BMV Building movement - VDOT recommendation  
LUP-CCV Chemical control - Vegetation  
LUP-CSB Corporate surety bond  
LUP-CUA Commercial use agreement  
LUP-IPP Land use permit application – In-place utility (New street acceptance)  
LUP-LC Bank irrevocable letter of credit  
LUP-OC Open-cut pavement restoration requirements  
LUP-PA Permit agreement for occupation of right-of-way  
LUP-PRU Land use permit application - Prior rights utility  
LUP-SB Surety bond  
LUP-SEA Special event approvals  
LUP-SEI Special event information  
LUP-SPG Special provisions - general  
RESOLUTION City, county, town resolution  
W9-COV Request for taxpayer ID number and certification  
ITD-35E Background check  
ITD-36E VDOT information security agreement  


Guidance Information Files in Microsoft Word unless otherwise noted.

The following guidance information and associated documents are additional resources relating to the land use permitting processes.

Note:  All appendices are Microsoft Word files unless otherwise noted.

1

Processing permit requests on limited access right-of-way

2

Checklist for processing limited access permit requests

3

Processing requests for changes in limited access control

4

Processing permit requests for Fiber Optic Resource Sharing Projects (FORS)

5

Procedures for addressing delinquent permits

6

Processing permit requests for Comprehensive Roadside Management Projects (CRMP)

7

Processing permit requests for Roadside Management Special Projects (RMSP)

8

Illicit discharge notification template

9

Quit claim deed - Power distribution

10

Quit claim deed – Power transmission

11

Subordination of rights agreement - Street acceptance

12

Subordination of rights agreement - Dominion Virginia Power

13

Transit shelter installation guidelines 

14

Checklist for Fiber Optic Resource Sharing Projects (FORS)

15

Guidance on the installation of Watch for Children signs

16

Mailbox installation guidelines

17

District permit offices and counties

18

Land use permit and Geographic Information Systems integration

19

Delegation of authority for administration of land use permit regulations
20 Access management regulations and standards
 

21

Requests for location of VDOT utilities

22

General Wireless Permit Package Submission and Review Guidelines

23 Golf Cart & Utility Vehicle Accommodation Guidelines
50 Rules and regulations for the administration of waysides and rest areas
 
100 Rules and regulations for the administration of parking lots and environs

 

Development of the Land Use Permit Regulations

The current Land Use Permit Regulations were prepared in accordance with Virginia’s Administrative Process Act.

To assure a broad outreach of public input, VDOT encouraged the public to provide comments on the proposed regulations and standards for a 60-day period.

Input was submitted via the internet, mail, and in-person at three public hearings conducted throughout the state.

The proposed regulations and standards were also published in the Virginia Register and posted on VDOT’s website.

  • More than 53 written and public hearing comments were received from individuals, developers, companies, consultants, and business organizations.  VDOT utilized these comments along with input from other stakeholders to develop the final version of the regulations.

  • Public hearing comments and VDOT responses (PDF, 316 MB)

The current Land Use Permit Regulations were approved by the Commonwealth Transportation Board on Oct. 15, 2009, and became effective on March 17, 2010. The regulations replaced the 1983 Land Use Permit Manual..

Additional Information

If you would like additional information regarding the Land Use Permit Regulations and related processes and forms, contact the local VDOT district permit office in the locality where the activity is to be performed, or the VDOT Central Office Land Use Permit section in Richmond at 804-786-0622 or 804-786-0759.

Page last modified: Oct. 5, 2023