Spotsylvania Toughens Policy On Roadside Signs

SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY, VA — The Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisor voted Tuesday to adopt a revised sign policy that eliminates all exceptions to when county employees can remove roadside signs that violate county code. The new policy will take effect immediately, the board said.

A previous exception to Spotsylvania County's sign policy did not permit the county to remove signs located in a Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) right of way along roadways from noon Friday to noon Monday. The board's vote on Tuesday eliminated that exception.

Spotsylvania County has seen a rise in complaints about the number of signs that line roadsides and medians. The county ordinance prohibits advertising signs in a public right of way.

All signs that violate the county ordinance are eligible for removal, including signs located in a highway median and signs located within a VDOT right of way that extends five feet beyond a road pavement's edge. For curb and gutter road sections, the edge of pavement is measured from the back of the curb. For ditch road sections, the edge of pavement is measured from the actual edge of the pavement.

The county will keep removed signs for a minimum of five business days before disposal to allow the responsible parties the opportunity to reclaim their property. In order to claim a sign, people must fill out a litter collection form on the county's public works website by clicking on the "report roadside litter" button.

Spotsylvania County will issue notices of violation to responsible parties and pursue enforcement of sign violations, the county said. Questions about the enforcement of the sign policy can be directed to the county's Planning & Zoning Department at 540-507-7434 or zoning@spotsylvania.va.us.