Land Use Permits
24 VAC 30-151
To work or perform other activities on a VDOT highway, park-and-ride lot, and rest area, you must have written permission from VDOT. Written permission is granted by a land use permit or a contract let by VDOT.
Apply for a Permit
Most land use permits may be obtained at local VDOT 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.
VDOT staff has prepared documents to assist in the permit application process:
- Land Use Permit Regulations (PDF, 145KB)
- Land Use Permit Guidance Manual (PDF, 1 MB)
About Land Use Permit Regulations
Land Use Permit Regulations establish the rules that individuals, localities, and other entities must meet in order to conduct activities -- other than travel -- on the commonwealth's highway systems that are in the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) jurisdiction.
The current Land Use Permit Regulations were approved by the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) on October 15, 2009 and became effective on March 17, 2010. The new regulations replace the 1983 Land Use Permit Manual.
Information and Forms
The applicable land use permit form is dependent upon the type of work to be completed within the VDOT right-of-way. Because this work can vary a great deal, there are a number of land use permit forms and guidance information to assist the user in better understanding the Land Use Permit Regulations. You can access the land use permit forms and this additional information by using the links listed below.
Forms 
| LUP-A | Land Use Permit Application |
| LUP-AUA | Agricultural Use Agreement |
| LUP-BMA | Land Use Permit Application - Building Movement |
| LUP-BMI | Building Movement - Investigator’s Report |
| LUP-BMQ | Building Mover Prequalification Questionnaire |
| LUP-BMR | Building Movement - Route Certification |
| LUP-BMV | Building Movement - VDOT Recommendation |
| LUP-CS | Cash Surety Affidavit |
| LUP-CSB | Corporate Surety Bond |
| LUP-CUA | Commercial Use Agreement |
| LUP-IPP | Land Use Permit Application – In Place Subdivision Street (Utility) |
| LUP-LC | Bank Irrevocable Letter of Credit |
| LUP-PA | Permit Agreement for Occupation of Right-of-way |
| LUP-PRP | Land Use Permit Application - Prior Rights (Utility) |
| LUP-SB | Surety Bond |
| LUP-SEA | Special Event Approval |
| LUP-SEI | Special Event Information |
| Resolution | City, County, Town Resolution |
Guidance Information
| LUP-BM | Building Movement Guidelines | |
| LUP-BR | Bicycle Race Guidelines | |
| LUP-GC | Golf Cart Guidelines | |
| LUP-LT | Lighting Guidelines | |
| LUP-MB | Mailbox Placement Guidelines | |
| LUP-RM | Roadside Memorial Guidelines | |
| LUP-SE | Special Event Guidelines | |
| LUP-VM | Volunteer Mowing Guidelines |
Special Provisions
| LUP-CRI | Regional Cultural Resource Investigation | |
| LUP-DWSV | District-wide Surveying Operations | |
| LUP-DWTLE | Districtwide Temporary Logging Entrances | |
| LUP-DWUSC | District-wide Utility Service Connections | |
| LUP-ESCCC | Erosion & Sediment Control Contractor Certification | |
| LUP-IR | Irrigation | |
| LUP-LS | Landscape | |
| LUP-OAVC | Outdoor Advertising Structure Vegetation Control | |
| LUP-PRC | Photo-Red Camera Installation | |
| LUP-RGUTT | Regional Utility Tree Trimming | |
| LUP-SPG | Special Provisions - General | |
| LUP-WZTCC | Work Zone Traffic Control Certification |
Guidance Manual Appendices
| 1 | Frequently asked questions | |
| 2 | Processing permit requests on limited access right-of-way | |
| 3 | Checklist for processing limited access permit requests | |
| 4 | Processing requests for changes in limited access control | |
| 5 | Processing permit requests for ITS resource sharing agreements | |
| 6 | Procedures for handling delinquent permits | |
| 7 | Permits for the installation of private entrances | |
| 8 | Erosion & sediment control contractor certification requirements | |
| 9 | Open-cut pavement restoration detail | |
| 10 | Work zone traffic control certification verification requirements | |
| 11 | Processing permit requests for photo-red camera installations | |
| 12 | Processing permit requests for comprehensive roadside management projects | |
| 13 | Processing permit requests for roadside management special projects | |
| 14 | Illicit discharge notification | |
| 15 | Quit Claim Deed - Power Distribution | |
| 16 | Quit Claim Deed - PowerTransmission | |
| 17 | Subordination of Rights Agreement - Street Acceptance | |
| 18 | Subordination of Rights Agreement - Dominion Virginia Power | |
| 19 | Transit Shelter Installation Guidelines | |
| 20 | ITS resource sharing project checklist | |
| 21 | Guidance on the Installation of Watch for Children signs |
Additional Information
If you would like additional information regarding the Land Use Permit Regulations and related processes and forms, please contact your VDOT district office for the related county in which the work is to be performed or VDOT’s Central Office in Richmond.
Development of the Land Use Permit Regulations
The Land Use Permit Regulations sets forth the requirements applicable to all activities permitted within the VDOT right-of-way as allowed by the CTB. These include such activities as installation of utilities, construction of private and commercial entrances, landscaping, and temporary use of the right-of-way. 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. The 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, the U.S. 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 the comments received along with input from stakeholders to develop the final version of the Land Use Permit Regulations.
- Public hearing comments and responses (PDF, 316 MB)
The 1983 Land Use Permit Manual is available here for historical purposes.
- Land Use Permit Manual (PDF, 437 KB)
