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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>359841</law_id><section_number>33.2-1232</section_number><catch_line>Prohibition of false and misleading signs</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2026/" slug="2026" current="TRUE" last_updated="2026-08-02">2026</edition><referred_to_by><reference>33.2-1233</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="77" identifier="33.2">Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="2" identifier="II">Modes of Transportation: Highways, Bridges, Ferries, Rail, and Public Transportation</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="10" identifier="12">Outdoor Advertising in Sight of Public Highways</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="2" identifier="2">False and Misleading Signs</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>It shall be unlawful for any person to erect or maintain alongside, or in plain view of, any public <span class="dictionary">highway</span> any false or misleading sign of any kind or character purporting to furnish travel information relating to place or direction. It shall be unlawful for any person to erect or maintain alongside, or in plain view of, any public <span class="dictionary">highway</span> any sign of any kind or character purporting to furnish travel information relating to merchandise or services unless the design of such sign, the information thereon, and the location thereof are approved in writing by the <span class="dictionary">Commissioner of Highways</span>, provided that the provisions of this section as to merchandise and service shall not:</p></section>
						<section id="1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Apply to or restrict the right of any person to post, display, erect, or maintain on any store, dwelling house, or other building, together with so much land therewith as shall be necessary for the convenience, use, and enjoyment thereof, or on any mercantile appliances, contrivances, or machinery annexed or immediately adjacent thereto, any sign advertising goods, merchandise, real or personal property, business services, entertainment, or amusements actually and in good faith manufactured, produced, bought, sold, conducted, furnished, or dealt in on the premises; <a id="paragraph-1338830" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/33.2-1232/#1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="2"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Limit or restrict the publication of official notices by or under the direction of any public or <span class="dictionary">court</span> officer in the performance of his official or directed duties; <a id="paragraph-1338831" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/33.2-1232/#2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="3"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Limit or restrict notice of sale by a trustee under a deed of trust, deed of assignment, or other similar instrument; or <a id="paragraph-1338832" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/33.2-1232/#3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="4"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Apply to or restrict the right of any property owner or his agent, lessee, or tenant to maintain any sign offering to the public farm products, including livestock of every kind, or <span class="dictionary">board</span> or lodging or similar entertainment, or the sale, rental, or lease of the property.
			Nothing in this section shall limit the right of any person, firm, or corporation to erect signs that advertise natural scenic attractions in the Commonwealth. <a id="paragraph-1338833" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/33.2-1232/#4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7; 33-324; 1970, c. 322, &#xA7; 33.1-379; 2014, c. 805.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
