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IN GENERAL

Richmond, Va., City Code ch. 24, art. I
in effect

Richmond, Va., City Code § 24-1 Definitions.

Sec. 24-1. - Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except when the context clearly indicates a different meaning: Encroachment means any portion of a public street right-of-way, including areas below, on or above the surface, that is authorized under this chapter or taken without such authorization for use by an individual or concern and altered for a particular benefit. Encroachments shall include, but not be limited to, sidewalk crossings, in the form of driveways and carriage walks, areaways, coal chutes, loading doors, skylights, vents, oil fillers, utility service vaults, walls, signage, and awnings. Public way means any public street or other public right-of-way of whatever nature in the City, whether or not actually or physically opened to public use and travel. Sidewalk means any paved improvements, made for the specific use of pedestrians, in the area of public street right-of-way located between the curbline, or the lateral lines of a roadway where there is no curb, parallel to the street curb or lateral lines, and the adjacent property line. Street includes avenues, boulevards, highways, roads, alleys, courts, lanes, viaducts, bridges and the approaches thereto and all other public thoroughfares in the City and means the entire width thereof between abutting property lines. The term "street" shall be construed to include a sidewalk or footpath. (Code 1993, § 25-1; Code 2004, § 90-1; Code 2015, § 24-1; Code 2020, § 24-1)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 24-2 Design and construction standards.

Sec. 24-2. - Design and construction standards. The Director shall establish and, from time to time, modify a manual entitled "Right-of-Way Design and Construction Standards Manual" consisting of general and specific right-of-way design and construction standards that the Director of Public Works shall enforce for all design and construction that occurs in streets, sidewalks and public ways, as defined in Section 24-1, and in public rights-of-way as defined in Section 24-400. Such standards shall be consistent with all applicable Federal, State and local laws and with sound engineering practices and shall reflect the intent of the City that all transportation improvement projects in the City be planned for, designed and constructed to provide appropriate accommodation for persons of all ages and abilities, including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit passengers, and motorists, while promoting safe operation for all users. The Director shall: (1) Make the manual available for inspection in the Director's offices; (2) Publish the manual in a form for sale to the public; and (3) To the maximum extent practicable, make the manual available electronically and through the Internet. (Code 2004, § 90-2; Code 2015, § 24-2; Code 2020, § 24-2; Ord. No. 2005-205-173, § 2, 7-25-2005; Ord. No. 2014-171-164, § 1(90-2), 10-13-2014)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 24-3 Installation of certain signs at street and sidewalk construction projects.

Sec. 24-3. - Installation of certain signs at street and sidewalk construction projects. (a) Applicability. This section applies to signs erected, placed or maintained by City officers, employees, agents or contractors at the site of construction performed by City officers, employees, agents or contractors that occurs in streets, sidewalks and public ways, as defined in Section 24-1, and in public rights-of-way as defined in Section 24-400. For purposes of this section, such construction is referred to as a "covered construction project," and the term "sign" refers to a sign associated with a covered construction project that contains information not required to properly direct traffic around or restrict access to the site of the covered construction project. (b) Contents. Every sign erected, placed or maintained at the site of a covered construction project shall state that the project is a project performed by the City of Richmond. The sign may identify the name of the City department responsible for the covered construction project and may include contact information for that department. However, no sign shall state the name of any City officer or employee. (c) Placement and removal. Any sign shall be placed at or near the site of the covered construction project. Any sign shall be removed within 30 days after the final completion of the covered construction project with which the sign is associated. (d) Violation. Every person that installs or orders the installation of a sign associated with a covered construction project that violates the requirements or prohibitions, or both, imposed by this section shall pay a civil penalty of $100.00. Each sign installed or ordered to be installed in violation of the requirements or prohibitions, or both, imposed by this section shall constitute a separate violation. (Code 2004, § 90-3; Code 2015, § 24-3; Code 2020, § 24-3; Ord. No. 2010-190-2011-118, § 1, 6-13-2011)

Richmond, Va., City Code § 24-4 Report required on the condition of all streets in the City.

Sec. 24-4. - Report required on the condition of all streets in the City. The Department of Public Works shall produce a report of the condition of all streets in the City and provide such report to City Council by no later than February 1, 2020, and by no later than February 1 each year thereafter. The report on the condition of all streets in the City shall include the following: (1) An assessment of the condition of the City's streets in comparison with State and national standards. The Department of Public Works may use the latest assessment to provide this data based on an assessment being conducted every three years. (2) An assessment of the adequacy of the City's streets to handle the current and projected volume of traffic in comparison with State and national standards. (3) A prioritized list of paving needs and repairs and the projected costs thereof arranged by Council District. (4) An estimate of the cost of remediation for any identified deficiencies. (5) A plan of action for addressing such deficiencies, including estimates of funding required from City, State, Federal, and other sources, and recommendations for policy changes as appropriate. (Code 2015, § 24-4; Code 2020, § 24-4; Ord. No. 2018-289, § 1, 7-22-2019)
Source: City of Richmond, Virginia, Code (2026 recodification) and Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/va/richmond/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICICO_CH24STSIPUWA_ARTIINGEFetched: 11/8/2026

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