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In early 2009, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors authorized the
establishment of a volunteer sign collection program to remove illegally
placed signs within the Commonwealth of Virginia's right-of-ways
located in the county. The Code of Virginia (33.1-373; 33.1-375)
prohibits advertising within the limit of any highway, which includes
the roadway, shoulders and median strips.
Advocacy
Recently in State
February 26, 2010
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July 31, 2009
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You may have heard about Virginia's Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act: It requires that Realtors® (and others) call the Virginia Utility Protection Service -- aka Miss Utility -- before putting up any sign that involves sticking something in the dirt, other than "coat hanger" signs. Even putting up a typical spike sign is considered "excavating," and Realtors® or their sign companies who don't first get the go-ahead from Miss Utility face up to a $2,500 fine. In fact, the SCC's Division of Underground Utility and Railroad Safety originally prohibited even those coat-hanger signs; VAR fought for and won at least that concession.
During the 2009 Virginia General Assembly Session, several legislative changes were made impacting the real estate industry including mandatory criminal background checks for new real estate license applicants; exemption of auction properties from certain Property Owners' Association (POA) Act requirements; disclosure of storm water detention facilities; and clarification that local governments do not have the authority to ban non-conventional septic
Did you know that you could be fined $2,500 for putting up a temporary sign if you do not get utility lines marked first? DAAR was recently alerted to an investigation that was being conducted by the State Corporation Commission (SCC) regarding a violation of the Virginia Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act. The SCC is charged with enforcing Virginia's Underground Utility Damage Prevention Act, which gives them the authority to investigate alleged violations and levy a fine of up to $2,500 if a violation is found to have occurred.
In Virginia a new law was approved, effective July 1, 2009, prohibiting the use of handheld personal communications devices while operating a moving motor vehicle, with exceptions. The law states that it is unlawful for any person to operate a moving motor vehicle on the highways in the Commonwealth of Virginia while using any handheld personal communications device to
February 13, 2009
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Several members from the DAAR Government and Political Affairs Committee and the Board of Directors met with area lawmakers Senator Jill Holtzman Vogel, Senator Mark Herring, Delegate David Poisson and Delegate Joe May in Richmond this week to discuss VAR's legislative priorities and other real estate issues of concern such as clarifying locality's authority to regulate septic systems and efforts to stimulate the local housing market.
November 19, 2008
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The Virginia Homeowners Alliance (VHA) program is an exciting new FREE service to homeowners provided by the Virginia Association of REALTORS® to help protect their most treasured investment, their home. By joining VHA, homeowners can stay informed of all the latest news relating to real estate taxes, property assessments, new residential and commercial developments, transportation, school construction and a host of other issues affecting their home.
During the 2008 regular session, the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation (HB 837) which required the Virginia Real Estate Board (VREB) to update the Residential Property Disclosure form to reflect a statutory notice requirement concerning dam break inundation zones. The change, effective this month, is found in the first paragraph on page 2.
VAR successfully lobbied for major revisions to the laws governing Property Owners Associations, Home Owners Associations and Condominium Owners Associations during the 2008 General Assembly session. On June 20, Lem Marshall, VAR's special counsel, led an interactive webcast summarizing changes to the law. Thank you to Charles Fincher, Monarch Title for providing brunch at DAAR's Leeburg office and thanks to RGS Title for providing brunch at the Long & Foster Sterling office, our second Podcast location. A special thanks to Gwen Pangle for coordinating the Long & Foster location.
In addition, please visit www.VARealtor.com/StandardForms for updated versions of VAR Form 610 (Request for Property Owners' Association Disclosure Packet) and Form 615 (Request for Condominium Association Resale Certificate). The updates reflect the new law enabling sellers or their agents to request electronic delivery of disclosure and resale packets from property owners' or condominium associations,
During the 2008 General Assembly Session, several legislative changes were made impacting the real estate industry including changes to the Property Owners' Association (POA) Act, more clearly defined Automated Value Models, updates to the Wet Settlement Act, changes to listing and leasing disclosure and vested rights reform. The Virginia Association of REALTOR® has released a summary to help members understand those changes and ensure compliance with laws effective July 1, 2008. For a copy of this reference tool, visit www.VARealtor.com/NewLaw08.
