{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/46.2-873.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/46.2-873.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/46.2-873.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/46.2-873.1.html"}],"law_id":366305,"edition_id":2,"section_id":366305,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-873.1","catch_line":"Maximum speed limit on nonsurface-treated highways","history":"2000, c. 262; 2004, c. 719; 2005, cc. 239, 804; 2009, c. 74; 2010, cc. 19, 48; 2011, c. 29; 2012, c. 207; 2014, cc. 80, 261.","full_text":"The maximum speed limit on nonsurface-treated highways, which are roads that are comprised of an earth-aggregate or aggregate surface (i.e., dirt and gravel) that have not been stabilized with a bituminous or cementitious material, shall be 35 miles per hour. The maximum speed limit upon such highways may be increased or decreased by the Commissioner of Highways or other authority having jurisdiction over highways. However, such increased or decreased maximum speed limit shall be effective only when indicated by sign on the highway. For such highways upon which maximum speed limit is not indicated by sign, the maximum speed limit shall be 35 miles per hour.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1364227,"text":"The maximum speed limit on nonsurface-treated highways, which are roads that are comprised of an earth-aggregate or aggregate surface (i.e., dirt and gravel) that have not been stabilized with a bituminous or cementitious material, shall be 35 miles per hour. The maximum speed limit upon such highways may be increased or decreased by the Commissioner of Highways or other authority having jurisdiction over highways. However, such increased or decreased maximum speed limit shall be effective only when indicated by sign on the highway. For such highways upon which maximum speed limit is not indicated by sign, the maximum speed limit shall be 35 miles per hour.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":52193,"edition_id":2,"name":"Speed","identifier":"8","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":9,"parent_id":52184,"metadata":{"child_laws":21,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:55:49","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:34:09","permalink":{"id":1457963,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52193,"identifier":"8","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8","url":"\/46.2\/III\/8\/8\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52184,"edition_id":2,"name":"Regulation of Traffic","identifier":"8","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":52051,"metadata":{"child_laws":208,"child_structures":21},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:55:38","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:34:08","permalink":{"id":1457191,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52184,"identifier":"8","token":"46.2\/III\/8","url":"\/46.2\/III\/8\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52051,"edition_id":2,"name":"Operation","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":3,"parent_id":52048,"metadata":{"child_laws":589,"child_structures":55},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:52:29","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:34:07","permalink":{"id":1455599,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52051,"identifier":"III","token":"46.2\/III","url":"\/46.2\/III\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52048,"edition_id":2,"name":"Motor Vehicles","identifier":"46.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":101,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":1830,"child_structures":157},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:52:29","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:34:02","permalink":{"id":1452291,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52048,"identifier":"46.2","token":"46.2","url":"\/46.2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":366302,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-870","catch_line":"Maximum speed limits generally","url":"\/46.2-870\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-870","metadata":false},{"id":366303,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-871","catch_line":"Maximum speed limit for school buses","url":"\/46.2-871\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-871","metadata":false},{"id":366304,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-872","catch_line":"Maximum speed limits for vehicles operating under special permits","url":"\/46.2-872\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-872","metadata":false},{"id":366307,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-873","catch_line":"Maximum speed limits at school crossings; penalty","url":"\/46.2-873\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-873","metadata":false},{"id":366305,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-873.1","catch_line":"Maximum speed limit on nonsurface-treated highways","url":"\/46.2-873.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-873.1","metadata":false},{"id":366306,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-873.2","catch_line":"Maximum speed limit on rural rustic roads","url":"\/46.2-873.2\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-873.2","metadata":false},{"id":366309,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-874","catch_line":"Maximum speed limit in business and residence districts","url":"\/46.2-874\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-874","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"John J. Bahen, Jr. v. County of Henrico","case_number":"0500982","citation":"30 Va. App. 227","date":"1999-07-06","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1066255\/john-j-bahen-jr-v-county-of-henrico\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. BENTON, Judge. .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Court of Appeals\">COA<\/abbr>"},"1":{"name":"Cromartie v. Billings","case_number":"180851","citation":null,"date":"2020-01-16","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/4696250\/cromartie-v-billings\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. Present: All the Justices .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"}}}},{"id":366308,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-874.1","catch_line":"Authority to increase penalties in residence districts","url":"\/46.2-874.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-874.1","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":366310,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-875","catch_line":"Maximum speed limit on certain other highways in cities and towns","url":"\/46.2-875\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-875","metadata":false},{"id":366311,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-876","catch_line":"Maximum speed limit for passenger vehicles towing certain trailers","url":"\/46.2-876\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-876","metadata":false},{"id":366312,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-877","catch_line":"Minimum speed limits","url":"\/46.2-877\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-877","metadata":false},{"id":366317,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-878","catch_line":"Authority to change speed limits","url":"\/46.2-878\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-878","metadata":false},{"id":366313,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-878.1","catch_line":"Maximum speed limits in highway work zones; penalty","url":"\/46.2-878.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-878.1","metadata":false},{"id":366314,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-878.2","catch_line":"Maximum speed limits in certain residence districts of counties, cities, and towns; penalty","url":"\/46.2-878.2\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-878.2","metadata":false},{"id":366315,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-878.2:1","catch_line":"Maximum speed limits on certain roads","url":"\/46.2-878.2_1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-878.2_1","metadata":false},{"id":366316,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-878.3","catch_line":"Prepayment of fines for violations of speed limits","url":"\/46.2-878.3\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-878.3","metadata":false},{"id":366318,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-879","catch_line":"No conviction for speeding in certain areas unless markers installed","url":"\/46.2-879\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-879","metadata":false},{"id":366319,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-881","catch_line":"Special speed limitation on bridges, tunnels and interstates","url":"\/46.2-881\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-881","metadata":false},{"id":366321,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-882","catch_line":"Determining speed with various devices; certificate as to accuracy of device; arrest without warrant","url":"\/46.2-882\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-882","metadata":false},{"id":366320,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-882.1","catch_line":"Use of photo speed monitoring devices in highway work zones, school crossing zones, and high-risk intersection segments; civil penalty","url":"\/46.2-882.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-882.1","metadata":false},{"id":366322,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-883","catch_line":"Signs indicating legal rate of speed and measurement of speed by radar","url":"\/46.2-883\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-883","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":366307,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-873","catch_line":"Maximum speed limits at school crossings; penalty","url":"\/46.2-873\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-873","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":366306,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-873.2","catch_line":"Maximum speed limit on rural rustic roads","url":"\/46.2-873.2\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-873.2","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-873.1\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 2000. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?001+ful+CHAP0262\">262<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 7 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 2004, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?041+ful+CHAP0719\">719<\/a>; in 2005, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?051+ful+CHAP0239\">239<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?051+ful+CHAP0804\">804<\/a>; in 2009, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?091+ful+CHAP0074\">74<\/a>; in 2010, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?101+ful+CHAP0019\">19<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?101+ful+CHAP0048\">48<\/a>; in 2011, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?111+ful+CHAP0029\">29<\/a>; in 2012, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?121+ful+CHAP0207\">207<\/a>; in 2014, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?141+ful+CHAP0080\">80<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?141+ful+CHAP0261\">261<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1457981,"object_type":"law","relational_id":366305,"identifier":"46.2-873.1","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-873.1","url":"\/46.2-873.1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-873.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-873.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Maximum speed limit on nonsurface-treated highways","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-873.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>The maximum speed limit on nonsurface-treated <span class=\"dictionary\">highways<\/span>, which are roads that are comprised of an earth-aggregate or aggregate surface (i.e., dirt and gravel) that have not been stabilized with a bituminous or cementitious <span class=\"dictionary\">material<\/span>, shall be 35 miles per hour. The maximum speed limit upon such <span class=\"dictionary\">highways<\/span> may be increased or decreased by the <span class=\"dictionary\">Commissioner<\/span> of <span class=\"dictionary\">Highways<\/span> or other authority having <span class=\"dictionary\">jurisdiction<\/span> over <span class=\"dictionary\">highways<\/span>. However, such increased or decreased maximum speed limit shall be effective only when indicated by sign on the <span class=\"dictionary\">highway<\/span>. For such <span class=\"dictionary\">highways<\/span> upon which maximum speed limit is not indicated by sign, the maximum speed limit shall be 35 miles per hour.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nMAXIMUM SPEED LIMIT ON NONSURFACE-TREATED HIGHWAYS (\u00a7 46.2-873.1)\n\nThe maximum speed limit on nonsurface-treated highways, which are roads that are\ncomprised of an earth-aggregate or aggregate surface (i.e., dirt and gravel)\nthat have not been stabilized with a bituminous or cementitious material, shall\nbe 35 miles per hour. The maximum speed limit upon such highways may be\nincreased or decreased by the Commissioner of Highways or other authority having\njurisdiction over highways. However, such increased or decreased maximum speed\nlimit shall be effective only when indicated by sign on the highway. For such\nhighways upon which maximum speed limit is not indicated by sign, the maximum\nspeed limit shall be 35 miles per hour.\n\nHISTORY: 2000, c. 262; 2004, c. 719; 2005, cc. 239, 804; 2009, c. 74; 2010, cc.\n19, 48; 2011, c. 29; 2012, c. 207; 2014, cc. 80, 261.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}