VDOT Stops Trimming Roadside Overgrowth at Chesterfield Home
TL;DR: A disabled veteran and his wife in Chesterfield County say VDOT has stopped trimming roadside overgrowth near their property, creating maintenance challenges they say they cannot afford to address themselves.
Quick facts
- Who: Retired couple (husband is disabled veteran); VDOT
- What: VDOT discontinued roadside vegetation trimming service at property on Courthouse Road
- When: Service halted approximately one year ago (around June 2025); reported June 18, 2026
- Where: Courthouse Road, Chesterfield County, Virginia
The story
A retired couple living off Courthouse Road in Chesterfield County is frustrated after the Virginia Department of Transportation stopped trimming overgrown vegetation along the adjacent state-maintained right-of-way nearly a year ago. The husband, a disabled veteran, and his wife purchased their home nearly two decades ago and relied on VDOT's regular maintenance to manage bushes and weeds that encroached on their property. When they inquired about the discontinuation, a VDOT representative told them, per their account, "we're under new management now and that's the old management," indicating the service would no longer continue and that homeowners would need to handle the maintenance themselves.
The couple says vegetation from the VDOT right-of-way continues to grow over their fence and into their yard, with bushes and weeds protruding through and above the fence line along much of the property. The wife stated she wanted VDOT to "do what they should have did over a year or more ago." The couple says they cannot afford to hire professional removal services and maintain that vegetation management is VDOT's responsibility since the overgrowth originates from the state-maintained road.
VDOT clarified its current maintenance policy, stating the agency does not prune or trim trees in rights-of-way specifically to prevent branches from extending over adjacent property lines. According to VDOT, staff evaluated the right-of-way in fall 2025 and took actions consistent with established maintenance standards. This position reflects a distinction between general right-of-way maintenance and the specific trimming of vegetation crossing property boundaries, suggesting a policy shift or change in interpretation of VDOT's obligations.
The case highlights an ongoing tension between property owners and state transportation agencies regarding responsibilities for vegetation management at property boundaries, particularly where VDOT-maintained rights-of-way abut private residential land. Virginia law grants localities significant discretion in managing right-of-way encroachments, but the specific allocation of trimming responsibilities between property owners and VDOT remains a source of dispute.
Key players
- Disabled veteran and spouse: Chesterfield County homeowners seeking VDOT maintenance
- Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT): State agency managing road rights-of-way; discontinued trimming service
The case for
VDOT's current policy sets clear maintenance boundaries and frees resources for core road infrastructure responsibilities. Trimming vegetation to prevent overhang over private property lines is arguably the property owner's responsibility, particularly since vegetation technically grows from the right-of-way but the impact is to private land. Clarifying this policy prevents indefinite entanglement of VDOT crews in individual property disputes and keeps the agency focused on safety and roadway function rather than aesthetic upkeep of adjacent yards.
The case against
Property owners have no control over vegetation originating from VDOT-maintained right-of-way, and they cannot legally trim growth outside their property line without VDOT permission. If VDOT previously maintained encroaching vegetation as standard practice, discontinuing that service without notice or transition support places an unfair burden on residents, especially disabled veterans and those unable to afford professional removal. A more customer-focused approach would involve community notification of policy changes and clear guidance on alternatives.
Why it matters: This dispute illustrates broader questions about property rights and state agency accountability in Chesterfield County. For homeowners, unclear VDOT maintenance policies create financial burden and legal uncertainty; for VDOT, defining consistent standards protects against endless service demands. The issue may affect other county residents facing similar situations and could prompt county officials to seek clearer guidance from VDOT on maintenance responsibilities.
Places
Development timeline
- 2025-06-18VDOT discontinues roadside trimming: Couple reports VDOT informed them trimming service would cease; attributed to change in management [[source]](https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/chesterfield-county/vdot-right-of-way-overgrowth-june-18-2026)
- 2025-10-01VDOT fall 2025 right-of-way evaluation: VDOT staff conducted evaluation and took maintenance actions per current maintenance policy [[source]](https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/chesterfield-county/vdot-right-of-way-overgrowth-june-18-2026)
- 2026-06-18Couple's complaint reported by local media: Story published describing frustration over discontinued VDOT trimming service and property maintenance challenges [[source]](https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/chesterfield-county/vdot-right-of-way-overgrowth-june-18-2026)
Related links
- VDOT Contact and Divisions
- Chesterfield County Transportation
- Virginia Right-of-Way and Utilities Division
- Virginia Code on Encroachments on Rights-of-Way
Read the original at WTVR CBS 6 Local →
Sources
- Chesterfield couple frustrated after VDOT stops trimming roadside overgrowth in their yard (WTVR, June 18, 2026)
- VDOT Contact and Divisions
- Virginia Code, Article 3: Encroachments on Rights-of-Way
- VDOT Right-of-Way and Utilities Division