The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) Waterways Management Program oversees and coordinates statewide information and regulatory markers to ensure compliance with the uniform marking system and to improve compliance of state boating and resource protection zones for the long term well-being and benefit of all waterway users and the fish and wildlife resources.
The system is in accordance with 33 CFR Part 62 and 33 CFR Part 66 and is consistent with the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) Maritime Buoyage System (Region B) and complies with existing U.S. Coast Guard regulations.
Regulatory Markers
- “Regulatory markers are white buoys or signs with orange bands and black symbols or text, used to inform boaters of specific rules and hazards in a waterway, such as no-wake zones, no boat access, or dangers like submerged rocks. Common shapes include a circle for restricted areas, a diamond for hazards, and a diamond with a cross for exclusion areas, providing standardized guidance for safe and orderly navigation.” For more details on Virginia Regulatory Markers see 4VAC15-370-50.
- No political subdivision (city, county) or person may mark the waters of Virginia in any manner conflicting with the marking system prescribed by the DWR. DWR can approve Regulatory Waterway Marker applications for lake associations, municipalities, and other organizations to place and maintain waterway markers.
Questions and Information
- For general Regulatory Marker questions or application submissions, please email waterways.management@dwr.virginia.gov.
- For information on US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) permits and Section 10, please visit the USACE Norfolk District Regulatory Office’s website
Red and Green channel markers are managed by the United States Coast Guard
- Report aid to navigation outages, issues or discrepancies using the U.S. Coast Guard Discrepancy Report Form
- For questions about Private Aids to Navigation (PATON) or to submit an application, contact the PATON Manager at: SMB-D5Waterways-PATON@uscg.mil
- Private Aids to Navigation (PATONs) are lights, buoys, and other marine markers owned and maintained by individuals or organizations other than the U.S. Coast Guard to mark private channels or hazards. Owners must obtain a permit from the Coast Guard to set these aids in navigable waters.
Associated Rules and Regulations for Placing Regulatory Markers
For more information, visit:
- § 29.1-734. Authorization for and placing of markers in waters of the Commonwealth used for public swimming areas; no motorboating, waterskiing in marked area.
- § 29.1-744. Local regulation; application for placement or removal of “no wake” buoys, etc.
- 4VAC15-370-50. Regulatory markers and aids to navigation.
- 4VAC15-370-51. Regulatory markers and aids to navigation maintenance.
- Rules for Establishment of Uniform Regulatory Markers on the Public Waters of Virginia