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To amend City Code § 27-131, concerning the traffic signal enforcement program, for the purpose of establishing the manner in which civil penalties are allocated.
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THE CITY OF RICHMOND HEREBY ORDAINS:
§ 1. That section 27-131 of the Code of the City of Richmond (2020) be and hereby is amended as follows:
Sec. 27-131. Traffic Signal Enforcement Program.
(a) Establishment. There is hereby established a traffic signal enforcement program pursuant to and in accordance with Code of Virginia, § 15.2-968.1. The program shall include the installation and operation of traffic light signal violation monitoring systems in a number up to the maximum number of traffic light signal violation monitoring systems permitted by State law. No traffic light signal violation monitoring system shall be implemented at an intersection until all prerequisites for the implementation of such traffic light signal violation monitoring system at such intersection have been fulfilled.
(b) Implementation. The Chief Administrative Officer shall:
(1) Have the authority to implement the provisions of this section;
(2) Promulgate the rules and regulations necessary to administer the traffic signal enforcement program in compliance with all requirements of Code of Virginia, § 15.2-968.1 and this section; and
(3) Be responsible for the compliance of all aspects of the traffic signal enforcement program with applicable State law.
(c) Private contractor. The City may enter into an agreement with a private entity for the installation and operation of traffic light signal violation monitoring systems and related services as permitted by Code of Virginia, § 15.2-968.1(I). However, any such agreement shall be:
(1) Procured only in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 21; and
(2) Subject to the restrictions imposed by Code of Virginia, § 15.2-968.1(I).
(d) Penalties.
(1) For failure to comply with traffic light signal. The operator of a vehicle shall be liable for a monetary penalty imposed pursuant to Code of Virginia, § 15.2-968.1 and this section if such vehicle is found, as evidenced by information obtained from a traffic light signal violation monitoring system, to have failed to comply with a traffic light signal within the City. No monetary penalty imposed under this section shall exceed $50.00, nor shall it include court costs.
(2) For disclosure of personal information. Any person who discloses personal information collected by a traffic light signal violation monitoring system in violation of the provisions of Code of Virginia, § 15.2-968.1(H) shall be subject to a civil penalty of $1,000.00.
(3) Civil penalties collected under this section resulting from a summons issued by a City police officer shall be paid to the City and placed in a special fund called the Safety Camera Program Special Fund to be applied first to sustaining the photo enforcement program established pursuant to this section and second implementing the strategies set forth in any Vision Zero Action Plan adopted by the Safe and Healthy Streets Commission.
§ 2. This ordinance shall be in force and effect upon adoption.
DATE: September 15, 2025
TO: The Honorable Members of City Council
THROUGH: The Honorable Danny Avula, Mayor
THROUGH: Odie Donald, II, Chief Administrative Officer
THROUGH: Tanikia Jackson, DCAO Finance and Administration
THROUGH: Letitia Shelton, Director of Finance
THROUGH: Meghan Brown, Director of Budget and Strategic Planning
FROM: Richard G. Edwards, Chief of Police
RE: Amend City Code Sec. 27-131(d) to direct Safety Camera Program civil penalties first to sustain the Safety Camera Program, and second implement strategies set forth in the adopted Vision Zero Action Plans.
ORD. OR RES. No.
PURPOSE: To amend City Code Sec. 27-131(d) to direct Safety Camera Program civil penalties first to sustain the Safety Camera Program, second to implement strategies set forth in the adopted Vision Zero Action Plan.
REASON: City Council adopted ordinance 2007-179-156 on June 25, 2007, adding a new section of the Code of Richmond, Virginia, establishing a traffic signal enforcement program. The City code establishing the traffic signal enforcement program currently does not dedicate the fines from City Code Sec. 27-131 to sustain the Safety Camera Program and to implement Vision Zero Action Plan strategies. The City of Richmond plans to install devices and begin to issue civil penalties for disregarding red lights in the next several months; however, the program is not sustainable without directing the civil penalties to pay for the Safety Camera Program.
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the Safety Camera Program Special Fund is established and civil penalties from Section 27-131 be directed to this new special fund.
BACKGROUND: The City of Richmond established a traffic signal enforcement program on 06/25/2007 to enhance public safety. An amendment to City Code Sec. 27-131 is needed to dedicate anticipated civil penalties to sustain the Safety Camera Program and implement Vision Zero Action Plan strategies.
FISCAL IMPACT / COST: These resulting funds from the civil penalties will increase the FY26 Special Funds Budget.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: The allocation of these funds will allow the Richmond Police Department and the Department of Public Works to sustain the Safety Camera Program and to implement the strategies in the Vision Zero Action Plan.
BUDGET AMENDMENT NECESSARY: Yes. This code amendment will have an accompanying amendment to the FY26 Special Fund Budget.
REVENUE TO CITY: The City of Richmond will add $2,000,000 to the FY26 Special Funds Budget.
DESIRED EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon Adoption
REQUESTED INTRODUCTION DATE: December 8, 2025
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING DATE: January 12, 2026
REQUESTED AGENDA: Consent Agenda
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL COMMITTEE: Public Safety
CONSIDERATION BY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES: None.
AFFECTED AGENCIES: Department of Finance, Department of Budget and Strategic Planning, and the Richmond Police Department
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING ORD. OR RES.: This ordinance is requested due to amends ORD 2007-179-156 and ORD 2025-057
REQUIRED CHANGES TO WORK PROGRAM(S): None.
ATTACHMENTS: ORD 2007-179-156; ORD 2025-057; Safe & Healthy Streets Resolution
STAFF:
Richard G. Edwards, Chief of Police, Richard.Edwards@rva.gov <mailto:Richard.Edwards@rva.gov>
Rhanelle Collins-Meredith, Assistant City Attorney, Rhanelle.Collins3@rva.gov <mailto:Rhanelle.Collins3@rva.gov>
Albert B. Stokes, Jr., Civilian Deputy Chief, Albert.Stokes@rva.gov <mailto:Albert.Stokes@rva.gov>
Matthew E. Peanort, III. Deputy Director, Matthew.Peanort@rva.gov <mailto:Matthew.Peanort@rva.gov>
Harold Giles, Lieutenant, Harold.Giles@rva.gov <mailto:GiTonya.Parker@rva.gov>