Section 250. Actual reasonable moving costs

A. Eligible and ineligible moving costs. The following items are eligible for reimbursement as moving costs if they are reasonable and are actually incurred during the moving process:

1. Transportation costs for moving the personal property. The transportation charges will normally be reimbursed for up to the first 50 miles of travel. When the move exceeds 50 miles, all estimates should be prepared based upon a move of 50 miles. Similarly, the mover's bill must be detailed to show transportation costs for the first 50 miles as well as the cost for the remainder of the distance. When VDOT determines that the business cannot be relocated within a 50-mile limit, reimbursement will be allowed to the nearest adequate and available site.

2. Packing, crating, unpacking and uncrating the personal property.

3. Disconnecting, dismantling, removing, reassembling and reinstalling relocated machinery, equipment and other personal property. This includes connections to utilities available nearby. It also includes modification of the personal property necessary to adapt it to the replacement structure, the replacement site or the utilities at the replacement site and modifications necessary to adapt the utilities at the replacement site to the personal property. (Expenses for providing utilities from the right of way to the building or improvement are excluded.)

4. Storage costs not to exceed 12 months, including moving in and out of storage. Storage costs for a longer period may be approved if the district manager determines that a longer period is necessary. Costs for storage of personal property on a site owned, leased or controlled by the displaced person are not eligible.

5. Insurance for replacement value due to the loss, theft or damage to the personal property in connection with the move and necessary storage. Where insurance is not reasonably available, the replacement value of property lost, stolen or damaged in the process of moving may be paid, unless the loss results from fault or negligence of the displaced person, their agent, or employee.

6. Any license, permit or certification required at the replacement location. The payment may be based on the remaining useful life of the existing permit, license or certification.

7. Professional services necessary for planning the move, moving and installing personal property at the replacement location. This can include the displacee's time, provided the claim is well documented.

8. The relettering of signs and the cost of replacing stationery on hand at the time of the move that are made obsolete by the acquisition.

9. Providing utilities from right-of-way to improvements on the replacement site.

10. Professional services performed prior to the purchase or lease of a replacement site to determine its suitability for the displaced person's business operation including but not limited to, soil testing, feasibility and marketing studies (excluding any fees or commissions directly related to the purchase or lease of such site). At the discretion of the district office, a reasonable, preapproved hourly rate may be established.

11. Impact fees or one-time assessments for anticipated heavy utility usage.

12. Other moving related expenses that are not listed as ineligible in subsection B of this section as determined to be reasonable and necessary.

B. The following items are ineligible for reimbursement as moving costs:

1. Any additional expense incurred because of operating at a new location except as provided as a business reestablishment expense;

2. Cost of moving structures, improvements, or other items of realty retained by the owner;

3. Physical changes to the real property at the replacement location of a business, farm or nonprofit organization except as provided for in subsection A of this section and 24VAC30-41-310;

4. Interest on loans to cover moving expenses;

5. Loss of goodwill;

6. Loss of trained or skilled employees, or both;

7. Loss of business or profits, or both; and

8. Personal injury.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 18, Issue 03, eff. November 21, 2001; amended, Virginia Register Volume 21, Issue 13, eff. April 6, 2005.

Statutory Authority

§ 25.1-402 of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC § 4601 et seq.; 49 CFR Part 24.