Virginia statute
Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-422 — Prohibition of wearing of masks in certain places; exceptions; penalty
Current through 2026 Regular Session
Part of Article 5: Activities Tending to Cause Violence, Code of Virginia.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-422
Statutory text current through the 2026 Regular Session. This publication reproduces the text of the Code of Virginia from the official Virginia Law Portal API published by the Virginia General Assembly's Division of Legislative Automated Systems; it is not the official Code of Virginia.
Except as otherwise provided in § 19.2-83.6:1 , it is unlawful for any person over 16 years of age to, with the intent to conceal his identity, wear any mask, hood, or other device whereby a substantial portion of the face is hidden or covered so as to conceal the identity of the wearer, to be or appear in any public place, or upon any private property in the Commonwealth without first having obtained from the owner or tenant thereof consent to do so in writing. However, the provisions of this section shall not apply to persons (i) wearing traditional holiday costumes; (ii) engaged in professions, trades, employment, or other activities and wearing protective masks which are deemed necessary for the physical safety of the wearer or other persons; (iii) engaged in any bona fide theatrical production or masquerade ball; or (iv) wearing a mask, hood, or other device for bona fide medical reasons upon (a) the advice of a licensed physician or osteopath and carrying on his person an affidavit from the physician or osteopath specifying the medical necessity for wearing the device and the date on which the wearing of the device will no longer be necessary and providing a brief description of the device, or (b) the declaration of a disaster or state of emergency by the Governor in response to a public health emergency where the emergency declaration expressly waives this section, defines the mask appropriate for the emergency, and provides for the duration of the waiver. The violation of any provisions of this section is a Class 6 felony.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
Is prohibition of wearing of masks in certain places a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia?
Prohibition of wearing of masks in certain places is a class 6 felony in Virginia under Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-422.
Which Virginia statute covers prohibition of wearing of masks in certain places?
Prohibition of wearing of masks in certain places is governed by Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-422 (Prohibition of wearing of masks in certain places; exceptions; penalty).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.