Accessory Structures in Roanoke, VA (2026)
2 verified accessory structures rules for Roanoke, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Roanoke allows one accessory dwelling unit per lot by right. A detached ADU is capped at 800 square feet or 80% of the principal home's gross floor area, whichever is smaller, while an ADU carved out of the main house is capped at 40% of that building's floor area.
Roanoke ADU Size Limits Under Sec. 36.2-409.1
Some RestrictionsRoanoke City Code § 36.2-409.1(a)
(a)Accessory dwellings. These standards are intended to regulate number and size of accessory dwellings to ensure they are subordinate to the principal one (1) dwelling use to which it is accessory:(1)One (1) accessory dwelling may be established on a lot containing a new or existing one (1) dwelling building. An accessory dwelling is not subject to minimum lot area requirement for each dwellin...
Shed & Carport Rules
Roanoke caps an accessory building's footprint at 75% of the principal building's footprint, limits total accessory footprint to no more than the house itself, and requires sheds to sit no closer to the street than the main house.
Roanoke Backyard Shed Size and Setback Rules
Some RestrictionsRoanoke City Code Sec. 36.2-403(b)(5),(c)
Accessory buildings shall be subject to the maximum size and height standards below. These standards apply to any structure meeting the definition of a building in Appendix A of this chapter as well as unenclosed carports or similar shelters, aboveground pools, and any arbors or trellises exceeding the sizes listed in Section 36.2-410(c):(A)The footprint of any accessory structure shall not exc...