Animal Ordinances in Roanoke, VA (2026)
9 verified animal ordinances for Roanoke, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Roanoke caps backyard poultry at 10 birds on lots under 20,000 square feet and 40 birds on larger lots, with pens kept at least 50 feet from neighboring residences and no roaming at large. Livestock (cows, goats, horses, pigs, and more) requires zoning approval outside as-of-right areas.
Roanoke Backyard Poultry and Livestock Limits
Some RestrictionsRoanoke City Code §§ 6-95, 6-96, 6-7
Sec. 6-95. - Limitations on keeping poultry. The keeping of poultry on a lot shall be subject to these limitations: (a) A maximum of ten (10) poultry animals may be kept on a parcel with less than twenty thousand (20,000) square feet. (b) A maximum of forty (40) poultry animals may be kept on a parcel with twenty thousand (20,000) square feet or more... Sec. 6-96. - Fencing; roaming at large. A...
Dog Leash Laws
Roanoke bans dogs and hybrid canines from running at large anywhere in the city, at any time, even if licensed and vaccinated. A dog is legally 'at large' unless leashed, caged, confined in a vehicle, or behind a secure fence, and violations carry criminal penalties enforced by animal wardens.
Roanoke Dogs Running at Large Prohibited
Significant RestrictionsRoanoke City Code § 6-23
Sec. 6-23. - Running at large prohibited. It shall be unlawful for the owner of any dog or hybrid canine to allow, cause or permit such dog or hybrid canine to run at large, at any time, within the city, even though such dog or hybrid canine is both lawfully licensed and vaccinated. This section shall be punishable as a Class 4 misdemeanor for any dog running at large and as a Class 1 misdemean...
Breed Restrictions
Roanoke does not restrict dogs by breed, but it outright bans possessing a hybrid canine (a dog crossed with wolf or coyote) in the city, and it runs a court-supervised dangerous-dog and vicious-dog program with registration, confinement, insurance and signage requirements for animals found dangerous.
Roanoke Dangerous Dogs and Hybrid Canine Ban
Heavy RestrictionsRoanoke City Code §§ 6-50.2(a), 6-54(a)
Sec. 6-50.2. - Hybrid canines prohibited; penalties. (a) It shall be unlawful for the owner of a hybrid canine to possess such hybrid canine within the city... Sec. 6-54. - Exceptions. (a) No dog shall be found to be a dangerous dog or vicious dog solely because it is a particular breed. However, all hybrid canines permitted under section 6-50.2 must comply with the dangerous dog restrictions s...
Beekeeping
Roanoke restricts backyard beehives with setbacks of 10 feet from property lines, 50 feet from neighboring residences, and 30 feet from streets, plus a required water source within 50 feet. Standard lots cap out at four hives, though parcels over an acre or zoned RA are exempt from the density limit.
Roanoke Beehive Placement and Density Limits
Some RestrictionsRoanoke City Code §§ 6-110, 6-111, 6-112
Sec. 6-110. - Location of beehives. It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or place a beehive or cause or allow a beehive to remain: (1) Closer than ten (10) feet to the property line...(2) Closer than fifty (50) feet to any house or other building used for residential purposes...or (3) Closer than thirty (30) feet to any 'street'... Sec. 6-112. - Density requirements. (a) No person shall ...
Pet Limits
Roanoke caps most residential parcels at four dogs and four cats, though a household may keep up to six cats if all six are spayed or neutered with veterinarian certificates on hand. Farms, RA-zoned lots, puppies/kittens under the age limit, and licensed vet facilities are exempt.
Roanoke Household Limits on Dogs and Cats
Some RestrictionsRoanoke City Code §§ 6-27, 6-116
Sec. 6-27. - Limitations on keeping. (a) No person shall keep or harbor, have in his care, act as the custodian of, permit to remain on or about premises occupied by him or otherwise be the owner of more than four (4) dogs on any parcel of real property zoned for residential use or used for residential purposes... Sec. 6-116. - Limitations on keeping. (a) No person shall keep or harbor...more t...
Cat Rules
Roanoke limits any residential parcel to four cats, or six if every cat is spayed or neutered and the owner holds a veterinarian's certificate for each one. Cats over four months old must be vaccinated against rabies, and animal wardens or police can seize a cat that is habitually at large or a public nuisance. Breaking the limit is a Class 4 misdemeanor.
Roanoke Caps Homes at Four Cats, Six Fixed
Some RestrictionsRoanoke City Code § 6-116
(a)No person shall keep or harbor, have in his care, act as the custodian of, permit to remain on or about premises occupied by him or otherwise be the owner of more than four (4) cats on any parcel of real property zoned for residential use or used for residential purposes; provided, however, a total of six (6) cats shall be permitted on any such parcel if each of such six (6) cats has been sp...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
Roanoke allows an animal hospital or veterinary clinic with no outdoor pens or runs by right in the CN, CG, CLS, D, UF, and UC Districts under Section 36.2-315's use table, but requires a special exception for the same use if it keeps outdoor pens or runs, and bars it entirely from the MX, IN, and ROS Districts.
Roanoke Veterinary Clinic Zoning Districts
Some RestrictionsRoanoke, VA Code of Ordinances § 36.2-315 (Use table for multiple purpose districts)
District MX CN CG CLS D IN ROS UF UC ... Animal hospital or veterinary clinic, no outdoor pens or runs [blank] P P P P [blank] [blank] P P Animal hospital or veterinary clinic, outdoor pens or runs [blank] S S S S [blank] [blank] S S ... "P" indicates a use permitted as of right. "S" indicates a use permitted only by special exception. A blank cell indicates the use i...
Bird Protection
Roanoke has designated its entire corporate limits a bird sanctuary, and it is unlawful to intentionally kill, injure, molest or trap any songbird or wild game bird within city limits, or to rob or disturb their nests. The city posts signs at major highway entrances marking the sanctuary status.
Roanoke Bird Sanctuary and Songbird Protection
Heavy RestrictionsRoanoke City Code §§ 6-3, 6-4
Sec. 6-3. - City designated as bird sanctuary. The area within the corporate limits of the city is hereby designated and established as a bird sanctuary and the city manager is authorized to cause to be erected...appropriate signs or plaques designating the city as a bird sanctuary. Sec. 6-4. - Killing, injuring, etc., songbirds or wild game birds. It shall be unlawful for any person, intention...
Wildlife Rescue Permits
Roanoke's zoning code allows a wildlife rescue shelter or refuge area as a permitted use only in the RA (Residential Agricultural) District. Section 36.2-311's use table for residential districts leaves every other cell blank for that use, from R-12 through RMF, so a shelter is not permitted anywhere else in the city without rezoning.
Roanoke Wildlife Rescue Shelters Limited to RA Zone
Significant RestrictionsRoanoke, VA Code of Ordinances § 36.2-311 (Use table for residential districts)
Wildlife rescue shelter or refuge area P [blank] [blank] [blank] [blank] [blank] [blank] [blank] ... "P" indicates a use permitted as of right. "S" indicates a use permitted only by special exception. A blank cell indicates the use is not permitted; any use not listed in this table is not permitted in residential districts.