Building Safety in Roanoke, VA (2026)
6 verified building safety rules for Roanoke, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Elevator Maintenance
Roanoke bills elevator reinspection fees separately from other building permit fees: invoices go out after the fact instead of being collected up front. Section 7-6(b) requires the city treasurer to mail each elevator owner an invoice due within thirty days, with interest charged on any balance left unpaid, and the city will not reinspect an elevator while a prior bill remains outstanding.
Roanoke Sets Elevator Reinspection Fee Rules
Some RestrictionsRoanoke City Code § 7-6(b), (c)
(b)Invoices for fees for reinspection of elevators shall be mailed to the elevator owner at the last address of record and shall be due in the office of the city treasurer and payable thirty (30) days after the invoice date. Interest at the rate established by section 2-178.1 of this Code shall be assessed on all overdue accounts, and no elevator shall be reinspected while any amount of a prior...
Scaffold & Sidewalk Shed
Before a contractor can erect scaffolding, cranes, hoists or similar equipment over a Roanoke street, alley or sidewalk for construction, demolition or cleaning work, City Code § 30-6 requires a permit from the city manager plus proof of public liability insurance filed with the city clerk covering injury, death and property damage.
Roanoke Permit for Scaffolds Over Streets
Some RestrictionsRoanoke, VA Code of Ordinances § 30-6
When construction, demolition, cleaning, or similar operations on private property are authorized under this Code to be permitted, in whole or in part, from or upon portions of public streets, alleys, sidewalks or other public ways...and such operations involve or require the use of machinery or equipment, such as, but not limited to elevators, cranes, derricks, scaffolds, framework, aerial pla...
Childcare Center Rules
Roanoke's zoning code requires unlicensed child day care centers to provide at least 35 square feet of common floor area per child, counting only sleeping, eating, instruction, and play space. Any outdoor play area the center provides must be fenced for a safe enclosure under Section 36.2-408.
Roanoke Child Day Care Center Space Standards
Some RestrictionsRoanoke City Code § 36.2-408(b)
(b)Standards. The following standards shall apply to any day care not licensed by the Virginia Department of Social Services:(1)Floor area per child: All child day care centers shall provide a minimum of thirty-five (35) square feet of designated common floor area per child, for the total number of children to be accommodated at such day care center. The designated common floor area shall consi...
Anti-Mansionization
Roanoke limits how far forward or back a new home's front yard can sit compared to its neighbors under Section 36.2-313. In the R-7, R-5, R-3, RM-1, and RM-2 districts, the Zoning Administrator sets a new building's minimum and maximum front yard from the depths of up to two adjoining lots on the same block face.
Roanoke Infill Front Yard Matching Rule
Some RestrictionsRoanoke, VA Code of Ordinances § 36.2-313 (Front yard dimensions for infill development)
To determine the established front yard in the table below, the Zoning Administrator shall consider only the following lot or lots: (1) a lot or lots on which there is a principal structure on the same block face, and (2) up to one (1) lot on each side of a subject property which is closest to the subject property. However, no lot being used to determine the established front yard shall be an o...
Building Permits
Roanoke enforces building permits through the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, adopted wholesale into city law and controlling everywhere inside city limits. The building commissioner issues and enforces most permits, while the building maintenance code official handles existing-structure maintenance and repair. Every permit, inspection, or reinspection fee set in the city's fee compendium must be paid before the city issues the permit or performs the inspection.
Roanoke Building Permits Follow State Code
Some RestrictionsRoanoke City Code §§ 7-5, 7-6
Sec. 7-5 - Adopted; where copies filed. The provisions, requirements, and regulations known as the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (2015 edition), Part I, the Virginia Construction Code; Part II, the Virginia Existing Building Code; and Part III, the Virginia Maintenance Code... are hereby adopted and incorporated in full by reference as if fully set out in length herein, and shall be ...
Building Inspections
Roanoke's building maintenance code lets the city manager inspect residential rental units inside a designated rental inspection district to confirm safe, decent and sanitary conditions. Initial inspections sample two to ten percent of units in developments over ten units, compliant properties earn a four-year certificate, and follow-up and periodic inspections continue until violations clear.
Roanoke Rental Dwelling Inspection Process
Some RestrictionsCity of Roanoke Code § 7-38
(a)Upon complying with the notification requirements set forth in section 36-105.1:1 of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended, the city manager may proceed to inspect any residential rental dwelling unit to determine if the dwelling unit complies with the provisions of the building code that affect the safe, decent and sanitary living conditions for the tenants of such dwelling unit.(b)Subsec...