Homelessness & Encampment Rules in Roanoke, VA (2026)
1 verified homelessness & encampment rules for Roanoke, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Encampment Sanitation
Roanoke makes it a Class 4 misdemeanor to camp on any city-owned street, sidewalk, alley or right-of-way within the downtown service district. Camping covers sleeping, laying out bedding, storing belongings, lighting fires or pitching tents or shelters there, with specific carve-outs for medical emergencies, permitted events, bus stops and vehicles.
Roanoke Downtown Camping Ban on Sidewalks
Significant RestrictionsRoanoke City Code § 24-12
It shall be unlawful and a Class 4 misdemeanor for any person within the downtown service district to camp on any city-owned street, sidewalk, alley, other public rights-of-way. To camp is defined as the use of any city-owned street, sidewalk, alley, other public rights-of-way for living accommodation activities such as sleeping or lying down, and making preparations to sleep (including the lay...