Animal Ordinances in Roanoke County, VA (2026)
9 rules for unincorporated Roanoke County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Roanoke County lets residents keep hens, but not roosters, on single-family lots outside agricultural zoning under County Code § 5-38. Coops must sit at least ten feet from side and rear lines and thirty-five feet from a neighbor's house, and the flock size is capped by lot size, from six hens on small lots up to twelve on lots over an acre.
Roanoke County Backyard Chicken Standards
Some RestrictionsRoanoke County Code § 5-38
The keeping of female chickens (hens) shall be permitted in non-agriculturally zoned areas of the county subject to the following standards: (1)The principal use of the property is a single-family dwelling.(2)The owner of the chickens must reside on the property on which the chickens are kept.(3)Chickens shall be kept within a predator-resistant coop or chicken enclosure at all times and shall ...
Dog Leash Laws
Roanoke County bans letting a dog, exotic or poisonous animal, or exotic bird or poultry run loose off its owner's property at any time of year, under County Code § 5-28(a). The only exception covers lawful hunting in open season or training and exercise under the owner's immediate control.
Roanoke County Dogs Running at Large Ban
Heavy RestrictionsRoanoke County Code § 5-28
(a)It shall be unlawful for the owner of any domestic or feral dog, exotic or poisonous animal or exotic bird or poultry to permit such domestic or feral dog, exotic or poisonous animal or exotic bird or poultry to run at large in the county at any time during any month of the year.(b)This section shall not apply to a companion animal engaged in lawful hunting in open season or when being train...
Breed Restrictions
Roanoke County has no breed ban: § 5-26.5(d) says no dog can be declared dangerous or vicious 'solely because it is a particular breed.' Instead, the county regulates dog by dog through a court declaration process under §§ 5-26.1 through 5-26.5, imposing confinement, signage, insurance and muzzling conditions once a specific dog is found dangerous.
Roanoke County Dangerous Dog Rules
Significant RestrictionsRoanoke County Code §§ 5-26.1(a), 5-26.5(d)
(a)Dangerous dog. ... It shall be unlawful and a Class 1 misdemeanor to own, keep, harbor, act as custodian of or permit to remain on or about any premises any dog that the owner knew or reasonably should have known to be a dangerous dog, as defined by section 5-21, except in strict compliance with section 5-26.3 of this Code. ... (d)No dog shall be found to be a dangerous dog or a vicious dog ...
Beekeeping
Roanoke County lets residents keep honeybees as an accessory use, but Sec. 5-91 fixes strict spacing: hives must sit at least ten feet from a neighbor's property line and forty feet from any occupied house, apartment, church, school or public street unless the beekeeper's own family occupies the building. The ratio caps at four hives per ten thousand square feet, and violators face a Class 4 misdemeanor under Sec. 5-94.
Roanoke County Beekeeping Distance Rules
Some RestrictionsRoanoke County Code §§ 5-91, 5-94
(a)It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or place an apiary or cause or allow an apiary to remain (1) closer than ten (10) feet to the property line of adjoining property of anyone other than the person maintaining the apiary or his immediate family, or (2) closer than forty (40) feet to any house or other building used for residential purposes by anyone other than the person maintaining ...
Pet Limits
Roanoke County caps ordinary households at three dogs and six cats over four months old per dwelling under County Code § 5-24(a); no more than two of the cats may be unaltered. Keeping more requires a multiple dog permit, and the cap doesn't apply to a dwelling that's part of an active agricultural operation under the zoning ordinance.
Roanoke County Dog and Cat Limit
Some RestrictionsRoanoke County Code § 5-24(a)
(a)The harboring or keeping of more than three (3) dogs over four (4) months of age per dwelling shall be unlawful, unless a multiple dog permit has been issued pursuant to this article. The harboring or keeping of more than six (6) cats over four (4) months of age, of which no more than two (2) may be fertile, per dwelling shall be unlawful. The requirements of this section shall not apply to ...
Cat Rules
Roanoke County requires every cat over four months old to carry a current license tied to rabies vaccination, caps ownership at six cats per dwelling with no more than two left unspayed, and lets police confine unidentified feral cats for three days before euthanasia. Enforcement runs through the county treasurer and the Roanoke County Police Department's animal control officers under Code Chapter 5.
Roanoke County Cat Licensing, Limits and Feral Rules
Some RestrictionsRoanoke County Code §§ 5-24, 5-29, 5-41
The harboring or keeping of more than six (6) cats over four (4) months of age, of which no more than two (2) may be fertile, per dwelling shall be unlawful. ... Feral dogs or cats not bearing identification which exhibits behavior that poses a risk of physical injury to any person confining the animal will be confined for a period of not less than three (3) days before being euthanized in acco...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
Roanoke County does not require spaying or neutering pets generally. The only mandatory spay/neuter rule in the code applies narrowly: under § 5-26.2(c)(3), a dog that a court has declared dangerous cannot get the license needed to keep it unless the owner proves the animal has been neutered or spayed.
Roanoke County Dangerous-Dog Neuter Rule
Light RestrictionsRoanoke County Code § 5-26.2(c)(3)
(c)Any license or renewal required to be obtained under this section shall only be issued to persons eighteen (18) years of age or older who present satisfactory evidence:(1)Of the dog's current rabies vaccination;(2)That the provisions of subsections (a), (b) and (d) of section 5-26.3 have been complied with; and(3)That the animal has been neutered or spayed.
Pet Groomer Rules
Roanoke County allows pet grooming as a home occupation under its zoning ordinance, but caps it at one customer at a time and eight animals per day, with all animals kept indoors. The groomer also needs a Roanoke County business license from the Commissioner of the Revenue before opening, like any other home occupation.
Home Pet Grooming Rules in Roanoke County
Some RestrictionsRoanoke County Code § 30-82-3(B)7, (B)10, (B)12
7.No equipment or process shall be used in a home occupation which creates noise in excess of 60 dB(A) measured at the property line, or vibration, glare, fumes, odors, or electrical interference detectable to the normal senses off the premises or through common walls. ... 10.Pet grooming may be allowed as a home occupation. It shall be limited to one (1) customer at a time, and a maximum of ei...
Bird Protection
Roanoke County has designated one platted wild bird sanctuary, the La Bellevue Subdivision tract, under County Code § 5-3. Inside its mapped boundary the county may post markers announcing the sanctuary, and § 5-4 makes it a class 3 misdemeanor to shoot at, trap, kill, destroy or molest any bird there. The protection is geographic, not county-wide.
Roanoke County Wild Bird Sanctuary Rule
Light RestrictionsRoanoke County Code §§ 5-3(b), 5-4
(b)Suitable markers approved by the county administrator may be erected on the roads entering the sanctuaries described in subsection (a) above, indicating that the areas have been so set aside and declared. ... It shall be unlawful and a Class 3 misdemeanor for any person to shoot at, trap, kill, destroy or molest any birds in any area described in section 5-3.
All Roanoke County ordinances
See every category we cover for Roanoke County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Roanoke County Ordinance Hub →