Building Setbacks & Zoning in Roanoke County, VA (2026)

3 rules for unincorporated Roanoke County, Virginia.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Roanoke County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Setback Rules

In Roanoke County, Virginia (outside the independent cities of Roanoke and Salem), the R-1 Low Density Residential District requires a 30-foot front setback for principal structures, 10-foot side yards and a 25-foot rear yard, with shorter setbacks for accessory structures, under Roanoke County Code § 30-41-3(B).

Roanoke County R-1 Yard Setback Minimums

Some Restrictions

Roanoke County Code § 30-41-3(B)

Sec. 30-41-3. - Site Development Regulations. ... (B)Minimum setback requirements.1.Front yard:a.Principal structures: 30 feet.b.Accessory structures: Behind the front building line.2.Side yard:a.Principal structures: 10 feet.b.Accessory structures: 10 feet behind front building line or 3 feet behind rear building line.3.Rear yard:a.Principal structures: 25 feet.b.Accessory structures: 3 feet.4...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Structure Height Limits

In Roanoke County, Virginia (outside the independent cities of Roanoke and Salem), the R-1 Low Density Residential District caps principal structures at 45 feet and accessory structures at 15 feet, or up to 25 feet if they meet principal-structure setbacks, under Roanoke County Code § 30-41-3(C).

Roanoke County R-1 Building Height Limit

Some Restrictions

Roanoke County Code § 30-41-3(C)

Sec. 30-41-3. - Site Development Regulations. ... (C)Maximum height of structures.1.Height limitations:a.Principal structures: 45 feet.b.Accessory structures: 15 feet, or 25 feet provided they comply with the setback requirements for principal structures.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Lot Coverage Limits

In Roanoke County, Virginia (outside the independent cities of Roanoke and Salem), the R-1 Low Density Residential District caps building coverage at 35 percent of a lot's total area, holds accessory buildings to 7 percent, and limits total lot coverage overall to 50 percent under Roanoke County Code § 30-41-3(D).

Roanoke County R-1 Lot Coverage Limit

Some Restrictions

Roanoke County Code § 30-41-3(D)

Sec. 30-41-3. - Site Development Regulations. ... (D)Maximum coverage.1.Building coverage: 35 percent of the total lot area for all buildings and 7 percent for accessory buildings.2.Lot coverage: 50 percent of the total lot area.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

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