Environmental Rules in Roanoke County, VA (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Roanoke County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
In Roanoke County, Virginia (outside the cities of Roanoke and Salem), no one may disturb land until the county has granted land-disturbance approval. Section 8.1-5 pulls in any activity disturbing 2,500 square feet or more under the Virginia Erosion and Stormwater Management Program, and § 8.1-7 flatly bars land-disturbing activity without that approval first.
Roanoke County Stormwater Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsRoanoke County Code §§ 8.1-5, 8.1-7
(1)Land-disturbing activity that disturbs two thousand five hundred (2,500) square feet or more, is less than one (1) acre, and is subject to criteria defined in Article 2 (9VAC25-875-540 et seq.) and Article 3 (9VAC25-875-570 et seq.) of Part V unless Article 4 (9VAC25-875-670 et seq) of Part V of the Regulation is applicable, as determined in accordance with 9VAC25-875-480 and 9VAC25-875-490....
Erosion Control
Construction work in Roanoke County, Virginia (outside the cities of Roanoke and Salem) needs a filed erosion and sediment control plan before land disturbance begins. Section 8.1-11 requires the plan for the development and any buildings within it, and § 8.1-25 backs it with a $1,000-per-day civil penalty for skipping it.
Erosion & Sediment Control Plans in Roanoke County
Some RestrictionsRoanoke County Code §§ 8.1-11, 8.1-25
An erosion and sediment control plan, which is a component of the ESM plan, shall be filed for a development and the buildings constructed within, regardless of the phasing of construction. The erosion and sediment control plan shall contain all major conservation decisions to ensure that the entire unit or units of land will be so treated to achieve the erosion and sediment control criteria, t...
Flood Zones
In Roanoke County, Virginia (outside the independent cities of Roanoke and Salem), the Floodplain Overlay (FO) District bars new construction, fill, or manufactured homes in a FEMA-mapped special flood hazard area without a permit from the floodplain administrator. Code § 30-74-13(A) requires strict compliance with the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code and the county subdivision ordinance before any floodplain work begins.
Floodplain Development Permits in Roanoke County
Some RestrictionsRoanoke County Code § 30-74-13(A)
(A)All uses, activities, and development occurring within any floodplain area, including placement of manufactured homes, shall be undertaken only upon the issuance of a permit. Such development shall be undertaken only in strict compliance with the provisions of this section and with all other applicable codes and ordinances such as the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VA USBC) and th...
Flood Elevation Requirements
In Roanoke County, Virginia (outside the independent cities of Roanoke and Salem), new or substantially improved homes in a mapped flood zone must sit higher than the base flood elevation, not at it. Code § 30-74-15(A) sets residential freeboard at 24 inches above base flood level, with 12 inches required for commercial buildings under (B)1.
Base Flood Elevation Freeboard in Roanoke County
Some RestrictionsRoanoke County Code § 30-74-15(A)-(B)1
(A)Residential construction. New construction or substantial improvement of any residential structure (including manufactured homes) in Zones AE, AH and A with detailed base flood elevations shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to or above the base flood level plus twenty-four (24) inches. Equipment or mechanical items for all residential buildings constructed, substantiall...
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