Landscaping Rules in Roanoke County, VA (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Roanoke County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
In Roanoke County, Virginia (outside the independent cities of Roanoke and Salem), removing a tree of 24 inches or more in trunk diameter from a site's disturbed area during development triggers a one-for-one replacement requirement. Roanoke County Code § 30-92-5(A)(3) sets the rule, enforced through site plan review.
Roanoke County Tree Replacement Requirement
Some RestrictionsRoanoke County Code § 30-92-5(A)(3)
3.For each tree removed from the disturbed area with a trunk diameter of twenty-four (24) inches or greater at five (5) feet above ground level, shall be replaced with one (1) of similar species or characteristics unless otherwise approved by the administrator.
Weed Ordinances
In Roanoke County, Virginia (outside the independent cities of Roanoke and Salem), owners of occupied residential property under half an acre must cut grass or lawn areas once growth tops twelve inches, under County Code § 13-153(b). The enforcement agent, the county administrator or a designee, handles complaints and can order a cut. Violators face a civil penalty capped at $100 under § 13-152(b), a separate and lighter scale than the vacant-lot weed penalty.
Roanoke County Grass and Weed Height Limit
Some RestrictionsRoanoke County Code §§ 13-152(b), 13-153(b)
(b)Any owner who violates section 13-153(b) or any other provisions of this article pertaining to section 13-153(b) shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100.00). ... (b)The owner of occupied residential real property shall cut the grass or lawn area of less than one-half (½) acre on such property when growth of such grass or lawn area exceeds twelve (12) inche...
Native Plants
In Roanoke County, Virginia (outside the independent cities of Roanoke and Salem), the zoning ordinance requires at least 50 percent of the plantings on a site that needs a development plan to be native species. Roanoke County Code § 30-92-5(A)(1) sets the floor; it governs commercial and other site-plan landscaping, not an individual homeowner's yard.
Roanoke County Native Plant Landscaping Standard
Some RestrictionsRoanoke County Code §§ 30-92-2(A), (C); 30-92-5(A)(1)
(A)These provisions and requirements shall apply to buildings and developments requiring a site development plan pursuant to section 30-90 of this ordinance. ... Native plantings are encouraged when compatible with the surrounding land use. Every effort should be made to incorporate healthy existing trees into the landscaping plan. ... (A)General.1.All landscape plans shall be prepared by eithe...
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