Property Maintenance in Roanoke County, VA (2026)

2 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.

Property Blight

Roanoke County's Unsafe Buildings and Structures article lets the building official order repair or demolition of any structure that's deteriorated, unsanitary, a fire hazard or otherwise dangerous, including a vacant building left unguarded or open. Sec. 7-66 requires written notice with a deadline, and Sec. 7-68 lets the county do the work itself and place a lien on the property if the owner ignores it.

Unsafe Building Abatement in Roanoke County

Significant Restrictions

Roanoke County Code §§ 7-63, 7-66

For the purposes of this article, any building or structure which, by reason of deterioration, illegal or improper use, occupancy or maintenance or other cause, is unsafe, unsanitary or deficient in adequate exitway facilities, or which constitutes a fire hazard, or which is otherwise dangerous to human life or the public welfare, shall be deemed to be an unsafe building or structure. A vacant ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Vacant Lot Maintenance

In Roanoke County, Virginia (outside the independent cities of Roanoke and Salem), owners of vacant developed or undeveloped land, including parcels that already carry buildings, may not let weeds grow past twelve inches within 250 feet of residentially developed property, under County Code § 13-153(a). Unpaid abatement costs the county incurs cutting the lot become a lien against the property under § 13-157, on parity with unpaid taxes.

Roanoke County Vacant Lot Weed Limit

Some Restrictions

Roanoke County Code §§ 13-153(a), 13-157

(a)It shall be unlawful for any owner of any vacant developed or undeveloped property, including such property upon which buildings or other improvements are located, within the boundaries of platted subdivisions or any other areas zoned for residential, business, commercial or industrial use, to permit weeds of more than twelve (12) inches in height within two hundred fifty (250) feet of prope...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Roanoke County ordinances

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