Roanoke, VA Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)
Key Facts
- Citation
- City Code § 24-12
- Penalty
- Class 4 misdemeanor, fine up to $250
- Covered area
- Downtown service district only
- Enacted
- Ord. No. 42226, effective 12-6-21
- Key exception
- Disability-related lying down is an affirmative defense
Summary
Roanoke makes it a Class 4 misdemeanor to camp on any city-owned street, sidewalk, alley or right-of-way within the downtown service district. Camping covers sleeping, laying out bedding, storing belongings, lighting fires or pitching tents or shelters there, with specific carve-outs for medical emergencies, permitted events, bus stops and vehicles.
It shall be unlawful and a Class 4 misdemeanor for any person within the downtown service district to camp on any city-owned street, sidewalk, alley, other public rights-of-way. To camp is defined as the use of any city-owned street, sidewalk, alley, other public rights-of-way for living accommodation activities such as sleeping or lying down, and making preparations to sleep (including the laying down of bedding, sleeping bag, or other sleeping matter, for the purpose of sleeping) or storing personal belongings or making any fire or using any tent or shelter or other structure. This section does not apply to a person who is on city-owned street, sidewalk, alley, or other public rights-of-way if the person is: (1) On such street, sidewalk, alley, or other public rights-of-way because of a medical emergency; (2) Participating in or viewing a parade, festival, permitted public event, performance, rally, demonstration, or other similar activity; (3) Sitting within a bus stop zone while waiting for public or private transportation; (4) Sleeping in a motor vehicle.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 94 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 24-12, adopted by Ordinance No. 2 of the city code. The ordinance defines "camp" broadly: sleeping or lying down, making preparations to sleep including laying out bedding or a sleeping bag, storing personal belongings, building a fire, or using a tent, shelter or other structure on public rights-of-way. Officers do not need every element present; any one of these activities can trigger the offense. 2. The ordinance also builds in an affirmative defense: a person cited for lying down and obstructing the right-of-way can defend the charge by showing the lying down resulted from a physical manifestation of a disability, which need not be limited to what an officer could see.
Because the prohibition is geographically limited to the downtown service district, camping outside that boundary is not reached by § 24-12, though other sections such as the general obstruction ordinance at § 30-2 can still apply to blocking a sidewalk with property.
Violations & Fines
A first offense is a Class 4 misdemeanor, Virginia's lowest criminal classification, punishable by a fine of up to $250 with no jail time. Roanoke police can issue a summons on the spot for camping conduct observed within the downtown service district; each day of continued camping can be charged as a separate violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Roanoke's camping ban apply citywide?
What activities count as "camping" under the ordinance?
Can someone be excused if they're lying down because of a disability?
What is the penalty for violating the downtown camping ban?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Roanoke
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