Roanoke County, VA Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

Sec. 7-63 defines an unsafe building or structure broadly: anything unsafe, unsanitary or deficient in adequate exitways because of deterioration, illegal or improper use, occupancy or maintenance, or otherwise dangerous to human life or the public welfare counts, and a vacant building that's unguarded or left open at a door or window is automatically deemed a fire hazard and unsafe. The rules apply within the county and within the Town of Vinton, since Sec. 0 of the Virginia USBC's Building Maintenance Code for unsafe buildings in both.

Once the building official finds an unsafe condition, Sec. 7-66(a) requires a written notice to the owner, agent or person in control describing the problem and specifying either the repairs needed or a deadline to demolish, and the owner must promptly declare acceptance or rejection of the notice's terms; if demolition happens, the site must be cleared of debris within five days. If the owner can't be found after a diligent search, Sec. 7-66(b) allows service by registered or certified mail plus posting a copy on the premises.

Failing to comply with a Sec. 7-66 notice is a Class 2 misdemeanor (Sec. 7-66(d)), and the cost of any required work falls on the person notified (Sec. 7-66(c)). If the notice goes unheeded, the county attorney can sue to compel compliance (Sec. 7-67), a demolition permit issued for the work stays valid ninety days (Sec. 1), and the county itself may repair or demolish the structure and record the cost as a lien on the real estate, ranking with liens for unpaid local taxes (Sec.

7-68). When there's immediate danger of collapse, the building official can order occupants to vacate immediately and post the building as unsafe, with unauthorized re-entry a Class 2 misdemeanor (Sec. 7-69). A building official's decision can be appealed to the building code board of adjustments and appeals within thirty calendar days (Sec. 7-62).