Roanoke County, VA Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Roanoke County Code § 15-8(1)-(2)
- Applies to
- All county parks and recreation facilities
- Exception
- Director-authorized events under Va. Code Title 4.1
- Penalty
- Class 4 misdemeanor (§ 15-10)
Summary
Roanoke County Code § 15-8(1)-(2) bars anyone from entering or remaining in a county park or recreation facility while intoxicated and separately bars drinking or offering a drink of alcohol in a park, except as the director authorizes and as allowed under Title 4.1 of the Code of Virginia. The ban applies countywide outside the independent cities of Roanoke and Salem, and violating it is a class 4 misdemeanor under § 15-10.
(1)Intoxication. Enter upon or be in or remain in a park or recreation facility while under the influence of alcoholic beverages or any controlled substance as defined by the Drug Control Act of the Code of Virginia.(2)Taking a drink or tendering same. Take a drink of any alcoholic beverage or tender a drink thereof to any other person, whether accepted or not, except as permitted by Title 4.1 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, and as authorized by the director. ... Unless a more severe punishment is specifically provided for under state law which shall then be applicable to a violation of this chapter, a violation of any provision of this chapter shall constitute a class 4 misdemeanor, provided that nothing herein contained shall limit the authority of the court to order restitution for the benefit of the county as a result of any damage or abuse to property subject to this chapter.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 15's behavior section, § 15-8, opens with a list of things 'no person in a park shall' do, and the first two items target alcohol directly. Item (1), 'Intoxication,' makes it unlawful to enter or remain in a park or recreation facility while under the influence of alcoholic beverages or a controlled substance defined by Virginia's Drug Control Act. 1 of the Code of Virginia and the director of general services and parks, recreation and tourism has authorized it. That carve-out lets the county allow alcohol at a permitted event, such as a beer garden at a festival held under a park-use permit issued under § 15-9(3), where the director can attach whatever conditions are reasonable.
Roanoke County Police officers and park attendants enforce both prohibitions and, under § 15-8(9), can require anyone using the park under a permit to produce it on request. Section 15-8 also separately prohibits disorderly conduct in a park, including fighting or making unreasonable noise, so intoxicated behavior that crosses into that territory can support an additional charge. Any violation of Chapter 15, alcohol-related or otherwise, is a class 4 misdemeanor under § 15-10, and the court can order restitution for damage caused.
Violations & Fines
Being intoxicated in a Roanoke County park, or drinking or handing someone else a drink there without director authorization under § 15-8(1)-(2), is a class 4 misdemeanor under § 15-10. Roanoke County Police officers patrol the parks and can cite violators on the spot; a court can add restitution if the conduct damaged park property. The alcohol ban does not apply at an event where the director has approved alcohol as part of an issued park-use permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drink alcohol in a Roanoke County park?
Is there ever an exception for events with alcohol?
What's the penalty for violating the alcohol rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Roanoke County
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