ADUs are allowed in Unincorporated RoanokeTypes:DetachedInternal
Types:DetachedInternal
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules for Unincorporated Roanoke, VA
Is your property eligible for an ADU?
# of Properties
33,779
Owner-occupied
83%
Zoning districts
52
Avg Home Value
$561,171
Median Lot Size
0.39 acres
Avg Income
$91,184
Residential Types:
33,779 housing units
Single Family
86%
2-3 Family
1%
Apts (4+ units)
2%
Condos
2%
Other
10%
Zoning Districts:
43,476 parcels · 52 districts
R1
58%(25,307)
AR
11%(4,719)
AG3
7%(3,084)
AG1
6%(2,663)
Other
18%(7,703)
ADU Rules
What can you build in Unincorporated Roanoke, VA?
Unincorporated Roanoke, VA follows state and local rules for Accessory Dwelling Units. Here is a concise overview of the local rules.
Eligibility
- –Internal / Attached ADU: By Right
- –Detached ADU: By Right
Interior / Attached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum size of 1,500 sq ft for an internal/attached accessory apartment
- –Maximum size of 50% of the principal dwelling’s finished floor area for an internal/attached accessory apartment
Detached ADU Size Limits
- –Maximum size: 50% of the principal dwelling’s finished floor area
- –Maximum size cap of 1,500 sq ft
Max Units
- –Single-family detached: 1 ADU per lot (attached/internal or detached)
- –C-1/C-2 nonresidential: 1 ADU per site (security staff)
Owner Occupancy
- –Owner must reside on the premises
Parking
- –1 space/ADU (in addition to principal dwelling parking); no maximum specified; reductions possible via shared parking or in designated plan areas with an approved mass/alternative transit plan.
Rental Restrictions
- –Short-term rentals require a Short-Term Rental zoning permit; STR permits expire on ownership change and may be revoked for violations; in R-1/R-2 districts, lots under 5 acres require a special use permit.
ADU State Law
What can you build in Virginia?
- –Virginia does not have a statewide ADU mandate; ADU rules are set by individual municipalities.
- –Building/fire codes are set statewide, but whether an ADU is allowed is local zoning.
- –SB 304 would have mandated ADUs. It passed the Virginia Senate in 2024 but was continued/left in House committee (i.e., not enacted statewide)
What's allowed on your lot?
These are the municipality-wide rules. What's allowed on a specific property also depends on state laws, setbacks, floor area ratio, lot coverage, environmental constraints, topography, and other property-specific factors. Search your address on FutureLot to see what's allowed on your property.
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ADU rules in other Virginia municipalities
Rules change at the town line. Check the municipality your property is actually in.
Roanoke County