Zoning Text Amendments

Ways to get involved:

There are several ways to get involved and stay involved in the text amendment process.

1. Attend an Open House Meeting

Please attend one of our upcoming community Open House meetings taking place in September and October. The event information is posted below.

2. Show Your Support

Participate in the Zoning Reform Sign Campaign. Further details on how to get a free yard sign are located on this page.

3. Submit Feedback online

Check back for a virtual option to submit feedback regarding proposed text amendments.

4. Participate in the Public Hearings

Public hearings will be held by both Planning Commission and City Council as part of the text amendment process. The comments heard during the public hearing will impact whether the text amendments are approved and adopted. Check back for public hearing dates and sign up for notifications via MyRoanoke.

Say Yes to Housing!

The City of Roanoke is using a sign campaign to promote text amendments that expand housing opportunities. If you would like to receive a free sign, they will be available at the September and October Open House Meetings. If you are unable to make one of these meetings, additional signs will be made available in the Permit Center at 215 Church Avenue SW, Room 170 and at the Roanoke City Library Branches.

Phillip Moore, Zoning Administrator, and Planning staff, in coordination with Lauren Waldron, Community Engagement Manager, and Josh Johnson, Neighborhood Services Coordinator, produced a live event, “Zoning Text Amendments Q&A Session,” on October 28th, 2021.

2021 Text Amendment Timeline:

• November 1st, City Council Briefing
• November 8th, Planning Commission Public Hearing
• November 15th, City Council Public Hearing

These text amendments were the first in a series and completed the following actions of City Plan 2040:

• Harmony with Nature | Priority One: Sustainable Land Development

  Policy 5: Reduce impervious surface through development requirements

  • Action Item: Remove minimum parking requirements

• Interwoven Equity | Priority Three: Neighborhood Choice

  Policy 3: Enable a range of housing types in each part of the community to achieve inclusive, livable neighborhoods that prosper over time

  • Action Item: Permit accessory dwelling units in all residential zones

• City Design | Land Use | Priority: Design for Permanence

  Policy 2: Promote development patterns that contribute to places of enduring value

• City Design | Land Use | Priority: Purposeful Land Use

  Policy 2: Encourage active, productive uses of land and preclude unproductive uses of land

• Text amendments will also include electric vehicle charging stations and solar energy facilities as accessory uses. These amendments will take action towards policies within the Harmony with Nature theme.

Helpful resources are included below to provide more information on housing needs within the City of Roanoke and nationwide.

Local

• Citywide Housing Study – City of Roanoke, VA
• City Plan 2040
• Age Friendly Roanoke Action Plan
• Point in Time Count

National

• American Planning Association Housing Policy Guide
• American Planning Association Equity in Zoning Policy Guide
• Missingmiddlehousing.com

Questions or Comments?

Email: planning@roanokeva.gov

Phone: 540-853-1730