Roanoke Ends Single-Family-Only Zoning in Bid for More Housing, Diversity

Henri Gendreau -
Roanoke has ended exclusively single-family zoning in a bid to increase housing and decrease racial and economic inequities throughout the city’s residential neighborhoods. Above, the Belmont neighborhood of Southeast Roanoke seen in September 2023. FILE PHOTO BY SCOTT P. YATES FOR THE ROANOKE RAMBLER

Roanoke has ended exclusively single-family zoning in a bid to increase housing and decrease racial and economic inequities throughout the city’s residential neighborhoods.

City Council voted 5-2 on Monday to adopt a raft of zoning reforms meant to spur greater housing density. Changes will also ease burdens on opening a nursing home, sober living house or other group living facility in largely commercial areas.