Roanoke City, Virginia · Tax exemption
Special Tax Rate on Energy-Efficient Buildings (City of Roanoke)
Run by City of Roanoke Department of Planning, Building and Development and Department of Real Estate Valuation
Buildings in the City of Roanoke that beat the state energy code by 30% are taxed as their own class, at a rate no higher than the general rate, for five tax years. No application fee.
Amounts
How much you get
The building (not the land) becomes its own tax class, taxed at the rate City Council sets for that class, which can't be higher than the general real estate rate. Neither the pages nor the ordinance state the current rate, so the saving isn't known. The rate applies from July 1 of the tax year after approval and lasts that tax year and the following four.
Eligibility
Do I qualify?
You need to meet all 5 of these.
Your home is in Roanoke City, Virginia.
Owner of the building. Residential (1 and 2 family), multifamily and commercial buildings qualify, whether an existing building, a remodel or new construction.
The building exceeds the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code energy standards by 30%. The ordinance also accepts buildings meeting Green Globes or LEED standards, among others.
What to doBuild or upgrade to 30% better than code, or to one of the rating systems the ordinance lists.
Certification must come from a qualified licensed registered design professional or contractor who isn't related to you.
What to doHire an unrelated licensed design professional or contractor to certify the building and attach their certification. Get a quote from a contractor
All building permits must be obtained before you apply.
What to doGet the required permits before submitting the application.
Equipment
What equipment counts
Applying
How to apply
No filing deadline is published. The rate starts July 1 of the tax year after approval.
- Get the building certified by an unrelated licensed design professional or contractor.
- Fill in the Application for Special Tax Rate on Use of Certain Energy-Efficient Buildings.
The owner of the real property must sign it. There's no application fee.
- File it with the Department of Planning, Building and Development.
215 Church Ave. SW, Room 170, Roanoke, VA 24011; permitcenter@roanokeva.gov. The city may inspect the property.
- After approval, Real Estate Valuation applies the rate from July 1 of the next tax year.
Application for Special Tax Rate on Use of Certain Energy-Efficient Buildings
Energy-efficiency certification from the design professional or contractor
Proof of the certifier's qualifications
Forms and instructionsSpecial Tax Rate on Energy Efficient Buildings · Tax Incentives (Sustainability and Climate Resiliency) · Code of the City of Roanoke, Chapter 32, Article II, Division 9 · Application for Special Tax Rate on Use of Certain Energy-Efficient Buildings (Oct 2016)
Questions about applying540-853-2000
Stacking
Use it with
Your address
Next steps
Check that it covers your address. Then, if you want, ask for a contractor quote.
Is it available at your address?
Before anything else
Your quote request is in If a contractor we work with serves your ZIP, they can contact you. We take one request per person; contact us to change it.
Get an email if this program changes
We'll write if its amount, status or deadline changes. Nothing else.
FAQ
Questions
How much does Special Tax Rate on Energy-Efficient Buildings (City of Roanoke) pay?
The building (not the land) becomes its own tax class, taxed at the rate City Council sets for that class, which can't be higher than the general real estate rate. Neither the pages nor the ordinance state the current rate, so the saving isn't known. The rate applies from July 1 of the tax year after approval and lasts that tax year and the following four.
Do renters qualify?
Owner of the building. Residential (1 and 2 family), multifamily and commercial buildings qualify, whether an existing building, a remodel or new construction.
Do I have to use a contractor?
Yes. Certification must come from a qualified licensed registered design professional or contractor who isn't related to you.
Do I need approval before I buy?
All building permits must be obtained before you apply. Get the required permits before submitting the application.
What’s the deadline?
No fixed deadline. Apply any time while it’s open.
Is it still available?
Yes. It was open when we last checked, on October 28, 2026.
Plain words
Words used on this page
References
Sources
This page is built from these official pages, run by the program itself.
- Special Tax Rate on Energy Efficient Buildings
- Tax Incentives (Sustainability and Climate Resiliency)
- Code of the City of Roanoke, Chapter 32, Article II, Division 9
- Application for Special Tax Rate on Use of Certain Energy-Efficient Buildings (Oct 2016)
When one of these pages changes, we re-check this page against it.
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