Roanoke County Property Tax Records Search

Roanoke County property tax records are maintained by the Commissioner of the Revenue and the Treasurer, serving all parcels within the county's boundaries in Southwest Virginia. Note that Roanoke County is a separate jurisdiction from the City of Roanoke and the City of Salem, which are independent cities with their own tax offices. County records include owner names, parcel identification numbers, assessed land and improvement values, and tax payment history. Property owners and the general public can access Roanoke County property tax records through county offices or any online search tools the county provides.

Commissioner of the Revenue

The Roanoke County Commissioner of the Revenue handles all real estate assessment records for parcels within the county's jurisdiction. Roanoke County surrounds, but does not include, the City of Roanoke or the City of Salem. Those cities have separate tax offices. The County Commissioner assesses all county real property at fair market value as required under Virginia Code § 58.1-3200.

Records maintained by the Commissioner include the parcel owner, parcel identification number, legal land description, land value, and improvement value. When a deed is recorded in the Circuit Court clerk's office, that transaction updates the Commissioner's files. The Roanoke County government website lists current contact information and hours for the Commissioner's office. Staff can answer questions about how a specific parcel was assessed and what supporting data was used.

Roanoke County encompasses a wide mix of land uses, from suburban residential neighborhoods and commercial corridors to more rural areas in the western portions of the county near Craig and Montgomery county lines. Each property type requires a different valuation approach. The Commissioner's office handles the full range, from standard subdivision lots to larger agricultural tracts and commercial properties along major travel routes.

Under § 58.1-3330, owners must be notified when assessments change beyond a set threshold. If you receive such a notice, the Commissioner's office in the Salem area is the right starting point for questions. The Virginia Department of Taxation at tax.virginia.gov provides useful background on how local assessment offices work across the state.

Roanoke County Treasurer

The Roanoke County Treasurer collects real estate and personal property taxes based on values set by the Commissioner of the Revenue. The Treasurer's office processes payments, manages delinquent accounts, and maintains records of tax status for every parcel in the county.

Real estate tax bills in Roanoke County are typically split into two installments per year. The Treasurer's records show payment history, current amounts due, and any delinquent balances. Buyers of Roanoke County property will find that title searches include a Treasurer check to confirm no outstanding tax liens exist. Delinquent real estate taxes attach to the property as a lien and must be cleared before title can transfer cleanly to a new owner.

For questions about whether taxes on a parcel are current, or to get a receipt for a recent payment, contact the Treasurer's office directly. If a bill amount seems wrong, the Treasurer will direct you to the Commissioner's office, since assessed value adjustments must come from the Commissioner before the Treasurer can issue a corrected bill. The Treasurer can also discuss payment plan options for property owners dealing with delinquent balances.

How to Search Roanoke County Property Tax Records

Roanoke County is one of the larger Virginia localities and may provide an online property search portal through a third-party assessment software provider. Check the Roanoke County government website for links to any active GIS or property search tool. Online portals typically let you search by owner name, street address, or parcel number to see current assessment data, property characteristics, and sales history.

If an online tool isn't available, or if you need records not captured in an online database, contact the Commissioner of the Revenue directly. Under Virginia Code § 58.1-3331, assessment records are open to public inspection. No reason is needed. Staff can locate records at the counter, and copies are available for a standard fee. Walk-in visits during office hours are usually the fastest way to get specific parcel information.

For bulk records or records in a specific electronic format, a written FOIA request through the county administrator's office is the appropriate route. Virginia FOIA responses are generally due within five business days, though the county may ask for more time on complex or large requests. Most individual property inquiries can be handled without going through FOIA.

The Roanoke County Circuit Court clerk's office holds deed books, plat records, and other land transfer documents that pair well with assessment data. Combining deed history with Commissioner records gives a full picture of any parcel's ownership chain and current taxable status. Contact information for both offices is on the county's main website.

Assessment Process

All real property in Virginia must be assessed at 100% of fair market value under Virginia Code § 58.1-3200. Roanoke County follows this requirement. The Commissioner's office uses mass appraisal methods and reviews market sales data to set values across the county's diverse property inventory. Suburban homes near major roads, rural land in the western parts of the county, and commercial properties along Route 419 and other corridors each require different valuation approaches.

Appraisal records include lot size, building square footage, year built, construction type, number of rooms, and improvements such as garages, additions, or outbuildings. Under § 58.1-3332, property owners have the right to inspect their own appraisal card and review the data the Commissioner used to set the value. If the card shows incorrect information, correcting it can sometimes lead to a revised assessment.

Owners who disagree with their assessed value and cannot resolve the dispute with the Commissioner can appeal to the Board of Equalization. Under § 58.1-3378, Roanoke County must maintain a Board of Equalization to hear assessment appeals. The board operates independently of the Commissioner and can reduce, increase, or confirm an assessment based on the evidence presented. Hearing procedures are governed by § 58.1-3379.

The image below shows the Virginia Department of Taxation website, which provides the statewide framework for how local commissioners conduct property assessments.

Department of Taxation standards ensure that Roanoke County's assessment practices align with the uniform requirements applied to all Virginia localities.

Tax Relief Programs

Roanoke County offers real estate tax relief for elderly and disabled property owners under Virginia Code § 58.1-3210. To qualify, applicants must meet age or disability standards, own and occupy the property as a primary residence, and fall within income and net worth limits set by the county. These limits can shift year to year, so checking with the Commissioner of the Revenue each year is the best way to confirm current eligibility thresholds.

Disabled veterans and surviving spouses of veterans killed in action may be eligible for a full exemption from real estate taxes under § 58.1-3219.5. The exemption applies to the primary residence and requires VA certification of total and permanent service-connected disability. Applications go through the Commissioner's office, which can explain what documentation is needed and walk applicants through the process.

Roanoke County may also offer land use assessment programs for agricultural or forested land within its rural portions. Parcels enrolled in a land use program are assessed based on their agricultural or forestry use value rather than full market value, which can lower taxes meaningfully for qualifying properties. Rollback taxes apply if the land use later changes to a non-qualifying purpose. Ask the Commissioner's office whether your land qualifies and what the application steps are.

The image below shows the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development website, which administers housing assistance and some tax-related programs available to Virginia residents.

DHCD programs can work alongside Roanoke County's local relief options for property owners who need additional assistance.

Land Books and Records Access

Under Virginia Code § 58.1-3301, the Commissioner of the Revenue must maintain a land book listing every taxable parcel, its owner, assessed value, and the tax owed. These records are public documents available for inspection at the Commissioner's office during regular business hours. Land books are useful for anyone who needs a point-in-time snapshot of property ownership and values in Roanoke County.

Title examiners, attorneys, and researchers frequently use land books to trace property ownership, confirm assessed values at a given date, and verify whether taxes are current on a specific parcel. Older land books may be held at the county courthouse or the Library of Virginia in Richmond. If you need historical data going back several decades, contacting the Library of Virginia directly may be more efficient than searching the Commissioner's current records.

Assessment records are open to the public under § 58.1-3331 without any requirement to state a purpose or prove an interest in the property. Staff at the Commissioner's office can locate files and provide copies for a per-page fee. For large or ongoing research projects, a FOIA request through the county administrator gives you a more formal process with a defined response timeline.

The Roanoke County Circuit Court clerk's office holds deed books and plat maps that work alongside assessment records. Combining deed history with Commissioner files gives a complete picture of a parcel's legal description, ownership chain, and current assessed value. The county government website at roanokecountyva.gov lists contact information for both offices.

Independent Cities Adjacent to Roanoke County

Two independent cities border Roanoke County and have their own separate property tax offices. These cities are not part of the county but may be relevant if you are searching for records in the broader Roanoke Valley area.

Nearby Counties

Roanoke County borders several Southwest Virginia counties. Select a county below to find property tax records for that area.