Environmental Health

Food facilities in the Roanoke City & Alleghany Health District have an inspection frequency based on their priority risk assessment rating.  Environmental Health Specialist Seniors (EHSSs) inspect food establishments that include: restaurants, caterers, schools cafeterias, mobile units, seasonal food facilities, child care centers, hospitals, nursing homes, and homes for adults and other institutions, continental breakfast facilities in tourist establishments, summer camps, and temporary food facilities at festivals and other events.

• A convenience or grocery store deli with a seating capacity of 15 seats or less is permitted and inspected under the jurisdiction of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, however, in the city of Roanoke, local code gives the health department the authority to inspect and permit these facilities as well.

Restaurant inspections are available at the web site: http://healthspace.com/Clients/VDH/VDH/web.nsf/home.xsp.

Information on the Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) Certification can be found by clicking here. 

Application submittals for private sewage disposal systems and water wells designed by licensed authorized conventional and alternative onsite soil evaluators (AOSE & OSE), as well as professional engineers (PE), are reviewed and permitted by this division.  These onsite system submittals may be for single-family residential use or large-scale commercial use.  In some circumstances, which do not include owner speculation or anything other than a single-family residence, the site evaluation and design may be completed by the EHSS.  This division also investigates complaints of failing sewage disposal systems and contaminated wells.  When complaints are found to be valid, the EHSS may require the owner to complete corrective repairs. Click here to view the Alternative Onsite Sewage System (AOSS) Operator Map. More information can be found by clicking here: Environmental Health Onsite Sewage Water Services.

​VDH’s Septic and Well Assistance Program: You may qualify to have your private well and sewer fixed free. If you have a house with a well or septic system that needs to be fixed, and your income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, we can cover the cost. For more information on the program and eligibility or to obtain an application, CLICK HERE or   https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-health/swap/. Return the applications to your local health department.

Important Notice: Beginning January 1, 2022, all Roanoke County well and septic applications will be received by the Roanoke City Health Department located at 1502 Williamson Road NE, 2^nd Floor, instead of the Roanoke County Building Safety Office located at 5204 Bernard Drive.  Questions regarding Roanoke County well and septic applications should be directed to 540-204-9780 or 540-204-9763.

Tourist Establishment facilities in the Roanoke City & Alleghany Health District have an inspection frequency of at least one inspection per year.  The inspection must include at least 10% of the total number of rooms, and any other amenities such as pools, hot tubs, saunas, and continental breakfast facilities. Tourist establishments include hotels, motels, campgrounds and bed and breakfast facilities. All new tourist establishment facilities are required to have the plans reviewed and approved by the Health Department before a permit is issued.  All complaints of tourist establishments are investigated by the EHSS.

Seasonal public recreational water facilities (pools, water parks) in the Roanoke City & Alleghany Health District are inspected prior to opening for the season, and then as needed during the remainder of the season. Year round indoor public recreational water facilities are inspected twice per year. The plans for any new public pool require health department review and approval before being permitted. In Roanoke City & Roanoke County all apartment complexes, fitness centers, YMCA, YWCA, and government owned public pools are inspected and permitted under local codes. Roanoke City and Roanoke County also have local codes that require a fee for each pool season before a permit can be issued. Tourist establishment pools and spas are inspected under state regulations, as well as local codes.

This division works very closely with the Animal Control Divisions, reviews reports of all animal bites to insure proper procedures for confinement, confinement releases and notifications to victims. When animals are not located for confinement or testing, victims receive calls and letters from the EHSS to assure they are aware of the state health department’s position regarding the need for rabies post-exposure treatment. This division also makes the decision to require animal rabies testing when necessary, and prepares the specimens for shipment to the state laboratory.

When a physician reports a child (normally 5-years-old or younger) with a high lead level to the Health Department, the EHSS and public health nurse jointly make visits to the child’s home, and other places they may spend time, such as day care centers or babysitters, to access how exposure may have occurred. Normally, dust wipes, chipping paint samples, water and soil samples are collected and sent to a private laboratory for analysis to determine the source of lead in the child’s environment. In addition, they advise the parents of proper diet and cleaning practices to reduce the lead levels within the child.

This program focuses much of its time on educating the public concerning preventative measures to reduce rodent harborages and feeding areas. Education and advice is also provide to citizens experiencing insect infestations such as bed bugs and roaches. In Roanoke City only, extermination duties may be performed on city owned property, which is not under private contract, such as sidewalks and parks. In addition, this program provides assistance to the Western Virginia Water Authority to locate broken sewer lines associated with rodent infestations.

This could cover any environmental health problems not mentioned above on a case-by-case basis. Often these are related to complaints of trash and garbage not properly contained for pickup by the local Department of Solid Waste Management. Trash, garbage and rat complaints are often received at the same location. Complaints of “bulk” items such as brush, old tires, junk, furniture, etc., are also investigated and/or referred to the responsible agency. VDH does not have the capability to provide environmental testing or remediation for mold problems. For information regarding who to contact for mold removal, please click here.

If you need more specific information on any of these Environmental Health programs, or to file a complaint, please contact our district offices as follows:

• Roanoke City/County & Salem Health Department – Telephone: (540) 204-9764
• Alleghany & Covington Health Departments  – Telephone (540) 965-7872
• Botetourt County Health Department – Telephone (540) 666-4275
• Craig County Health Department – Telephone (540) 864-5136

Mailing Address:
Environmental Health Division
Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts
1502 Williamson Rd. 2nd Floor
Roanoke, VA  24012