ROANOKE COUNTY, VA (June 28, 2013) – Recently the Commonwealth of Virginia reinstated a previously repealed statute that regulates how scrap metal is collected and sold within the state. The statute requires localities like Roanoke County to develop permitting procedures to enable both private citizens and dealers to collect, buy, and sell scrap metals.
One of the goals of reinstating this law is to help curb increasing incidents of theft of copper and other scrap metals from homes and businesses.
While the statute is scheduled to go into effect across the state on July 1, Roanoke County and many other localities in the region are still working to finalize how permits will be issued to citizens and scrap metal dealers, and how the statute will be enforced at the local level.
At this time, Roanoke County Police Department is not authorizing enforcement of the statute until a permit process is in place for citizens and scrap metal dealers. It is anticipated that Roanoke County will have the permit process completed in the coming weeks.
As the scrap metal permit process is finalized, details will be released on Roanoke County's website at www.roanokecountyva.gov and other media channels.
For more information, please contact the Roanoke County Police – Records Unit at (540) 777-8605, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.