What are the permit fees in Norfolk?

Norfolk charges an additional flat fee of $2.00 per night per room occupied, on top of the 8% tax.

What are the permit fees in Norfolk?

Conditional Use Permits (CUP) cost $1,245 and require a public hearing, making them costly and time-consuming.

Are there rental limits in Norfolk?

Occupancy is strictly limited to 2 people per bedroom plus 2, with a hard cap of 10 people regardless of house size.

Norfolk, VA Short-Term Rental Rules...

Baseline Verification

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Verified: Feb 11, 2026

Summary

Norfolk requires short-term rentals to obtain either an administrative permit or a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) and register annually with the Commissioner of the Revenue.

Restriction Level

✅

Permissive

Score: 3 (restrictive)

Why this classification:

•Tenants cannot host
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•Safety standards required
•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement

In Plain English

To host a short-term rental in Norfolk, you must first secure a zoning permit from the Planning Department and then register for taxes with the Commissioner of the Revenue. Depending on your property's location and whether it is your primary home, you may be required to go through a public hearing process for a Conditional Use Permit.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$100

Processing Time

2-4 weeks

Max Fine

$5,000

3 Things Hosts Often Miss

Regulation Details

Eligibility(6)

•Norfolk: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
•Norfolk: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
•Norfolk prohibits STRs in the following property types: Recreational vehicles, Tents, Non-residential structures.

Requirements(9)

•Common mistakes and gotchas for STR hosts in Norfolk: 1. Norfolk charges an additional flat fee of $2.00 per night per room occupied, on top of the 8% tax. 2. Conditional Use Permits (CUP) cost $1,245 and require a public hearing, making them costly and time-consuming. 3. Occupancy is strictly limited to 2 people per bedroom plus 2, with a hard cap of 10 people regardless of house size.

Application Process(7)

•How to set up an STR in Norfolk: To host a short-term rental in Norfolk, you must first secure a zoning permit from the Planning Department and then register for taxes with the Commissioner of the Revenue. Depending on your property's location and whether it is your primary home, you may be required to go through a public hearing process for a Conditional Use Permit.

Fees & Costs(2)

•Norfolk: Conditional Use Permits (CUP) cost $1,245 and require a public hearing, making them costly and time-consuming.
•Norfolk charges a registration fee of $100 (one_time). Extended/additional fee: $15 ($15 annual registration fee with Commissioner of the Revenue; CUP application fee is $1,245.).

Taxes(2)

•Norfolk charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 0.08%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO remit the 8% tax, but owners must still report monthly and may need to remit the $2/night/room fee manually if not collected by the platform.
•Virginia has a state sales tax of 0.06% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & Restrictions(6)

•Norfolk occupancy calculation: 2 persons per bedroom, with a maximum total cap of 10 persons.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
•Norfolk: Norfolk charges an additional flat fee of $2.00 per night per room occupied, on top of the 8% tax.
•Norfolk limits STRs to a maximum of 10 guests. Formula: 2 persons per bedroom, with a maximum total cap of 10 persons.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Norfolk requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Floor plan showing exits must be posted, Functioning interconnected smoke alarms, Functioning carbon monoxide alarm if fuel-fired appliances or attached garage.

Penalties(2)

•Norfolk: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
•Norfolk enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $500 fine. Second offense: $1000 fine. Third offense: Permit revocation. Daily fine: $500 per day for operating without a permit. Maximum fine: 5000. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions(2)

•Norfolk exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Licensed hotels, Motels, Bed and Breakfasts.
•Norfolk: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

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Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Other Virginia Markets

Arlington

Virginia

Strict

Short-term rentals in Arlington, known as 'Accessory Homestays,' are permitted for primary residents who obtain an annual permit and business license.

Permit requiredPrimary residence

0.1% total tax

Harrisonburg

Virginia

Moderate

Harrisonburg requires a business license, zoning approval (sometimes requiring a Special Use Permit), and registration for the 7% transient occupancy tax.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Cape Charles

Virginia

Moderate

Cape Charles requires all short-term rental operators to obtain both a town business license and a specific STR permit, subject to an annual $100 fee. The town enforces strict occupancy limits (2 per bedroom + 2) and requires a $1M liability insurance policy. Hosts must remit 4.7% in local Transient Occupancy Tax in addition to state sales taxes.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Richmond

Virginia

Strict

The City of Richmond requires all short-term rental operators to reside in the property for at least 185 days a year and obtain a biennial permit. A 300 dollar fee is required every two years, and hosts must collect and remit an 8% Transient Lodging Tax.

Permit requiredPrimary residence

0.1% total tax

Norfolk

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

3 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(6)

Requirements(9)

Application Process(7)

Fees & Costs(2)

Taxes(2)

Limits & Restrictions(6)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(2)

Exemptions(2)

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

Related Content

Other Virginia Markets

Arlington

Harrisonburg

Cape Charles

Richmond

Norfolk

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

3 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Norfolk?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Norfolk?

3Are there rental night limits in Norfolk?

4What are the penalties for non-compliance in Norfolk?

Related Content

Other Virginia Markets

Arlington

Harrisonburg

Cape Charles

Richmond