What should Williamsburg hosts know about you can only rent one?

You can only rent ONE room in your house; whole-house rentals are prohibited.

What are the key requirements for Williamsburg hosts?

The owner must be physically present at the property during the entire rental period.

Are there rental limits in Williamsburg?

Maximum of 104 nights per year (roughly equates to weekends only).

What zoning rules apply to STRs in Williamsburg?

Special Exception approval is required through the Board of Zoning Appeals, which includes a public hearing and neighbor notification.

What should Williamsburg hosts know about event rentals (parties/weddings) and furnishing?

Event rentals (parties/weddings) and furnishing of meals are strictly prohibited.

Williamsburg

Prohibited

STRs Allowed

VirginiaLast updated: February 10, 2026

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Verified: Feb 6, 2026

Summary

Short-term rentals in Williamsburg are strictly regulated as 'homestays' requiring a Special Exception from the Board of Zoning Appeals and are limited to one room in an owner-occupied home.

Restriction Level

🚫

Prohibited

Score: 100 (lenient)

Why this classification:

•Primary residence required
•Owner-occupied required
•Host presence required (hosted-only)
•Moderate night cap: 104 nights/year
•Moderate permit fee: $300
•Limited to 1 property per owner
•Tenants cannot host
•Permit required
•Reporting required

In Plain English

To host a short-term rental, you must live in your home, be present during stays, and rent out only one room to a maximum of two adults. You must apply for a Special Exception permit which involves a public hearing and a $300 fee, and you cannot rent the room for more than 104 nights per year.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

104/year

Primary Residence

Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$300

Processing Time

8-12 weeks

5 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.You can only rent ONE room in your house; whole-house rentals are prohibited.
2.The owner must be physically present at the property during the entire rental period.
3.Maximum of 104 nights per year (roughly equates to weekends only).
4.Special Exception approval is required through the Board of Zoning Appeals, which includes a public hearing and neighbor notification.
5.Event rentals (parties/weddings) and furnishing of meals are strictly prohibited.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(10)

•Williamsburg requires the host to be present during STR stays (hosted rentals only).
•Williamsburg: The permit holder must personally manage the listing - third-party property managers may not be allowed.
•Williamsburg allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family detached dwellings.

Requirements(13)

•Williamsburg STR warning: Special Exception approval is required through the Board of Zoning Appeals, which includes a public hearing and neighbor notification.

Application Process(8)

•How to set up an STR in Williamsburg: To host a short-term rental, you must live in your home, be present during stays, and rent out only one room to a maximum of two adults. You must apply for a Special Exception permit which involves a public hearing and a $300 fee, and you cannot rent the room for more than 104 nights per year.

Fees & Costs(1)

•Williamsburg charges a registration fee of $300 (one_time). Extended/additional fee: $50 (Annual business license fee is typically $50 or based on gross receipts.).

Taxes(2)

•Virginia has a state sales tax of 0.07% that applies to STR rentals.
•Williamsburg charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 0.07%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO may collect/remit the 7% TOT and state taxes, but hosts should verify and are responsible for the $2/night flat fee if not collected by the platform.

Limits & Restrictions(7)

•Williamsburg occupancy calculation: 2 adults per room (excluding minor children). Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
•Williamsburg: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.
•Williamsburg limits stays to a maximum of 30 nights.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Williamsburg requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Floor plan showing safety device locations, Register of all transient visitors (names and addresses) kept for 2 years, Consent for city inspection with 24-hour notice.

Penalties(2)

•Williamsburg: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
•Williamsburg enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Revocation of Special Exception. Second offense: Fines per city code violation. Third offense: Permanent ban on STR use. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions(2)

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

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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

Williamsburg

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Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

5 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(10)

Requirements(13)

Application Process(8)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(2)

Limits & Restrictions(7)

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

Williamsburg

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

5 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 Williamsburg?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Williamsburg?

3Are there rental night limits in Williamsburg?

4What are the occupancy rules for Williamsburg rentals?

Related Content

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Arlington

Harrisonburg

Cape Charles

Richmond