Virginia short-term rental regulations

Herndon requires a biennial short-term rental permit ($200), mandates the property be the host's primary residence for at least seven months per year, and...

Permit fee $2000.2% tax

Blacksburg

Virginia

Blacksburg permits 'Homestays' only in the host's owner-occupied primary residence, with a total limit of 90 rental nights per year.

Tysons

Virginia

Short-term rentals in Tysons are permitted only in the host's primary residence for up to 60 nights per calendar year with a mandatory biennial permit.

Permit fee $2000.1% tax

Chesapeake

Virginia

Short-term rentals in Chesapeake are highly restricted to only two zoning districts and require a mandatory Conditional Use Permit (CUP) approved by the City...

Permit fee $1,0400.1% tax

Williamsburg

Virginia

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...

Permit fee $3000.1% tax

Reston

Virginia

Short-term rentals (Short-Term Lodging) are permitted in Reston/Fairfax County for primary residents with a required permit and a 60-night annual limit.

Permit fee $2000.1% tax

Strict

Heavy restrictions apply

5 markets

Heavy regulation: caps, primary-residence rules, lottery permits, or night limits.

Richmond

Virginia

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.

Permit fee $3000.1% tax

Arlington

Virginia

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

Permit fee $1210.1% tax

Charlottesville

Virginia

Charlottesville requires short-term rental operators to obtain an annual Homestay Permit and a business license for properties that serve as their primary...

Permit fee $1000.1% tax

Lynchburg

Virginia

Lynchburg requires all short-term rental operators to register annually, pay a $150 fee, and adhere to specific occupancy limits and zoning standards.

Permit fee $1500.1% tax

Middleburg

Virginia

Short-term rentals in Middleburg require a Special Use Permit (SUP), a Zoning Occupancy Permit, and a business license, with operations limited to primary...

Permit fee $300.1% tax

Moderate

Permit required · STRs broadly allowed

6 markets

Permit + tax registration required; otherwise STRs are broadly allowed.

Harrisonburg

Virginia

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

Cape Charles

Virginia

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.

Permit fee $1000.1% tax

Virginia Beach

Virginia

The City of Virginia Beach strictly regulates short-term rentals through a tiered system that differentiates between the Sandbridge Special Service District...

Permit fee $2000.1% tax

Leesburg

Virginia

Leesburg requires a Homestay Home Occupation Permit and a Town Business License for all short-term rentals, with a maximum occupancy of six guests.

Chincoteague

Virginia

Short-term rentals (vacation rentals) are permitted in Chincoteague subject to an annual town business license and compliance with zoning-specific parking and...

Alexandria

Virginia

Alexandria requires a Short-Term Residential Rental Permit for all stays under 30 days, with distinct fees for owner-occupied and unoccupied properties.

Permit fee $1000.2% tax

Permissive

Light-touch rules · STRs welcome

4 markets

Minimal restrictions: basic registration, no permit caps, no night limits.

Norfolk

Virginia

Permissive

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