Are there rental limits in Alexandria?

Strict occupancy limit of 2 per bedroom + 2 (max 10 people total).

What are the key requirements for Alexandria hosts?

Neighbor notification must be done by certified or registered mail to all abutting properties.

What should Alexandria hosts know about one-hour response time required for?

One-hour response time required for 24/7 contact point to address noise or party complaints.

What should Alexandria hosts know about a primary home and adu?

A primary home and ADU cannot be rented as separate short-term rentals simultaneously.

Alexandria

Moderate

VirginiaUpdated Mar 20, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 0 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 6, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

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

Restriction level

Severity 8

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement
Tenants can host

In plain English

What this means for you

If you rent your home for less than 30 days at a time and do so for more than 10 days a year, you must get a permit from the Department of Planning & Zoning. You'll need to install specific safety equipment, notify your neighbors by certified mail, and follow strict guest limits (usually 2 people per bedroom plus 2 extra, capped at 10 total).

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.2%

Permit fee$100

Processing time2-4 weeks

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Strict occupancy limit of 2 per bedroom + 2 (max 10 people total).
2Neighbor notification must be done by certified or registered mail to all abutting properties.
3One-hour response time required for 24/7 contact point to address noise or party complaints.
4A primary home and ADU cannot be rented as separate short-term rentals simultaneously.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility6 rules

Alexandria: A primary home and ADU cannot be rented as separate short-term rentals simultaneously.
Alexandria allows tenants to host STRs. Requirements: Requires legal interest/permission to rent.
Alexandria: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Alexandria does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.

Requirements11 rules

Alexandria requires liability insurance for STR hosts. Minimum coverage: $500,000. Proof of liability insurance is required as part of the registry/permit process.
Alexandria: One-hour response time required for 24/7 contact point to address noise or party complaints.
Alexandria STR warning: One-hour response time required for 24/7 contact point to address noise or party complaints.

Application process10 rules

Alexandria STR permit - Step 2: Install Safety Equipment and Post Guide. Install smoke detectors on every level, CO detectors near bedrooms, and fire extinguishers on every floor. Post the Alexandria Good Neighbor Guide in a prominent location. Take clear photos of all installations. Required documents: Photos of safety equipment, Photos of Good Neighbor Guide. Time: 1 week. Cost: 100.

Fees & costs1 rule

Alexandria charges a registration fee of $100 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $350 (The fee is $350 for owner-unoccupied rentals and $100 for owner-occupied rentals.).

Taxes2 rules

Alexandria charges a Transient Lodging Tax of 0.095%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Combined 6.5% City tax + 3.0% State/Regional tax plus $1.25 per night per room.
Virginia has a state sales tax of 0.06% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions5 rules

Alexandria limits STRs to a maximum of 10 guests. Formula: 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, not to exceed 10 total (excluding children 3 and under)
Alexandria enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 9:00 AM Sun-Thu; 11:00 PM - 9:00 AM Fri-Sat.
Alexandria: Strict occupancy limit of 2 per bedroom + 2 (max 10 people total).
Alexandria limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.

Safety requirements1 rule

Alexandria requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, One smoke detector on each habitable level, CO detector within 10ft of bedrooms, One fire extinguisher per floor within 10ft of kitchen, Good Neighbor Guide posted prominently.

Penalties2 rules

Alexandria: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Alexandria enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $200 for operating without a permit. Second offense: $500 every 10 days until permit applied for. Third offense: 1-year ban on permit eligibility. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions2 rules

Alexandria exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Rentals for 10 days or fewer per calendar year.
Alexandria: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Alexandria

0/5

steps completed

Step 1

Review Eligibility and Zoning

Ensure your property complies with Alexandria Zoning Ordinance 7-1404 and determine if you qualify for owner-occupied status.

1-2 daysFree

Official resource

Step 2

Install Safety Equipment and Post Guide

Install smoke detectors on every level, CO detectors near bedrooms, and fire extinguishers on every floor. Post the Alexandria Good Neighbor Guide in a prominent location. Take clear photos of all installations.

1 week$100

Documents needed

Photos of safety equipment
Photos of Good Neighbor Guide

Step 3

Notify Abutting Neighbors

Send a written notice to all abutting property owners via registered or certified mail. The notice must include 24/7 contact info, permit number, and max occupancy.

1 week$50

Documents needed

Certified mail receipts

Step 4

Register for Taxes and Business License

Register with the Department of Finance for Transient Lodging Tax. If you have >4 units and >$10k revenue, you must also obtain a BPOL license.

1-2 weeksFree

Documents needed

IRS Form W-9

Official resource

Step 5

Submit STR Permit Application

Apply online through the Department of Planning & Zoning portal, uploading all required photos, proof of residency, and neighbor notification receipts.

2-4 weeks$100

Documents needed

Proof of ownership
Proof of residency (if applicable)
Mailing receipts
Safety photos

Official resource

Frequently asked questions

4 answered

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched from public city/county codes 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.

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Alexandria

Moderate

VirginiaUpdated Mar 20, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 0 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 6, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

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

Restriction level

Severity 8

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement
Tenants can host

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.2%

Permit fee$100

Processing time2-4 weeks

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Strict occupancy limit of 2 per bedroom + 2 (max 10 people total).
2Neighbor notification must be done by certified or registered mail to all abutting properties.
3One-hour response time required for 24/7 contact point to address noise or party complaints.
4A primary home and ADU cannot be rented as separate short-term rentals simultaneously.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility6 rules

Alexandria: A primary home and ADU cannot be rented as separate short-term rentals simultaneously.
Alexandria allows tenants to host STRs. Requirements: Requires legal interest/permission to rent.
Alexandria: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Alexandria does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.

Requirements11 rules

Alexandria requires liability insurance for STR hosts. Minimum coverage: $500,000. Proof of liability insurance is required as part of the registry/permit process.
Alexandria: One-hour response time required for 24/7 contact point to address noise or party complaints.
Alexandria STR warning: One-hour response time required for 24/7 contact point to address noise or party complaints.

Application process10 rules

Alexandria STR permit - Step 2: Install Safety Equipment and Post Guide. Install smoke detectors on every level, CO detectors near bedrooms, and fire extinguishers on every floor. Post the Alexandria Good Neighbor Guide in a prominent location. Take clear photos of all installations. Required documents: Photos of safety equipment, Photos of Good Neighbor Guide. Time: 1 week. Cost: 100.

Fees & costs1 rule

Alexandria charges a registration fee of $100 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $350 (The fee is $350 for owner-unoccupied rentals and $100 for owner-occupied rentals.).

Taxes2 rules

Alexandria charges a Transient Lodging Tax of 0.095%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Combined 6.5% City tax + 3.0% State/Regional tax plus $1.25 per night per room.
Virginia has a state sales tax of 0.06% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions5 rules

Alexandria limits STRs to a maximum of 10 guests. Formula: 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, not to exceed 10 total (excluding children 3 and under)
Alexandria enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 9:00 AM Sun-Thu; 11:00 PM - 9:00 AM Fri-Sat.
Alexandria: Strict occupancy limit of 2 per bedroom + 2 (max 10 people total).
Alexandria limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.

Safety requirements1 rule

Alexandria requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, One smoke detector on each habitable level, CO detector within 10ft of bedrooms, One fire extinguisher per floor within 10ft of kitchen, Good Neighbor Guide posted prominently.

Penalties2 rules

Alexandria: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Alexandria enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $200 for operating without a permit. Second offense: $500 every 10 days until permit applied for. Third offense: 1-year ban on permit eligibility. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions2 rules

Alexandria exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Rentals for 10 days or fewer per calendar year.
Alexandria: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Alexandria

0/5

steps completed

Step 1

Review Eligibility and Zoning

Ensure your property complies with Alexandria Zoning Ordinance 7-1404 and determine if you qualify for owner-occupied status.

1-2 daysFree

Official resource

Step 2

Install Safety Equipment and Post Guide

1 week$100

Documents needed

Photos of safety equipment
Photos of Good Neighbor Guide

Step 3

Notify Abutting Neighbors

Send a written notice to all abutting property owners via registered or certified mail. The notice must include 24/7 contact info, permit number, and max occupancy.

1 week$50

Documents needed

Certified mail receipts

Step 4

Register for Taxes and Business License

Register with the Department of Finance for Transient Lodging Tax. If you have >4 units and >$10k revenue, you must also obtain a BPOL license.

1-2 weeksFree

Documents needed

IRS Form W-9

Official resource

Step 5

Submit STR Permit Application

Apply online through the Department of Planning & Zoning portal, uploading all required photos, proof of residency, and neighbor notification receipts.

2-4 weeks$100

Documents needed

Proof of ownership
Proof of residency (if applicable)
Mailing receipts
Safety photos

Official resource

Frequently asked questions

4 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

4 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Review Eligibility and Zoning

Install Safety Equipment and Post Guide

Notify Abutting Neighbors

Register for Taxes and Business License

Submit STR Permit Application

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Alexandria?

3What are the occupancy limits for rentals in Alexandria?

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

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

4 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Review Eligibility and Zoning

Install Safety Equipment and Post Guide

Notify Abutting Neighbors

Register for Taxes and Business License

Submit STR Permit Application

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Alexandria?

3What are the occupancy limits for rentals in Alexandria?

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

Disclaimer