Are there rental limits in Blacksburg?

Strict 90-night annual limit for all STR activity.

Are there rental limits in Blacksburg?

Unhosted rentals (Type B) are capped at only 30 nights per year.

What should Blacksburg hosts know about non-resident investors are completely prohibited?

Non-resident investors are completely prohibited from operating STRs.

What should Blacksburg hosts know about strs are strictly forbidden in?

STRs are strictly forbidden in accessory structures like detached garages or sheds.

What are the key requirements for Blacksburg hosts?

Airbnb collects town tax, but hosts must still file quarterly zero-returns if all bookings were via Airbnb.

Blacksburg

Prohibited

VirginiaUpdated Apr 13, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

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

Verified Feb 7, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

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

Restriction level

Severity 100

Classification

Prohibited

100

Severity

Why this classification

Primary residence required
Owner-occupied required
Moderate night cap: 90 nights/year
Limited to 1 property per owner
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required

In plain English

What this means for you

To host a short-term rental in Blacksburg, you must own and live in the home for at least six months of the year. You are limited to 90 total rental nights annually, of which only 30 nights can be 'Type B' rentals (where the host is not present or more than two rooms are rented).

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limit90/year

Primary residenceRequired

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$50

Processing time1-2 weeks

Max fine$2,500

5 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Strict 90-night annual limit for all STR activity.
2Unhosted rentals (Type B) are capped at only 30 nights per year.
3Non-resident investors are completely prohibited from operating STRs.
4STRs are strictly forbidden in accessory structures like detached garages or sheds.
5Airbnb collects town tax, but hosts must still file quarterly zero-returns if all bookings were via Airbnb.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility8 rules

Blacksburg: Non-resident investors are completely prohibited from operating STRs.
Blacksburg limits hosts to a maximum of 1 STR properties per owner.
Blacksburg: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.

Requirements12 rules

Common mistakes and gotchas for STR hosts in Blacksburg: 1. Strict 90-night annual limit for all STR activity. 2. Unhosted rentals (Type B) are capped at only 30 nights per year. 3. Non-resident investors are completely prohibited from operating STRs. 4. STRs are strictly forbidden in accessory structures like detached garages or sheds. 5. Airbnb collects town tax, but hosts must still file quarterly zero-returns if all bookings were via Airbnb.

Application process8 rules

Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Blacksburg: Step 1: Verify Primary Residence - Confirm the property is your primary residence where you reside for at least 183 days (6 months) per year. Documents needed: Voter registration, Driver's license. Estimated time: 1 day. More info: https://www.blacksburg.gov/departments/departments-a-k/financial-services/homestay Step 2: Submit Neighborhood Notice - If you share a driveway or wall (townhouse/condo), you must notify neighbors via certified mail before applying. Documents needed: Certified mail receipts. Estimated time: 1 week. Cost: 15. Step 3: Register on OpenGov - Complete the Homestay License application through the Blacksburg OpenGov portal. Documents needed: Floor plan, Affidavit of compliance, Contact info for responsible party. Estimated time: 1-2 weeks. Cost: 50. More info: https://blacksburgva.opengov.com/portal Step 4: Register for Taxes - Register with the Finance Department to collect and remit the 7% Transient Occupancy Tax. Documents needed: Tax registration form. Estimated time: 2-3 days. More info: https://www.blacksburg.gov/departments/departments-a-k/financial-services/miscellaneous-local-taxes

Fees & costs1 rule

Blacksburg charges a registration fee of $50 (annual).

Taxes3 rules

Blacksburg: Airbnb collects town tax, but hosts must still file quarterly zero-returns if all bookings were via Airbnb.
Virginia has a state sales tax of 0.053% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions8 rules

Blacksburg: Unhosted rentals (Type B) are capped at only 30 nights per year.
Blacksburg: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.
Blacksburg limits STRs to 90 nights per year. This applies to all rentals.
Blacksburg limits stays to a maximum of 30 nights.

Safety requirements1 rule

Blacksburg requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Bedrooms must have a window for emergency exit, Visible house address, Functioning heat and electrical services.

Penalties3 rules

Blacksburg enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $100 civil penalty. Second offense: $350 civil penalty. Third offense: Potential permit revocation. Daily fine: $100-$350. Maximum fine: 2500. Permit may be revoked for violations. Criminal penalties may apply.
Blacksburg: Serious or repeated STR violations can result in criminal charges, not just fines.

Exemptions2 rules

Blacksburg: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Blacksburg exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Hotels, Bed and Breakfasts with Special Use Permits.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Blacksburg

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Verify Primary Residence

Confirm the property is your primary residence where you reside for at least 183 days (6 months) per year.

1 dayFree

Documents needed

Voter registration
Driver's license

Official resource

Step 2

Submit Neighborhood Notice

If you share a driveway or wall (townhouse/condo), you must notify neighbors via certified mail before applying.

1 week$15

Documents needed

Certified mail receipts

Step 3

Register on OpenGov

Complete the Homestay License application through the Blacksburg OpenGov portal.

1-2 weeks$50

Documents needed

Floor plan
Affidavit of compliance
Contact info for responsible party

Official resource

Step 4

Register for Taxes

2-3 daysFree

Documents needed

Tax registration form

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

Blacksburg

Prohibited

VirginiaUpdated Apr 13, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

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

Verified Feb 7, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

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

Restriction level

Severity 100

Classification

Prohibited

100

Severity

Why this classification

Primary residence required
Owner-occupied required
Moderate night cap: 90 nights/year
Limited to 1 property per owner
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limit90/year

Primary residenceRequired

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$50

Processing time1-2 weeks

Max fine$2,500

5 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Strict 90-night annual limit for all STR activity.
2Unhosted rentals (Type B) are capped at only 30 nights per year.
3Non-resident investors are completely prohibited from operating STRs.
4STRs are strictly forbidden in accessory structures like detached garages or sheds.
5Airbnb collects town tax, but hosts must still file quarterly zero-returns if all bookings were via Airbnb.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility8 rules

Blacksburg: Non-resident investors are completely prohibited from operating STRs.
Blacksburg limits hosts to a maximum of 1 STR properties per owner.
Blacksburg: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.

Requirements12 rules

Common mistakes and gotchas for STR hosts in Blacksburg: 1. Strict 90-night annual limit for all STR activity. 2. Unhosted rentals (Type B) are capped at only 30 nights per year. 3. Non-resident investors are completely prohibited from operating STRs. 4. STRs are strictly forbidden in accessory structures like detached garages or sheds. 5. Airbnb collects town tax, but hosts must still file quarterly zero-returns if all bookings were via Airbnb.

Application process8 rules

Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Blacksburg: Step 1: Verify Primary Residence - Confirm the property is your primary residence where you reside for at least 183 days (6 months) per year. Documents needed: Voter registration, Driver's license. Estimated time: 1 day. More info: https://www.blacksburg.gov/departments/departments-a-k/financial-services/homestay Step 2: Submit Neighborhood Notice - If you share a driveway or wall (townhouse/condo), you must notify neighbors via certified mail before applying. Documents needed: Certified mail receipts. Estimated time: 1 week. Cost: 15. Step 3: Register on OpenGov - Complete the Homestay License application through the Blacksburg OpenGov portal. Documents needed: Floor plan, Affidavit of compliance, Contact info for responsible party. Estimated time: 1-2 weeks. Cost: 50. More info: https://blacksburgva.opengov.com/portal Step 4: Register for Taxes - Register with the Finance Department to collect and remit the 7% Transient Occupancy Tax. Documents needed: Tax registration form. Estimated time: 2-3 days. More info: https://www.blacksburg.gov/departments/departments-a-k/financial-services/miscellaneous-local-taxes

Fees & costs1 rule

Blacksburg charges a registration fee of $50 (annual).

Taxes3 rules

Blacksburg: Airbnb collects town tax, but hosts must still file quarterly zero-returns if all bookings were via Airbnb.
Virginia has a state sales tax of 0.053% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions8 rules

Blacksburg: Unhosted rentals (Type B) are capped at only 30 nights per year.
Blacksburg: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.
Blacksburg limits STRs to 90 nights per year. This applies to all rentals.
Blacksburg limits stays to a maximum of 30 nights.

Safety requirements1 rule

Blacksburg requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Bedrooms must have a window for emergency exit, Visible house address, Functioning heat and electrical services.

Penalties3 rules

Blacksburg enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $100 civil penalty. Second offense: $350 civil penalty. Third offense: Potential permit revocation. Daily fine: $100-$350. Maximum fine: 2500. Permit may be revoked for violations. Criminal penalties may apply.
Blacksburg: Serious or repeated STR violations can result in criminal charges, not just fines.

Exemptions2 rules

Blacksburg: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Blacksburg exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Hotels, Bed and Breakfasts with Special Use Permits.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Blacksburg

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Verify Primary Residence

Confirm the property is your primary residence where you reside for at least 183 days (6 months) per year.

1 dayFree

Documents needed

Voter registration
Driver's license

Official resource

Step 2

Submit Neighborhood Notice

If you share a driveway or wall (townhouse/condo), you must notify neighbors via certified mail before applying.

1 week$15

Documents needed

Certified mail receipts

Step 3

Register on OpenGov

Complete the Homestay License application through the Blacksburg OpenGov portal.

1-2 weeks$50

Documents needed

Floor plan
Affidavit of compliance
Contact info for responsible party

Official resource

Step 4

Register for Taxes

2-3 daysFree

Documents needed

Tax registration form

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

5 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Verify Primary Residence

Submit Neighborhood Notice

Register on OpenGov

Register for Taxes

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Blacksburg?

3Are there rental night limits in Blacksburg?

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

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

5 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Verify Primary Residence

Submit Neighborhood Notice

Register on OpenGov

Register for Taxes

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Blacksburg?

3Are there rental night limits in Blacksburg?

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

Disclaimer