What are the key requirements for Charlottesville hosts?

Strict primary residence requirement: you cannot operate an STR in a secondary or investment home within city limits.

What should Charlottesville hosts know about maximum of 6 adult guests?

Maximum of 6 adult guests regardless of the size of the house.

What should Charlottesville hosts know about no exterior signage allowed to?

No exterior signage allowed to advertise the rental.

What are the key requirements for Charlottesville hosts?

A local responsible party must be available 24/7 and live within 30 miles.

Are there rental limits in Charlottesville?

The city is currently (2025) studying changes to occupancy limits and stricter enforcement.

Charlottesville

Strict

STRs Allowed

VirginiaLast updated: February 10, 2026

Baseline Verification

100%

Basic verification complete

Verified: Feb 7, 2026

Summary

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

Restriction Level

⛔

Strict

Score: 88 (lenient)

Why this classification:

•Primary residence required
•Owner-occupied required
•Limited to 1 property per owner
•Tenants cannot host
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•No night cap

In Plain English

To run an Airbnb in Charlottesville, the property must be your primary home (where you live most of the year). You must apply for a Homestay Permit from the city and get a business license. You are limited to 6 adult guests at a time, and you must have a local contact person living within 30 miles to handle any issues.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$100

Processing Time

2-4 weeks

5 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.Strict primary residence requirement: you cannot operate an STR in a secondary or investment home within city limits.
2.Maximum of 6 adult guests regardless of the size of the house.
3.No exterior signage allowed to advertise the rental.
4.A local responsible party must be available 24/7 and live within 30 miles.
5.The city is currently (2025) studying changes to occupancy limits and stricter enforcement.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(8)

•Charlottesville allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family Dwelling, Individual Rooms.
•Charlottesville: Strict primary residence requirement: you cannot operate an STR in a secondary or investment home within city limits.

Requirements(12)

•Charlottesville STR warning: A local responsible party must be available 24/7 and live within 30 miles.
•Charlottesville requires liability insurance for STR hosts. City code requires hosts to maintain adequate insurance for the commercial use of the property.
•Charlottesville: You must display your permit/registration number on your Airbnb listing.

Application Process(8)

•Charlottesville: You may need to provide documentation (utility bills, tax returns, voter registration) to prove primary residence status.
•Charlottesville: To apply for an STR permit, you'll need: Homestay Permit Application, Proof of Residency (ID or Voter Card), Responsible Party Contact Info, Business License Application, Accommodations Provider Attestation.

Fees & Costs(1)

•Charlottesville charges a registration fee of $100 (annual).

Taxes(2)

•Charlottesville charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 0.09%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and other intermediaries collect and remit 9% local TOT; hosts must still file monthly attestations.
•Virginia has a state sales tax of 0.053% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & Restrictions(7)

•Charlottesville: The city is currently (2025) studying changes to occupancy limits and stricter enforcement.
•Charlottesville: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.
•Charlottesville enforces quiet hours: 10pm-6am.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Charlottesville requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Responsible party must be within 30 miles, No food preparation or service for guests, Access for Zoning Administrator to inspect compliance.

Penalties(2)

•Charlottesville enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Warning and corrective action. Second offense: $500 fine. Third offense: Permit revocation. Permit may be revoked for violations.
•Charlottesville: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions(2)

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

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Unlock: 4-Step Application Guide

Get step-by-step application guides and access to all 51+ markets.

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

Charlottesville

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

5 Things Hosts Often Miss

Create a free account

Regulation Details

Eligibility(8)

Requirements(12)

Application Process(8)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(2)

Limits & Restrictions(7)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(2)

Exemptions(2)

Create a free account

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Content

Other Virginia Markets

Arlington

Harrisonburg

Cape Charles

Richmond

Charlottesville

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 Charlottesville?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Charlottesville?

3Are there residency requirements for rentals in Charlottesville?

4What are the guest limits for Charlottesville homestays?

Related Content

Other Virginia Markets

Arlington

Harrisonburg

Cape Charles

Richmond