What zoning rules apply to STRs in Chesapeake?

Short-term rentals are strictly prohibited in almost all standard residential zones like R-1.

What should Chesapeake hosts know about maximum stay for any guest?

Maximum stay for any guest is capped at 10 consecutive days within a 30-day period.

What should Chesapeake hosts know about permit is void upon transfer?

Permit is void upon transfer of property ownership.

What are the permit fees in Chesapeake?

A $1.00 flat fee per night is required in addition to the 8% tax percentage.

What should Chesapeake hosts know about historic district properties built after?

Historic district properties built after November 15, 2001, are ineligible for STR use.

Chesapeake

Prohibited

VirginiaUpdated Mar 27, 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

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 Council.

Restriction level

Severity 100

Classification

Prohibited

100

Severity

Why this classification

Banned in all/most residential zones
High permit fee: $1040
Limited to 1 property per owner
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

Operating a short-term rental is prohibited in most of Chesapeake's residential neighborhoods. To host legally, your property must be in an Agricultural or Historic district, and you must undergo a lengthy public approval process with the City Council. Once approved, you must obtain a business license and pay an 8% lodging tax plus a $1 per night fee.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$1,040

Processing time3-5 months

Max fine$10,000

5 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Short-term rentals are strictly prohibited in almost all standard residential zones like R-1.
2Maximum stay for any guest is capped at 10 consecutive days within a 30-day period.
3Permit is void upon transfer of property ownership.
4A $1.00 flat fee per night is required in addition to the 8% tax percentage.
5Historic district properties built after November 15, 2001, are ineligible for STR use.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility8 rules

Chesapeake: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Chesapeake allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family.
Chesapeake prohibits STRs in the following property types: Multi-family, Apartments.
Chesapeake limits hosts to a maximum of 1 STR properties per owner.

Requirements12 rules

Chesapeake STR warning: Permit is void upon transfer of property ownership.
Chesapeake: Permit is void upon transfer of property ownership.
Chesapeake: A fire inspection may be required before you can operate. Schedule early as this can delay your start date.
Chesapeake STR warning: Maximum stay for any guest is capped at 10 consecutive days within a 30-day period.

Application process8 rules

How to set up an STR in Chesapeake: Operating a short-term rental is prohibited in most of Chesapeake's residential neighborhoods. To host legally, your property must be in an Agricultural or Historic district, and you must undergo a lengthy public approval process with the City Council. Once approved, you must obtain a business license and pay an 8% lodging tax plus a $1 per night fee.

Fees & costs1 rule

Chesapeake charges a registration fee of $1040 (one_time). Extended/additional fee: $50 (CUP fee is a high one-time cost (~$1,040); Business license fee is annual, minimum $50.).

Taxes2 rules

Chesapeake charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 0.08%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO may remit the 8% TOT but hosts must verify and report the $1.00 per night flat fee.
Virginia has a state sales tax of 0.06% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions6 rules

Chesapeake occupancy calculation: Generally 2 per bedroom plus 2. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Chesapeake: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.
Chesapeake: A $1.00 flat fee per night is required in addition to the 8% tax percentage.
Chesapeake limits stays to a maximum of 10 nights.

Safety requirements1 rule

Chesapeake requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Egress window requirements, Off-street parking plan, Guest log maintenance.

Penalties3 rules

Chesapeake: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Chesapeake enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $500 fine. Second offense: $1000 fine. Third offense: $2500 fine. Daily fine: $500. Maximum fine: 10000. Permit may be revoked for violations. Criminal penalties may apply.

Exemptions2 rules

Chesapeake exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.
Chesapeake: 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 Chesapeake

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Zoning Verification

Confirm the property is located within the A-1 Agricultural District or the Historic and Cultural Preservation Overlay District.

1 weekFree

Documents needed

Property address

Official resource

Step 2

Conditional Use Permit (CUP) Application

Submit a formal CUP application to the Planning Department. This includes a review by the Planning Commission and City Council with mandatory public hearings.

3-5 months$1,040

Documents needed

Site plan
Notarized ownership statement
Adjacent owner list

Official resource

Step 3

Obtain City Business License

Once the CUP is approved, apply for a business license from the Commissioner of the Revenue.

1-2 weeks$50

Documents needed

Approved CUP
Identification

Official resource

Step 4

Tax Registration

1 weekFree

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

Chesapeake

Prohibited

VirginiaUpdated Mar 27, 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

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 Council.

Restriction level

Severity 100

Classification

Prohibited

100

Severity

Why this classification

Banned in all/most residential zones
High permit fee: $1040
Limited to 1 property per owner
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$1,040

Processing time3-5 months

Max fine$10,000

5 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Short-term rentals are strictly prohibited in almost all standard residential zones like R-1.
2Maximum stay for any guest is capped at 10 consecutive days within a 30-day period.
3Permit is void upon transfer of property ownership.
4A $1.00 flat fee per night is required in addition to the 8% tax percentage.
5Historic district properties built after November 15, 2001, are ineligible for STR use.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility8 rules

Chesapeake: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Chesapeake allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family.
Chesapeake prohibits STRs in the following property types: Multi-family, Apartments.
Chesapeake limits hosts to a maximum of 1 STR properties per owner.

Requirements12 rules

Chesapeake STR warning: Permit is void upon transfer of property ownership.
Chesapeake: Permit is void upon transfer of property ownership.
Chesapeake: A fire inspection may be required before you can operate. Schedule early as this can delay your start date.
Chesapeake STR warning: Maximum stay for any guest is capped at 10 consecutive days within a 30-day period.

Application process8 rules

How to set up an STR in Chesapeake: Operating a short-term rental is prohibited in most of Chesapeake's residential neighborhoods. To host legally, your property must be in an Agricultural or Historic district, and you must undergo a lengthy public approval process with the City Council. Once approved, you must obtain a business license and pay an 8% lodging tax plus a $1 per night fee.

Fees & costs1 rule

Chesapeake charges a registration fee of $1040 (one_time). Extended/additional fee: $50 (CUP fee is a high one-time cost (~$1,040); Business license fee is annual, minimum $50.).

Taxes2 rules

Chesapeake charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 0.08%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO may remit the 8% TOT but hosts must verify and report the $1.00 per night flat fee.
Virginia has a state sales tax of 0.06% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions6 rules

Chesapeake occupancy calculation: Generally 2 per bedroom plus 2. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Chesapeake: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.
Chesapeake: A $1.00 flat fee per night is required in addition to the 8% tax percentage.
Chesapeake limits stays to a maximum of 10 nights.

Safety requirements1 rule

Chesapeake requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Egress window requirements, Off-street parking plan, Guest log maintenance.

Penalties3 rules

Chesapeake: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Chesapeake enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $500 fine. Second offense: $1000 fine. Third offense: $2500 fine. Daily fine: $500. Maximum fine: 10000. Permit may be revoked for violations. Criminal penalties may apply.

Exemptions2 rules

Chesapeake exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.
Chesapeake: 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 Chesapeake

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Zoning Verification

Confirm the property is located within the A-1 Agricultural District or the Historic and Cultural Preservation Overlay District.

1 weekFree

Documents needed

Property address

Official resource

Step 2

Conditional Use Permit (CUP) Application

Submit a formal CUP application to the Planning Department. This includes a review by the Planning Commission and City Council with mandatory public hearings.

3-5 months$1,040

Documents needed

Site plan
Notarized ownership statement
Adjacent owner list

Official resource

Step 3

Obtain City Business License

Once the CUP is approved, apply for a business license from the Commissioner of the Revenue.

1-2 weeks$50

Documents needed

Approved CUP
Identification

Official resource

Step 4

Tax Registration

1 weekFree

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

Zoning Verification

Conditional Use Permit (CUP) Application

Obtain City Business License

Tax Registration

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Chesapeake?

3Where are short-term rentals allowed in Chesapeake?

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

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

5 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Zoning Verification

Conditional Use Permit (CUP) Application

Obtain City Business License

Tax Registration

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Chesapeake?

3Where are short-term rentals allowed in Chesapeake?

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

Disclaimer