GoStudioM - Airbnb & VRBO Hosting Education Platform
CalendarAnalyzerAnalyticsLearnPricing
Guides
Videos
All VideosBest VideosTrending
NewsRulesTopics
GoStudioM - Airbnb & VRBO Hosting Education Platform

Built for hosts, by a host

Listing Analyzer

  • Get Listing Score
  • Title Generator
  • Review Responder
  • Guest Review Writer
  • All Listing Tools →

Cleaning Calendar

  • Try Calendar Free
  • Superhost Calculator
  • Maintenance Planner
  • All Operations Tools →

Financial Analytics

  • See Your Numbers
  • Fee Calculator
  • Special Offer Calculator
  • All Financial Tools →

Learn

  • Videos
  • News
  • Rules
  • Topics
  • Hosting Guides →

Compare

  • Best Cleaning Software
  • Turno Alternative
  • Properly Alternative
  • Hospitable Alternative
  • AirDNA Alternative

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • SMS Consent
  • Contact Us

© 2026 GoStudioM. All rights reserved.

  1. Home
  2. ·
  3. Regulations
  4. ·
  5. Virginia
  6. ·
  7. Herndon

Herndon

Prohibited
VirginiaUpdated Mar 17, 2026
Gold-standard verification1% sourced

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

Verified Feb 9, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

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 limits unhosted rentals to 90 nights annually.

Restriction level

Severity 96
Classification
Prohibited
96
Severity

Why this classification

  • Primary residence required
  • Owner-occupied required
  • Moderate night cap: 90 nights/year
  • Standard permit fee: $200
  • Limited to 1 property per owner
  • Permit required
  • Reporting required
  • Tenants can host

In plain English

What this means for you

To host a short-term rental in Herndon, the property must be your primary home where you live at least seven months out of the year. You must obtain a $200 permit that is valid for two years and register with both the Town and Fairfax County for tax collection. Unhosted rentals (where the owner is not present) are capped at 90 nights per year, and you cannot host more than six adults at a time, including yourself.

At a glance

Key numbers
Permit requiredYes
Night limit90/year
Primary residenceRequired
Total tax rate0.2%
Permit fee$200
Processing time2-4 weeks
Max fine$2,500

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps
  1. 1Hosted rentals (owner present) have no night cap, but unhosted stays are limited to 90 nights total per year.
  2. 2The 6-adult guest limit includes the host/permanent residents living in the home.
  3. 3Short-term rentals are strictly prohibited in Accessory Dwelling Units (basement apartments or separate cottages).
  4. 4Must register and file tax returns monthly with BOTH the Town and Fairfax County.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code
Eligibility8 rules
  • Herndon allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Condo, Townhouse.
  • Herndon: Short-term rentals are strictly prohibited in Accessory Dwelling Units (basement apartments or separate cottages).
  • Herndon requires that the property be the host's primary residence. Primary residence is defined as: Must be host's primary residence at least 7 months per year.
Requirements11 rules
  • Common mistakes and gotchas for STR hosts in Herndon: 1. Hosted rentals (owner present) have no night cap, but unhosted stays are limited to 90 nights total per year. 2. The 6-adult guest limit includes the host/permanent residents living in the home. 3. Short-term rentals are strictly prohibited in Accessory Dwelling Units (basement apartments or separate cottages). 4. Must register and file tax returns monthly with BOTH the Town and Fairfax County.
Application process8 rules
  • Herndon STR permit - Step 5: Obtain Town Business License. Apply for a Business, Professional and Occupational License (BPOL) from the town. Required documents: Zoning permit approval. Time: 1 week.
Fees & costs1 rule
  • Herndon charges a registration fee of $200 (biennial).
Taxes4 rules
  • Fairfax County charges a Fairfax County Transient Occupancy Tax of 0.05%. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax.
  • Virginia has a state sales tax of 0.06% that applies to STR rentals.
  • Herndon: Must register and file tax returns monthly with BOTH the Town and Fairfax County.
Limits & restrictions8 rules
  • Herndon limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
  • Herndon: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.
  • Herndon: Hosted rentals (owner present) have no night cap, but unhosted stays are limited to 90 nights total per year.
  • Herndon: The 6-adult guest limit includes the host/permanent residents living in the home.
Safety requirements1 rule
  • Herndon requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Interconnected smoke detectors, Exit plans posted in each sleeping room, Minimum of 2 designated parking spaces for single-family residences, Minimum of 1 designated parking space for condo/townhouse.
Penalties3 rules
  • Herndon enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $500 fine. Second offense: Potential permit revocation. Maximum fine: 2500. Permit may be revoked for violations. Criminal penalties may apply.
  • Herndon: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Exemptions3 rules
  • Herndon: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
  • Herndon exempts the following from STR regulations: hosted rentals (where host is present), long-term rentals (30+ days), Hotels, Motels, Authorized Bed and Breakfasts.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Herndon

0/5
steps completed
Step 1

Verify Primary Residency

Ensure you live in the property at least 7 months of the year and have proof of residency.

1 dayFree
Documents needed
  • Driver's License
  • Voter Registration
Official resource
Step 2

Apply for STR Zoning Permit

Submit the Short-Term Rental Application to the Town of Herndon Department of Community Development.

2-4 weeks$200
Documents needed
  • Floor plan
  • Parking site plan
  • Owner authorization (if tenant)
Official resource
Step 3

Register for Transient Occupancy Tax

Register with both the Town of Herndon Finance Department and the Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration.

1-2 weeksFree
Official resource
Step 4

Notify HOA or COA

Provide written notice of your intent to operate a short-term rental to your Homeowners or Condominium Association.

1 dayFree
Documents needed
  • Copy of notification letter
Step 5

Obtain Town Business License

Apply for a Business, Professional and Occupational License (BPOL) from the town.

1 weekFree
Documents needed
  • Zoning permit approval
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

Related Content

Other Virginia markets
ArlingtonStrict

Short-term rentals in Arlington, known as 'Accessory Homestays,' are permitted for primary...

· Permit· 0.1% tax
HarrisonburgModerate

Harrisonburg requires a business license, zoning approval (sometimes requiring a Special Use...

· Permit· 0.1% tax
Cape CharlesModerate

Cape Charles requires all short-term rental operators to obtain both a town business license and a...

· Permit· 0.1% tax
RichmondStrict

The City of Richmond requires all short-term rental operators to reside in the property for at...

· Permit· 0.1% tax