What should Leesburg hosts know about maximum of 6 guests allowed?

Maximum of 6 guests allowed regardless of house size.

What should Leesburg hosts know about no more than one short-term?

No more than one short-term rental unit permitted per lot/parcel.

What are the key requirements for Leesburg hosts?

On-street parking cannot be used to meet the minimum one-space off-street parking requirement.

What are the key requirements for Leesburg hosts?

Significant ordinance changes (including potential residency requirements and night caps) are pending for 2026.

Leesburg

Moderate

VirginiaUpdated Apr 2, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

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

Verified Feb 10, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

Leesburg requires a Homestay Home Occupation Permit and a Town Business License for all short-term rentals, with a maximum occupancy of six guests.

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

To host a short-term rental in Leesburg, you must obtain a Homestay Home Occupation Permit ($50) and a Town Business License. Properties are limited to one rental unit per parcel and a maximum of six guests at any time. While there is currently no residency requirement, a major ordinance update is in progress for 2026 that may introduce annual night caps and residency rules.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$50

Processing time2-4 weeks

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Maximum of 6 guests allowed regardless of house size.
2No more than one short-term rental unit permitted per lot/parcel.
3On-street parking cannot be used to meet the minimum one-space off-street parking requirement.
4Significant ordinance changes (including potential residency requirements and night caps) are pending for 2026.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility6 rules

Leesburg does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Leesburg: On-street parking cannot be used to meet the minimum one-space off-street parking requirement.
Leesburg allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Townhouse, Condo, Accessory Structure, Basement Apartment.

Requirements12 rules

Leesburg STR warning: Significant ordinance changes (including potential residency requirements and night caps) are pending for 2026.
Leesburg: A fire inspection may be required before you can operate. Schedule early as this can delay your start date.
Leesburg: Tenants CAN host STRs but must get written landlord approval first. Keep documentation.

Application process8 rules

Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Leesburg: Step 1: Apply for Homestay Home Occupation Permit - Submit an application via the Town's eTRAKiT portal including a sketch plan and property owner consent. Documents needed: Property Owner Consent Form, Sketch Plan, Floor Plan. Estimated time: 1-2 weeks. Cost: 50. More info: https://www.leesburgva.gov/departments/community-development/zoning/homestay-rentals Step 2: Schedule and Pass Pre-Inspection - The Zoning Division will contact the applicant to schedule a safety inspection of the dwelling. Estimated time: 1 week. Step 3: Obtain Town Business License - Register with the Finance Department to obtain a Business, Professional and Occupational License (BPOL). Documents needed: Approved Homestay Permit. Estimated time: 1 week. More info: https://www.leesburgva.gov/departments/finance-administrative-services/business-taxes/business-licenses-bpol Step 4: Register for Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) - Set up a TOT account for monthly filing and remittance of the 9% lodging tax. Estimated time: Immediate. More info: https://www.leesburgva.gov/departments/finance-administrative-services/business-taxes/consumer-taxes

Fees & costs1 rule

Leesburg charges a registration fee of $50 (one_time).

Taxes2 rules

Virginia has a state sales tax of 0.06% that applies to STR rentals.
Leesburg charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 0.09%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Major platforms collect and remit, but hosts must still file monthly zero-tax reports if platforms cover 100%.

Limits & restrictions6 rules

Leesburg: Maximum of 6 guests allowed regardless of house size.
Leesburg enforces quiet hours: 11pm-7am (General Noise Ordinance).
Leesburg: Significant ordinance changes (including potential residency requirements and night caps) are pending for 2026.
Leesburg occupancy calculation: Maximum of 6 lodgers per night total per dwelling unit.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety requirements1 rule

Leesburg requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Egress plan required on floor plan, Pre-inspection by Zoning Division required.

Penalties2 rules

Leesburg enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Civil penalty per Section 17.2.2.b. Second offense: Immediate termination of use. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Leesburg: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions2 rules

Leesburg exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Hotels, Motels, Bed and Breakfasts.
Leesburg: 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 Leesburg

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Apply for Homestay Home Occupation Permit

Submit an application via the Town's eTRAKiT portal including a sketch plan and property owner consent.

1-2 weeks$50

Documents needed

Property Owner Consent Form
Sketch Plan
Floor Plan

Official resource

Step 2

Schedule and Pass Pre-Inspection

The Zoning Division will contact the applicant to schedule a safety inspection of the dwelling.

1 weekFree

Step 3

Obtain Town Business License

1 weekFree

Documents needed

Approved Homestay Permit

Official resource

Step 4

Register for Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT)

Set up a TOT account for monthly filing and remittance of the 9% lodging tax.

ImmediateFree

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

Leesburg

Moderate

VirginiaUpdated Apr 2, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

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

Verified Feb 10, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

Leesburg requires a Homestay Home Occupation Permit and a Town Business License for all short-term rentals, with a maximum occupancy of six guests.

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 rate0.1%

Permit fee$50

Processing time2-4 weeks

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Maximum of 6 guests allowed regardless of house size.
2No more than one short-term rental unit permitted per lot/parcel.
3On-street parking cannot be used to meet the minimum one-space off-street parking requirement.
4Significant ordinance changes (including potential residency requirements and night caps) are pending for 2026.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility6 rules

Leesburg does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Leesburg: On-street parking cannot be used to meet the minimum one-space off-street parking requirement.
Leesburg allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Townhouse, Condo, Accessory Structure, Basement Apartment.

Requirements12 rules

Leesburg STR warning: Significant ordinance changes (including potential residency requirements and night caps) are pending for 2026.
Leesburg: A fire inspection may be required before you can operate. Schedule early as this can delay your start date.
Leesburg: Tenants CAN host STRs but must get written landlord approval first. Keep documentation.

Application process8 rules

Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Leesburg: Step 1: Apply for Homestay Home Occupation Permit - Submit an application via the Town's eTRAKiT portal including a sketch plan and property owner consent. Documents needed: Property Owner Consent Form, Sketch Plan, Floor Plan. Estimated time: 1-2 weeks. Cost: 50. More info: https://www.leesburgva.gov/departments/community-development/zoning/homestay-rentals Step 2: Schedule and Pass Pre-Inspection - The Zoning Division will contact the applicant to schedule a safety inspection of the dwelling. Estimated time: 1 week. Step 3: Obtain Town Business License - Register with the Finance Department to obtain a Business, Professional and Occupational License (BPOL). Documents needed: Approved Homestay Permit. Estimated time: 1 week. More info: https://www.leesburgva.gov/departments/finance-administrative-services/business-taxes/business-licenses-bpol Step 4: Register for Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) - Set up a TOT account for monthly filing and remittance of the 9% lodging tax. Estimated time: Immediate. More info: https://www.leesburgva.gov/departments/finance-administrative-services/business-taxes/consumer-taxes

Fees & costs1 rule

Leesburg charges a registration fee of $50 (one_time).

Taxes2 rules

Virginia has a state sales tax of 0.06% that applies to STR rentals.
Leesburg charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 0.09%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Major platforms collect and remit, but hosts must still file monthly zero-tax reports if platforms cover 100%.

Limits & restrictions6 rules

Leesburg: Maximum of 6 guests allowed regardless of house size.
Leesburg enforces quiet hours: 11pm-7am (General Noise Ordinance).
Leesburg: Significant ordinance changes (including potential residency requirements and night caps) are pending for 2026.
Leesburg occupancy calculation: Maximum of 6 lodgers per night total per dwelling unit.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety requirements1 rule

Leesburg requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Egress plan required on floor plan, Pre-inspection by Zoning Division required.

Penalties2 rules

Leesburg enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Civil penalty per Section 17.2.2.b. Second offense: Immediate termination of use. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Leesburg: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions2 rules

Leesburg exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Hotels, Motels, Bed and Breakfasts.
Leesburg: 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 Leesburg

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Apply for Homestay Home Occupation Permit

Submit an application via the Town's eTRAKiT portal including a sketch plan and property owner consent.

1-2 weeks$50

Documents needed

Property Owner Consent Form
Sketch Plan
Floor Plan

Official resource

Step 2

Schedule and Pass Pre-Inspection

The Zoning Division will contact the applicant to schedule a safety inspection of the dwelling.

1 weekFree

Step 3

Obtain Town Business License

1 weekFree

Documents needed

Approved Homestay Permit

Official resource

Step 4

Register for Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT)

Set up a TOT account for monthly filing and remittance of the 9% lodging tax.

ImmediateFree

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

Apply for Homestay Home Occupation Permit

Schedule and Pass Pre-Inspection

Obtain Town Business License

Register for Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT)

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Leesburg?

3Are there rental night limits in Leesburg?

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

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

4 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Apply for Homestay Home Occupation Permit

Schedule and Pass Pre-Inspection

Obtain Town Business License

Register for Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT)

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Leesburg?

3Are there rental night limits in Leesburg?

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

Disclaimer