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  1. Home
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  3. Regulations
  4. ·
  5. Virginia
  6. ·
  7. Radford

Radford

Permissive
VirginiaUpdated Apr 15, 2026
Gold-standard verification1% sourced

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

Verified Feb 12, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

Radford regulates short-term rentals (homestays) through mandatory business licensing and a 8.5% transient occupancy tax.

Restriction level

Severity 0
Classification
Permissive
0
Severity

Why this classification

  • Permit required
  • Reporting required
  • Safety standards required
  • No night cap
  • No primary residence requirement
  • Low permit fee

In plain English

What this means for you

To operate a short-term rental in Radford, you must obtain a city business license and register with the Commissioner of the Revenue for lodging taxes. While platforms like Airbnb generally collect and remit the 8.5% tax, hosts are still required to file monthly reports of their gross receipts by the 20th of each month.

At a glance

Key numbers
Permit requiredYes
Night limitNone
Primary residenceNot required
Total tax rate0.1%
Permit fee$31
Processing time1-2 weeks

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps
  1. 1Transient occupancy tax rate increased to 8.5% effective July 1, 2025.
  2. 2A monthly filing is required by the 20th of the following month even if Airbnb remits the taxes.
  3. 3The transient occupancy tax threshold in Radford is 90 days, unlike the common 30-day rule in other VA cities.
  4. 4Specific homestay zoning amendments were under discussion in late 2023; always check with the Planning Department for current residential zone eligibility.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code
Eligibility3 rules
  • Radford: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
  • Radford: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
  • Radford allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Condo, Townhouse, Apartment, Bed and Breakfast.
Requirements9 rules
  • Common mistakes and gotchas for STR hosts in Radford: 1. Transient occupancy tax rate increased to 8.5% effective July 1, 2025. 2. A monthly filing is required by the 20th of the following month even if Airbnb remits the taxes. 3. The transient occupancy tax threshold in Radford is 90 days, unlike the common 30-day rule in other VA cities. 4. Specific homestay zoning amendments were under discussion in late 2023; always check with the Planning Department for current residential zone eligibility.
Application process7 rules
  • Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Radford: Step 1: Register for a Business License - Apply for a city business license through the Commissioner of the Revenue Office. Licenses are based on projected gross receipts for the year. Documents needed: Business License Application, FID or SSN. Estimated time: 1 week. Cost: 30.75. More info: https://www.radfordva.gov/170/Business-Licenses Step 2: Submit Lodging Tax Registration - Complete the Lodging Tax Registration form to set up your account for Transient Occupancy Tax reporting. Documents needed: Lodging Tax Registration Form. Estimated time: 1 week. More info: https://www.radfordva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1155/Lodging-Tax-Registration-Form Step 3: Monthly Reporting - File the Short-Term Vacation Rental Lodging Tax Computation form by the 20th of each month, even if the platform collects the tax for you. Documents needed: Gross Receipt Statement. Estimated time: Monthly requirement. More info: https://www.radfordva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4429/Lodging-Tax-Computation-Effective-July-1-2025
Fees & costs1 rule
  • Radford charges a registration fee of $30.75 (annual).
Taxes5 rules
  • Virginia has a state sales tax of 0.053% that applies to STR rentals.
  • Radford: Transient occupancy tax rate increased to 8.5% effective July 1, 2025.
  • Radford: The transient occupancy tax threshold in Radford is 90 days, unlike the common 30-day rule in other VA cities.
Limits & restrictions2 rules
  • Radford enforces quiet hours: 10pm - 7am.
  • Radford limits stays to a maximum of 89 nights.
Safety requirements1 rule
  • Radford requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher.
Penalties2 rules
  • Radford: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
  • Radford enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: 10% penalty for late tax filing. Second offense: 10% interest per annum on unpaid taxes. Third offense: Business license revocation. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Exemptions2 rules
  • Radford: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
  • Radford exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Radford

0/3
steps completed
Step 1

Register for a Business License

Apply for a city business license through the Commissioner of the Revenue Office. Licenses are based on projected gross receipts for the year.

1 week$30.75
Documents needed
  • Business License Application
  • FID or SSN
Official resource
Step 2

Submit Lodging Tax Registration

Complete the Lodging Tax Registration form to set up your account for Transient Occupancy Tax reporting.

1 weekFree
Documents needed
  • Lodging Tax Registration Form
Official resource
Step 3

Monthly Reporting

File the Short-Term Vacation Rental Lodging Tax Computation form by the 20th of each month, even if the platform collects the tax for you.

Monthly requirementFree
Documents needed
  • Gross Receipt Statement
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

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