What is the TOT tax rate in Berkeley Springs?

**12% TOT** is the total tax rate applicable to short-term rentals in Berkeley Springs. This is comprised of a 6% West Virginia state sales tax and a 6% Morgan County hotel tax. You need to ensure that you are collecting and remitting this tax on all stays less than 30 days.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Berkeley Springs?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are generally allowed in Berkeley Springs, as the Town of Bath does not have a dedicated short-term rental ordinance prohibiting them. You need to ensure you obtain the required business licenses and collect all applicable taxes. Always follow general noise and safety rules while operating.

What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Berkeley Springs?

**Enforcement** would likely involve standard business license violations and tax evasion penalties. You need to ensure compliance with state and county tax requirements, as well as obtaining the necessary business licenses. Contact the Town Hall to ensure full compliance and avoid any potential penalties or legal issues.

Berkeley Springs

Permissive

West VirginiaUpdated Feb 10, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

The Town of Bath (Berkeley Springs) does not have a dedicated short-term rental ordinance. Hosts are required to obtain a standard Town Business License and a West Virginia State Business Registration. Stays of less than 30 days are subject to a total tax rate of 12% (6% state sales tax and 6% county hotel tax).

Restriction level

Severity 3

Classification

Permissive

Severity

Why this classification

Reporting required
No STR-specific permit required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

To host an Airbnb in Berkeley Springs (Town of Bath), you don't need a special 'STR permit,' but you do need to treat it like a small business. First, get your state business registration and then a local business license from the Town Hall. You must ensure that the 6% county hotel tax and 6% state sales tax are being paid on every booking. While the town is laid back, you must still follow general noise and safety rules.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredNo

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$15

Processing time1-2 weeks

6 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Berkeley Springs is officially incorporated as the 'Town of Bath'; ensure you search for Bath ordinances for local rules.
2The 6% Hotel Occupancy Tax is administered by Morgan County, not the town.
3West Virginia requires a separate State Business Registration Certificate before you can apply for a local license.
4Zoning is permissive; while STRs aren't specifically named, 'Tourist Homes' are historically permitted in many residential/commercial mixed areas.
5If your property is outside the Town of Bath limits, you only follow Morgan County rules (which also lack a dedicated STR ordinance but require the hotel tax).
6Short-term rentals are defined as stays under 30 consecutive days for tax purposes.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility4 rules

Berkeley Springs: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Berkeley Springs does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Berkeley Springs: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements16 rules

Berkeley Springs STR warning: You MUST have a WV State Business Registration Certificate before applying locally.
Berkeley Springs STR warning: An annual fee of $200 is required for the STR-specific business license as of July 2024.
Berkeley Springs STR warning: Berkeley Springs is legally the 'Town of Bath'; look for Bath ordinances, not Berkeley Springs.

Application process7 rules

Berkeley Springs: To apply for an STR permit, you'll need: West Virginia State Business Registration Certificate, Town of Bath Business License Application, Proof of Liability Insurance, Emergency Contact Information.

Fees & costs2 rules

Berkeley Springs charges a registration fee of $200 (annual).
Berkeley Springs: An annual fee of $200 is required for the STR-specific business license as of July 2024.

Taxes2 rules

West Virginia has a state sales tax of 6% that applies to STR rentals.
Berkeley Springs charges a Hotel Occupancy Tax of 6%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO collect 6% State Sales Tax and 6% Local Hotel Occupancy Tax in West Virginia.

Limits & restrictions4 rules

Berkeley Springs enforces quiet hours: Subject to general town noise ordinances.
Berkeley Springs limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Berkeley Springs: Occupancy is strictly limited by the design capacity of your structure to prevent overcrowding.

Safety requirements1 rule

Berkeley Springs requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Must meet minimum health and safety standards for unsafe or unsanitary conditions.

Penalties2 rules

Berkeley Springs enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Varies by enforcement action. Second offense: Varies. Third offense: Varies. Daily fine: Fines may apply per day of non-compliance. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Berkeley Springs: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions3 rules

Berkeley Springs exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.
Berkeley Springs: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Berkeley Springs: Rentals for 30 or more consecutive days are exempt from the lodging tax and STR ordinance.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Berkeley Springs

0/3

steps completed

Step 1

State Business Registration

Obtain a West Virginia State Business Registration Certificate from the State Tax Department.

1-3 days$30

Official resource

Step 2

Town Business License

Apply for a Town of Bath Municipal Business License at the Town Hall (271 Wilkes St).

1 week$15

Documents needed

State Business Certificate

Official resource

Step 3

Hotel Occupancy Tax Account

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

Berkeley Springs

Permissive

West VirginiaUpdated Feb 10, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

Restriction level

Severity 3

Classification

Permissive

Severity

Why this classification

Reporting required
No STR-specific permit required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredNo

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$15

Processing time1-2 weeks

6 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Berkeley Springs is officially incorporated as the 'Town of Bath'; ensure you search for Bath ordinances for local rules.
2The 6% Hotel Occupancy Tax is administered by Morgan County, not the town.
3West Virginia requires a separate State Business Registration Certificate before you can apply for a local license.
4Zoning is permissive; while STRs aren't specifically named, 'Tourist Homes' are historically permitted in many residential/commercial mixed areas.
5If your property is outside the Town of Bath limits, you only follow Morgan County rules (which also lack a dedicated STR ordinance but require the hotel tax).
6Short-term rentals are defined as stays under 30 consecutive days for tax purposes.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility4 rules

Berkeley Springs: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Berkeley Springs does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Berkeley Springs: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements16 rules

Berkeley Springs STR warning: You MUST have a WV State Business Registration Certificate before applying locally.
Berkeley Springs STR warning: An annual fee of $200 is required for the STR-specific business license as of July 2024.
Berkeley Springs STR warning: Berkeley Springs is legally the 'Town of Bath'; look for Bath ordinances, not Berkeley Springs.

Application process7 rules

Berkeley Springs: To apply for an STR permit, you'll need: West Virginia State Business Registration Certificate, Town of Bath Business License Application, Proof of Liability Insurance, Emergency Contact Information.

Fees & costs2 rules

Berkeley Springs charges a registration fee of $200 (annual).
Berkeley Springs: An annual fee of $200 is required for the STR-specific business license as of July 2024.

Taxes2 rules

West Virginia has a state sales tax of 6% that applies to STR rentals.
Berkeley Springs charges a Hotel Occupancy Tax of 6%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO collect 6% State Sales Tax and 6% Local Hotel Occupancy Tax in West Virginia.

Limits & restrictions4 rules

Berkeley Springs enforces quiet hours: Subject to general town noise ordinances.
Berkeley Springs limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Berkeley Springs: Occupancy is strictly limited by the design capacity of your structure to prevent overcrowding.

Safety requirements1 rule

Berkeley Springs requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Must meet minimum health and safety standards for unsafe or unsanitary conditions.

Penalties2 rules

Berkeley Springs enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Varies by enforcement action. Second offense: Varies. Third offense: Varies. Daily fine: Fines may apply per day of non-compliance. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Berkeley Springs: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions3 rules

Berkeley Springs exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.
Berkeley Springs: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Berkeley Springs: Rentals for 30 or more consecutive days are exempt from the lodging tax and STR ordinance.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Berkeley Springs

0/3

steps completed

Step 1

State Business Registration

Obtain a West Virginia State Business Registration Certificate from the State Tax Department.

1-3 days$30

Official resource

Step 2

Town Business License

Apply for a Town of Bath Municipal Business License at the Town Hall (271 Wilkes St).

1 week$15

Documents needed

State Business Certificate

Official resource

Step 3

Hotel Occupancy Tax Account

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

6 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

State Business Registration

Town Business License

Hotel Occupancy Tax Account

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Berkeley Springs?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Berkeley Springs?

4What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Berkeley Springs?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

6 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

State Business Registration

Town Business License

Hotel Occupancy Tax Account

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Berkeley Springs?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Berkeley Springs?

4What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Berkeley Springs?

Disclaimer