State Airbnb laws2026 27 sources cited

Virginia Short-Term Rental Laws & Hotel Tax (2026)

Airbnb is legal in Virginia with no state permit; cities and counties may require a registry, zoning permit or business license, and stays carry 5.3% to 7% sales tax plus a local lodging tax.1,9,13,17,19,21,25

Source: AirROI Reviewed by , Founder @ AirROI Rules checked

From 26 official sources and 1 Airbnb help page. Not legal advice.

The short answer

Virginia Airbnb Laws in Brief

  • No state permit: each city or county sets its own registration, zoning and fees, for example $500 a year in Virginia Beach, $600 every two years in Richmond and $100 or $350 a year in Alexandria.
  • State law bars requiring a special use permit for a host's own primary residence and caps a registry penalty at $500 per violation.
  • Airbnb collects sales tax of 5.3% to 7% plus the local lodging tax (6.5% to 9.5% in the largest markets); some cities add a flat per-night fee.
  • Richmond, Charlottesville and Arlington favor the host's own home, and the City of Williamsburg caps rentals at 104 nights a year.

At a glance

Virginia Short-Term Rental Laws at a Glance

State license required
Yes
Latest rule change
Oct 13, 2026

The laws in brief

The rules a Virginia host meets first, each linked to the ordinance, statute or official page it comes from. Details and exceptions follow below.

Virginia Short-Term Rental Laws at a Glance
TopicRule
PermitLocalities may require an annual registry1
Who can hostTenants may host with the owner's permission1
WhereNo special use permit for a host's primary residence1,5
Building rulesCondo and HOA rules still apply1
Night capRichmond: no limit on nights13
GuestsNorfolk: two guests per bedroom17
PlatformsPlatforms collect the sales tax on the full booking6,8
SafetyRichmond: smoke and CO detectors and a fire extinguisher13
InsuranceVirginia Beach: $1 million liability insurance9
NeighborsAlexandria: reachable 24 hours a day19

Your home

Can You Host an Airbnb in Virginia? It Depends on the Home

Whether you can host in Virginia turns on whose home it is and whether you live there.

Your own home, rented whole while you're away

Allowed with conditions

Allowed with a local permit in Richmond, Alexandria, Norfolk and Charlottesville, where the home is the host's primary residence; the City of Williamsburg requires the owner to be present during every rental.13,17,19,21,23

A room in your home with you present

Allowed with conditions

The easiest form of hosting. Virginia Beach home sharing needs only the Commissioner of the Revenue registration and no zoning permit, and Williamsburg allows one room with a special exception; other cities require their usual permit.9,23

A second home or investment property you don't live in

Allowed with conditions

Depends on the city. Alexandria issues a $350 owner-unoccupied permit and Norfolk permits vacation rentals in set zones, but Richmond residential zones, Charlottesville and Arlington require the host to live there, and Virginia Beach allows it only in grandfathered homes, Sandbridge and the oceanfront overlay.9,13,16,17,19,21

A rented home or apartment (tenant hosting)

Allowed with conditions

State law lets a tenant host with the owner's permission and bars a locality from prohibiting it solely because the operator is a lessee; a locality may limit a tenant to one short-term rental.1

A condominium or HOA community

Allowed with conditions

The association's declaration can still ban short stays even where the city allows them, and Norfolk requires written condo association permission for a homestay permit.1,17

Permit

Do You Need a License for Airbnb in Virginia?

Yes. Virginia hosts need the Local short-term rental registration from the City or county planning and zoning department and Commissioner of the Revenue; the state issues no short-term rental permit. It costs $500.1,9,13,17,19,21,25

Who needs it
Hosts in localities that adopt a registry or permit, for example Virginia Beach, Richmond, Alexandria, Norfolk, Arlington, Charlottesville and Lynchburg.1,9,13,17,19,21,25
Issued by
City or county planning and zoning department and Commissioner of the Revenue; the state issues no short-term rental permit
Valid for
Virginia Beach permits last one year, Richmond permits two years, Norfolk administrative permits two years, Arlington permits one year, and Charlottesville homestay permits run through December 31 of the year issued.
Processing
Norfolk allows 5 to 10 business days for an administrative permit and about 3 to 6 months for a conditional use permit; other localities publish no standard time.
On listings
The number must appear on every listing
Platform checks
No statewide platform check: state law requires platforms to collect and remit taxes, and Richmond requires the permit approval number on all advertisements.

Fees

Fees
FeeAmount
Virginia Beach short-term rental zoning permitAnnual zoning permit for each short-term rental address.$500
Richmond short-term rental permitBiennial permit fee; each permit is active for two years.$600
Alexandria permit, owner-occupiedNon-refundable annual fee for an owner-occupied rental.$100
Alexandria permit, owner-unoccupiedNon-refundable annual fee when the owner does not live in the home.$350
Charlottesville homestay permitAnnual application and payment for the homestay Accessory Use Permit.$100
Lynchburg short-term rental registrationPaid after the application is approved.$150
Norfolk first conditional use permitNeeded only for homes that do not qualify for the administrative permit; later permits cost $355.$1,080

Who qualifies

  • Virginia Beach: whole-home rentals only in grandfathered homes, the Sandbridge district and the oceanfront overlay (conditional use permit for new rentals there); a homeowner renting rooms while living in the home needs only the registration
  • Richmond: in residential zones the operator must be the owner, the rental must be on the lot of the operator's primary residence, and only one rental is allowed per lot
  • Alexandria: a permit for any property used as a short-term rental more than 10 days a year, whether or not the owner lives there
  • Norfolk: an administrative permit for most homes with fewer than four bedrooms in set zones; a conditional use permit for four or more bedrooms or too little parking
  • Charlottesville and Arlington: the host must live in the home at least 185 days a year

How to apply

  1. Check the address's zoning and any condominium or HOA rules with the city or county planning and zoning office.
  2. Apply through the locality's online permit portal with proof of residency, insurance and safety documents where required.
  3. Register with the Commissioner of the Revenue for a business license and lodging tax account where the locality requires them (Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Arlington, Charlottesville).
  4. Show the permit number on listings where required (Richmond) and file lodging tax returns by the 20th of each month.

Permit rules

Localities may require an annual registry
Any city or county may adopt an ordinance creating a short-term rental registry and requiring operators to register each year. Registration is a ministerial step: the operator's name, each property address and, for tenants, the owner's permission.1
Registry fee must be reasonable
A locality may charge only a reasonable registration fee related to the actual cost of setting up and running the registry.1
Registry does not cover licensed professionals
A registry ordinance cannot require registration from operators licensed by the Real Estate Board, owners represented by a real estate licensee, or those already licensed or registered as hotels, campgrounds, bed and breakfasts or with the health department.1
Platforms collect the sales tax on the full booking
When a stay is booked through a platform such as Airbnb, the platform collects Virginia sales tax on the total charge, including its own fees, and reports it to Virginia Tax.6,8 In force since October 1, 2022
Platforms collect the local lodging tax
A platform that facilitates a booking must collect the local transient occupancy tax on the room charge and pay it to the locality, and must send each locality the addresses and gross receipts of its listings every month.2,8 In force since October 1, 2022
Virginia Beach: annual zoning permit
Virginia Beach requires a zoning permit for each short-term rental address, renewed every year for $500, in addition to registering with the Commissioner of the Revenue.9,11 Applies to: Virginia Beach
Richmond: $600 permit every two years
A Richmond short-term rental permit costs $600, covers two years from the date of issue, and its approval number must appear on every advertisement.13 Applies to: Richmond
Alexandria: permit for rentals over 10 days a year
Alexandria requires a Short-Term Residential Rental Permit for any property used as a rental more than 10 days a year, at $100 a year if the owner lives there and $350 if not; the program replaced the earlier registration.19 Applies to: Alexandria · In force since September 1, 2025
Norfolk: zoning permit and business license
Every short-term rental in Norfolk needs a zoning permit and a business license; most homes with fewer than four bedrooms in set zones qualify for an administrative permit valid for two years.17 Applies to: Norfolk

Who can host

What Virginia Cities and Counties Can and Can't Regulate

No special use permit for a host's primary residence
A local ordinance adopted after December 31, 2023 cannot require a special exception, special use permit or conditional use permit for a home the owner also lives in as a primary residence.1,5
Local zoning authority remains
Apart from the registry limits, cities and counties keep their power to regulate short-term rentals through general land use and zoning rules, so allowed zones and conditions differ by locality.1
Tenants may host with the owner's permission
A local ordinance cannot ban a tenant from hosting just because the operator is a lessee, if the owner has given permission; a locality may limit a tenant to one short-term rental within its borders.1
Condo and HOA rules still apply
State law leaves recorded covenants, condominium instruments and association declarations in force, so a condominium or HOA can restrict short stays that the city allows.1
Virginia Beach: limited areas for whole-home rentals
Whole-home rentals are allowed in grandfathered properties registered before July 1, 2018, in the Sandbridge Special Service District, and in the Oceanfront Resort overlay, where new rentals need a conditional use permit.9 Applies to: Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach: home sharing needs no zoning permit
A homeowner who rents rooms while living in the home as a principal residence needs no zoning permit and registers only with the Commissioner of the Revenue.9 Applies to: Virginia Beach
Richmond: primary residence in residential zones
In Richmond's residential zoning districts the operator must be the owner and the rental must be on the lot of the operator's primary residence, with only one rental per lot.13 Applies to: Richmond
Charlottesville: owner lives in the home 185 days
A Charlottesville homestay requires the owner to occupy the property as a permanent residence at least 185 days each calendar year; the permit costs $100 a year.21 Applies to: Charlottesville
Williamsburg: owner present, one room
Rentals in the City of Williamsburg are limited to owner-occupied single-family detached homes, the owner must be on the property during every rental, and a special exception from the Board of Zoning Appeals is required.23 Applies to: Williamsburg

Local rules

Local Rules in Virginia's 8 Largest Airbnb Markets

A state license doesn't replace local rules. Cities and counties still set registration, occupancy, parking and safety requirements. These are Virginia's largest markets by active Airbnb listings, with the share of each market's listings that display a registration or license number.

  1. 1. Virginia Beach

    Virginia Beach (independent city) County

    Virginia Beach requires every short-term rental to register annually with the Commissioner of the Revenue and to hold a $500 annual zoning permit, with life safety and structural inspection reports, off-street parking and $1 million liability insurance. Whole-home rentals are limited to grandfathered homes, the Sandbridge district and the oceanfront overlay; a homeowner renting rooms while living in the home needs only the registration. Lodging tax is 9% plus $2 a night, on top of 6% sales tax.9,10,11,12

    • Annual registration with the Commissioner of the Revenue and monthly tax returns
    • Zoning permit $500 a year; life safety and structural safety inspection reports
    • One off-street parking space per bedroom; $1 million liability insurance
    • Lodging tax 9% plus $2 a night (10.5% in Sandbridge), plus 6% sales tax

  2. 2. Williamsburg

    Williamsburg (independent city, between James City and York counties) County

    The City of Williamsburg allows short-term rentals only in owner-occupied single-family detached homes, with the owner present during every rental and a special exception from the Board of Zoning Appeals. Only one room may be rented, for no more than 104 nights a year. Lodging tax is 7% plus $2 per room-night, on top of 7% sales tax; the surrounding counties regulate their own territory.23,24

    • Special exception from the Board of Zoning Appeals
    • Owner-occupied single-family detached home; owner present during every rental
    • One room only; no more than two visitors per room
    • No more than 104 nights per calendar year

  3. 3. Richmond

    Richmond (independent city) County

    Richmond permits short-term rentals with a permit that costs $600 for two years. In residential zones the operator must be the owner and the rental must be on the lot of the operator's primary residence, with one rental per lot, and there is no limit on nights. Lodging tax is 8% on top of 6% sales tax.13,14

    • Permit $600, valid two years; approval number on every advertisement
    • Residential zones: owner's primary residence, one rental per lot
    • No limit on nights; up to eight adult renters
    • Smoke and CO detectors and a fire extinguisher

  4. 4. Arlington

    Arlington County

    Arlington County requires an accessory homestay permit from the County Zoning Department for hosting in the applicant's primary residence, meaning the home where the applicant lives at least 185 days a year, plus a county business license. Permits expire one year after issue and occupancy is capped at 6 lodgers or 2 per bedroom, whichever is greater. Lodging tax is 8.25%, collected by platforms, on top of 6% sales tax.15,16

    • Accessory homestay permit; permit expires one year after issue
    • Applicant lives in the home at least 185 days a year
    • County business license and lodging tax account with the Commissioner of Revenue
    • Maximum 6 lodgers or 2 per bedroom, whichever is greater

  5. 5. Norfolk

    Norfolk (independent city) County

    Norfolk requires a zoning permit and a business license for every short-term rental. Homes with fewer than four bedrooms in set zones qualify for an administrative permit valid for two years, while larger homes, homes without enough parking and some zones need a conditional use permit from City Council. Lodging tax is 9% plus $3 per bedroom per night for vacation and homestay rentals, a room tax rate that Ordinance 50139 changed for January 2026.17,18

    • Zoning permit and business license for every rental
    • Administrative permit valid two years; conditional use permit for four or more bedrooms ($1,080 first)
    • Two guests per bedroom; liability insurance of $300,000 (administrative) or $1,000,000 (conditional use)
    • Lodging tax 9% plus $3 per bedroom per night for vacation and homestay rentals

  6. 6. Alexandria

    Alexandria (independent city) County

    Alexandria requires a Short-Term Residential Rental Permit for any property rented more than 10 days a year, under an ordinance adopted March 15, 2025 and effective September 1, 2025. The annual fee is $100 for owner-occupied and $350 for owner-unoccupied rentals, and the operator or a local agent must be reachable 24 hours a day. Lodging tax is 9.5% (6.5% city plus 3% regional) plus $1.25 per room per night, on top of 6% sales tax.19,20

    • Permit for rentals over 10 days a year; $100 owner-occupied, $350 owner-unoccupied, annual
    • Without a permit: $200 citation, then $500 every 10 days
    • Operator or local agent reachable by phone 24 hours a day
    • Lodging tax 9.5% plus $1.25 per room per night

  7. 7. Charlottesville

    Charlottesville (independent city) County

    Charlottesville allows homestays in residential zoning districts under an annual Accessory Use Permit ($100) for owners who live in the home at least 185 days a year, with up to six adult overnight guests per lot. Permits run through December 31, and three substantiated complaints in a year can lead to revocation. Lodging tax is 9% on top of 5.3% sales tax.21,22

    • Owner lives in the property at least 185 days a year
    • Homestay permit $100 a year, valid through December 31
    • Up to six adult overnight guests per lot; no exterior signs
    • Permit revoked after three substantiated complaints in a calendar year

  8. 8. Lynchburg

    Lynchburg (independent city) County

    Lynchburg requires each short-term rental to register with the city for $150, paid after the application is approved, and a failure to register can bring a $500 civil penalty. No more than four unrelated people may stay in a rental. Lodging tax is 6.5% plus $1 per room per night, on top of 5.3% sales tax, and platforms usually remit it.25,26

    • Registration $150 after the application is approved
    • Civil penalty of $500 for failing to register
    • No more than four unrelated people per rental
    • Lodging tax 6.5% plus $1 per room per night

Taxes

Virginia Short-Term Rental Taxes

About 14% on the nightly price, cleaning fee and guest fee in many large markets (14% in Richmond, 15.5% in Alexandria), made up of 5.3% to 7% sales tax and a 6.5% to 9.5% local lodging tax, plus flat per-night fees in some cities.

Virginia Short-Term Rental Taxes
TaxRateCollected by
Virginia retail sales and use tax (state and local) 5.3% statewide (4.3% state, 1% local); 6% in Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads and Central Virginia (including Richmond); 7% in Williamsburg, James City County and York County5.3%6,7,27Airbnb
Local transient occupancy (lodging) tax Set by each city and county: 6.5% in Lynchburg, 7% in Williamsburg, 8% in Richmond, 8.25% in Arlington, 9% in Virginia Beach, Norfolk and Charlottesville, and 9.5% in Alexandria—2,3,10,14,15,18,20,22,24,26,27Airbnb
Northern Virginia regional transient occupancy tax 3% of the room charge in Northern Virginia localities; it is already included in Arlington's 8.25% and Alexandria's 9.5%3%4,15,20Airbnb
Flat per-night lodging charges Some cities add a flat charge: $2 a night in Virginia Beach, $2 per room-night in Williamsburg, $1.25 per room per night in Alexandria, $1 per room per night in Lynchburg and $3 per bedroom per night for vacation and homestay rentals in Norfolk—10,18,20,24,26,27Airbnb

What the host still handles

  • A business license and lodging tax account with the Commissioner of the Revenue where the locality requires one (Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Arlington)
  • Monthly lodging tax returns, due by the 20th, even in months without bookings (Virginia Beach, Richmond, Williamsburg)
  • A Virginia sales tax account with Virginia Tax for bookings made directly with guests rather than through a platform2,4,6,7,8,27

Operating rules

Operating Rules for Virginia Short-Term Rentals

Virginia Beach: $1 million liability insurance
A short-term rental permit application needs proof of liability insurance of at least $1 million that lists the rental address, from an insurer the city accepts.9 Applies to: Virginia Beach
Richmond: no limit on nights
Richmond does not cap the number of nights a short-term rental can operate.13 Applies to: Richmond
Richmond: smoke and CO detectors and a fire extinguisher
Richmond rentals must have smoke detectors, an accessible fire extinguisher at all times, and carbon monoxide detectors in rooms used for sleeping or cooking.13 Applies to: Richmond
Alexandria: reachable 24 hours a day
The Alexandria operator or a local agent must be reachable by telephone at all hours, every day.19 Applies to: Alexandria · In force since September 1, 2025
Norfolk: two guests per bedroom
Norfolk limits a rental to two guests for each bedroom offered, and online listings must match the bedrooms and guests on the zoning permit.17 Applies to: Norfolk
Williamsburg: 104 nights a year
The City of Williamsburg limits a short-term rental to 104 nights per calendar year, with no other rentals allowed on the property.23 Applies to: Williamsburg

Fines

How to Avoid Airbnb Fines in Virginia

Fines in Virginia fall on hosting without the Local short-term rental registration, or outside the rules above. With it in hand and the rules followed, none of the fines below apply.

  • Richmond: a zoning violation, including operating a short-term rental outside the rules, is a Class I misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $2,500 and up to a year in jail.13
  • State cap: a registry ordinance may fine an unregistered operator up to $500 per violation, stop the operator from offering the property until the penalty is paid and the property registered, and bar repeat violators from registering the property.1
  • Alexandria: operating without a permit draws an initial $200 citation and a $500 citation every 10 days until a permit application is submitted.19
  • Lynchburg: failing to register a short-term rental can result in a $500 civil penalty.25
  • Charlottesville: three or more substantiated complaints in a calendar year can lead to revocation of the homestay permit, with no new permit for the rest of that year and the entire following year.21

Changes

What's Changed in Virginia's Airbnb Rules

No change was scheduled when the rules were checked on October 17, 2026; the most recent are listed first.

  1. October 13, 2026
    Norfolk limits new vacation rentals in Willoughby

    From October 13, 2026 a Short-Term Rental Overlay affects the eligibility and requirements of new vacation rental properties in Willoughby, west of 3rd View Street.17

  2. September 2026 Not in force
    Virginia Beach oceanfront overlay reduction deferred

    A proposed reduction of the Oceanfront Resort Short-Term Rental Overlay District and its map alternative were reviewed by City Council and indefinitely deferred.12

  3. January 2026
    Norfolk changes the room tax on short-term rentals

    City Council passed Ordinance 50139 changing the room tax rate on short-term rentals, for room tax collected starting January 2026; the city's page now lists $3.00 per bedroom per night for vacation and homestay rentals.18

  4. September 1, 2025
    Alexandria permit program takes effect

    Alexandria's short-term residential rental ordinance, adopted March 15, 2025, took effect September 1, 2025, replacing the earlier registration with an annual permit of $100 (owner-occupied) or $350 (owner-unoccupied).19

  5. April 17, 2024
    No special use permit for a host's primary residence

    Chapters 700 and 792 of the 2024 Acts of Assembly (Senate Bill 544) bar a locality from requiring a special exception, special use permit or conditional use permit for a home the owner also lives in as a primary residence, for ordinances enacted after December 31, 2023.1,5

  6. September 25, 2023
    Richmond adopts revised short-term rental rules

    Richmond City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2023-235, revising the city's short-term rental regulations.13

  7. October 1, 2022
    Platforms must collect and remit sales and local lodging taxes

    House Bill 518 and Senate Bill 651 require accommodations intermediaries such as Airbnb to collect the sales tax and the local transient occupancy tax and send listing addresses and gross receipts to each locality monthly.2,8

  8. September 1, 2021
    Sales tax applies to the total price paid, including platform fees

    Senate Bill 1398 made the retail sales tax on lodging apply to the total charges, including fees charged by accommodations intermediaries, from September 1, 2021.8

  9. State law creates the short-term rental registry option

    Virginia Code section 15.2-983 (2017 Acts, chapter 741) lets any locality create a short-term rental registry and require annual registration.1

Earnings

What Could a Short-Term Rental in Virginia Earn?

The rules shape the numbers: a permit that costs $500 a year, a cap of 104 nights a year and taxes of 14% that Airbnb adds to guests' bills. For a specific address, the Airbnb income calculator estimates revenue, occupancy and nightly rate from comparable listings, so you can test the numbers before applying.

Estimate what a home could earn

FAQ

Virginia Short-Term Rental Laws: Frequently Asked Questions

Is Airbnb legal in Virginia?

Yes. Virginia has no state ban and no state permit; state law lets each city and county create a short-term rental registry and regulate hosting through zoning, so the rules depend on the locality.1

Do I need a permit for Airbnb in Virginia?

Not from the state, but most large markets require a local one: a $500 annual zoning permit in Virginia Beach, a $600 two-year permit in Richmond, a $100 or $350 annual permit in Alexandria, a zoning permit and business license in Norfolk, and a $100 homestay permit in Charlottesville.9,13,17,19,21

How much does a short-term rental permit cost in Virginia?

Fees are set locally: $500 a year in Virginia Beach, $600 every two years in Richmond, $100 (owner-occupied) or $350 (owner-unoccupied) a year in Alexandria, $100 a year in Charlottesville and $150 in Lynchburg. State law lets a locality charge only a reasonable registry fee tied to the actual cost.1,9,13,19,21,25

Can I rent a home I don't live in?

It depends on the city. Alexandria issues a $350 permit for owner-unoccupied rentals and Norfolk permits vacation rentals in set zones, but Richmond's residential zones, Charlottesville, Arlington and Williamsburg require the host to live in the home.13,16,17,19,21,23

Does Airbnb collect hotel tax in Virginia?

Yes. Airbnb collects Virginia sales tax of 5.30% to 7.00% on the listing price, including cleaning and guest fees, and collects all locally imposed lodging taxes on Virginia reservations.27

What is the lodging tax on an Airbnb stay in Virginia?

Sales tax of 5.3% to 7% plus a local lodging tax set by each city or county, such as 8% in Richmond, 9% in Virginia Beach and 9.5% in Alexandria. That is 14% in Richmond and 15.5% in Alexandria before flat per-night fees.7,10,14,20,27

What is the fine for an illegal Airbnb in Virginia?

A registry ordinance may fine an unregistered operator up to $500 per violation. Alexandria cites $200 and then $500 every 10 days without a permit, and a Richmond zoning violation is a Class I misdemeanor with a fine up to $2,500.1,13,19

Is there a limit on how many nights I can host in Virginia?

No state limit, and many cities set none: Richmond states that the number of nights is not limited. The City of Williamsburg caps rentals at 104 nights per calendar year.13,23

Can a tenant list an Airbnb in Virginia?

Yes, if the owner gives permission. A local ordinance cannot prohibit hosting solely because the operator is a lessee, though a locality may limit a tenant to one short-term rental.1

Can my city require a special use permit for my home?

Not for a home the owner lives in as a primary residence: ordinances enacted after December 31, 2023 cannot require a special exception, special use permit or conditional use permit in that case. Localities can still regulate through zoning.1,5

Do condo and HOA rules apply to Airbnb in Virginia?

Yes. State law leaves recorded covenants, condominium instruments and association declarations in force, so an association can restrict short stays that the city allows.1

Do I need a business license to host in Virginia?

Many localities require one. Norfolk requires a zoning permit and business license for every short-term rental, Arlington requires registering a business with the Commissioner of Revenue, and Virginia Beach requires annual registration with its Commissioner of the Revenue.11,16,17

Method

How These Rules Were Checked

Each rule on this page was checked in October 2026 against the official source cited beside it: the ordinance or statute, the permit office's own pages and the tax authority. Airbnb's help pages are cited on their own only for what Airbnb itself does, such as the taxes it collects and the permit checks it runs, and otherwise only beside an official source; news reports only for when a change was announced. Rules that could not be confirmed on an official page are left out. Arlington County's tax page was read from an Internet Archive copy and its permit page in a browser, because arlingtonva.us blocks scripts.

Rules change with council votes, court rulings and new state laws, so the page is rechecked every three months and whenever a scheduled change takes effect. It summarizes the rules for information and is not legal advice; the state agency and your city or county has the final word on any application.

Sources

Sources

Each rule above links to the source it comes from. Official ordinances, statutes and government pages come first, then Airbnb's own help pages.

  1. 1. Code of Virginia section 15.2-983: Creation of registry for short-term rental of property · Virginia General Assembly (Legislative Information System)
  2. 2. Code of Virginia section 58.1-3826: Scope of transient occupancy tax · Virginia General Assembly (Legislative Information System)
  3. 3. Code of Virginia section 58.1-3819: Transient occupancy tax · Virginia General Assembly (Legislative Information System)
  4. 4. Code of Virginia Article 11: Transportation Transient Occupancy Taxes (section 58.1-1743) · Virginia General Assembly (Legislative Information System)
  5. 5. SB 544 (2024 session): Short-term rental property; special exceptions · Virginia General Assembly (Legislative Information System)
  6. 6. Retail Sales Tax on Accommodations · Virginia Department of Taxation
  7. 7. Temporary Sales Tax Certificate/Return, form ST-50 (state, local and regional sales tax rates) · Virginia Department of Taxation
  8. 8. Tax Commissioner ruling 22-144: Retail sales and use tax and transient occupancy tax on accommodations facilitated by intermediaries · Virginia Department of Taxation
  9. 9. Short-Term Rentals · City of Virginia Beach Planning and Community Development
  10. 10. Transient Occupancy Taxes · City of Virginia Beach Commissioner of the Revenue
  11. 11. Short Term Rentals · City of Virginia Beach Commissioner of the Revenue
  12. 12. Proposed STR Overlay · City of Virginia Beach Planning and Community Development
  13. 13. Short-Term Rentals · City of Richmond Planning and Development Review
  14. 14. Transient Occupancy Short-Term Rental (S-TR) Tax · City of Richmond Department of Finance
  15. 15. Accessory Homestay Rentals (Airbnb, VRBO, etc.) Taxes · Arlington County Commissioner of the Revenue
  16. 16. Accessory Homestay Permit · Arlington County Zoning Division
  17. 17. Short Term Rentals (STRs) · City of Norfolk
  18. 18. Lodging & Room Tax · City of Norfolk Commissioner of the Revenue
  19. 19. Short-Term Residential Rentals · City of Alexandria Department of Planning and Zoning
  20. 20. Transient Lodging Tax · City of Alexandria Department of Finance
  21. 21. Homestays/Short Term Rentals · City of Charlottesville
  22. 22. Transient Occupancy Tax · City of Charlottesville Commissioner of the Revenue
  23. 23. Short-Term Rentals / Airbnb · City of Williamsburg
  24. 24. Information and Instructions: Transient Occupancy Tax (effective February 2026) · City of Williamsburg Finance Department
  25. 25. Short Term Rentals · City of Lynchburg
  26. 26. Lodging Tax · City of Lynchburg Commissioner of the Revenue
  27. 27. Occupancy tax collection and remittance by Airbnb in Virginia · Airbnb Help Center