| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Permitted with registration |
| Permit / License Required | Yes |
| Tax Rate | Transient occupancy (hotel) tax applies; exact rate not specified on STR page — hosts also subject to prepared food & beverage (meals) tax and consume |
| Night / Day Cap | 14 days per stay maximum per guest (per Zoning Code Sec. 36.2-405); no published annual night cap for the city as a whole beyond zoning-use constraint |
| Minimum Stay | No published minimum; maximum stay per guest is 14 consecutive days per Sec. 36.2-405. |
| Permit Fee | Zoning permit required; business license zoning verification required via Commissioner of the Revenue. Specific permit fee amounts not publicly itemiz |
| Penalties | Zoning violations are a Class I misdemeanor in Virginia (up to $2,500 fine and/or up to 1 year in jail per state law). Registry non-compliance: up to |
| Primary Residence Required | Yes |
| Occupancy Limit | Not explicitly published in numeric form on city STR page; subject to zoning district standards and USBC occupancy rules. |
Short-term rental operations in Roanoke, Virginia are permitted under an active regulatory framework as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes. The associated permit fees are Zoning permit required; business license zoning verification required via Commissioner of the Revenu.
Short-term rental operators in Roanoke should be aware of these tax obligations: Transient occupancy (hotel) tax applies; exact rate not specified on STR page — hosts also subject to prepared food & beverage (meals) tax and consumer utility tax. Verify current rate with Commissioner of the Revenue..
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Roanoke include: Primary residence requirement: Yes. Rental day cap: 14 days per stay maximum per guest (per Zoning Code Sec. 36.2-405); no published annual night cap for the city as a whol. Occupancy limit: Not explicitly published in numeric form on city STR page; subject to zoning district standards and USBC occupancy rules. Minimum stay: No published minimum; maximum stay per guest is 14 consecutive days per Sec. 36.2-405..
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Roanoke: STRs regulated under City of Roanoke Zoning Code Sec. 36.2-405 (Bed and Breakfast, Homestay, and Short-Term Rental Establishments). Permitted by right or by Special Exception in most residential, mult. Density rules: One STR per lot in residential zones implied by owner-occupancy and supplemental standards; no explicit density cap published on city STR page..
Hosts who fail to comply with Roanoke's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Zoning violations are a Class I misdemeanor in Virginia (up to $2,500 fine and/or up to 1 year in jail per state law). Registry non-compliance: up to $500/violation per Virginia Code § 15.2-983..
Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Roanoke: No published platform-specific obligations (e.g., no mandated platform tax collection agreement) listed on city STR page as of research date..
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Yes, Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Roanoke with proper registration and permits. Operators must: (1) obtain a zoning permit (and Special Exception permit if required by zone); (2) obtain a business license (requires zoning verification from Commissioner of the Revenue); (3) regist
Yes. Roanoke requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes.
Short-term rental hosts in Roanoke are subject to the following tax obligations: Transient occupancy (hotel) tax applies; exact rate not specified on STR page — hosts also subject to prepared food & beverage (meals) tax and consumer utility tax. Verify current rate with Commissioner of the Revenue..
Hosts who operate without proper permits in Roanoke may face enforcement. Zoning violations are a Class I misdemeanor in Virginia (up to $2,500 fine and/or up to 1 year in jail per state law). Registry non-compliance: up to $500/violation per Virginia Code § 15.2-983..
Virginia Code § 15.2-983 authorizes localities to create STR registries with penalties up to $500/violation. Roanoke's STR permit expires on ownership change. Industrial and certain commercial zones are entirely prohibited. Business license zoning verification is a prerequisite to the business license itself.
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