| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Restricted — rules apply |
| Permit / License Required | Yes — a Short-Term Rental zoning permit is required for each STR address and must be renewed annually. New STRs in the Oceanfront Resort STR Overlay D |
| Tax Rate | City transient occupancy tax (TOT) plus a $2-per-night flat room tax; also subject to Virginia state/local sales & use lodging taxes (apply to stays u |
| Night / Day Cap | No annual night cap, but no more than two (2) rental contracts within any consecutive 7-day period. |
| Minimum Stay | STR defined as rental of an entire dwelling for less than 30 consecutive days; no minimum-night requirement specified. |
| Permit Fee | $200 application fee; if approved it is deducted from the $500 annual zoning permit fee. (Some sources list the annual permit at $500.) |
| Penalties | STR zoning violations are misdemeanors (changed back from civil in 2025). Fines start at $1,000 for initial violations, rising to $1,500 for uncorrect |
| Primary Residence Required | No for STRs (entire-dwelling rentals). Home sharing does require the dwelling to be the owner's principal residence with the owner present during all |
| Occupancy Limit | No more than two persons per bedroom after 11 p.m. Events with more than 50 people require a special events permit. |
Short-term rentals in Virginia Beach, Virginia are allowed but subject to significant restrictions under local regulations as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes — a Short-Term Rental zoning permit is required for each STR address and must be renewed annually. New STRs in the Oceanfront Resort STR Overlay District also require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP. The associated permit fees are $200 application fee; if approved it is deducted from the $500 annual zoning permit fee. (Some sourc.
Short-term rental operators in Virginia Beach should be aware of these tax obligations: City transient occupancy tax (TOT) plus a $2-per-night flat room tax; also subject to Virginia state/local sales & use lodging taxes (apply to stays under 90 days). Exact combined percentage: Unknown.. Yes — each STR must register with the Commissioner of the Revenue and maintain current registration; proof of registration is required for the zoning .
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Virginia Beach include: Primary residence requirement: No for STRs (entire-dwelling rentals). Home sharing does require the dwelling to be the owner's principal residence with. Rental day cap: No annual night cap, but no more than two (2) rental contracts within any consecutive 7-day period.. Occupancy limit: No more than two persons per bedroom after 11 p.m. Events with more than 50 people require a special events permit.. Minimum stay: STR defined as rental of an entire dwelling for less than 30 consecutive days; no minimum-night requirement specified..
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Virginia Beach: STRs permitted by right in the Sandbridge Special Service District (with annual zoning permit) and in the Oceanfront Resort STR Overlay District (with CUP). Elsewhere, new STRs generally require a CUP. Density rules: Limited via overlay/zoning approach (STRs concentrated in Sandbridge and the Oceanfront Resort Overlay; new STRs elsewhere require CUP). No explicit n. Insurance: Yes — proof of liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 applicable to the rental activity, underwr.
Hosts who fail to comply with Virginia Beach's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. STR zoning violations are misdemeanors (changed back from civil in 2025). Fines start at $1,000 for initial violations, rising to $1,500 for uncorrected issues and up to $2,000 for ongoing violations..
Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Virginia Beach: Under Virginia law (effective Oct. 1, 2022), platforms such as Airbnb collect and remit transient occupancy taxes on the host's behalf; owners must still register with the Commissioner of the Revenue..
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Virginia Beach but subject to restrictions. Hosts must comply with local permit requirements and zoning rules. Required: sworn statement form; life-safety inspection report with first application (good 5 years; attestation in off years); structural safety inspection report initially then every 3 years; parking
Yes. Virginia Beach requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes — a Short-Term Rental zoning permit is required for each STR address and must be renewed annually. New STRs in the Oceanfront Resort STR Overlay District also require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) from City Council. Home sharing (owner-occupied, owner present, rooms only) needs no zoning permit.
Short-term rental hosts in Virginia Beach are subject to the following tax obligations: City transient occupancy tax (TOT) plus a $2-per-night flat room tax; also subject to Virginia state/local sales & use lodging taxes (apply to stays under 90 days). Exact combined percentage: Unknown..
Hosts who operate without proper permits in Virginia Beach may face enforcement. STR zoning violations are misdemeanors (changed back from civil in 2025). Fines start at $1,000 for initial violations, rising to $1,500 for uncorrected issues and up to $2,000 for ongoing violations. City Council may revoke permits or grandfathered .
Grandfathered properties: registered with the Commissioner of the Revenue with TOT paid before July 1, 2018, remain eligible under City Code §241.2; expanding the dwelling by more than 25% or 1,000 sq ft (whichever is less) revokes grandfathered status. Properties granted an STR CUP before Sept. 7, 2021 (outside the Overlay) are also grandfathered subject to CUP terms.
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