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Berkeley Springs

West Virginia · United States
Active
Last updated: 2026-07-29  ·  Last verified: 2026-07-29  ·  Region: US

At a Glance — Berkeley Springs Airbnb & STR Rules

RuleDetails
Regulatory StatusPermitted with registration
Permit / License RequiredYes
Tax Rate6% West Virginia state sales tax. Local hotel occupancy tax may also apply (up to 6% maximum local rate). Both state and local taxes must be collected
Permit FeeShort-Term Residency Business License required per rental property (per March 2024 ordinance). Fee amount: not confirmed via official government sourc
PenaltiesNot confirmed via official government source. General WV non-compliance with business registration requirements may result in penalties under the WV T
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Berkeley Springs Airbnb & Vacation Rental Regulation Overview

Berkeley Springs Short-Term Rental Regulations Overview

Short-term rental operations in Berkeley Springs, West 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 Short-Term Residency Business License required per rental property (per March 2024 ordinance). Fee a.

Tax Requirements for Airbnb Hosts in Berkeley Springs

Short-term rental operators in Berkeley Springs should be aware of these tax obligations: 6% West Virginia state sales tax. Local hotel occupancy tax may also apply (up to 6% maximum local rate). Both state and local taxes must be collected and remitted..

Zoning and Location Requirements in Berkeley Springs

Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Berkeley Springs: Properties in Berkeley Springs' Historic District should maintain appropriate aesthetic standards. No specific zoning cap on number of STRs confirmed via official source.. Density rules: No confirmed density cap or owner-occupancy requirement found in official sources as of the research date..

Penalties for Non-Compliance in Berkeley Springs

Hosts who fail to comply with Berkeley Springs's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Not confirmed via official government source. General WV non-compliance with business registration requirements may result in penalties under the WV Tax Division..

Platform Obligations in Berkeley Springs

Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Berkeley Springs: Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect and remit WV state and applicable local taxes on behalf of hosts..

Full Regulatory Details

Regulatory Status
Active
License / Registration
Yes
Tax Registration
Yes
Permit Fee
Short-Term Residency Business License required per rental property (per March 2024 ordinance). Fee amount: not confirmed via official government source — contact Town of Bath/Berkeley Springs directly.
Tax Rate
6% West Virginia state sales tax. Local hotel occupancy tax may also apply (up to 6% maximum local rate). Both state and local taxes must be collected and remitted.
Zoning Restrictions
Properties in Berkeley Springs' Historic District should maintain appropriate aesthetic standards. No specific zoning cap on number of STRs confirmed via official source.
Density Rules
No confirmed density cap or owner-occupancy requirement found in official sources as of the research date.
Platform Obligations
Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect and remit WV state and applicable local taxes on behalf of hosts.
Compliance Notes
Berkeley Springs (Town of Bath, Morgan County, WV) reportedly enacted a new STR ordinance in March 2024 requiring operators to hold a WV Business Registration Certificate and a local Short-Term Residency Business License. Properties must meet WV state fire safety standards. No official town government URL for the STR ordinance was retrievable from the town's website during research; the March 2024 ordinance reference was not confirmed via a primary .gov source.
Effective Date
March 2024 (reported effective date of new local STR ordinance; not independently confirmed via official government URL)
Key Notes
Berkeley Springs is the county seat of Morgan County and is legally the 'Town of Bath.' A new STR ordinance reportedly took effect in March 2024. Prior to this, no specific STR regulations existed at the town level. WV state-level business registration and tax requirements apply regardless of local ordinance status. Hosts should contact the Town of Bath/Berkeley Springs directly to confirm current ordinance text.
Penalties
Not confirmed via official government source. General WV non-compliance with business registration requirements may result in penalties under the WV Tax Division.
Additional Context
No official .gov STR page was found for the Town of Bath (Berkeley Springs) during research. The WV Tax Division (tax.wv.gov) Business Registration Certificate requirement is confirmed authoritative for all WV STR operators. Hosts in unincorporated Morgan County may face different (county-level) requirements.
Sources
WV Tax Division STR guidance (confirmed authoritative): https://tax.wv.gov/Documents/TSD/tsd435.pdf | Town of Bath (Berkeley Springs) official website (no dedicated STR page found): https://www.bathwv.gov | NOTE: Local March 2024 ordinance not independently confirmed via official .gov URL — verify directly with town offices.
📋 Apply / Register with the Official Authority

Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.

Official Source ↗

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Airbnb legal in Berkeley Springs?

Yes, Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Berkeley Springs with proper registration and permits. Berkeley Springs (Town of Bath, Morgan County, WV) reportedly enacted a new STR ordinance in March 2024 requiring operators to hold a WV Business Registration Certificate and a local Short-Term Reside

Do you need a permit for Airbnb in Berkeley Springs?

Yes. Berkeley Springs requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes.

What taxes apply to short-term rentals in Berkeley Springs?

Short-term rental hosts in Berkeley Springs are subject to the following tax obligations: 6% West Virginia state sales tax. Local hotel occupancy tax may also apply (up to 6% maximum local rate). Both state and local taxes must be collected and remitted..

What are the penalties for illegal Airbnb hosting in Berkeley Springs?

Hosts who operate without proper permits in Berkeley Springs may face enforcement. Not confirmed via official government source. General WV non-compliance with business registration requirements may result in penalties under the WV Tax Division..

What are the key STR compliance requirements in Berkeley Springs?

Berkeley Springs is the county seat of Morgan County and is legally the 'Town of Bath.' A new STR ordinance reportedly took effect in March 2024. Prior to this, no specific STR regulations existed at the town level. WV state-level business registration and tax requirements apply regardless of local ordinance status. Hosts should contact the Town of Bath/Berkeley Springs directly to confirm current

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