| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Permitted with registration |
| Permit / License Required | Yes |
| Tax Rate | 6% West Virginia state sales tax. Additionally, platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo) are required to collect and remit state and local sales taxes and hotel occup |
| Permit Fee | License tax applicable under Corporation of Shepherdstown Code §8-209 (Title 8, Chapter 2) — 'Hotels, motels, boardinghouses, etc., where lodging furn |
| Penalties | Non-compliance with municipal code provisions subjects operators to applicable enforcement actions under the Corporation of Shepherdstown ordinances. |
Short-term rental operations in Shepherdstown, 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 License tax applicable under Corporation of Shepherdstown Code §8-209 (Title 8, Chapter 2) — 'Hotels.
Short-term rental operators in Shepherdstown should be aware of these tax obligations: 6% West Virginia state sales tax. Additionally, platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo) are required to collect and remit state and local sales taxes and hotel occupancy taxes on behalf of hosts (WV hotel occupancy tax applicable from January 2022 onward)..
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Shepherdstown: STRs are subject to all existing Corporation of Shepherdstown ordinances, including parking regulations and zoning requirements under Title 9 (Planning and Zoning). Historic District properties must c.
Hosts who fail to comply with Shepherdstown's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Non-compliance with municipal code provisions subjects operators to applicable enforcement actions under the Corporation of Shepherdstown ordinances..
Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Shepherdstown: Airbnb and Vrbo are required to collect and remit state and local sales taxes and hotel occupancy taxes on behalf of hosts..
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Yes, Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Shepherdstown with proper registration and permits. The Corporation of Shepherdstown Planning and Zoning Ordinance (Title 9) explicitly states that all town ordinances, including parking regulations and §8-209 license taxes for lodging operations, appl
Yes. Shepherdstown requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes.
Short-term rental hosts in Shepherdstown are subject to the following tax obligations: 6% West Virginia state sales tax. Additionally, platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo) are required to collect and remit state and local sales taxes and hotel occupancy taxes on behalf of hosts (WV hotel occupancy tax applicable from January 2022 onward)..
Hosts who operate without proper permits in Shepherdstown may face enforcement. Non-compliance with municipal code provisions subjects operators to applicable enforcement actions under the Corporation of Shepherdstown ordinances..
Shepherdstown does not have a standalone STR ordinance; instead, STRs are governed by the existing planning, zoning, and business licensing framework under the Corporation of Shepherdstown Municipal Code. Hosts must comply with all applicable town ordinances. Jefferson County (which surrounds Shepherdstown) has been in the process of updating its own zoning regulations that may further affect STR
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