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Morgantown

West Virginia · United States
Active
Last updated: 2026-07-30  ·  Last verified: 2026-07-14  ·  Region: US

At a Glance — Morgantown Airbnb & STR Rules

RuleDetails
Regulatory StatusPermitted with registration
Permit / License RequiredYes — all rental housing in city limits must be registered with Code Enforcement. Periodic inspections every 3 years.
Tax RateWV state 6% sales tax + 6% local hotel occupancy tax = 12%
Permit FeeInspection-based registration (contact city)
Penalties20-day correction window; fines for uncorrected violations
Primary Residence RequiredNo
Occupancy LimitPer zoning and IPMC standards
Browse all 5 STR regulations in West Virginia → Browse all 535 STR regulations in United States →

Morgantown Airbnb & Vacation Rental Regulation Overview

Morgantown Short-Term Rental Regulations Overview

Short-term rental operations in Morgantown, 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 — all rental housing in city limits must be registered with Code Enforcement. Periodic inspections every 3 years.. The associated permit fees are Inspection-based registration (contact city).

Tax Requirements for Airbnb Hosts in Morgantown

Short-term rental operators in Morgantown should be aware of these tax obligations: WV state 6% sales tax + 6% local hotel occupancy tax = 12%. Yes — WV business registration certificate required.

Hosting Rules and Restrictions in Morgantown

Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Morgantown include: Primary residence requirement: No. Occupancy limit: Per zoning and IPMC standards.

Zoning and Location Requirements in Morgantown

Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Morgantown: Must verify zoning allows STR use; single-family/sensitive residential zones may require conditional use approval. Density rules: None specified.

Penalties for Non-Compliance in Morgantown

Hosts who fail to comply with Morgantown's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. 20-day correction window; fines for uncorrected violations.

Platform Obligations in Morgantown

Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Morgantown: WV business registration + tax registration required.

Full Regulatory Details

Regulatory Status
Active
License / Registration
Yes — all rental housing in city limits must be registered with Code Enforcement. Periodic inspections every 3 years.
Tax Registration
Yes — WV business registration certificate required
Permit Fee
Inspection-based registration (contact city)
Primary Residence Rule
No
Occupancy Limit
Per zoning and IPMC standards
Tax Rate
WV state 6% sales tax + 6% local hotel occupancy tax = 12%
Zoning Restrictions
Must verify zoning allows STR use; single-family/sensitive residential zones may require conditional use approval
Minimum Stay
None specified
Density Rules
None specified
Insurance Required
Not specified
Platform Obligations
WV business registration + tax registration required
Compliance Notes
Violations must be corrected within 20 days. IPMC (International Property Maintenance Code) enforced. Inspections every 3 years.
Effective Date
2024-01-01
Key Notes
12% combined tax. 3-year inspection cycle. West Virginia University drives very high STR demand. Violations must be fixed within 20 days.
Penalties
20-day correction window; fines for uncorrected violations
Additional Context
Morgantown is home to West Virginia University with very high STR demand from parents, alumni, and sports visitors.
Sources
https://www.morgantownwv.gov/176/Rental-Information
Morgantown Code Enforcement — morgantownwv.gov/departments/building_inspection/
📋 Apply / Register with the Official Authority

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Airbnb legal in Morgantown?

Yes, Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Morgantown with proper registration and permits. Violations must be corrected within 20 days. IPMC (International Property Maintenance Code) enforced. Inspections every 3 years.

Do you need a permit for Airbnb in Morgantown?

Yes. Morgantown requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes — all rental housing in city limits must be registered with Code Enforcement. Periodic inspections every 3 years..

What taxes apply to short-term rentals in Morgantown?

Short-term rental hosts in Morgantown are subject to the following tax obligations: WV state 6% sales tax + 6% local hotel occupancy tax = 12%.

What are the penalties for illegal Airbnb hosting in Morgantown?

Hosts who operate without proper permits in Morgantown may face enforcement. 20-day correction window; fines for uncorrected violations.

What are the key STR compliance requirements in Morgantown?

12% combined tax. 3-year inspection cycle. West Virginia University drives very high STR demand. Violations must be fixed within 20 days.

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