Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Hanover County, VA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Hanover County, VA, but with restrictions. Owner-occupied STRs require primary residency (185+ days/year); non-owner-occupied units require a special exception. Occupancy is limited to twice the number of bedrooms (max 10 guests), check-in/out is prohibited between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., and a local contact must be able to respond within 60 minutes. A permit is required before you can host. These rules apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.) — not just Airbnb specifically. See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Owner-occupied STRs require primary residency (185+ days/year); non-owner-occupied units require a special exception. Occupancy is limited to twice the number of bedrooms (max 10 guests), check-in/out is prohibited between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., and a local contact must be able to respond within 60 minutes.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Hanover County. 1. Submit a completed Short-Term Rental Permit application in person at the Planning Department with proof of residency (e.g., driver's license, W-2), a property sketch showing parking, and septic permits if applicable. 2. County staff will review the application within 10 business days. 3. Upon approval, the applicant receives an approval letter via email and mail.

1. Submit a completed Short-Term Rental Permit application in person at the Planning Department with proof of residency (e.g., driver's license, W-2), a property sketch showing parking, and septic permits if applicable. 2. County staff will review the application within 10 business days. 3. Upon approval, the applicant receives an approval letter via email and mail.

Vrbo is permitted in Hanover County, VA under the same restrictions that apply to Airbnb — local rules govern the rental itself, not the specific platform. You must hold a valid permit before hosting on Vrbo. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Hanover County are typically responsible for lodging, occupancy, and applicable sales taxes — these usually apply even where hosting is allowed without a permit. Rates and remittance rules vary by jurisdiction (state, county, and city can each levy a share); confirm the current rates with the official source linked on this page. Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect some taxes automatically, but the host remains liable for any not collected on their behalf.

We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Hanover County. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.