Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Herndon, VA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Herndon, VA, but with restrictions. STRs are permitted only as an accessory use to a primary residence where the owner resides at least 7 of the previous 12 months. Occupancy is capped at 6 adults, and rentals are limited to 90 nights per year if the host is not present (unlimited if present). Operators must maintain a guest log and comply with specific safety standards, including interconnected smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. 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.

STRs are permitted only as an accessory use to a primary residence where the owner resides at least 7 of the previous 12 months. Occupancy is capped at 6 adults, and rentals are limited to 90 nights per year if the host is not present (unlimited if present). Operators must maintain a guest log and comply with specific safety standards, including interconnected smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Herndon. 1. Submit a Short-Term Rental Zoning Permit application to the Zoning Administrator with a $200 fee, including proof of primary residency (2 forms of ID), a site plan for parking, and HOA notification. 2. Register annually (by Jan 1) with the Department of Finance for the Town’s STR Registry. 3. Register with Fairfax County for Transient Occupancy Tax collection and remit the 6% Town tax monthly.

1. Submit a Short-Term Rental Zoning Permit application to the Zoning Administrator with a $200 fee, including proof of primary residency (2 forms of ID), a site plan for parking, and HOA notification. 2. Register annually (by Jan 1) with the Department of Finance for the Town’s STR Registry. 3. Register with Fairfax County for Transient Occupancy Tax collection and remit the 6% Town tax monthly.

Vrbo is permitted in Herndon, 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 Herndon 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 Herndon. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.