Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Madison, VA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Madison, VA, but with restrictions. Short-term rentals are restricted by zoning; for example, they require a Special Use Permit in the A1 district. Operators must register as a business with the Commissioner of the Revenue and remit a 5% transient occupancy tax on all stays under 30 days. 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.

Short-term rentals are restricted by zoning; for example, they require a Special Use Permit in the A1 district. Operators must register as a business with the Commissioner of the Revenue and remit a 5% transient occupancy tax on all stays under 30 days.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Madison. 1. Determine if your zoning district (e.g., A1) requires a Special Use Permit and apply through the Planning Department if necessary. 2. Register the STR as a business with the Commissioner of the Revenue's office. 3. Obtain a Certificate of Occupancy and pass a life-safety inspection as required by permit conditions.

1. Determine if your zoning district (e.g., A1) requires a Special Use Permit and apply through the Planning Department if necessary. 2. Register the STR as a business with the Commissioner of the Revenue's office. 3. Obtain a Certificate of Occupancy and pass a life-safety inspection as required by permit conditions.

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