Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Mathews County, VA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Mathews County, VA, but with restrictions. STRs are permitted by right in RU, R-1, and R-2 districts subject to specific regulations. Occupancy is limited to two persons per bedroom plus two per dwelling unit; owners must designate an agent reachable within two hours; off-street parking must comply with Article 12; and fire safety measures (evacuation routes and extinguishers) are mandatory. 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 by right in RU, R-1, and R-2 districts subject to specific regulations. Occupancy is limited to two persons per bedroom plus two per dwelling unit; owners must designate an agent reachable within two hours; off-street parking must comply with Article 12; and fire safety measures (evacuation routes and extinguishers) are mandatory.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Mathews County. 1. Obtain a short-term vacation rental zoning permit from the Planning and Zoning Department. 2. Execute a short-term vacation rental use agreement designating a local agent. 3. Register annually for a business license with the Commissioner of the Revenue (rental registry).

1. Obtain a short-term vacation rental zoning permit from the Planning and Zoning Department. 2. Execute a short-term vacation rental use agreement designating a local agent. 3. Register annually for a business license with the Commissioner of the Revenue (rental registry).

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