Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Shenandoah County, VA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Shenandoah County, VA, but with restrictions. STRs are limited to 30 consecutive days; properties with 4 or fewer bedrooms are allowed by right in specific zones, while 5+ bedrooms or non-dwellings require a Special Use Permit. Occupancy is capped at 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional (for public water/sewer) or limited by septic capacity as verified by the Virginia Department of Health. 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 limited to 30 consecutive days; properties with 4 or fewer bedrooms are allowed by right in specific zones, while 5+ bedrooms or non-dwellings require a Special Use Permit. Occupancy is capped at 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional (for public water/sewer) or limited by septic capacity as verified by the Virginia Department of Health.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Shenandoah County. 1) Apply online via the Munirevs/GovOS portal and pay the $225 annual fee. 2) Undergo a staff review of septic capacity (if applicable) and schedule a life/safety inspection. 3) Upon passing inspection, the Zoning Administrator approves the permit in GovOS for download.

1) Apply online via the Munirevs/GovOS portal and pay the $225 annual fee. 2) Undergo a staff review of septic capacity (if applicable) and schedule a life/safety inspection. 3) Upon passing inspection, the Zoning Administrator approves the permit in GovOS for download.

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