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Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Virginia Beach (city) County, VA

Last verified: 2026-05-14 · Report an update

Zoning & Conditions

STRs are allowed only for eligible properties per the City Zoning Ordinance; new STRs in Overlay Districts require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP). Operators must provide one off-street parking space per bedroom, adhere to occupancy limits (max three people per bedroom after 11 p.m.), and pass annual life-safety and triennial structural inspections.

How to Obtain a Permit

1) Submit an STR zoning permit request via the Accela Citizen Access portal or by mail to Zoning Administration, including a parking plan and life-safety attestation. 2) Pay the $500 application fee once staff confirms compliance. 3) Receive the annual permit and ensure structural/life-safety inspections are completed on the required schedule.

Official Resources

Official Virginia Beach (city) County STR regulation source

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Airbnbs legal in Virginia Beach (city) County, VA?
Airbnb listings are allowed in Virginia Beach (city) County, VA, but with restrictions. STRs are allowed only for eligible properties per the City Zoning Ordinance; new STRs in Overlay Districts require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP). Operators must provide one off-street parking space per bedroom, adhere to occupancy limits (max three people per bedroom after 11 p.m.), and pass annual life-safety and triennial structural inspections. 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.
Are short-term rentals allowed in Virginia Beach (city) County, VA?
STRs are allowed only for eligible properties per the City Zoning Ordinance; new STRs in Overlay Districts require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP). Operators must provide one off-street parking space per bedroom, adhere to occupancy limits (max three people per bedroom after 11 p.m.), and pass annual life-safety and triennial structural inspections.
Is a permit required to operate a short-term rental in Virginia Beach (city) County?
Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Virginia Beach (city) County. 1) Submit an STR zoning permit request via the Accela Citizen Access portal or by mail to Zoning Administration, including a parking plan and life-safety attestation. 2) Pay the $500 application fee once staff confirms compliance. 3) Receive the annual permit and ensure structural/life-safety inspections are completed on the required schedule.
How do I get a short-term rental permit in Virginia Beach (city) County?
1) Submit an STR zoning permit request via the Accela Citizen Access portal or by mail to Zoning Administration, including a parking plan and life-safety attestation. 2) Pay the $500 application fee once staff confirms compliance. 3) Receive the annual permit and ensure structural/life-safety inspections are completed on the required schedule.
Is Vrbo legal in Virginia Beach (city) County, VA?
Vrbo is permitted in Virginia Beach (city) 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.
What taxes do short-term rental hosts pay in Virginia Beach (city) County?
Short-term rental hosts in Virginia Beach (city) 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.
What is the latest short-term rental ordinance change in Virginia Beach (city) County?
We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Virginia Beach (city) County. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.

Disclaimer

This information is for general reference only and may not reflect the most current regulations. STR regulations change frequently. Always verify requirements with official local government sources before operating a short-term rental.

Last verified: 2026-05-14 · Suggest a correction