Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Williamsburg, VA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Williamsburg, VA, but with restrictions. STRs are limited to owner-occupied single-family detached dwellings where the owner is physically present. Only one room may be rented to a maximum of two transient visitors; rentals are capped at 104 nights per year, and owners must maintain a guest register for two years. 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 owner-occupied single-family detached dwellings where the owner is physically present. Only one room may be rented to a maximum of two transient visitors; rentals are capped at 104 nights per year, and owners must maintain a guest register for two years.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Williamsburg. 1. Submit a Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) application with a $300 filing fee. 2. Provide supporting documents including a scaled floor plan (showing smoke/CO detectors), a property survey/plat, and proof of $500,000 general liability insurance. 3. Complete the BZA public hearing process for special exception approval.

1. Submit a Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) application with a $300 filing fee. 2. Provide supporting documents including a scaled floor plan (showing smoke/CO detectors), a property survey/plat, and proof of $500,000 general liability insurance. 3. Complete the BZA public hearing process for special exception approval.

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