Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Winchester, VA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Winchester, VA, but with restrictions. Short-term rentals are restricted by zoning district; LR, MR, HR, HR-1, B-2, and RO-1 districts require the operator to be the owner and primary resident with a 45-day annual rental cap. All rentals require fire extinguishers, smoke/CO detectors, off-street parking, a property management plan, and a local responsible contact; weddings and events are prohibited. 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 district; LR, MR, HR, HR-1, B-2, and RO-1 districts require the operator to be the owner and primary resident with a 45-day annual rental cap. All rentals require fire extinguishers, smoke/CO detectors, off-street parking, a property management plan, and a local responsible contact; weddings and events are prohibited.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Winchester. 1. Submit a Zoning Use Permit application along with the Homeshare/Short Term Rental Supplemental Form to the Zoning Administrator. 2. Provide a property management plan and proof of primary residence (if applicable). 3. Register for business taxes and lodging tax collection with the Commissioner of the Revenue.

1. Submit a Zoning Use Permit application along with the Homeshare/Short Term Rental Supplemental Form to the Zoning Administrator. 2. Provide a property management plan and proof of primary residence (if applicable). 3. Register for business taxes and lodging tax collection with the Commissioner of the Revenue.

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