Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Wise County, VA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Wise County, VA, but with restrictions. Bed-and-breakfast operations require a special use permit. Lodging units within single-family dwellings are restricted to no more than two persons. All lodging uses must comply with off-street parking requirements (typically 1 space per unit) and zoning compliance reviews. 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.

Bed-and-breakfast operations require a special use permit. Lodging units within single-family dwellings are restricted to no more than two persons. All lodging uses must comply with off-street parking requirements (typically 1 space per unit) and zoning compliance reviews.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Wise County. 1) Determine the applicable use category (e.g., Bed & Breakfast) and submit a Special Use Permit application along with the filing fee established by the Board. 2) Undergo zoning administrator review for compliance and any required public hearings or plan developments. 3) Obtain a building permit if necessary and pass inspections to receive a Certificate of Occupancy before beginning operations.

1) Determine the applicable use category (e.g., Bed & Breakfast) and submit a Special Use Permit application along with the filing fee established by the Board. 2) Undergo zoning administrator review for compliance and any required public hearings or plan developments. 3) Obtain a building permit if necessary and pass inspections to receive a Certificate of Occupancy before beginning operations.

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