Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Charleston, WV

Airbnb listings are allowed in Charleston, WV, but with restrictions. Residential rental units must be registered with the City of Charleston; exemptions include transient occupancy in hotels, motels, or bed and breakfasts. Applications may be denied for delinquent B&O taxes, fire/refuse fees, or outstanding zoning fines. Licenses must be renewed annually (July 1–June 30), and failure to register results in a fine of at least $500 per unit per month. 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.

Residential rental units must be registered with the City of Charleston; exemptions include transient occupancy in hotels, motels, or bed and breakfasts. Applications may be denied for delinquent B&O taxes, fire/refuse fees, or outstanding zoning fines. Licenses must be renewed annually (July 1–June 30), and failure to register results in a fine of at least $500 per unit per month.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Charleston. 1) Complete the 'Application for Residential Rental License' online or via PDF. 2) Provide required account numbers, including City B&O tax, Kanawha County property tax, and Fire/Refuse fee accounts. 3) Submit the application to the Charleston City Collector’s Office; there is no fee to register, but it must be renewed annually by June 30.

1) Complete the 'Application for Residential Rental License' online or via PDF. 2) Provide required account numbers, including City B&O tax, Kanawha County property tax, and Fire/Refuse fee accounts. 3) Submit the application to the Charleston City Collector’s Office; there is no fee to register, but it must be renewed annually by June 30.

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