Airbnb Laws in Virginia: What VA Hosts Need to Know

Alexandria, Virginia Airbnb Laws

Short-Term Rental Regulations in Alexandria

Effective September 1, 2025, short-term rentals in Alexandria must comply with Ordinance No. 5575, establishing a formal permitting process, occupancy limits, and operational requirements for STR hosts. Rules apply to any property rented for more than 10 days per year and are designed to address neighborhood concerns, ensure guest safety, and improve compliance with tax and zoning laws. 

• Licensing: All STR operators in Alexandria must obtain a Short-Term Residential Rental Permit if renting for more than 10 days per calendar year. Applications are submitted via the City’s APEX permit portal according to a staggered schedule based on street address. Required for the permit application: proof of ownership or signed consent from the owner; registered local agent if the owner lives more than 30 miles away; parking plan; photographs verifying smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers; and a copy of the Good Neighbor Guide posted in the rental.  
• Zoning: STRs in Alexandria are permitted in residential districts, subject to compliance with zoning conditions or any additional restrictions from conservation or historic district overlays. STRs in condominiums or HOAs must also comply with association rules. 
• Occupancy Limits: Maximum occupancy is limited to two guests per bedroom plus two additional guests at any given time, as outlined in Alexandria’s short-term rental fact sheet. 
• Taxes: STR operators are required to collect and remit the City of Alexandria Transient Lodging Tax (9.5% plus $1.25 per night for certain rentals) and applicable Virginia state sales taxes. Operators earning over $10,000 annually and renting more than four units must also obtain a Business, Professional, and Occupational License. Payment can be submitted through the Business Tax Portal.  
• Insurance: The City does not mandate a minimum insurance requirement in its ordinance, but operators are encouraged to maintain robust liability coverage that aligns with Virginia Code §15.2-983. 
• Parties: STRs may not be used for commercial events, large gatherings, or activities that create noise, parking, or safety violations. 
• Point of Contact: Operators must provide guests with a local emergency contact available 24/7 who can respond to complaints or emergencies within one hour. 
• Parking: Parking must be available on-site or within 500 feet of the vacation rental with a signed parking agreement. Outside the Enhanced Transit Area, 0.75 spaces are allowed per bedroom or 0.25 spaces within the Enhanced Transit Areas. 
• Trash: Trash and recycling must be stored in secure containers and disposed of per city solid waste regulations. 
• Noise: Noise must comply with the city noise ordinance; quiet hours are generally 11 PM to 7 AM. 
• Safety & Compliance: STR properties must have working smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers. They must comply with all applicable building, fire, and property maintenance codes, including safe egress and secure windows/doors. Notification via certified mail must be sent to abutting property owners or the HOA (for condos) with permit details. 
• Recordkeeping: Operators must maintain detailed records of all rentals, including guest names and dates of occupancy, for at least three years and provide them to the city upon request. 
• Enforcement & Fines: Operating without a permit can result in civil fines and a one-year prohibition on STR activity. Permits may be revoked for false applications, three or more violations of the same code section, or five or more violations across different sections within one year. Immediate revocation may occur for violations that endanger health or safety. 
• More Information: Full ordinance details and application instructions are available on the City of Alexandria’s Short-Term Residential Rentals page. 

Newport News, Virginia Airbnb Laws

Short-Term Rental Regulations in Newport News, VA 

Newport News established a formal STR Ordinance 7807-2 (Chapter 45‑517.1)2 in 2022 and scheduled active enforcement to begin on August 1, 2025. These regulations promote safety, neighborhood preservation, STR compliance through clear permitting and operational standards. 

• Licensing & Registration: All Newport STR operators must obtain a Short-Term Rental Permit through the Zoning Division, demonstrating owner occupancy for at least 185 days per year. Applications must submit via zoning@nnva.gov and renewed annually. 
• Zoning Laws: Newport short-term rentals are permitted in specific residential zones but accessory or detached structures may not be used. Only one rental group is allowed at a time and STRs may not be used for commercial events or advertised as party venues. 
• Occupancy Limits: A maximum of six guests per rental unit is allowed, with no more than two guests per bedroom. 
• Noise: Operators must comply with citywide noise ordinances, which prohibit disturbances or excessive sound at any time. While there’s no formal decibel threshold, enforcement is complaint-based and includes warnings, fines or permit suspension. 
• Parking: Hosts must provide off-street parking, typically one space per bedroom, in accordance with zoning regulations. Parking on lawns or sidewalks is prohibited. 
• Point of Contact: A 24-hour local contact must be designated and reachable at all times. Contact details must be posted visibly within the unit and included in the permit documentation. 
• Safety Compliance: STRs must meet building and fire code requirements including working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers and a posted emergency floor plan in each bedroom. Properties with pools must comply with applicable Virginia pool safety laws. 
• Taxes: Operators must obtain a business license, collect and remit the transient occupancy tax and file quarterly reports with the city. Read more Newport News STR tax information for the latest updates. 
• Insurance Requirements: STRs must carry a minimum of $300,000 liability insurance, with documentation retained for verification. 
• Enforcement: As of August 1, 2025, violations of occupancy, noise, safety or permitting rules will trigger a 30-day correction period. Continued non-compliance may lead to permit suspension and a two-year prohibition on reapplying. 
• More Information: Visit the Newport News STR portal or view the official STR Ordinance PDF and Compliance Checklist. 

Richmond, Virginia

Now Requires a City Permit in Order to Operate a Short-Term Rental per Additional Airbnb Laws

An additional Airbnb law was passed for hosts in Richmond, Virginia. Along with other requirements, the new ordinance requires hosts to obtain an annual permit ($300) to operate a short-term rental (Airbnb, Vrbo, etc.) . 

The full ordinance is available on the Richmond, VA government website: Ord. 2019-343. The ordinance took effect on July 1, 2020.  

• Who can operate a short-term rental: The short-term rental operator shall be the property owner. The short-term rental shall be on the lot of the operator’s primary residence with the operator occupying the lot at least 185 days each year.  
• Approval process: Certificate of Zoning Compliance (CZC) for short-term rental is to be obtained on a biennial basis. The Biennial Fee for CZC is to be $300 which is intended to cover administration and monitoring costs. (must also be posted on all advertisements). 
• Number of persons who can rent per night: The total number of adult renters allowed in a short-term rental shall be limited to two adults per available sleeping room. Double booking which consists of more than one booking transaction occurring at the same time is not allowed. The number of children per rental is not limited.  
• Number of sleeping rooms available for rental: The total number of sleeping rooms available for rental is limited to a maximum of 5 sleeping rooms. 
• Events: Events and gatherings of persons other than the authorized lodgers are prohibited from occurring at the short-term rental.  

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Seeks to Balance Between Community Concerns and Short-Term Rental Owners with New Airbnb Laws 

Virginia Beach, Virginia has adjusted the zoning laws that govern short-term rentals, thanks to new Airbnb Laws. 

Virginia Beach has consistently offered a variety of lodging options for tourists including Hotel/Motels, Bed and Breakfast Inns, Country Inns, and short-term rentals. With over 2,000 registered short-term rentals, the city designed regulations to address public and safety concerns and to protect the personality of its neighborhoods by rezoning popular areas of the city. Beginning November 1st, 2019 the regulations include the following significant items: 

• Hosts must obtain a conditional use permit to be renewed every five years 
• If hosting more than 50 guests, hosts must obtain a special event permit 
• Hosts must obtain $1,000,000 in liability insurance coverage 

The remaining restrictions include the number of guests allowed per bedroom, off-street parking for guests, and the number of rental contracts allowed in a 7-day period; with safety regulations such as functioning smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. 

Update: Changes to the current short-term rental ordinance in Virginia Beach were outlined in the public Planning Commission meeting on March 10th, 2021. The most significant change would be creating overlay districts, specifically areas with direct beach access, where short-term rental will no longer be allowed to operate. 

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