LicensedRental

Virginia county rules

Accomack County, VA vacation rental rules and taxes

Accomack County, on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, is led by Chincoteague, the region’s biggest rental market. Stays pay 5.3% sales tax plus a lodging tax: 5% to the county outside Chincoteague, and 2% county plus 5% town in Chincoteague. Towns set their own zoning.

Checked against official sources November 7, 2026
Market
About 550 Airbnb listings
Chincoteague 474, Onancock 54, Wachapreague 21 (AirROI).Source
Sales tax
5.3%
County lodging tax
5% (2% in Chincoteague)
Filed quarterly with the Commissioner of the Revenue.Source
County registry
None found
Lodging providers file a yearly attestation form with the Commissioner of the Revenue.Source

What to do

  1. Register for the county lodging tax

    If guests pay you directly, register with the Commissioner of the Revenue every year and file the county’s transient occupancy tax each quarter (due January 31, April 30, July 31, and October 31). All lodging providers also file a yearly attestation form. Airbnb collects the tax on its bookings.Source

    Accomack transient taxes →

  2. Then your town or area

    Towns set their own zoning and lodging tax, and the county sets them outside town limits. Pick your area.

Towns

Full guide

Chincoteague

Chincoteague allows vacation rentals by right in its R-1 residential zones and needs only a town business license. In June 2026 the council rejected a ban on new rentals in R-1 neighborhoods and a $500 license fee, but a housing study could bring limits later. Stays pay 5.3% sales tax plus 7% lodging tax (5% town + 2% county).

Full guide

Onancock

Onancock allows short-term rentals (“homestays”) in its R-1 residential districts only with a town council special use permit, good for three years. Rentals must be 200 feet apart, carry $1 million in liability insurance, and register with the town. Owners who don’t live in town may run only one.

Full guide

Parksley

We found no short-term rental rules for Parksley. Stays owe 5.3% sales tax + the county’s 5% lodging tax (ask); Airbnb collects these on its bookings.

Full guide

Unincorporated Accomack County

Outside town limits, Accomack County’s zoning treats a home rented to transients as a “tourist home,” which needs a special use permit in the Residential (R) district. Stays pay 5.3% sales tax plus the county’s 5% lodging tax.

Full guide

Wachapreague

Wachapreague adopted short-term rental and bed and breakfast ordinances in 2023, tied to the town business license and an inspection. We couldn’t find the ordinance text online. Stays pay 5.3% sales tax plus the town’s 4% lodging tax, which Airbnb doesn’t send to the town.

Sources

A plain-language summary to help you prepare, not legal advice. Rules and fees change; confirm with the office before you apply. Spot something out of date? Email hello@licensedrental.com.