LicensedRental

Accomack County, Virginia

Unincorporated Accomack County, VA vacation rental requirements

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.

Checked against official sources November 7, 2026

Download checklist (PDF)Free. A printable version of this guide to tick off, with the official sources.

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County registry
None found
Zoning (R district)
Special use permit
A “tourist home” (lodging for up to 14 people) needs a permit from the Board of Zoning Appeals.Source
Taxes
5.3% sales + 5% lodging tax

We read the Residential district’s use list only. Agricultural, waterfront, and village districts (such as Captain’s Cove’s Village Development District) have their own lists; confirm yours with the county.

Your licensing checklist

In order: the state, the county, then the town.

Commonwealth of Virginia

  1. Know who pays the tax

    When a platform like Airbnb books the stay, it collects and pays the state sales tax and the local lodging tax for you. If guests pay you directly, register with Virginia Tax for sales tax and with your county or city for the transient occupancy tax.Source

    Register a business with Virginia Tax →

  2. Register with your locality if it has a registry

    Many counties and cities require short-term rental hosts to register every year. Registration is a simple filing (your name, each address, and the owner’s permission if you lease the home), but listing an unregistered rental can cost up to $500 per violation.Source

  3. Check your zoning

    Counties and cities keep their power to decide where short-term rentals are allowed and whether you need a zoning or use permit. HOA and condo rules still apply on top. Pick your area for the local rules.Source

Accomack County, Virginia

  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.

Accomack County (outside town limits)

  1. Ask county planning about your district

    The zoning ordinance doesn’t name short-term rentals. In the Residential district, tourist homes and uses not listed both need a special use permit from the Board of Zoning Appeals. Ask Building, Planning and Economic Development how your district treats a whole-home rental before you list.Source

  2. Taxes on each stay

    Stays under 90 days owe 5.3% sales tax, and stays under 30 days also owe the local transient occupancy tax. Airbnb collects both on its bookings. If guests pay you directly, file sales tax with Virginia Tax. For direct bookings, file the county’s 5% transient occupancy tax quarterly with the Commissioner of the Revenue.Source

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.