LicensedRental

Virginia city rules

Alexandria, VA vacation rental rules and taxes

Since September 2025 Alexandria requires a yearly zoning permit for short-term rentals operating more than 10 days a year: $100 if you live there, $350 if you don’t. Every rental must meet occupancy, parking, and Good Neighbor Guide rules. Stays pay 6% sales tax plus a 9.5% lodging tax and $1.25 per room per night.

Checked against official sources November 7, 2026
Market
About 690 Airbnb listings
Under the Alexandria mailing address, which includes parts of Fairfax County (AirROI).Source
City permit
$100 owner-occupied, $350 not
Yearly, for rentals operating more than 10 days a year.Source
Guests
2 per bedroom plus 2, max 10
Studio or 1 bedroom 4, 2 bedrooms 6, 3 bedrooms 8, 4 or more 10.Source
Parking
0.75 space per bedroom
0.25 per bedroom in the Enhanced Transit Area. On site or within 500 feet by signed agreement.Source
Response time
1 hour
For occupancy, party, or noise complaints, by you or a local agent reachable 24/7.Source
Taxes
6% sales + 9.5% lodging tax + $1.25/night
6.5% city + 3% state, plus $1.25 per room per night.Source

Three violations of the same rule, or five of different rules, in a permit year end your permit. Two citations bar you from applying for a year.

The occupancy, parking, and Good Neighbor Guide rules apply to every short-term rental, even one rented 10 days a year or less.

What to do

  1. Prepare the permit packet

    Gather proof of ownership, 24/7 contact details for you or your local agent, the number of legal bedrooms, and your proposed maximum occupancy. Take photos of your fire safety equipment and your posted Good Neighbor Guide, and sign the certifications. Draw a map showing where guests will park, with signed agreements for any off-site spaces within 500 feet.Source

  2. Notify your neighbors

    Send every abutting property a letter by registered or certified mail with your 24/7 contact, permit number and expiration date, maximum occupancy, and how to file a complaint with the city.Source

  3. Apply to Planning and Zoning

    The Department of Planning and Zoning has run the program since September 2025, replacing the old free registry. The permit is approved administratively and renewed every year.Source

  4. Taxes on each stay

    Stays under 90 days owe 6% 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 Alexandria’s transient lodging tax (6.5% plus $1.25 per room per night, and the 3% state tax) with the Department of Finance by the last day of the next month. Hosts can email returns with a W-9.Source

Fees

$100 or $350 a year

Annual permit, owner-occupied$100
Annual permit, owner not living there$350

In effect since September 1, 2025. Source

Inspection checklist

What the inspector looks for, from City of Alexandria, Virginia’s published checklist.

  • Fire safety equipment, with photos and a signed certification
  • Good Neighbor Guide posted, with photos and a signed certification
  • Parking map and signed parking agreementsFor spaces off site, within 500 feet.Source

House rules for guests

Good Neighbor Guide
Sent before arrival and posted
Maximum occupancy, no parties, 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. quiet hours, trash and pet waste, parking, and transit.Source
Parties
Not allowed over the occupancy limit
Except in commercial or mixed-use zones.Source
ADUs
Not at the same time as the main house
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.