LicensedRental

Bedford County, Virginia

Unincorporated Bedford County, VA vacation rental requirements

Bedford County requires a yearly short-term rental zoning permit, with a posted property management plan, a floor plan, a local contact within 50 miles, a fire extinguisher, smoke detectors in each bedroom, and all guest cars, boats, and trailers parked on the lot. On septic, you can’t advertise more bedrooms than the health permit allows.

Checked against official sources November 7, 2026

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Registration
Yearly zoning permit
Valid one year. Renting before you register costs a $500 penalty fee.Source
Floor plan and management plan
Required
Posted in the rental and given to guests with the rental contract.Source
Local contact
Within 50 miles
Parking
On the lot only
Guest vehicles, boats, and trailers can never park along roads.Source
Bedrooms on septic
Match the VDH permit
Taxes
5.3% sales + county lodging tax
Filed by the 20th of each month.Source

After more than three violations, the county can bar the home from short-term rental for up to two years.

The county page doesn’t say which districts need a special use permit, or list a regular permit fee. Ask Planning and Zoning. The Town of Bedford has its own zoning and a 5% lodging tax; see its page.

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

Bedford County, Virginia

  1. Then your town or area

    Each incorporated town sets its own zoning and lodging tax; the county’s rules apply outside town limits. Pick your area.

Bedford County (outside the Town of Bedford)

  1. Prepare your management plan and floor plan

    Draw a floor plan of the home showing each bedroom, the fire extinguisher, smoke alarms, tenant parking, and garbage areas. The management plan lists your local contacts, trash pickup, how you’ll handle unruly guests, the guest limit, parking, where the safety equipment is, utility contacts, and how you advertise.Source

  2. Register every year

    Submit the short-term rental license form with the plans, plus your VDH septic permit if the home is on septic. You can’t advertise until you’re registered, and each permit lasts one year.Source

    Bedford County short-term rentals →

  3. Name a local contact

    Give the county a contact within 50 miles who can respond to complaints right away.Source

  4. 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. Bedford County’s lodging tax is filed with the Commissioner of the Revenue by the 20th of each month. Ask the Commissioner for the current rate.Source

Fees

Renting before you register$500 penalty fee

Source

Inspection checklist

What the inspector looks for, from Bedford County (outside the Town of Bedford)’s published checklist.

  • Fire extinguisherWorking, 2-pound minimum, ABC-rated, in a visible spot such as the kitchen or a hallway.Source
  • Smoke detectorsIn every bedroom, plus one on each floor (basement included) outside the bedrooms.Source
  • Floor planBedrooms, extinguishers, smoke alarms, parking, and trash areas.Source

House rules for guests

Posted plan
In a visible spot
And included in the rental contract.Source
Signs
One small sign
Unlit; up to 2 sq ft in R-1 and R-2, 16 sq ft in AP, AR, and AV.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.