LicensedRental

Virginia county rules

Chesterfield County, VA vacation rental rules and taxes

Chesterfield has a mid-sized rental market in Midlothian, Chester, and Bon Air. Stays pay 6% sales tax plus the county’s 8% lodging tax. The county adopted a new zoning ordinance in 2025, and we could not confirm how it treats short-term rentals, so ask county planning before you list.

Checked against official sources November 7, 2026
Market
About 150 Airbnb listings
Midlothian 55, Chesterfield 41, Chester 30, Bon Air 20 (AirROI).Source
Zoning rules
Not confirmed
Ask county planning whether your zone allows a short-term rental.
Taxes
6% sales + 8% lodging tax

We could not find a short-term rental page on Chesterfield’s website or read its zoning ordinance online in November 2026. Confirm the rules with the county before you buy or list.

What to do

  1. Ask about zoning

    Ask Chesterfield County Planning whether your zoning district allows a short-term rental, whether you need a permit or registration, and whether the home must be your primary residence. Check your HOA rules too.

  2. 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. Chesterfield’s transient occupancy tax is 8%. For direct bookings, ask the Commissioner of the Revenue how to register and file.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 Spot something out of date?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.