LicensedRental

Virginia county rules

Clarke County, VA vacation rental rules and taxes

Clarke County allows short-term rentals in its agricultural and forestal open-space districts with a short-term residential rental zoning permit, but not in its Rural Residential district. You don’t have to live there, but only one booking per lot at a time, with guests capped by the septic permit. Stays pay 5.3% sales tax plus the county’s 5% lodging tax.

Checked against official sources November 7, 2026
Market
Small
Berryville 26 Airbnb listings (AirROI).Source
County permit
Short-term residential rental zoning permit
Reviewed by the Health Department and the Building Department.Source
Where allowed
AOC and FOC districts
Not in the Rural Residential (RR) district.Source
Guests
One booking per lot
Total guests limited by the septic permit and building code.Source
Taxes
5.3% sales + 5% lodging tax
Berryville levies its own 2%.Source

The Towns of Berryville and Boyce have their own zoning; we haven’t checked them yet. Berryville levies its own 2% lodging tax and Boyce none, per Virginia Tax’s chart.

The county’s guidance manual says an application fee applies but doesn’t list it. Ask Planning.

What to do

  1. Apply for the zoning permit

    Apply to Clarke County Planning for a short-term residential rental zoning permit, stating your maximum occupancy and which dwelling you’ll rent. The Health Department checks that your septic system supports that number, and the Building Department flags any code problems, which you must fix before approval. You don’t have to live on the property.Source

  2. Get a county business license

    Get a business license from the Commissioner of the Revenue and keep it in good standing as long as you rent.Source

  3. 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. Clarke County’s lodging tax is 5%. For direct bookings, ask the Commissioner of the Revenue how to file it.Source

House rules for guests

Bookings
One customer per lot at a time
Source
Not allowed without more approval
Meals, commercial events, outside gatherings
Serving guests meals needs a bed and breakfast permit, which requires you to live there.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.