LicensedRental

Virginia county rules

Fairfax County, VA vacation rental rules and taxes

Fairfax County allows short-term lodging only in the host’s own primary residence, with a two-year county permit, a 60-night yearly cap, and no more than six adult guests. Stays pay 6% sales tax plus a 9% transient occupancy tax (5% in Herndon, Vienna, and Clifton).

Checked against official sources November 7, 2026
Market
About 1,000 Airbnb listings
Reston 166, Herndon 83, Springfield 80, Fairfax 71, Annandale 69, Tysons 58, Centreville 45, Vienna 41 (AirROI; mailing-address names).Source
Sales tax
6%
Lodging tax
9% (5% in the towns)
Herndon, Vienna, and Clifton pay 5%, which the county levies.Source
County permit
Required outside the towns
Primary residence only, 60 nights a year. Herndon, Vienna, and Clifton have their own zoning.Source

The towns of Herndon, Vienna, and Clifton are inside Fairfax County but are not covered by the county’s short-term lodging permit. See the Herndon and Vienna pages; we don’t have a page for Clifton yet, so ask the town about its zoning.

What to do

  1. File the transient occupancy tax if guests pay you directly

    Airbnb and other platforms collect and pay Fairfax County’s tax on their bookings. For direct bookings, file a return and pay the Department of Tax Administration every month by the 20th.Source

    Fairfax County transient occupancy tax →

  2. Then your town or area

    Towns set their own zoning and some set their own lodging tax. The county’s rules apply outside town limits. Pick your area.

Towns

Full guide

Herndon

Herndon allows short-term lodging only in the operator’s permanent home, with a $200 town zoning permit good for two years, an inspection, and a spot on the town registry. Whole-house rentals with you away are capped at 90 nights a year, and no more than six adults a night. Stays pay 6% sales tax plus an 11% lodging tax (6% town + 5% county).

Full guide

Unincorporated Fairfax County

Outside its three towns, Fairfax County requires a $285 short-term lodging permit, good for two years. You must live in the home at least 185 days a year, rent it no more than 60 nights a year, and host no more than six adults at a time. A posted exit plan is required in every guest bedroom.

Full guide

Vienna

Vienna’s zoning code bars short-term rentals in accessory living units, and we found no other short-term rental permit in the town code. Fairfax County’s permit doesn’t apply in the town. Stays pay 6% sales tax plus an 8% lodging tax (3% town + 5% county).

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.