LicensedRental

Virginia city rules

Fredericksburg, VA vacation rental rules and taxes

Fredericksburg allows homestays by right in most residential and commercial districts: the host lives there, rents up to two bedrooms to no more than four guests, and hosts no more than 90 days a year. A bed and breakfast inn needs a special use permit. Stays pay 5.3% sales tax plus the city’s lodging tax.

Checked against official sources November 7, 2026
Market
About 190 Airbnb listings
Fredericksburg 162 and Fredericksburg City 30; the larger figure includes county homes with a Fredericksburg address (AirROI).Source
Homestays
Allowed by right, host on site
In R-2 through R-30, the commercial districts, the planned districts, and T-4M and T-5M. Not in industrial districts.Source
Guests
2 bedrooms, 4 guests
Days
90 a year
Sales tax
5.3%

We read Fredericksburg’s zoning from a third-party copy; the city’s code also defines a separate “short-term residential rental” we couldn’t read. Confirm with the city before you list.

What to do

  1. Check the homestay rules

    You must live in the home. Rent no more than two bedrooms in the main house (not an outbuilding) to no more than four guests, for no more than 90 days a year. Give the Zoning Administrator your current contact information; the city may ask for a yearly report and sends neighbors written notice of new homestays.Source

  2. Whole-house rentals

    The homestay rules don’t cover renting a whole house you don’t live in. A bed and breakfast inn (up to five guest rooms) needs a special use permit in the R-2, R-4, and R-8 districts. Ask the city zoning office what applies to your property.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. Fredericksburg levies its own lodging tax under its charter. For direct bookings, ask the Commissioner of the Revenue for the rate and how to file.Source

House rules for guests

Events
Not allowed
No receptions, weddings, funerals, or other gatherings.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 Spot something out of date?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.