LicensedRental

Virginia county rules

Montgomery County, VA vacation rental rules and taxes

Montgomery County is the New River Valley’s biggest rental market, led by Blacksburg and Virginia Tech. Blacksburg and Christiansburg each require a yearly homestay registration for owner-occupied homes; in the county, short-term tourist rentals are allowed by right in A-1 and need a special use permit in residential districts. Stays pay 5.3% sales tax plus a 3% to 9% lodging tax.

Checked against official sources November 7, 2026
Market
About 420 Airbnb listings
Blacksburg 326, Christiansburg 94 (AirROI).Source
Towns
Owner-occupied homestays only
Blacksburg and Christiansburg require the home to be the host’s residence, registered every year.
County zoning
By right in A-1; special use permit in RR, R-1, R-2, R-3, RM-1
Lodging tax
3% county; 7% Blacksburg; 9% Christiansburg

What to do

  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.

Towns

Full guide

Blacksburg

Blacksburg allows short-term rentals only as “homestays” in owner-occupied homes, registered with the town every year. Rentals are capped at 90 days a year, and no more than 30 of those can be with the host away or more than two bedrooms rented. Renting without registering carries a $500 civil penalty. Stays pay 5.3% sales tax plus the town’s 7% lodging tax.

Full guide

Christiansburg

Christiansburg allows homestays in the host’s primary residence, with a yearly town permit and a safety review by the building and fire departments before the first permit. There’s no limit on rental days. Stays pay 5.3% sales tax plus the town’s 9% lodging tax.

Full guide

Unincorporated Montgomery County

Outside the towns, Montgomery County allows short-term tourist rentals by right in its A-1 agricultural district and by special use permit in the RR, R-1, R-2, R-3, and RM-1 residential districts. Stays pay 5.3% sales tax plus the county’s 3% lodging tax.

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 Spot something out of date?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.