LicensedRental

Montgomery County, Virginia

Christiansburg, VA vacation rental requirements

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.

Checked against official sources November 7, 2026

Download checklist (PDF)Free. A printable version of this guide to tick off, with the official sources.

Only when this town’s rules, fees, or forms change. Unsubscribe anytime.

Market
About 95 Airbnb listings
Who can host
Host’s primary residence
The host lives there more than half the year. No accessory structures.Source
Homestay permit
Required, renewed yearly
Expires December 31; renew by March 1.Source
Safety review
Building and fire departments
Before the permit is issued; allow up to 10 business days to schedule.Source
Rental days
No limit
Taxes
5.3% sales + 9% lodging tax

Your licensing checklist

In order: the state, the county, then the town.

Commonwealth of Virginia

  1. Know who pays the tax

    When a platform like Airbnb books the stay, it collects and pays the state sales tax and the local lodging tax for you. If guests pay you directly, register with Virginia Tax for sales tax and with your county or city for the transient occupancy tax.Source

    Register a business with Virginia Tax →

  2. Register with your locality if it has a registry

    Many counties and cities require short-term rental hosts to register every year. Registration is a simple filing (your name, each address, and the owner’s permission if you lease the home), but listing an unregistered rental can cost up to $500 per violation.Source

  3. Check your zoning

    Counties and cities keep their power to decide where short-term rentals are allowed and whether you need a zoning or use permit. HOA and condo rules still apply on top. Pick your area for the local rules.Source

Montgomery County, Virginia

  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.

Town of Christiansburg

  1. Apply for a homestay permit

    Submit the town’s homestay permit before you start renting. The home must be your primary residence, lived in more than half the year, and guests can’t stay in accessory structures.Source

    Christiansburg homestay →

  2. Pass the safety review

    The building and fire departments inspect the home before the permit is issued, using the town’s homestay checklist. Scheduling can take up to 10 business days.Source

  3. Get a business license and renew yearly

    Pay the $30 initial business license with your application; later years are based on gross receipts. The permit expires December 31 and must be renewed by March 1.Source

  4. 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. Christiansburg’s 9% lodging tax is filed with the town on its monthly form by the 20th.Source

Fees

Initial business licenseLater years based on gross receipts, $30 minimum.$30
Renting without registering$500 fine

Source

Inspection checklist

What the inspector looks for, from Town of Christiansburg’s published checklist.

  • Building and fire safety reviewBefore the first permit; the town’s checklist is linked from its homestay page.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.