Virginia city rules
Petersburg, VA vacation rental rules and taxes
Petersburg legalized short-term rentals in nine zoning districts in June 2025. Every rental registers with the city every year at no cost, and a new rental that isn’t the owner’s primary residence also needs a special use permit. Stays pay 5.3% sales tax plus a 10% lodging tax.
Checked against official sources November 7, 2026The city’s page doesn’t list the safety and use standards it checks. Ask Planning for the checklist before you register.
What to do
Check your district
Look up your zoning on the city’s GIS map. Short-term rentals are allowed only in R-3, R-4, R-5, R-6, RB, MXD-1, MXD-2, B-2, and B-3. If the home isn’t your primary residence, a new rental also needs a special use permit from City Council.Source
Register and recertify yearly
Register the rental with the Planning Department before you list, and recertify it every year. There’s no fee.Source
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. Petersburg’s transient occupancy tax is 10%. For direct bookings, ask the Commissioner of the Revenue how to register and file.Source
Fees
| Annual registration | $0 |
|---|
Sources
- Short-Term Rental · City of Petersburg Planning & Community Development
- Virginia Localities Transient Occupancy Tax Rate Chart (as of July 1, 2025) · Virginia Tax
- Virginia Airbnb market data (active listings) · AirROI
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 Spot something out of date?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.