LicensedRental

Virginia city rules

Virginia Beach, VA vacation rental rules and taxes

Virginia Beach is the state’s biggest rental market, and one of its strictest. New whole-home rentals are allowed only in Sandbridge and, with a City Council conditional use permit, in the Oceanfront Resort overlay; elsewhere only grandfathered rentals may operate. Every rental needs an annual $500 zoning permit, inspections, a parking plan, and a sign. Stays owe 15% tax plus $2 a night.

Checked against official sources November 7, 2026
Market
About 1,400 Airbnb listings
Virginia Beach 1,388, including Sandbridge (AirROI).Source
Where new rentals are allowed
Sandbridge and the Oceanfront overlay
Sandbridge by right; the Oceanfront Resort overlay with a City Council conditional use permit. Elsewhere, only grandfathered rentals.Source
Annual zoning permit
$500 a year, per address
Get it before you take reservations. It must match the bedroom count in the assessor’s records.Source
Inspections
Life-safety and structural
Life-safety report every five years; deck, porch, and balcony report every three years.Source
Guests
2 per bedroom overnight
Taxes
15% + $2 a night
9% city lodging tax plus 6% sales tax.Source

The Oceanfront overlay’s boundary is under review. A 2026 proposal would shrink it, with rentals mapped out keeping grandfathered status under their permits; City Council deferred it indefinitely on September 1, 2026, and the city’s page says Council would consider withdrawing the request on October 6. Ask the STR Team for the current map before you buy.

Rental violations have been misdemeanors since August 2025, with fines up to $1,000. In the overlays, rentals are limited to one contract every seven days and need a responsible person who can be on site within an hour.

Renting rooms in the home you live in (home sharing) follows a separate rule and, by one summary, needs only the Commissioner of the Revenue registration. Confirm with the STR Team.

What to do

  1. Check whether your address qualifies

    Since 2021, new whole-home rentals (under 30 nights) are allowed only in the Sandbridge Special Service District and in the Oceanfront Resort short-term rental overlay, where you first need a conditional use permit from City Council. Elsewhere, only grandfathered rentals may operate: those registered with the Commissioner of the Revenue before July 1, 2018 with taxes paid, or with a rental use permit from before September 7, 2021. Use the city’s map or ask the STR Team.Source

    Virginia Beach short-term rentals →

  2. In the Oceanfront overlay, get a conditional use permit

    Apply to Planning with the $360 fee, a parking plan drawn on a current survey (lot dimensions, parking spaces, and how you meet the parking rule), proof of at least $1 million in liability insurance that names the rental address, and a sworn statement. Free policies from booking platforms often don’t qualify.Source

  3. Register with the Commissioner of the Revenue

    Register every year before you apply for the zoning permit; you’ll attach the proof of registration. Grandfathered owners also show proof of taxes paid.Source

  4. Get inspections and the annual zoning permit

    Apply in the city’s Accela portal with a sworn statement, parking plan, life-safety inspection report, structural-safety report, insurance policy, and proof of registration. Name an emergency contact who can respond within 30 minutes. The permit is $500 and is renewed every year.Source

    Zoning permit application (PDF) →

  5. Taxes on each stay

    Stays under 90 days owe 6% 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. For direct bookings, register with the Commissioner of the Revenue and file and pay by the 20th of each month, even in months with no rentals (online at pay.vbepay.com). The city tax is 9% plus $2 a night (10.5% plus $2 in Sandbridge), figured on the full rental including cleaning and guest fees.Source

Fees

$500 a year for the zoning permit, plus $360 once for a conditional use permit in the Oceanfront overlay.

STR annual zoning permit (each address)Renewed every year.$500
STR conditional use permit applicationOceanfront Resort overlay only.$360

Source

Inspection checklist

What the inspector looks for, from City of Virginia Beach, Virginia’s published checklist.

  • Fire extinguisher in plain sightThe Fire Marshal recommends at least a 2-A:10-B:C unit.Source
  • Interconnected smoke alarmsIn each bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every floor, including basements. Wireless alarms that all sound together count.Source
  • Carbon monoxide alarmsOutside each sleeping area if the home has a gas appliance or an attached garage that opens into the house.Source
  • Guest Rules and parking plan postedUse the city’s Guest Rules sheet.Source
  • Outside signOne 4-square-foot sign on the building with the city STR hotline number, readable from the street, and your or your manager’s contact.Source
  • Who can inspectA trained property manager from a licensed real estate firm, a certified home inspector, or a city zoning inspector (757-385-8862). Reports are good for five years.Source
  • Decks, porches, balconies, and outside stairsAnything more than 30 inches off the ground, inspected by a licensed contractor or design professional every three years.Source

House rules for guests

Overnight guests
2 per bedroom after 11 p.m.
Source
Events
No bigger than overnight occupancy
Bedrooms times two, and no special-event permits.Source
Fireworks and open fires
Not allowed
Source
Noise
Not heard inside a neighbor’s home
Source

Towns

Full guide

Sandbridge

Sandbridge is the one part of Virginia Beach where state law requires the city to allow short-term rentals as a principal use, so you don’t need City Council approval. You still need the city’s annual $500 zoning permit, inspections, a parking plan, and a sign. Stays owe 16.5% tax plus $2 a night.

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.