LicensedRental

Virginia county rules

York County, VA vacation rental rules and taxes

York County treats short-term rentals as tourist homes: allowed by right in its business districts, but in residential districts only with a Board of Supervisors special use permit ($750). The board’s policy favors owners who live in or within 3,000 feet of the home, one rental per owner, and wide spacing between rentals. Expect a fire inspection every year and a floor plan with your application. Stays owe 7% sales tax plus a 5% county tax and $2 a night.

Checked against official sources November 7, 2026
Residential districts
Special use permit required
RC, RR, R33, R20, R13, and RMF. Allowed by right in LB and GB.Source
Permit fee
$750
Two public hearings; two to three months.Source
Owner nearby
In the home or within 3,000 feet
Board guideline, except in Yorktown Village.Source
Spacing
750 feet to half a mile
Between short-term rentals, by district (board guideline outside Yorktown Village).Source
Fire inspection
Before opening and every year
Taxes
7% sales + 5% lodging + $2 a night

What to do

  1. Check your zoning

    Look up your zoning in the county’s property information system. In the LB and GB business districts a tourist home is allowed by right; in residential districts you need a special use permit from the Board of Supervisors.Source

    York County STR procedures →

  2. Apply for the special use permit

    Include a narrative (how you’ll run it and monitor guests, maximum guests, stay lengths, bedrooms, parking, and whether you rent rooms or the whole house) and a floor plan showing every room and which ones guests can use. The board weighs neighbors’ comments, road capacity, distance to other rentals, and whether you live nearby, and sets your guest limit.Source

  3. Pass fire and life-safety checks

    Have the Fire Marshal approve an emergency action plan showing exit routes and extinguisher locations, post it for guests, install 2A10BC extinguishers and interconnected smoke detectors, and pass a fire inspection before opening and every year after. Give the Sheriff’s Office your responsible party’s contact information.Source

  4. Taxes on each stay

    Stays under 90 days owe 7% 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, get a county business license, open a transient occupancy tax account, and file the 5% tax plus $2 per room per night with the Commissioner of the Revenue online by the 20th of the next month.Source

Fees

Special use permit applicationIn most cases; non-refundable.$750

Source

House rules for guests

Parking
All on the property
No on-street parking.Source
Sign
One, up to 4 square feet
Freestanding and not lit.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.