Norfolk, VA Accessory Structures: ADU Rental Restrictions (2026)

Long-term rental of a Norfolk ADU is permitted to a single household, subject to the city's owner-occupancy requirement (owner must occupy the other unit). Long-term tenancies (30+ days) are governed by the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (VRLTA), Va. Code §55.1-1200 et seq., which sets statewide rules on security deposits (capped at two months rent), notice periods (30 days for month-to-month termination), maintenance obligations, and eviction procedures through the General District Court. Short-term rentals (under 30 days) — Airbnb, Vrbo, and similar — require separate registration under the Norfolk Zoning Ordinance STR provisions and remittance of: (1) the 8 percent City of Norfolk transient occupancy tax under Norfolk City Code Chapter 24; (2) the 5.3 percent Virginia state sales tax on transient lodging where applicable; (3) Va. Code §58.1-3819 transient occupancy authorization. STR registration is typically annual and may include inspection. Norfolk's zoning ordinance limits STR density and may concentrate STR activity in specific overlay zones depending on the current ordinance text. Rent control: Virginia preempts local rent control under Va. Code §15.2-2208 — Norfolk cannot impose rent caps. The Virginia Fair Housing Law (Va. Code §36-96.1 et seq.) prohibits discrimination on the basis of source of income for landlords with 4+ units (since 2020), which can affect Section 8 voucher acceptance.