Short-Term Rentals in Herndon, VA (2026)
6 verified short-term rentals rules for Herndon, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Permit Requirements
Town of Herndon allows short-term rentals with registration through the town. Permit fee is $200 (2-year). Operators must reside at the property a minimum of 7 months per year. Cap is 90 nights per year; max single rental period is 30 days. Maximum 6 adults.
Herndon Short-Term Rental Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsVa. Code § 15.2-983 - Creation of registry for short-term rental of property
any locality may, by ordinance, establish a short-term rental registry and require operators within the locality to register annually. The registration shall be ministerial in nature and shall require the operator to provide (i) the complete name of the operator, (ii) the address of each property in the locality offered for short-term rental by the operator, and (iii) an attestation that the pr...
Noise Rules
Short-term rentals in the Town of Herndon are subject to the town's general noise ordinance (Town Code Chapter 26, Article VI), with quiet hours typically 10 PM to 7 AM. Herndon's STR registration framework also expressly prohibits events and gatherings beyond the authorized lodgers during a rental, which the town adopted alongside the STR ordinance approved December 2019 and effective February 1, 2020. Fairfax County's STR ordinance does not apply to incorporated towns like Herndon under VA Code Sec. 15.2-983.
Short-Term Rental Noise Rules in Herndon
Some RestrictionsTaxes & Fees
Herndon imposes a 5% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) on short-term rental stays, in addition to Virginia's 5.3% state sales tax and applicable Fairfax County taxes where overlapping. Total tax burden typically falls in the 10-16% range. Platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo auto-collect most taxes, but operators remain ultimately responsible for remittance.
Short Term Rentals: Taxes Fees
Some RestrictionsParking Rules
When the Town of Herndon adopted its short-term rental framework in December 2019 (effective February 1, 2020), the Town Council required at least two designated parking spaces for STRs in single-family residences and one designated parking space for STRs in condominiums and townhouses. All STR listings must include parking location details in their advertisements. Town Code Chapter 42 governs general on-street parking. STRs are an accessory use under Section 78-80.4(u) of the Zoning Ordinance.
Short-Term Rental Parking Rules in Herndon
Some RestrictionsOccupancy Limits
Herndon STR occupancy is governed by Zoning Ordinance standards and the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code. Typical residential occupancy calculations limit overnight guests based on bedroom count (commonly two adults per bedroom plus two) and total square footage. Fire code and building code occupancy loads also apply, and neighborhood impact standards may further restrict guest counts.
Short Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits
Some RestrictionsInsurance Requirements
The Town of Herndon's short-term rental ordinance (Chapter 11 / Section 78-80.4(u)) does not impose a specific minimum liability insurance requirement on STR operators, and Virginia Code Sec. 15.2-983 does not mandate insurance for state-registered short-term rentals. Standard homeowner policies typically exclude regular short-term rental activity, so operators should consult their carrier about a short-term rental endorsement, a commercial dwelling policy, or platform host protection programs. HOA and condominium master policies in Herndon often impose stricter coverage rules than the town does.
Short-Term Rental Insurance Requirements in Herndon
Few RestrictionsLooking for Fairfax County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Herndon city rules.
Short-Term Rentals in Fairfax County →