Short-Term Rentals in Lynchburg, VA (2026)
5 verified short-term rentals rules for Lynchburg, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Short-Term Rental Permits
Every Lynchburg short-term rental host must register the dwelling with the Zoning Administrator by July 1 each year and pay a one-time $150 processing fee under Sec. 35.2-71.16(a). Missing the deadline draws a $500 penalty under subsection (b), and returning hosts must refresh contact information annually.
Lynchburg Short-Term Rental Registration & Fee
Some RestrictionsSec. 35.2-71.16(a),(b)
(a)On or before July 1 of each year, the owner or managing agent, or a duly authorized representative acting on behalf of the owner or managing agent, shall register the address of any dwelling unit to be used for short term rental. The form used for registration may include multiple addresses under single ownership. Every person filing registration forms with the Zoning Administrator shall pay...
Taxes & Fees
Lynchburg levies a transient lodging tax of 6.5 percent of the lodging charge plus a flat $1.00 per room per night on every "hotel," a term the code defines broadly to include tourist homes and rooming houses, which covers short-term rental stays under 30 consecutive days. The host collects the tax and remits it monthly to the city collector.
Lynchburg Transient Lodging Tax on Rentals
Some RestrictionsLynchburg City Code §§ 36-221, 36-223
Hotel: Any public or private hotel, inn, hostelry, tourist home or house, motel, rooming house or other lodging place within the city offering lodging for compensation to any transient. ... There is hereby imposed and levied by the city on each transient a tax equivalent to six and one-half percent of the total amount paid for lodging and $1.00 per room per night, excluding any other taxes levi...
Short-Term Rental Parking Rules
Lynchburg exempts short-term rentals from its off-street parking and loading standards entirely. Sec. 35.2-71.16 states short-term rentals are exempt from section 35.2-62, so a host doesn't need to add dedicated guest parking beyond what the underlying residential use already provides.
Lynchburg Short-Term Rentals Skip Parking Rules
Few RestrictionsSec. 35.2-71.16(c)
The maximum number of occupants in a dwelling unit offered for short term rental shall not exceed four unrelated individuals. Where two or more related individuals occupy a short term rental unit, only one person unrelated to the related people may occupy the short term rental unit. The number of dwelling units shall not exceed that which is permitted in the underlying zoning district. Short-te...
Occupancy Limits
Lynchburg caps every short-term rental at four unrelated occupants under Zoning Ordinance Sec. 35.2-71.16(c). Related occupants can share a rental with only one unrelated addition, and the unit count on a lot still can't exceed what the underlying zoning district allows for dwelling units.
Lynchburg Short-Term Rental Occupancy Cap
Some RestrictionsSec. 35.2-71.16(c)
(c)The maximum number of occupants in a dwelling unit offered for short term rental shall not exceed four unrelated individuals. Where two or more related individuals occupy a short term rental unit, only one person unrelated to the related people may occupy the short term rental unit. The number of dwelling units shall not exceed that which is permitted in the underlying zoning district.
Repeat Violator Strikes
Three violations tied to a Lynchburg short-term rental within a three-year window end the right to operate it. Sec. 35.2-71.16(e) triggers revocation after the third offense, but only once the Zoning Administrator gives the owner written notice describing the violations first.
Lynchburg Short-Term Rental Three-Strikes Rule
Significant RestrictionsSec. 35.2-71.16(e)
(e)Three violations of state or local laws, ordinances or regulations for a property offered for short term rental and directly related to the short term rental use within a three-year period, shall result in the use no longer being permitted.1.Prior to revoking approval for a property to be used or offered as a short term rental, the Zoning Administrator shall give written notice to the owner ...