Short-Term Rentals in Norfolk, VA (2026)
6 verified short-term rentals rules for Norfolk, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Short-Term Rental Permits
Norfolk requires all short-term rental operators to obtain a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) and annual STR registration. STRs are restricted to specific zoning districts and generally prohibited in single-family residential areas without CUP approval.
Short Term Rentals: Permit Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsVa. Code § 15.2-983 (Creation of Registry for Short-Term Rental of Property)
§ 15.2-983 . Creation of registry for short-term rental of property. A. As used in this section: "Operator" means the proprietor of any dwelling, lodging, or sleeping accommodations offered as a short-term rental, whether in the capacity of owner, lessee, sublessee, mortgagee in possession, licensee, or any other possessory capacity. "Short-term rental" means the provision of a room or space th...
Noise Rules
Norfolk short-term rental guests must follow the Chapter 26 noise ordinance, and vacation-rental operators must keep interior decibel meters in main gathering rooms to catch excessive noise.
Norfolk STR Noise Rules
Some RestrictionsNorfolk Zoning Ordinance § 4.2.3.F(10)(e)
Interior decibel meters shall be maintained in the home's main congregation rooms to notify the operator upon detecting excessive noise levels.
Taxes & Fees
A Norfolk short-term rental collects a 9% transient occupancy tax (8% city plus 1% state) and a flat $3 per bedroom per night, remitted monthly to the City Treasurer.
Norfolk Short-Term Rental Taxes
Some RestrictionsNorfolk City Code § 24-234
There is hereby levied and imposed, in addition to all other taxes and fees of every kind now imposed by law, on each transient obtaining lodging at any hotel or any short-term rental unit in the city, jointly and severally, a tax equivalent to eight (8) percent of the room charge plus a flat tax of three dollars ($3.00) per night of lodging for each bedroom. This levy shall be in addition to t...
Short-Term Rental Parking Rules
Norfolk vacation rentals must provide off-street parking per the zoning table, and lacking the required spaces forces a Conditional Use Permit instead of a by-right zoning permit.
Norfolk Short-Term Rental Parking Rules
Some RestrictionsNorfolk Zoning Ordinance § 4.2.3.F(10)(e)
The operator shall provide identification of parking spaces as required in Section 5.1.7.D and Table 5.1.7(D), Minimum Number of Parking Spaces (for vacation rental).
Occupancy Limits
Norfolk caps a vacation rental at two guests per bedroom, no more than ten guests total, in no more than five bedrooms. Homes with over five bedrooms cannot be vacation rentals.
Norfolk Short-Term Rental Occupancy Limits
Some RestrictionsNorfolk Zoning Ordinance § 4.2.3.F(10)(e)
The maximum occupancy for each dwelling unit is two (2) for each bedroom and a total of no more than ten (10) guests staying in no more than five (5) bedrooms at any one time. No dwelling with more than five (5) bedrooms may be used for short-term rental (Vacation Rental) use.
Insurance Requirements
Unlike many Virginia localities, Norfolk mandates insurance: vacation-rental operators must show premises liability coverage for guest injury of at least $1,000,000 before operating.
Norfolk Short-Term Rental Insurance Rules
Some RestrictionsNorfolk Zoning Ordinance § 4.2.3.F(10)(e)
The operator shall provide proof of premises liability insurance covering accidental injury to a guest on the property up to a maximum cost of not less than $1,000,000.