Primary-Residence-Only Rule
Fairfax County requires short-term lodging to occur in the operator primary residence. Non-owner-occupied investment STRs are not permitted in most residential zoning districts under Zoning Ordinance Section 6-409.
9 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 3 cities in Fairfax County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Fairfax County requires a Short-Term Lodging (STL) Zoning Permit before advertising or operating any rental of less than 30 days. Permit fee is $270, valid 2 years. Property must be operator's primary residence (≥185 days/year). Cap of 60 rental nights per calendar year.
Short-term rental operators in Fairfax County must comply with the county Noise Ordinance, including 10 PM to 7 AM quiet hours. Hosts are responsible for guest behavior and noise complaints.
Fairfax County STR operators must collect Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) of 4% on gross rental receipts, plus Virginia state sales tax of 5.3% and regional transportation tax of 0.7% (NVTA), for a total tax burden of 10% on the room rate. Airbnb and Vrbo collect and remit state sales and county TOT automatically for most listings, but operators remain legally responsible for compliance and must register with the Department of Tax Administration.
Fairfax County Transient Occupancy Tax
Transient Occupancy Tax is applicable to any public or private hotel, inn, apartment hotel, hostelry, tourist home or house, motel, rooming house, any place that offers short-term lodging as defined in Article 20, Part 3 of the Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance, or other lodging place within the county offering lodging for one or more persons at any one time, and the owner and operator thereof, w...
Short-term rental operators in Fairfax County must provide off-street parking for guests and cannot rely on neighborhood street parking. The county zoning ordinance limits guest vehicles to preserve residential character.
Fairfax County caps short-term lodging at 6 adult guests (lodgers) per night, regardless of home size. Children under 12 are not counted toward this limit. Maximum 2 guest vehicles on the property. No more than 60 nights per calendar year when the operator is not on-site. Gatherings, parties, or events involving non-lodgers are prohibited. Violations can result in permit revocation.
Fairfax County requires short-term lodging operators to carry liability insurance covering guest stays. Standard homeowner policies often exclude commercial rental activity, so operators must obtain dedicated STR coverage under Zoning Ordinance Section 6-409.
Fairfax County limits the number of nights a primary residence can be rented short-term each year. Annual night caps protect residential neighborhood character and prevent de facto hotel use under Zoning Ordinance Section 6-409.
Fairfax County requires a Short-Term Lodging (STL) Zoning Permit before advertising or operating any rental of less than 30 days. Permit fee is $270, valid 2 years. Property must be operator's primary residence (≥185 days/year). Cap of 60 rental nights per calendar year.
Fairfax County requires short-term lodging to occur in the operator primary residence. Non-owner-occupied investment STRs are not permitted in most residential zoning districts under Zoning Ordinance Section 6-409.
3 cities in Fairfax County have their own short-term rentals rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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