Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Short-Term Rentals in Frederick County, VA (2026)

4 rules for unincorporated Frederick County, Virginia.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Frederick County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Short-Term Rental Permits

Before any short-term lodging activity can begin in Frederick County outside Winchester, Stephens City and Middletown, the Department of Planning and Development must approve a short-term lodging administrative permit and the Commissioner of the Revenue must approve a business license, per § 165-702.08.A.

Short-Term Rental Permit, Frederick County VA

Significant Restrictions

Frederick County Code § 165-702.08.A

§ ... 165-702.08. ... Short-term lodging or tourist home. ... Permits. No short-term lodging activity shall take place on the property until the Department of Planning and Development has approved a short-term lodging administrative permit for the use and the Commissioner of the Revenue has approved a business license for the use.
Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Short-Term Rental Parking Rules

In Frederick County outside Winchester, Stephens City and Middletown, a short-term lodging permit under § 165-702.08.C(3)(e) requires at least two designated off-street parking spaces for lodgers, and the operator must actually hold the authority to reserve those spaces for the rental rather than pointing to shared or street parking.

Frederick County Short-Term Rental Parking

Some Restrictions

Frederick County Code § 165-702.08.C(3)(e)

(3) A dwelling or manufactured home used for short-term lodging shall comply with the following standards: ... (e) Have at least two designated off-street parking spaces available for lodgers which the operator has the authority to reserve for short-term lodging purposes.
Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Occupancy Limits

Short-term lodging in Frederick County outside Winchester, Stephens City and Middletown is capped at 10 unrelated lodgers per night and five guest rooms, with only one rental contract allowed per dwelling per night, under § 165-702.08 of the Zoning Ordinance.

Short-Term Rental Occupancy Caps, Frederick VA

Some Restrictions

Frederick County Code § 165-702.08.B, C(1)-(2)

§ 165-702.08. Short-term lodging or tourist home. ... Maximum occupancy. The maximum number of lodgers per night shall not exceed 10 unrelated persons, except where the Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) ... permits only a fewer number of occupants. ... No more than five guest rooms are permitted for short-term lodging. ... A short-term lodging dwelling unit shall have a maximum of one rent...
Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Extended Home Share

In Frederick County outside Winchester, Stephens City and Middletown, operating a short-term lodging or tourist home requires an administrative permit from the Department of Planning and Development plus a business license from the Commissioner of the Revenue before any bookings begin. Section 165-702.08 caps occupancy at 10 unrelated lodgers per night, limits the unit to one rental contract at a time, and restricts it to five guest rooms.

Frederick County Short-Term Lodging Permit

Some Restrictions

Frederick County Code § 165-702.08

§ 165-702.08. ... Short-term lodging or tourist home. A. Permits. No short-term lodging activity shall take place on the property until the Department of Planning and Development has approved a short-term lodging administrative permit for the use and the Commissioner of the Revenue has approved a business license for the use. B. Maximum occupancy. The maximum number of lodgers per night shall n...
Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Frederick County ordinances

See every category we cover for Frederick County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

Frederick County Ordinance Hub →