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

10 rules for unincorporated Henrico County, Virginia.

Verified from official government sources

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

Permit Requirements

Henrico allows short-term rentals (under 30 days) in one-family residence districts (R-0 through R-4A) and A-1 agricultural, only at the owner's primary residence. Hosted stays are by-right within limits; a Board of Zoning Appeals conditional use permit is required for unhosted stays, guesthouses, sub-80-foot lots, over six renters, or over

Henrico Short-Term Rental Permit Rules (Zoning Sec. 24-4431)

Some Restrictions

Henrico County Code Sec. 24-4431(A)

A conditional use permit is required for short-term rental, hosted stays that are: (1) Located in a guesthouse; (2) Located on a lot that does not abut a public street for at least 80 feet; (3) Occupied by more than six short-term renters at any time; or (4) Rented more than a total of 60 days in any calendar year; and for short-term rental, unhosted stays.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Noise Rules

Every Henrico short-term rental must conspicuously post the County noise ordinance inside the dwelling, and guests are subject to it. Rentals may not be used for parties, weddings, receptions, or other commercial events, and a responsible adult must resolve complaints, keeping disturbances in check in residential neighborhoods.

Henrico STR Noise Rules (Zoning Sec. 24-4431 + Chapter 10)

Some Restrictions

Henrico County Code Sec. 24-4431(K)

The property owner must conspicuously post the following information in any property offered for short-term rental: 1. The property address; ... 5. The Henrico County noise ordinance.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Taxes & Fees

Henrico short-term rental operators must collect an 8% transient occupancy tax on lodging charges, effective July 1, 2020, and remit it monthly by the 20th of the following month. Fees include a $200 annual registry fee and, if a conditional use permit is needed, a $300 one-time application fee.

Henrico STR Transient Occupancy Tax & Fees (8%)

Some Restrictions

Henrico STR Guidelines; County Code Ch. 20 Art. transient occupancy tax

The tax is 8% of the charges made to guests for lodging (including, but not limited to, room rentals, no-show fees, standard cleaning fees, pet fees, internet charges, late check-out fees, and extra person fees). The tax basis does not include taxes collected from guests.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Parking Rules

Henrico's zoning ordinance requires one off-street parking space for each guestroom in a short-term rental, in addition to the parking required for the principal dwelling. This on-site parking requirement applies to every registered short-term rental in the allowed residence and agricultural districts.

Henrico STR Off-Street Parking (Zoning Sec. 24-4431(C))

Some Restrictions

Henrico County Code Sec. 24-4431(C)

Parking spaces. One off-street parking space must be provided for each guestroom in addition to parking spaces required for the principal dwelling.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Occupancy Limits

Henrico caps short-term rental occupancy at twice the number of bedrooms in the dwelling. Hosted stays over six renters require a conditional use permit. At least one renter must be 18 or older, and all guests must book together; the owner cannot rent parts of the home to separate parties

Henrico STR Occupancy Limits (Zoning Sec. 24-4431(E))

Some Restrictions

Henrico County Code Sec. 24-4431(E)

Limit on number of occupants. The occupancy of any property during a short-term rental may not exceed a number equal to twice the number of bedrooms in the dwelling.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Insurance Requirements

Henrico's short-term rental ordinance does not mandate a specific liability-insurance amount. It does require working smoke detectors, carbon-monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers as required by the building code, unobstructed emergency egress, and a safety inspection tied to registration. Hosts should still verify private coverage.

Henrico STR Life-Safety & Insurance (Zoning Sec. 24-4431(J))

Some Restrictions

Henrico County Code Sec. 24-4431(J)

Provision of smoke detectors, etc. The property owner of any property offered for short-term rental must provide and maintain in good working order every smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector, and fire extinguisher required to be in the short-term rental by law. No property owner may obstruct any emergency egress required by law.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Night Caps

A Henrico hosted short-term rental may operate up to 60 days in any calendar year by right. Renting more than a total of 60 days per year requires a Board of Zoning Appeals conditional use permit. Check-in and check-out are also barred between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

Henrico STR 60-Day By-Right Cap (Zoning Sec. 24-4431(A))

Some Restrictions

Henrico County Code Sec. 24-4431(A)(4)

A conditional use permit is required for short-term rental, hosted stays that are: ... (4) Rented more than a total of 60 days in any calendar year.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Registration Rules

Henrico operators must register annually with the Department of Finance before offering any property for short-term rental. Registration requires the operator's name and each property address, a $200 annual fee, and follows zoning approval. Registrations are valid one year. No property may be offered without a valid registration.

Henrico STR Registry Requirement (County Code Sec. 20-280)

Some Restrictions

Henrico County Code Sec. 20-280

There is hereby established a short-term rental registry in the county. Operators within the county are required to register annually with the director of the department of finance and provide (i) the complete name of the operator and (ii) the address of each property in the locality offered for short-term rental. The operator must pay a fee of $200.00 at the time of registration each year.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Host Presence Rule

Henrico distinguishes hosted stays (owner present) from unhosted stays (owner away). Hosted stays are allowed by right within limits; any unhosted stay requires a Board of Zoning Appeals conditional use permit. For unhosted stays, a designated adult must respond on-site within 30 minutes to complaints.

Henrico Hosted vs. Unhosted STR Stays (Zoning Sec. 24-4431)

Some Restrictions

Henrico County Code Sec. 24-4431(D)

For short-term rental, unhosted stays, prior to offering the property as a short-term rental, the property owner must provide ... the name and contact information of an adult who will be available at all times when the property is occupied. The designated adult must respond in person at the property within 30 minutes whenever necessary to resolve issues and complaints.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Primary-Residence-Only Rule

Henrico permits short-term rentals only at the owner's primary residence. Section 24-4431(B) requires the dwelling to be occupied by the resident at least 185 days per year, and the resident must certify that occupancy before offering the property. Buying a home solely to rent it short-term is not allowed.

Henrico STR Primary-Residence Rule (Zoning Sec. 24-4431(B))

Heavy Restrictions

Henrico County Code Sec. 24-4431(B)

Principal residence required. Only a dwelling that is occupied by the resident for at least 185 days per year may be offered for short-term rental. Prior to offering any property as a short-term rental, the resident must certify, on a form provided by the Planning Director, that the resident occupies the property for at least 185 days per year.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Henrico County ordinances

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

Henrico County Ordinance Hub →