Short-Term Rentals in York County, VA (2026)
6 rules for unincorporated York County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Short-Term Rental Permits
In York County, Virginia, a short-term rental home (tourist home or bed and breakfast) needs a special use permit backed by a detailed operating narrative and floor plan, plus building, fire, and business permits before it can host guests.
York County Short-Term Rental Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsYork County Code § 24.1-409(f), (i), (j)(1)
The owner/proprietor of a short-term rental home shall be responsible for obtaining all applicable permits and/or approvals required in accordance with regulations of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code and the Department of Fire and Life Safety prior to use of a structure as a short-term rental home. ... The owner/proprietor shall obtain a York County business license, establish a Cou...
Noise Rules
York County, Virginia does not write a separate noise standard into the base short-term rental ordinance for everyday overnight guests. The only STR-specific noise clause sits in Sec. 24.1-409(l)(6), covering supplementary weddings and receptions hosted at an already-operating bed and breakfast or tourist home, and it requires full compliance with the County Noise Ordinance at Sec. 16-19.
York County STR Wedding Noise Rule
Light RestrictionsYork County Code § 24.1-409(l)(6)
(6)Noise: The activities on the subject property shall be conducted in complete accordance with all requirements of the York County Noise Ordinance set forth in Section 16-19 of the York County Code.
Taxes & Fees
York County, Virginia treats Airbnb- and VRBO-style short-term rentals as taxable "Lodging Facilities" under County Code Sec. 21-92, since the definition expressly covers "any place that offers Short-Term Lodging." Booking platforms acting as accommodations intermediaries must report every host's property address, gross receipts, and room nights to the Commissioner of the Revenue every month under Sec. 21-96(f).
York County, VA Short-Term Rental Tax Duties
Some RestrictionsYork County Code §§ 21-92, 21-96
Lodging Facility. ... Any public or private hotel, inn, apartment hotel, hostelry, tourist camp, tourist cabin, tourist home or house, camping grounds, club, motel, rooming house, any place that offers Short-Term Lodging, or other place within the County offering accommodations for one or more persons at any one time, and the owner and operator thereof, who, for compensation, furnishes accommod...
Short-Term Rental Parking Rules
York County, Virginia keeps short-term rental parking off the public street. Sec. 24.1-409(c) requires all parking demand generated by a rental home, tourist home, or bed and breakfast to be accommodated off-street in a suitably located and surfaced space, and Sec. 24.1-409(k) has the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors weigh the surrounding roadway network before approving the special use permit.
York County STR Off-Street Parking Rule
Some RestrictionsYork County Code § 24.1-409(c), (k)
(c)Any parking demand generated by the conduct of such use shall be accommodated off the street in a suitably located and surfaced space. ... (k)In evaluating any special use permit application for a short-term rental home, the commission and board shall consider the adequacy and capacity of the adjacent roadway network, including pavement widths, traffic volumes, and street ownership and maint...
Occupancy Limits
York County, Virginia does not print a flat headcount for short-term rental homes, tourist homes, or bed and breakfasts. Under County Code Sec. 24.1-409(g), the Board of Supervisors fixes the maximum number of guests as a condition of each special use permit, weighing the density and character of the surrounding neighborhood and the size of the specific site before approving any short-term rental.
York County Sets STR Occupancy By Permit
Significant RestrictionsYork County Code § 24.1-409(g)
(g)The board shall specify the maximum number of persons who may be accommodated in the proposed use. Such determination shall be based on a consideration of the density and character of the vicinity in which located and of the size and characteristics of the proposed site.
Host Presence Rule
York County, Virginia ties every bed and breakfast and tourist home to a live presence. Sec. 24.1-409(d)-(e) requires the B&B owner to live on the premises or next door and personally run the operation, while a tourist home owner must reside nearby or name a responsible party who can promptly resolve guest complaints and is on file with the Sheriff's Office.
York County STR Owner Residency Rule
Some RestrictionsYork County Code § 24.1-409(d)-(e)
(d)When a bed and breakfast establishment is located in a residential zoning district, the owner of the property shall live on the premises or in an adjacent premises and shall be the operator/provider of the bed and breakfast accommodations and services.(e)The owner/proprietor of a tourist home shall reside either in the home or in an adjacent premises or shall designate a responsible party, w...
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