Herndon, VA Rental Property Rules: Rental Registration (2026)

The Town of Herndon has not adopted a mandatory rental property registration or inspection program of the kind used in some larger Virginia localities. Rental activity is instead governed by a combination of state law and Herndon zoning rules found in Town Code Chapter 78 (Zoning). Under Virginia Code Section 55.1-1200 et seq. (the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act), landlords renting four or more dwelling units in a single locality are subject to VRLTA obligations regarding written leases, security deposits (capped at two months rent), and maintenance standards. Herndon landlords must also comply with the Virginia Maintenance Code, adopted under the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), which establishes habitability standards for all rental housing. The Town may inspect rental units in response to complaints, and persistent violations can result in civil penalties and repair orders. Business license requirements apply to landlords operating as a business within the Town; the Commissioner of the Revenue issues business, professional and occupational license (BPOL) certificates. Because Herndon is in Fairfax County for school and certain county services but is an incorporated town, landlords may also have Fairfax County obligations for transient occupancy or personal property tax on furnishings.