Loudoun County, VA Rental Property Rules: Rental Registration (2026)

Loudoun County has no mandatory general rental registration program for traditional long-term residential rentals in unincorporated areas. Long-term rental compliance is handled through: (1) Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (VRLTA, VA Code §55.1-1200) — statewide habitability standards; (2) Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) enforced by Loudoun Building and Development; (3) Loudoun Codified Ordinances Chapter 1040 (Property Maintenance Code) for exterior and structural conditions; (4) complaint-based code enforcement. Landlords must comply with VRLTA including security deposit rules (max 2 months; return within 45 days with itemized accounting per §55.1-1226), repair and maintenance obligations (§55.1-1220), and anti-discrimination (VA Fair Housing Law §36-96.1). Smoke detectors required in all rentals per VA USBC. Carbon monoxide detectors required if fuel-burning appliances present. Lead-based paint disclosure required for pre-1978 buildings under federal law (42 USC §4852d). Short-term rentals are regulated separately: Loudoun County requires short-term rental permits under Zoning §5-618 (added 2021) and Ord. Ch. 1680 — includes annual permit, life-safety inspection, Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) registration. Loudoun TOT rate 7% per VA Code §58.1-3819 authorization. Incorporated towns: Leesburg, Purcellville, Middleburg, Hamilton have their own business licensing for rental operations (BPOL applies to rental income at certain thresholds). Multi-family buildings (3+ units) face additional USBC Group R requirements. Property managers licensed by Virginia DPOR Real Estate Board.