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Henrico County, VA Short-Term Rentals: Host Presence Rule (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Key Facts

Hosted stay
Owner present; by-right within limits
Unhosted stay
Owner away; conditional use permit
Unhosted complaint response
Adult on-site within 30 minutes
Hosted complaint response
Owner resolves at any time
Governing section
Zoning Sec. 24-4431(A),(D)

Summary

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.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Henrico County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

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.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Under Section 24-4431, a short-term rental is 'hosted' when the homeowner is present in the dwelling (like a traditional bed-and-breakfast) and 'unhosted' when the owner is away and the whole house is rented. Hosted stays in the principal dwelling are allowed with no special zoning approval when the lot has at least 80 feet of public-street frontage, no more than six renters stay, and the rental does not exceed 60 days per year. Any unhosted stay requires a conditional use permit from the Board of Zoning Appeals (subsection A).

Violations & Fines

Operating an unhosted stay without a conditional use permit, or failing to designate a responsive adult, violates Section 24-4431. Enforcement runs through zoning and the registry, exposing the operator to the $500 penalty under County Code Sec.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rent my whole Henrico house while I'm out of town?
Yes, but that is an unhosted stay, which requires a conditional use permit from the Board of Zoning Appeals. You must also designate an adult who can respond in person within 30 minutes to complaints.
What's the difference between hosted and unhosted stays?
A hosted stay is when the homeowner is present and rents a room or two; an unhosted stay is when the owner is away and rents the whole house. Hosted stays are by-right within limits; unhosted stays need a permit.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Henrico County

Noise Ordinances: Quiet HoursSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsShort-Term Rental PermitsSome RestrictionsTaxes & FeesSome RestrictionsShort-Term Rental Parking RulesSome RestrictionsNight CapsSome RestrictionsPrimary-Residence-Only RuleHeavy RestrictionsNoise RulesSome RestrictionsHost Platform LiabilitySome RestrictionsRepeat Violator StrikesHeavy RestrictionsOccupancy LimitsSome RestrictionsInsurance RequirementsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseFew RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Leaf Blower RulesSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome Restrictions

All Henrico County rules

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