Virginia Beach, VA Short-Term Rentals: Host Presence Rule (2026)
Key Facts
- Response window
- 30 minutes by phone
- Physical visit
- Not required
- Who can serve
- Owner, operator, or agent
- Applies to
- All STRs, incl. grandfathered
Summary
Virginia Beach short-term rentals must have a named responsible person reachable by phone who can address problems at the property within 30 minutes: showing up in person isn't required.
The owner or operator must provide the name and telephone number of a responsible person, who may be the owner, operator or an agent of the owner or operator, who is available to be contacted and to address conditions occurring at the short-term rental within thirty (30) minutes. Physical response to the site of the short-term rental is not required;
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 170 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Under the city zoning ordinance's short-term rental standards, every host or operator must give the city the name and phone number of a responsible person, the owner, operator, or an agent, who can be contacted and can address conditions at the rental within 30 minutes of a complaint or issue. The ordinance explicitly does not require that person to physically travel to the site; a phone response that resolves the problem satisfies the rule. This contact requirement applies regardless of whether the property holds a conditional use permit or qualifies as a grandfathered pre-2018 rental.
Violations & Fines
Failure to maintain a reachable responsible person is a condition violation; combined with other violations it can lead to revocation of the short-term rental's conditional use permit or grandfathered status after notice and a city council hearing under Va. Code § 15.2-2204.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the responsible person have to come to the property?
Can the owner designate a property manager instead of being reachable themselves?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Virginia Beach
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