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Henrico County, VA Short-Term Rentals: Insurance Requirements (2026)

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

Key Facts

Liability insurance mandate
None set by the ordinance
Smoke/CO detectors
Required and maintained (Sec. 24-4431(J))
Fire extinguisher
Required per building code
Emergency egress
Must not be obstructed
Safety inspection
Included in $200 registration

Summary

Henrico's short-term rental ordinance does not mandate a specific liability-insurance amount. It does require working smoke detectors, carbon-monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers as required by the building code, unobstructed emergency egress, and a safety inspection tied to registration. Hosts should still verify private coverage.

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.

Provision of smoke detectors, etc. The property owner of any property offered for short-term rental must provide and maintain in good working order every smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector, and fire extinguisher required to be in the short-term rental by law. No property owner may obstruct any emergency egress required by law.

Full Breakdown

Section 24-4431(J) requires the property owner of any short-term rental to provide and maintain in good working order every smoke detector, carbon-monoxide detector, and fire extinguisher required to be in the rental by law, and prohibits obstructing any emergency egress required by law. The $200 annual registration fee includes the cost of a safety inspection, reinforcing these life-safety standards. The County's adopted STR rules and registry (County Code Sec. 20-280 and Zoning Sec. 24-4431) do not set a numeric liability-insurance requirement or name a required coverage amount for operators.

Violations & Fines

Missing or non-working smoke detectors, CO detectors, or fire extinguishers, or obstructed egress, violate Section 24-4431 and the building code and can fail the safety inspection required for registration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Henrico require short-term rental insurance?
The County's STR ordinance and registry do not set a specific liability-insurance amount. Hosts should still confirm their homeowner's policy or an STR endorsement covers commercial guest use, which standard policies often exclude.
What safety equipment must a Henrico short-term rental have?
Section 24-4431(J) requires working smoke detectors, carbon-monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers as required by the building code, and prohibits obstructing emergency egress. The $200 registration fee includes a safety inspection.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Henrico County

All Henrico County rules

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