Virginia Beach, VA Short-Term Rentals: Insurance Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum coverage
- $1,000,000 liability insurance
- Proof required
- At registration and renewal
- Insurer
- Must be acceptable to the city
- Applies to
- CUP and grandfathered STRs alike
- Citation
- CZO § 241.2(9)
Summary
Virginia Beach requires short-term rental hosts to carry at least $1,000,000 in liability insurance covering the rental activity, proven at initial registration and renewal, under insurers acceptable to the city.
The owner or operator shall provide proof of liability insurance applicable to the rental activity at registration and renewal of at least one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) underwritten by insurers acceptable to the city;
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 City Zoning Ordinance § 241.2(9), every short-term rental in Virginia Beach must provide proof of liability insurance applicable to the rental activity at registration and at each renewal, with coverage of at least $1,000,000 underwritten by an insurer acceptable to the city. This condition applies to properties operating under a conditional use permit and to grandfathered rentals registered before July 1, 2018, which must still meet all conditions of § 241.2 even though they were not required to obtain a CUP. The zoning administrator reviews proof of coverage as part of the permitting and renewal process.
Violations & Fines
Failing to maintain the required $1,000,000 policy is a violation of the conditional use permit; the city council may revoke the permit or grandfathered status after notice and a hearing under Va. Code § 15.2-2204.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the insurance rule apply to grandfathered short-term rentals?
Who reviews the proof of insurance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Virginia Beach
Compare Virginia Beach to another location·View the Virginia short-term rentals overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.