Richmond does not impose an annual night cap on owner-occupied STRs. Rentals are unlimited so long as the operator maintains primary residency at least 185 days per year and remains compliant with the STR permit.
Richmond City Code Chapter 30 Article V, Section 30-692.6 governs short-term rentals. Unlike Charlottesville or Arlington County, Richmond does not cap the number of rental nights per year. The operator must hold a Conditional Use Permit or Administrative STR Permit, live in the dwelling as their primary residence at least 185 days per calendar year, and rent to no more than two adult guests per bedroom up to six adults total. The STR must also remit the City of Richmond Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) of 8 percent plus the state TOT of 1 percent and 5.3 percent sales tax under VA Code §58.1-3819 (delegated TOT authority) and VA Code §58.1-603 (state sales tax), totaling 14.3 percent on the room rate. Non-owner-occupied (whole-home absent-host) STRs are generally prohibited except where a special use permit has been granted by City Council. VA Code §15.2-983 authorizes but does not preempt Richmond's STR framework, and Dillon's Rule means Richmond's 185-day residency rule is enforceable as written.
Operation without permit or exceeding 185-day absence: permit revocation, civil penalty $500 first offense escalating to $2,500 per VA Code §15.2-2209, plus back TOT with 10% penalty plus interest under VA Code §58.1-3916.
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