Fairfax County, VA Short-Term Rentals: Noise Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Banned activities
- Parties, weddings, banquets, meetings, fund-raisers
- Applies to
- Paid or unpaid gatherings alike
- Nightly guest cap
- Six adults per night
- Annual night cap
- 60 nights per calendar year
- First-offense fine
- $200 civil penalty
- Appeal window
- 10 days to Zoning Administrator and BZA
Summary
Fairfax County bans events and gatherings, including parties, weddings, banquets and fund-raisers, at any short-term lodging property. Subsection 4102.7.O(4)(d) of the Zoning Ordinance prohibits any gathering of people beyond the registered lodgers, whether or not the host is paid directly or indirectly for hosting it.
The short-term lodging use is subject to the following use limitations: (a) A dwelling or manufactured home may be used for short-term lodging for no more than 60 nights per calendar year. (b) The maximum number of lodgers per night may not exceed six adults, except where the USBC requires fewer occupants. ... (d) Events and activities, including luncheons, banquets, parties, weddings, meetings, fund raising, commercial or advertising activities, and any other gathering of persons other than the authorized lodgers, whether for direct or indirect compensation, are prohibited in association with any short-term lodging.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published.
Full Breakdown
O(4), impose four use limitations on every permitted rental, and limitation (d) targets noise-generating gatherings directly: events and activities, including luncheons, banquets, parties, weddings, meetings, fund raising, commercial or advertising activities, and any other gathering of persons other than the authorized lodgers, are prohibited in association with any short-term lodging, regardless of whether the host collects direct or indirect compensation for the event. The other three limitations in the same subsection reinforce the no-party rule: short-term lodging is capped at no more than 60 nights per calendar year, the maximum number of lodgers per night is six adults (fewer if the Uniform Statewide Building Code requires it), and all lodgers on a given night must be tied to a single rental contract, so a host cannot book several separate parties of guests to the same address on the same night to route around the gathering ban.
Every advertisement for the rental, on any platform, must display the short-term lodging permit number, so code enforcement can trace a noise or party complaint back to a specific permitted operator. O(3)(d), are both an escalation point when a gathering violates the ban.
Violations & Fines
Hosting a prohibited event under subsection 4102.7.O(4)(d) is an infraction under Fairfax County Code § 8106.3.A: a $200 civil penalty for the first violation and $500 for each subsequent one, and the Zoning Administrator may revoke the short-term lodging permit outright for the violation. Notices of a short-term lodging violation must be appealed within ten days under subsection 8100.10.A(2)(b).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I host a birthday party or wedding at my Fairfax County short-term rental?
What happens if a neighbor reports a party at a short-term rental?
Does the party ban apply even if guests don't pay extra for the event?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fairfax County
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