Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Hampton, VA Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Bedroom cap (admin permit)
5 bedrooms
Overnight lodger cap
10 lodgers
Daytime occupancy cap
2x overnight count
Absolute bedroom ceiling
9 bedrooms

Summary

Hampton caps every short-term rental at five bedrooms and ten overnight lodgers, with an absolute nine-bedroom ceiling per property regardless of permit type.

The short-term rental shall not offer for lodging more than five (5) bedrooms, and shall not allow more than ten (10) overnight lodgers...in no case shall a short-term rental offer for lodging more than five (5) bedrooms and shall not allow more than ten (10) overnight lodgers...Only one (1) short-term rental zoning administrator permit or Use Permit shall be issued for a property. Such short-term rental permit shall not exceed more than nine (9) bedrooms offered for overnight lodging on the property.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 31 | Zoning: Supplement 20).

Full Breakdown

Hampton Zoning Ordinance § 3-3(29), operative as amended through November 2025, caps a short-term rental approved by zoning administrator permit at no more than five bedrooms offered for lodging and no more than ten overnight lodgers. The actual maximum lodger count is further tied to Section 404.4.1 of the Virginia Property Maintenance Code and must be shown on the approved floor plan. Daytime occupancy (7 a.m.-10 p.m.) may not exceed twice the approved overnight-lodging count. Regardless of whether the property holds a zoning administrator permit or a Use Permit, only one short-term rental permit may issue per property, and it cannot exceed nine bedrooms offered for overnight lodging.

Violations & Fines

Exceeding the five-bedroom/ten-lodger cap, the daytime occupancy multiplier, or the nine-bedroom absolute ceiling is grounds for permit revocation by the zoning administrator, appealable to City Council.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people can stay overnight at a Hampton short-term rental?
No more than 10 overnight lodgers in no more than 5 bedrooms under a zoning administrator permit, per Zoning Ordinance § 3-3(29)(a)(i) and (b)(iii).
Is there an absolute bedroom limit for Hampton short-term rentals?
Yes -- no property may exceed 9 bedrooms offered for overnight lodging under § 3-3(29)(c)(iii), regardless of permit type.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Hampton

All Hampton rules

Compare Hampton to another location·View the Virginia short-term rentals overview

Get notified when Occupancy Limits in Hampton, VA changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.