Norfolk, VA Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Per bedroom
- 2 guests
- Total cap
- 10 guests
- Bedroom cap
- 5 bedrooms
- Over 5 bedrooms
- Not eligible
- Governing law
- Zoning Ord. § 4.2.3.F(10)
Summary
Norfolk caps a vacation rental at two guests per bedroom, no more than ten guests total, in no more than five bedrooms. Homes with over five bedrooms cannot be vacation rentals.
The maximum occupancy for each dwelling unit is two (2) for each bedroom and a total of no more than ten (10) guests staying in no more than five (5) bedrooms at any one time. No dwelling with more than five (5) bedrooms may be used for short-term rental (Vacation Rental) use.
Full Breakdown
The Norfolk Zoning Ordinance limits each vacation-rental dwelling to two guests for every bedroom, with a hard ceiling of ten guests staying in no more than five bedrooms at any one time. A dwelling with more than five bedrooms cannot be used as a vacation rental at all. Bedroom count is taken from the city's real property records, not the listing, so operators must post the maximum occupancy inside the unit and provide a labeled floor plan. Occupancy must be stated identically across every booking platform the operator uses.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the occupancy cap is a zoning violation; the city can impose conditions, deny, or revoke the zoning certificate or Conditional Use Permit, and acts on complaints filed through MyNorfolk.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many guests can a Norfolk vacation rental hold?
How is bedroom count determined?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Norfolk
Compare Norfolk to another location·View the Virginia short-term rentals overview
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