Suffolk, VA Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Guest headcount cap
- None specified
- Maximum stay
- 30 days
- Guest rooms
- Within principal dwelling
- Cooking in rooms
- Prohibited
- Code
- UDO Sec. 31-703(e)-(g)
Summary
Suffolk sets no guest headcount cap for short-term rentals. As a bed and breakfast, stays are capped at 30 days and all guest rooms must sit within the principal dwelling under UDO Section 31-703(e) and (f); building-code occupancy limits then apply.
No long term rental of rooms shall be permitted. The maximum length of stay shall be thirty (30) days.
Full Breakdown
No numeric guest limit is written for short-term rentals, because Suffolk regulates them as bed and breakfasts. Section 31-703(e) bars long-term rental and caps any stay at 30 days. Section 31-703(f) requires all guest rooms to be located within the principal structure, though an accessory building under 35 percent of the principal dwelling's living area can hold guest rooms, and never in the RC or RU districts. No cooking facilities are allowed in guest rooms under Section 31-703(g). The Virginia building code's occupancy standards then cap how many people each room can hold.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the 30-day stay limit or housing guests outside the principal structure violates Section 31-703 and the conditional use permit, exposing the operator to Suffolk Community Development enforcement and permit revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many guests can a Suffolk rental host?
Is there a maximum stay?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Suffolk
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