Fairfax County, VA Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Nights per year
- Max 60 nights
- Adults per night
- Max 6 adults
- Rental contracts
- 1 per night
Summary
Fairfax County limits short-term lodging stays to no more than six adult lodgers per night and no more than 60 nights of use per calendar year.
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.
(c) All lodgers occupying a short-term lodging must be associated with the same rental contract. The
maximum number of rental contracts per night is one.
(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.
(e) All advertisements for short-term lodging, posted on any platform online or in any other format,
must include the short-term lodging permit number and identify the location of the parking space required by subsection (2)(d), above, and any other available parking or public transportation options.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published.
Full Breakdown
Under Section 4102.7.O(4), a permitted short-term lodging dwelling or manufactured home may only be used for short-term lodging up to 60 nights per calendar year. The maximum number of lodgers allowed on-site per night may not exceed six adults, except where the Uniform Statewide Building Code requires fewer occupants for safety reasons. All lodgers on a given night must be on a single rental contract, and only one rental contract per night is allowed.
Violations & Fines
Hosting more than six adults a night, exceeding 60 nights a year, or running multiple contracts on the same night is a zoning infraction, punishable by a $200 civil penalty for a first offense and $500 for repeats.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many nights a year can I rent my Fairfax County home short-term?
Is there a guest limit for a short-term rental in Fairfax County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fairfax County
Compare Fairfax County to another location·View the Virginia short-term rentals overview
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