Alexandria, VA Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)
Short-term rental permit rules in Alexandria, VA, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Key Facts
- Effective
- September 1, 2025
- Authority
- Ordinance 5575
- Trigger
- >10 days/year
- Response Time
- 1 hour required
Summary
Alexandria Ordinance No. 5575 (effective September 1, 2025) requires a Short-Term Residential Rental Permit for any property rented more than 10 days per calendar year. STR hosts must provide a Good Neighbor Guide and maintain a one-hour response window for violations.
15.2-983 . Creation of registry for short-term rental of property. A. As used in this section: "Operator" means the proprietor of any dwelling, lodging, or sleeping accommodations offered as a short-term rental, whether in the capacity of owner, lessee, sublessee, mortgagee in possession, licensee, or any other possessory capacity. "Short-term rental" means the provision of a room or space that is suitable or intended for occupancy for dwelling, sleeping, or lodging purposes, for a period of fewer than 30 consecutive days, in exchange for a charge for the occupancy. B. 1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, general or special, any locality may, by ordinance, establish a short-term rental registry and require operators within the locality to register annually. The registration shall
Full Breakdown
Effective September 1, 2025, Alexandria short-term rentals must comply with Ordinance No. 5575, which establishes a formal permitting process, occupancy limits, and operational requirements. Properties rented more than 10 days per calendar year must obtain a Short-Term Residential Rental Permit. Hosts must provide guests with a 'Good Neighbor Guide' covering parking rules, occupancy limits, the city's 11 PM-7 AM quiet hours, trash and pet-waste disposal, and local transit information. A one-hour response time is required for quality-of-life violations including occupancy, parties, events, or noise complaints. STR units must have working smoke detectors, CO detectors, and fire extinguishers and must comply with all applicable building, fire, and property maintenance codes.
Violations & Fines
Operating without a permit when over the 10-day threshold violates Ordinance 5575 and is enforced by the City through Code Enforcement, with penalties scaled to severity and frequency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for occasional Airbnb hosting?
What is the 'Good Neighbor Guide'?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Alexandria
How Alexandria compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Compare Alexandria to another location·View the Virginia short-term rentals overview
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