Chesapeake, VA Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)
Short-term rental permit rules in Chesapeake, VA, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Key Facts
- Zoning
- CUP required in most districts
- State Law
- VA Code §15.2-983
- Registration
- Commissioner of the Revenue
- Business License
- Required
- Contact
- Local responsible party
Summary
Chesapeake regulates short-term rentals through its Zoning Ordinance. Operators must obtain a conditional use permit or administrative zoning approval depending on district, plus a city business license and transient occupancy registration.
§ 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 be ministerial in nature and shall require the operator to provide (i) the complete name of the operator, (ii) the address of each property in the locality offered for short-term rental by the operator, and (iii) an attestation that the property owner has granted permission for use of such property as a short-term rental if the operator is a lessee or sublessee. A locality may charge a reasonable fee for such registration related to the actual costs of establishing and maintaining the registry.
C. 1. If a locality adopts a registry ordinance pursuant to this section, such ordinance may include a penalty not to exceed $500 per violation for an operator required to register who offers for short-term rental a property that is not registered with the locality. Such ordinance may provide that unless and until an operator pays the penalty and registers such property, the operator may not continue to offer such property for short-term rental.
Full Breakdown
Under VA Code §15.2-983 localities may require STR registration. Chesapeake defines short-term lodging as a rental of a dwelling unit for fewer than 30 consecutive days. The use is regulated through the Zoning Ordinance and in most residential districts requires a conditional use permit (CUP) approved by City Council. Operators must register with the Commissioner of the Revenue for transient occupancy tax collection and business licensing. A local point of contact reachable within a set response time is required. Life safety items including smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and posted emergency information must be in place.
Violations & Fines
Operating without required zoning approval is a zoning violation with civil penalties up to $200 per day. Unregistered TOT collection can trigger tax assessments and penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run an Airbnb in any Chesapeake neighborhood?
Do HOAs also have a say?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chesapeake
How Chesapeake compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Compare Chesapeake to another location·View the Virginia short-term rentals overview
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