Virginia Beach, VA Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)
Short-term rental permit rules in Virginia Beach, VA, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Key Facts
- Annual registration fee
- $50 to Commissioner of Revenue
- Unregistered rental penalty
- $500 per day, per violation
- CUP term
- Expires after 5 years
- First inspection
- Required at initial permit application
- By-right zones
- Sandbridge SSD and STR Overlay Districts
Summary
Virginia Beach requires most short-term rentals to obtain a conditional use permit, pass a safety inspection, and register annually with the Commissioner of Revenue before renting out a property for less than 30 days.
A property inspection is required when an operator first applies for a short-term rental permit and a subsequent inspection shall occur every five years. In years when an inspection is not required, the property owner or their representative shall submit an attestation to the department of planning and community development confirming that the short-term rental is in compliance with the requirements set forth in this section. If the planning department has good cause to believe that a safety violation exists on the property, it shall conduct an inspection prior to renewing the permit.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 170 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Outside the Sandbridge Special Service District and STR Overlay Districts, operating a short-term rental in Virginia Beach requires a conditional use permit from city council, which expires after five years and is renewed administratively by the planning department. A property inspection covering smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers is required when an operator first applies, and every five years after that. Separately, every operator must register annually with the commissioner of revenue's office and pay a $50 fee before offering any property as a short-term rental.
Violations & Fines
Renting without commissioner-of-revenue registration carries a $500-per-day penalty, and repeat violations can bar a property from registering as a short-term rental at all. The city council can also revoke a conditional use permit or grandfathered status after notice and hearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to run a short-term rental in Virginia Beach?
How often is a short-term rental permit renewed in Virginia Beach?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Virginia Beach
How Virginia Beach compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Compare Virginia Beach to another location·View the Virginia short-term rentals overview
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