Loudoun County, VA Short-Term Rentals: Primary-Residence-Only Rule (2026)

Loudoun County's Zoning Ordinance treats an owner-occupied short-term rental as its own use category, distinct from Short-Term Rental, Commercial Whole-House. Section 4.03.05.C.3.g sets the residency floor: the Operator must occupy the dwelling unit the use is accessory to for a minimum of 185 days out of the calendar year, and this requirement cannot be modified through a Minor Special Exception under Section 4.03.05.C.1. Operation also requires an annual registration under Chapter 1470 of the Codified Ordinances (Section 4.03.05.C.2), displayed conspicuously at the entrance and included in advertising, plus a non-transferable Zoning Permit (Section 4.03.05.C.4) limited to one per parcel or condominium unit.

Guest rooms are capped at 4 per parcel, overnight guest capacity tops out at 8 for single-family detached homes and 4 for attached/multifamily units unless the individual sewage disposal system permits fewer, and the rental period is capped at 180 days per calendar year (Section 4.03.05.C.3.c). An Operator or designated Manager must be reachable by phone within 30 minutes and on-site within 60 minutes during any rental. This use only applies in unincorporated Loudoun County; Leesburg, Purcellville, Hamilton, Middleburg, Round Hill, Hillsboro and Lovettsville regulate short-term rentals under their own town codes.