Henrico County, VA Short-Term Rentals: Primary-Residence-Only Rule (2026)
Key Facts
- Primary residence required
- Yes, owner must live there
- Occupancy threshold
- At least 185 days per year
- Certification
- Required before offering rental
- Investment STR
- Buying solely to rent is banned
- Governing section
- Zoning Sec. 24-4431(B)
Summary
Henrico permits short-term rentals only at the owner's primary residence. Section 24-4431(B) requires the dwelling to be occupied by the resident at least 185 days per year, and the resident must certify that occupancy before offering the property. Buying a home solely to rent it short-term is not allowed.
Principal residence required. Only a dwelling that is occupied by the resident for at least 185 days per year may be offered for short-term rental. Prior to offering any property as a short-term rental, the resident must certify, on a form provided by the Planning Director, that the resident occupies the property for at least 185 days per year.
Full Breakdown
Zoning Section 24-4431(B) states that only a dwelling occupied by the resident for at least 185 days per year may be offered for short-term rental, and the resident must certify, on a form provided by the Planning Director, that they occupy the property at least 185 days per year before offering it. This primary-residence limit means a homeowner living in the house year-round may rent it for hosted stays, and may rent the whole house for unhosted stays while temporarily away, but buying a house solely for short-term rental, or living in one house while short-term-renting another, is prohibited. The rule confines short-term rentals to genuine owner-occupied homes in the allowed One-Family Residence and A-1 Agricultural districts, protecting neighborhood character.
Violations & Fines
Offering a non-primary-residence for short-term rental, or falsely certifying 185-day occupancy, violates Section 24-4431 and can void registration. It exposes the operator to the $500 penalty under County Code Sec.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a house in Henrico just to run it as an Airbnb?
Do I have to prove the home is my primary residence?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Henrico County
Compare Henrico County to another location·View the Virginia short-term rentals overview
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