Virginia Beach does not impose a primary-residence-only rule citywide. The Sandbridge Special Service District has long permitted investor-owned vacation rentals as a core part of the local tourism economy.
Unlike many coastal cities, Virginia Beach treats the Sandbridge District as a vacation-rental zone where second homes and investor properties may operate as STRs by right. Outside Sandbridge and the Resort Area Overlay, STRs typically require a conditional-use permit, but the application is not limited to primary residences. Per VA Code §15.2-983, localities cannot ban STRs outright without a registry, so Virginia Beach relies on zoning to channel rental activity into appropriate districts rather than imposing residency tests.
Operating outside an STR-permitted district without a conditional-use permit can result in zoning citations, daily fines, and forced cessation of rental activity.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach City Code Sec. 23-69 caps sound entering another residential dwelling at 55 dBA between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., and 65 dBA between 7:00 a.m....
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach's zoning and property maintenance codes do not restrict residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays at single-family homes. Po...
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach has no specific City ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. The principal restrictions come from HOA and condo covenant...
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach has no citywide ordinance restricting residential holiday lights at single-family homes. Restrictions arise principally from HOA and condo cov...
Virginia Beach, VA
Outdoor kitchens in Virginia Beach require separate trade permits from Permits and Inspections: building permit for structural elements, mechanical permit fo...
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach has no specific ordinance regulating residential offset smokers, pellet grills, or wood-fired pizza ovens at single-family homes. Multi-unit b...
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