Virginia Beach, VA Short-Term Rentals: Primary-Residence-Only Rule (2026)
Key Facts
- Home sharing
- Owner-occupied, permitted by-right (P)
- Non-owner-occupied short-term rental
- Prohibited (X) outside special districts
- Sandbridge SSD
- Short-term rentals permitted by-right
- STR Overlay District
- Conditional use permit required
- Registration
- Required with Commissioner of Revenue
Summary
Virginia Beach zoning allows by-right 'home sharing' only when the owner occupies the dwelling as a principal residence during rentals; renting a non-owner-occupied dwelling is a prohibited 'short-term rental' unless in Sandbridge or an approved STR Overlay District.
Home sharing. A dwelling unit in which a room or rooms are offered for rental for compensation for a period of less than thirty (30) consecutive days by an owner who utilizes the dwelling unit as his principal residence and occupies the dwelling unit during any such rental period. ... Short-term rental. A dwelling that does not meet the definition of home sharing in which a room or rooms, or the entire dwelling are rented for less than thirty (30) consecutive days for compensation.
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
Virginia Beach's zoning ordinance draws a hard line between 'home sharing' and 'short-term rental' based on owner-occupancy. Home sharing is renting a room or rooms for under 30 days where the owner uses the dwelling as a principal residence and is present during the rental -- that use is permitted by-right (P) citywide under Sec. 209.6, which also requires registration with the Commissioner of Revenue. A short-term rental (a dwelling, or room within one, rented for under 30 days that doesn't meet the home-sharing definition, i.e. non-owner-occupied) is flatly prohibited (X) in residential districts unless the property sits in the Sandbridge Special Service District (permitted by-right) or an approved STR Overlay District (conditional use permit required).
Violations & Fines
Operating a non-owner-occupied short-term rental outside Sandbridge or an approved STR Overlay District violates the zoning ordinance; the city can pursue zoning enforcement and civil penalties for operating without required approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent out my Virginia Beach home if I don't live there?
What counts as 'home sharing' versus a 'short-term rental' in Virginia Beach?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Virginia Beach
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