Alexandria STR operators pay a 6.5% city transient lodging tax plus $1.25 per room per night, layered on the 3.0% Virginia state transient occupancy tax (combined 9.5% + $1.25/night). Annual permit fees under Ordinance 5575 are $100 owner-occupied, $350 owner-unoccupied.
Alexandria taxes short-term rentals under City Code Title 3, Chapter 2, Article K (Transient Lodging Tax, §3-2-152) at 6.5% of the room rental charge plus a $1.25 per-room, per-night surcharge. The Commonwealth of Virginia layers a 3.0% state transient occupancy tax on top (effective May 1, 2021, under Va. Code §§58.1-1743 and 58.1-1744), bringing the combined rate to 9.5% of the rental charge plus the city's $1.25/room/night fee. Article T (§3-2-363) of the City Code separately authorizes a short-term (daily) rental tax for businesses renting tangible personal property; lodging falls under Article K. Operators must register with the Finance Department, collect the tax from guests, and remit monthly. Effective September 1, 2025, Ordinance No. 5575 also imposes an annual Short-Term Residential Rental Permit fee of $100 for owner-occupied units and $350 for owner-unoccupied units (non-refundable), payable to the Department of Planning & Zoning through APEX. Hosting platforms such as Airbnb collect Virginia state tax for hosts, but city tax responsibility remains on the operator unless the platform has a separate collection agreement. Confirm current rates and remittance procedures with Alexandria Finance at 703-746-3909.
Failure to register, collect, or remit the transient lodging tax is enforceable under City Code Title 3 with penalties, interest, and back-tax assessments. Operating without an STR permit triggers a $200 initial citation and $500 every 10 days under Ordinance 5575.
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