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Glen Allen

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Glen Allen, VA

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STR Regulations for Glen Allen, Virginia

Overview

Short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Glen-Allen, VA. Glen-Allen operates under Henrico County regulations, which have established a comprehensive framework to legalize and regulate short-term rentals of private, single-family residences. The County allows registered homeowners and lessees to rent space in their homes to guests for stays of fewer than thirty days, provided they complete the required zoning approval, change of use permit, and online registration process.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Glen Allen?

Glen Allen hosts earn a median $36,883/year with $198 ADR and 71% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $57,871+ per year.

See the full Glen Allen market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Glen-Allen

Step-by-Step Process

  1. Complete Application Documentation

    • Fill out the Short-Term Rental Application
    • Complete the Short-Term Rental Residency Affidavit

  2. Zoning Approval Process

    • Create a new Change of Use (COU) request in the Build Henrico permitting system
    • Register for a Build Henrico account if first-time user
    • Upload completed application and residency affidavit to the COU case

  3. Permit Issuance

    • Receive permit number upon zoning approval completion
    • Proceed to online registration with permit number

  4. Final Registration

    • Complete short-term rental online registration process
    • Pay annual registry fee

Required Documents, Permits, and Licenses

Essential Documents

  • Short-Term Rental Application - Official county form
  • Short-Term Rental Residency Affidavit - Legal attestation of residency status
  • Change of Use (COU) Request - Filed through Build Henrico system

Permits and Licenses

  • Zoning Approval - Required before operation
  • Change of Use Permit - Filed through Build Henrico online system
  • Annual Short-Term Rental Registry - Online registration through county system

Fees Structure

  • Annual Registry Fee: $200
  • Conditional Use Permit Application Fee: $300 (if required for zoning approval)

Documentation Requirements

  • Property information and ownership proof
  • Completed application forms
  • Residency verification
  • Zoning compliance documentation

Specific Regulations: Glen-Allen/Henrico County

Operational Requirements

Registration Exemptions: Registration is NOT required if:

  • More than 10 rooms are available for rental (subject to business license tax)
  • Homeowner has a business license for hotel, motel, campground, or real property management
  • Rental is operated by or through a licensed real estate agent
  • Property is a timeshare
  • Homeowner has Virginia Department of Health license for lodging

Stay Limitations: Maximum stay duration of fewer than 30 consecutive days

Property Types: Private, single-family residences are specifically permitted

Tax Obligations

Transient Occupancy Tax: 8% on rental receipts - required to be collected and remitted by operators

  • Same rate applies to hotels, motels, campgrounds, and bed & breakfast establishments

Virginia Sales Tax: 6% required on gross proceeds from accommodations under 90 days

  • Collected in addition to local transient occupancy taxes

Compliance and Enforcement

Penalties: Operating without proper registration may result in civil and criminal penalties

Annual Renewal: Registry must be renewed annually with updated documentation

Contact Information

Primary Contact

Permit Center - Henrico County

  • West Location: 4301 East Parham Road, Henrico, VA 23228
  • East Location: 3820 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, VA 23223
  • Phone: (804) 501-7280
  • Email: [email protected]

Short-Term Rental Specific Inquiries

  • Phone: (804) 501-7280
  • Email: [email protected]

General County Information

  • Main County Phone: (804) 501-4000
  • Mailing Address: P.O. Box 90775, Henrico, VA 23273-0775
  • Website: henrico.gov

Online Resources

  • Build Henrico Permitting System: build.henrico.gov
  • Short-Term Rental Online Registration: secure.hostcompliance.com/henrico-county-va/permit-registration

Source Links

Investment Considerations

Market Position

Glen-Allen, as part of Henrico County, benefits from proximity to Richmond while maintaining suburban appeal. The county's clear regulatory framework provides legal certainty for investors, while the 8% transient occupancy tax rate is competitive within the Virginia market.

Operational Compliance

The multi-step approval process (application → zoning approval → registration) requires approximately 30-60 days for completion. Investors should factor this timeline into acquisition and opening schedules.

Financial Obligations

Total upfront costs include the $200 annual registry fee plus potential $300 Conditional Use Permit application fee, plus tax remittance obligations of 14% combined (8% local TOT + 6% state sales tax) on gross rental revenue.

This regulatory environment positions Glen-Allen as a legitimate, well-regulated short-term rental market suitable for both individual property owners and professional investors seeking compliant operations within the Richmond metropolitan area.

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Glen Allen

Market Saturation Score

036912
Mild Saturation
4/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
2–4 declining months: early saturation pressure - watch for trend persistence.
View Full Glen Allen Market Analysis

Photos of Glen Allen

Overview of Glen Allen

Glen Allen is an unincorporated suburban community in Henrico County, Virginia, situated just north of the state capital along the busy Interstate 95 corridor. With a population of roughly 15,000 residents, the community has a quiet, residential feel punctuated by office parks, shopping centers, and tree-lined streets. It functions primarily as a bedroom community for the greater Richmond metropolitan area and is widely known as the home of the Innsbrook Corporate Center, one of the largest business parks in the region. Travelers passing through often use Glen Allen as a convenient overnight stopover, while visitors exploring central Virginia tend to use it as a launching point for exploring the historic capital city of Richmond, which sits only about 12 miles to the south.

One of the area's marquee draws is Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, a sprawling 50-plus-acre garden located just minutes from the heart of Glen Allen in the Lakeside area of Henrico County. The garden features themed plantings, a glass conservatory, a children's garden, and seasonal exhibits that draw visitors year-round, making it one of the most-visited horticultural attractions in Virginia.

For families and thrill-seekers, Kings Dominion amusement park lies about 25 miles north of Glen Allen near the town of Doswell. The park is home to roller coasters, a water park, and seasonal events, and it functions as one of the larger entertainment anchors in the region, easily reached in roughly 30 minutes via I-95 north.

History and culture enthusiasts will find plenty to explore in nearby Richmond, only about 15 to 20 minutes south of Glen Allen. The Virginia State Capitol, designed by Thomas Jefferson and Charles-Louis Clérisseau, anchors downtown and offers free guided tours, while the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is widely regarded as one of the finest comprehensive art museums in the United States, housing an extensive collection that includes the only branch of the Fabergé Imperial Egg outside of Russia. Civil War history buffs can also reach several of the Richmond region's battlefields and historic sites within a short drive.

For those interested in the area's local history, the rural edges of Henrico and Hanover counties surrounding Glen Allen retain a scattering of antebellum landmarks and country churches, offering a quieter glimpse of Virginia's older landscape. Outdoor recreation is also within easy reach, with the James River and its park system a short drive south.

Glen Allen's appeal as a short-term-rental base rests on a combination of convenience and variety. Its proximity to I-95 makes it an easy drive from both Washington, D.C., and Virginia's coastal attractions, while its location between the gardens and theme parks to the north and the historic sites of Richmond to the south gives guests a broad menu of day-trip options. Suburban comfort, a strong dining and retail scene, and reliable access to the capital region make it a practical and appealing choice for visitors exploring central Virginia.

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