Regulations >
Virginia >
Henrico

Want to see how Henrico compares to other top cities in Virginia?  Explore all city regulations in Virginia. →

C

Henrico, VA

Challenging To Investors

Local STR Agent

Local STR Agent

Henrico STR Expert
Henrico, Virginia skyline

STR Regulations for Henrico, Virginia

Overview: Are Short‑Term Rentals Allowed? Yes—short‑term rentals are allowed in Henrico County, Virginia. The County legalized short‑term rentals by ordinance on February 25, 2020, with rules that balance neighborhood stability and property rights. STRs are permitted in specific single‑family residential districts and the A‑1 Agricultural District, and only at the owner’s primary residence. Hosted stays may operate by right if they meet clear criteria; most other scenarios require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP).

How to Start a Short‑Term Rental Business in Henrico The County has a three‑step process: zoning approval, change of use (COU), and online registration.

  1. Confirm Eligibility and Zoning
  • Verify the subject property is in an allowed zoning district (One‑Family Residence Districts R‑0, R‑0A, R‑1, R‑1A, R‑2, R‑2A, R‑3, R‑3A, R‑4, R‑4A; or A‑1 Agricultural District).
  • Confirm the property is your primary residence.
  • Determine whether your operation meets “hosted” by‑right criteria (below). If not, plan to obtain a Conditional Use Permit (CUP).
  1. Zoning and Change of Use
  • Create a Change of Use (COU) request in Build Henrico (Henrico’s permitting system).
  • If you must apply for a CUP, file that with the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA); fees apply.
  1. Online Registration and Go‑Live
  • Once zoning approval is granted and you receive a permit number, complete the online registration through the County’s STR portal (HostCompliance).

Hosted STRs: By‑Right Criteria (No CUP Required) A hosted short‑term rental may operate without additional zoning approval if all of the following are satisfied:

  • Owner resides on the property during the rental (hosted stay).
  • Renters lodge in the principal dwelling (no detached guesthouse).
  • Lot has at least 80 feet of road frontage.
  • No more than six short‑term renters occupy the property at any time.
  • Property is used as an STR no more than 60 days per calendar year.

Unhosted STRs and Other Scenarios: CUP Required A Conditional Use Permit from the Board of Zoning Appeals is required when:

  • The property is not hosted (owner not on site during the rental).
  • More than six guests at a time.
  • Property used as an STR more than 60 days per year.
  • Less than 80 feet of street frontage.
  • Any rental of a detached guesthouse or other detached building.

CUP Process and Considerations

  • The County notifies neighbors and holds a public hearing.
  • The BZA may approve, deny, or impose conditions tailored to the location.
  • Fees apply (see Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines).

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines Documents

  • Short‑Term Rental Application (PDF)
  • Short‑Term Rental Residency Affidavit (PDF)

Permits and Authorizations

  • Zoning approval (by right for hosted criteria or via CUP for other scenarios)
  • Change of Use (COU) created in Build Henrico
  • Short‑Term Rental Online Registration (via HostCompliance)

Fees

  • Annual STR registry fee: $200
  • Conditional Use Permit application fee: $300
  • 8% transient occupancy tax (collected from guests; hosts file monthly returns and remit to the County)

Additional Operational Requirements

  • Life‑safety equipment consistent with the building code must be provided.
  • Certain information must be posted within the rental.
  • Designated adult(s) must be available to respond to complaints.
  • Keep records of short‑term rentals.
  • Provide off‑street parking.
  • Double‑booking is prohibited.

Allowed Districts and Property Types

  • Permitted districts: One‑Family Residence Districts (R‑0, R‑0A, R‑1, R‑1A, R‑2, R‑2A, R‑3, R‑3A, R‑4, R‑4A) and A‑1 Agricultural District.
  • Not permitted: apartments, townhomes, and urban mixed‑use developments (e.g., Libbie Mill).

Taxes and Reporting

  • 8% transient occupancy tax applies to STR stays.
  • Hosts are responsible for collecting, filing monthly returns, and remitting the tax to the County.
  • Platforms (e.g., Airbnb/Vrbo) do not collect Henrico’s lodging tax on behalf of hosts—compliance is the operator’s duty.

Specific Regulations (County-Level)

  • Primary residence requirement.
  • Hosted vs unhosted distinctions with differing pathways (by right vs CUP).
  • Caps: maximum six guests; maximum 60 STR days per year for by‑right hosted operations.
  • Lot frontage: at least 80 feet for by‑right hosted stays.
  • Detached structures (guesthouses) require a CUP.
  • Enforcement: neighbors notified; public hearing for CUPs; zoning inspectors handle complaints; 911 for emergencies.

Complaint and Enforcement Contacts

  • Emergencies: dial 911
  • Non‑emergency violations: Department of Community Revitalization at (804) 501‑4757
  • After hours/weekends: leave a detailed message; an inspector will follow up
  • Online complaint and tracking: Build Henrico portal (register as a user to track responses)

Contact Information (Local Authority) General Contacts

  • Main County Phone: (804) 501‑4000
  • Police (non‑emergency): (804) 501‑5000
  • Mental Health Emergency Services: (804) 727‑8484

Permit Center

  • Phone: (804) 501‑7280
  • Email: permitcenter@henrico.gov
  • Locations:
    • Permit Center – West: 4301 East Parham Road, Henrico, VA 23228
    • Permit Center – East: 3820 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, VA 23223
  • Mailing Address: P. O. Box 90775, Henrico, VA 23273‑0775

Planning Department

  • Phone: (804) 501‑4602
  • Email: planning@henrico.gov
  • Physical Address: 4301 East Parham Road, Henrico, VA 23228
  • Mailing Address: P. O. Box 90775, Henrico, VA 23273‑0775

Short‑Term Rental Program

Sources (Official Henrico Pages and News Coverage)

Quick Checklist for Launch

  • Confirm zoning district and primary residence status.
  • Choose hosted vs unhosted pathway; assess whether CUP is required.
  • Prepare Short‑Term Rental Application and Residency Affidavit.
  • Create COU in Build Henrico; upload documents.
  • If needed, apply for CUP (public hearing; neighbor notification).
  • Complete online registration after zoning approval and permit number issuance.
  • Set up 8% transient occupancy tax collection, filing, and remittance.
  • Install life‑safety equipment, post required information, arrange off‑street parking, designate a complaint responder, and maintain STR records.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Henrico?

Henrico hosts earn a median $36,105/year with $218 ADR and 53% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $47,475+ per year.

See the full Henrico market breakdown

Next step

Found a property in Henrico?

Paste any address and get estimated revenue, cash-on-cash return, and comparable STR performance in under 5 minutes. 3 free analyses per day.

Ask the AI Advisor about Henrico

Free brief

Get the free Henrico STR Investment Brief

Revenue data, top neighborhoods, seasonal trends, and the key regulations for Henrico, Virginia in one email.

Henrico

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 Henrico Market Analysis

Photos of Henrico

Overview of Henrico

Henrico County is one of the largest and most populous counties in Virginia, home to roughly 340,000 residents across nearly 250 square miles that wrap around the north, west, and east sides of the state capital, Richmond. As the suburban backbone of the Richmond metropolitan area, the county is defined by a blend of established residential neighborhoods, busy commercial corridors in places like Short Pump and Glen Allen, and pockets of preserved green space. It is best known for offering visitors a quieter, more spacious alternative to staying in downtown Richmond while remaining within easy reach of the capital's museums, restaurants, and historic sites. Henrico sits roughly two hours south of Washington, D.C., and about ninety minutes northwest of Virginia Beach.

Just inside the county's western edge, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden anchors a 50-acre landscape of themed gardens, a glass-domed conservatory, and walking trails set around a central lake. Often cited among the top public gardens in the mid-Atlantic, it draws both casual strollers and dedicated horticulture enthusiasts. Most of the county is within about a 15-minute drive of the gardens, making it an easy add-on for travelers based in the Lakeside or Short Pump areas.

About 30 miles to the north, in neighboring Hanover County, Kings Dominion is a sprawling amusement park featuring more than 60 rides, a dedicated water park, and seasonal events that pull families from across the region. Drive times from most of Henrico to the park run roughly 35 to 45 minutes, which keeps day trips feasible for guests who want a high-energy outing without committing to lodging near the park itself.

Richmond Raceway sits within Henrico and is one of the few remaining short tracks on the NASCAR Cup Series circuit. Beyond the major race weekends, the venue hosts concerts, car shows, and other events year-round, and its central location makes it a convenient draw for visitors who prefer to avoid downtown traffic. Travel times to the track are typically under 20 minutes from anywhere in the county.

Outdoor recreation benefits from the James River, which forms much of Henrico's southern border and provides public access points, riverside trails, and scenic overlooks. Pocahontas State Park, a short drive south across the river in Chesterfield County, adds nearly 8,000 acres of forested parkland with hiking, biking, and equestrian trails, a small museum honoring the Civilian Conservation Corps, and a sizable lake for fishing and paddling.

All told, Henrico offers short-term rental owners a broad appeal: the comfort and square footage of a modern suburban county, a strong inventory of dining and shopping in its commercial nodes, and quick access to both the cultural amenities of Richmond and the larger weekend destinations of central and northern Virginia.

Want to know if a property in Henrico is a good investment?

Enter an address to get instant revenue potential and comps.