Hot Springs, Virginia Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Hot Springs, VA?

Yes, short-term rentals are allowed in Hot Springs, Virginia. The analysis indicates that Hot Springs operates under a "low regulation environment" for STRs, providing operational flexibility for investors. The market shows active vacation rental activity with 25 active listings generating significant revenue, and the local government has implemented a straightforward licensing system rather than prohibitive restrictions.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Hot Springs?

Hot Springs hosts earn a median $37,758/year with $240 ADR and 53% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $59,716+ per year.

See the full Hot Springs market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Hot Springs

Starting an STR business in Hot Springs follows a straightforward process designed to encourage tourism and investment while maintaining basic oversight. The market shows strong financial potential with an average daily rate of $314, moderate occupancy at 38.9%, and median annual revenue of $37,676, indicating viable investment opportunities.

The key steps to establish your STR business include:

Property Preparation: Ensure your property meets guest accommodation standards and includes essential amenities (heating, AC, WiFi, kitchen facilities, parking)
Business License Acquisition: Register your business with Bath County ($10 fee)
STR License Application: Obtain the required short-term rental license ($10 per property)
Platform Registration: List your property on vacation rental platforms
Insurance Implementation: Secure appropriate short-term rental insurance coverage

Required Documents, Permits, and Licenses

Based on Bath County requirements, the following documentation is mandatory:

Business License

Requirement: All businesses in Bath County must obtain a business license
Fee: $10 per business
Deadline: Due by March 1st annually
Additional Requirement: Complete Virginia Form 762 to report business property
Application Process: Submit application and payment to Bath County
Link: www.bathcountyva.org/public_information/business_license

Short-Term Rental License

Requirement: All short-term rental properties in Bath County must obtain an STR license
Fee: $10 per rental property
Application Process: Submit application and payment for each STR property
Documentation: Contact Bath County for specific application requirements
Link: www.bathcountyva.org/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=16973673

Virginia State Requirements

Business Property Reporting: Complete Virginia Form 762 for business property reporting
State-level Regulations: Virginia has implemented STR regulations in major cities (Alexandria, Richmond, Virginia Beach), though Hot Springs operates under the county-level framework

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Local Level (Bath County)

Licensing Required: Mandatory STR license for each property
Annual Fee Structure: $10 per rental property
Business License: Separate $10 business license required
Compliance Deadline: March 1st for annual business license renewal

State Level (Virginia)

Statewide Framework: Virginia allows local jurisdictions to craft STR regulations
Major City Precedents: Alexandria, Richmond, and Virginia Beach have implemented specific STR regulations
Hot Springs Status: Operates under county-level oversight with minimal restrictions
Property Reporting: State Form 762 required for business property reporting

Operational Considerations

Market Dynamics: 25 active listings indicate competitive but manageable market
Property Types: Entire home/apartment listings dominate (100% market composition)
Room Distribution: 3-bedroom properties most common (40% of market)
Guest Capacity: Properties accommodating 8+ guests represent 36% of listings

Contact Information for Local Authorities

Bath County Government

Physical Address: Bath County Government Offices [Specific address not provided in source materials]

Business License Inquiries:

Refer to: www.bathcountyva.org/public_information/business_license

Short-Term Rental Licensing:

Application materials available at: www.bathcountyva.org/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=16973673

Bath County Chamber of Commerce (Business Support)

Address: 2814 Main Street (Second Floor) Hot Springs, VA 24445

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 718 Hot Springs, VA 24445

Phone: (540) 839-5409 Email: office@countyofbathchamber.org

Website: countyofbathchamber.org/

Source Links and References

Primary Regulatory Sources

Bath County Business License Information: www.bathcountyva.org/public_information/business_license
Bath County STR License Application: www.bathcountyva.org/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=16973673
Bath County Chamber Resources: countyofbathchamber.org/resources/

Market Analysis Sources

AirROI Hot Springs Market Report: www.airroi.com/report/world/united-states/virginia/hot-springs
Virginia State STR Regulations Overview: www.proper.insure/virginia-airbnb-laws/

Additional Resources

Virginia Form 762: Required for business property reporting (contact Virginia state agencies for form access)
Proper Insurance STR Regulations: www.proper.insure/regulations/

Investment Considerations

Hot Springs presents attractive STR investment opportunities with:

Strong Revenue Potential: Median annual revenue of $37,676
Moderate Regulation: Low regulatory burden with simple licensing process
Seasonal Trends: Peak revenue in July, with opportunities for year-round optimization
Market Size: 25 active listings indicate established but not oversaturated market
Guest Profile: Primarily domestic travelers (95%), with family/group travel dominant

The combination of minimal regulatory barriers, reasonable licensing costs ($20 total annually per property), and strong market performance makes Hot Springs an attractive location for STR investment within Virginia's regulatory framework.

Next step

Found a property in Hot Springs?

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 Hot Springs

Hot Springs is a tiny resort town nestled in the Allegheny Mountains of western Virginia, serving as the seat of Bath County, one of the least populous counties in the state. With a year-round population of only a few hundred residents, the community has long been defined by its namesake warm mineral springs, which have drawn visitors since the colonial era. The town retains a quiet, historic mountain character, with a compact downtown set along the scenic Jackson River and framed by the rolling, forested ridges of the George Washington National Forest. It sits roughly 50 miles west of Lexington, Virginia, and about 170 miles west of Richmond, making it feel pleasantly remote yet accessible to travelers exploring the central Appalachian region.

The centerpiece of the town is the Omni Homestead Resort, a sprawling historic property that has operated on these grounds since the 18th century and remains the area's marquee attraction. The resort is famous for its warm mineral-spring pools and baths, multiple golf courses including the historic Cascades Course, ski slopes in the winter months, and a long list of outdoor and equestrian activities. Because it sits essentially within the town limits, guests staying in the area can walk to the resort's dining, spa, and recreational facilities from many local accommodations.

Just a short drive north, the neighboring village of Warm Springs offers a more low-key complement to Hot Springs, with its own historic bathhouse and a slower pace. The surrounding Bath County countryside is also home to the Bath County Pumped Storage Station, a remarkable piece of infrastructure set in a mountain hollow about 20 minutes from town that is often cited as the largest pumped-storage hydroelectric facility in the world.

For outdoor recreation, Douthat State Park lies about 30 minutes to the northeast and is one of Virginia's oldest and most beloved state parks, with a 50-acre lake, miles of hiking and biking trails, and a historic lodge. The nearby George Washington National Forest spreads in all directions, providing access to the Appalachian Trail, trout fishing streams, and countless ridge-top vistas, while Lake Moomaw, a large reservoir roughly 30 minutes to the southwest, offers boating, swimming, and quiet shoreline camping in a deeply wooded setting.

For short-term-rental investors, Hot Springs offers an unusually appealing combination of a strong year-round draw, a recognizable name built on more than two centuries of wellness and resort heritage, and a four-season outdoor economy that fills the surrounding mountains with hikers, anglers, golfers, skiers, and leaf-peepers. Its small footprint and limited hotel inventory mean that well-located cabins and cottages tend to perform well across both peak summer and winter shoulder seasons, while the town's proximity to the Homestead and to the wider Bath County recreational corridor gives guests a steady, varied reason to keep coming back.