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Midlothian, Virginia

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Midlothian, VA

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STR Regulations for Midlothian, Virginia

Important Note: Midlothian is a community within Chesterfield County, Virginia, not an independent city like Richmond. The provided content discusses Richmond City STR regulations, not Midlothian or Chesterfield County regulations.

Since no Chesterfield County or Midlothian-specific STR regulations were provided in your content, and you requested state-level Virginia regulations if city-specific ones aren't available, I must note that the provided content focuses on Richmond City regulations rather than Virginia state-level regulations or Chesterfield County regulations for Midlothian.

Short-Term Rental Investment Guide for Midlothian, Virginia Area

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

Midlothian, VA itself does not have independent city regulations for short-term rentals. As a community within Chesterfield County, Midlothian follows Chesterfield County zoning and regulations. However, since no Chesterfield County-specific STR content was provided, and the available content addresses Richmond City regulations, this guide cannot provide definitive information about Midlothian's current STR allowance status.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Midlothian?

Midlothian hosts earn a median $34,108/year with $200 ADR and 62% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $70,300+ per year.

See the full Midlothian market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in the Midlothian Market

Due to the limitation of provided content being Richmond-specific rather than Midlothian/Chesterfield County-specific, detailed startup procedures for Midlothian cannot be provided from the available information.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

** Richmond City Requirements (for reference only - not applicable to Midlothian):**

From the provided Richmond content, the following requirements apply to Richmond City STRs:

Short-Term Rental Permit (Richmond):

  • Biennial permit required ($600 fee)
  • Valid for 2 years from issuance date
  • Applied through Richmond's Online Permit Portal

Required Documentation:

  1. Short-Term Rental Owner Affidavit
  2. Dimensioned floor plan showing:
    • Use of each room
    • Occupancy level of sleeping rooms
    • Cooking facilities (if applicable)
    • Location and size of emergency egress and rescue openings
    • Location of fire extinguishers and smoke/carbon monoxide detectors
  3. Proof of Primary Residency

Note: These Richmond requirements do NOT apply to Midlothian, VA.

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Richmond City STR Regulations (for reference only):

Operator Requirements:

  • Must be property owner
  • STR must be on operator's primary residence lot (residential districts)
  • Only one STR permitted per lot in residential zones

Occupancy Limits:

  • Maximum 8 adults per rental
  • Children count not limited
  • No double booking allowed
  • Building code may further limit occupancy

Safety Requirements:

  • Smoke detectors per Virginia Residential Construction Code
  • Fire extinguisher required and accessible
  • Carbon monoxide detectors in sleeping/cooking rooms

Operational Rules:

  • No additional parking required
  • Events/gatherings prohibited
  • Permit approval number required on all advertisements
  • No limit on operating nights

Multifamily Buildings (non-residential districts):

  • Maximum 10 units or 1/3 of building units (whichever is lesser)

Note: These Richmond regulations do NOT apply to Midlothian, VA.

Contact Information

Richmond City Zoning Administration (not applicable to Midlothian):

  • Phone: 804-646-6340
  • Email: PDRZoningAdministration@rva.gov
  • Address: 900 E. Broad St., Room 108, Richmond, VA 23219
  • Office Hours:
    • Walk-in: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
    • Phone: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

For Midlothian/Chesterfield County STR inquiries:

  • Contact Chesterfield County Planning Department or Zoning Administration
  • Chesterfield County Website: www.chesterfield.gov

Links to Source Pages

Richmond City STR Information:

  • Main STR Page: www.rva.gov/planning-development-review/short-term-rentals
  • Online Permit Portal: energov.richmondgov.com/energov_prod/selfservice#/home
  • Richmond Zoning Ordinance: library.municode.com/va/richmond/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CH30ZO
  • STR Ordinance 2023-235: richmondva.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6298765&GUID=3EC00050-F614-4217-9BF1-71EF982B494D
  • RVA 311 (Complaints): www.rva311.com/rvaone/Home/Index

Important Disclaimer

This guide is based solely on the provided Richmond City content and cannot provide accurate, actionable information for Midlothian, VA. For actual Midlothian/Chesterfield County STR regulations, investors must consult:

  1. Chesterfield County Planning Department
  2. Chesterfield County Zoning Administration
  3. Virginia state-level STR regulations
  4. Local zoning maps and ordinances

The Richmond regulations provided are for reference only and demonstrate a regulatory framework that may differ significantly from Midlothian's actual requirements under Chesterfield County governance.

Recommendation: Contact Chesterfield County directly for accurate, current STR requirements specific to the Midlothian area before making any investment decisions.

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Midlothian

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 Midlothian Market Analysis

Photos of Midlothian

Overview of Midlothian

Midlothian is an unincorporated community in Chesterfield County, Virginia, situated in the rolling Piedmont landscape southwest of the state capital. Spread across several ZIP codes, the greater Midlothian area is home to roughly 60,000–80,000 residents, making it one of the larger suburban communities in the Richmond metropolitan region. The area has a comfortable, family-oriented suburban character, anchored by tree-lined residential neighborhoods, well-regarded public schools, and a growing mix of restaurants, breweries, and retail centers along Midlothian Turnpike and Route 288. Midlothian is best known as the site of some of the earliest commercial coal mining in the United States, and today it functions as a popular residential base for commuters working in Richmond and as a gateway to outdoor recreation in the surrounding region. Downtown Richmond is approximately 12 miles to the northeast, typically a 20- to 25-minute drive depending on traffic.

A short drive from the heart of Midlothian, Mid-Lothian Mines Park preserves the area's most distinctive piece of local history. The park sits on the grounds of what was once the Midlothian Coal Mining Company, active in the 18th and 19th centuries, and features a network of paved and natural-surface trails, interpretive signage, and ruins from the mining era. Visitors can walk past the old mine shafts and enjoy a quiet green space just minutes from suburban Midlothian, making it a quick and educational stop for travelers interested in Virginia's industrial past.

About ten miles southeast of Midlothian, Pocahontas State Park offers a substantial escape into nature without leaving Chesterfield County. Encompassing nearly 8,000 acres of forest, meadows, and the 72-acre Swift Creek Lake, the park draws visitors for miles of hiking and biking trails, paddling, a swimming pool complex, and family-friendly campgrounds. It is roughly a 15- to 20-minute drive from central Midlothian, making it a natural day-trip option for short-term rental guests looking for hiking, picnicking, or a peaceful evening by the water.

For travelers interested in the broader cultural offerings of the region, downtown Richmond lies just a short drive northeast and adds a wealth of museums, historic neighborhoods, the James River riverfront, and the Virginia State Capitol to any itinerary. Closer to home, the James River itself passes through southern Chesterfield County within about 15 minutes of Midlothian, where public landings such as Robious Landing provide access for kayaking, fishing, and riverside walks.

Midlothian's appeal as a short-term rental base lies in this combination of suburban comfort and accessibility. Guests can stay in a quiet, well-served residential community while remaining within easy reach of Richmond's urban amenities, the outdoor recreation of Pocahontas State Park, and the scenic James River corridor, all of which make the area versatile for both weekend getaways and longer regional visits.

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