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

Yes—short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Norfolk, Virginia, subject to zoning, safety, and licensing requirements. The city’s official STR page confirms that to operate legally you must have both a Zoning Permit (or a Conditional Use Permit) and a Business License. In practice, STRs operate under two categories defined in Norfolk’s zoning ordinance:

• Vacation Rental: a dwelling unit (or portion thereof) rented for 1–29 nights when all owners are off-site during the rental period.
• Homestay: space within a dwelling unit rented for 1–29 nights when an owner is present on the property during the rental period.

These categories carry different standards and triggers for permits, inspections, parking, and occupancy. Both require compliance with zoning standards and city code, plus payment of applicable taxes and fees. A recent zoning text amendment (PH-01, adopted 2024) consolidated performance standards, reverted definitions to owner-present standards for Homestays, clarified when a Conditional Use Permit is required, and reinforced operational requirements (e.g., signage, surveillance cameras, decibel meters, remote entry, and insurance minimums).

Key sources: Norfolk STR page (overview and process), zoning text amendment PH-01 (definitions and CUP triggers), and CGP Real Estate Consulting guidance (application steps and timeline). See References at the end.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Norfolk

Step 1: Determine Your Zoning and Character District

• Look up your address using Norfolk AIR (Address Information Resource) and review the “Zoning” tab.
• Review the Character District Map (Coastal, Downtown, Suburban, Traditional). Parking and other requirements vary by character district.
• These determinations drive whether you need an administrative registration, a Conditional Use Permit, or both.

Step 2: Decide on Your STR Category and Eligibility

• Vacation Rental: appropriate when all owners will be off-site during guest stays.
• Homestay: appropriate when an owner will be present during guest stays.
• Some properties will automatically require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) based on zoning district, unit count, bedroom count, or parking availability (see “CUP Triggers” below). CUPs cost $1,080 and typically take 2–3 months. A pre-application meeting with the Planning Department is required before applying for a CUP.

Step 3: Apply Through Norfolk’s E-Permitting Portal

• Use the City’s E-Permitting Portal to submit your zoning application/registration.
• The process changed effective September 2, 2025; older guides referencing the HostCompliance portal are obsolete.
• If a CUP is needed, follow the separate pre-application process (see links below). If you’re unsure whether a CUP is required, email STR@norfolk.gov for guidance.

Step 4: Complete Fire Inspection and Zoning Inspection

• Fire inspection (by the Fire Marshal’s Office) costs $50–$75. Prepare ignition sources, electrical hazards, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors for inspection.
• After fire inspection approval, schedule and pass a zoning inspection (required for all STRs).
• Email proof of your fire inspection and any related documents to STR@norfolk.gov as instructed.

Step 5: Obtain Your Business License

• Business licenses are issued by the Commissioner of the Revenue. You can only apply for a Business License after your zoning permit/registration is approved.
• Renew annually. Note: transient occupancy taxes (“homestay/vacation rental tax”) are administered by the Commissioner of the Revenue.

Step 6: Ongoing Compliance (Operational Standards)

• Display required signage (interior and exterior) with an emergency contact who can respond on-site within 20 minutes, plus City call center contact details.
• Provide remote entry; change access codes between stays.
• Maintain cameras on parking areas and exterior common areas; retain recordings for at least 30 days.
• Install interior decibel meters in main gathering rooms.
• Manage trash promptly: place containers in enclosures within 24 hours after collection.
• Obtain a new Certificate of Occupancy if you operate three or more STR units in the same building.
• For condos/co-ops: include written permission from the association/board.

Step 7: Listing and Occupancy Requirements

• Online listings must be identical across platforms and include the unique identification number provided by the Zoning Administrator.
• Maximum occupancy: 2 guests per bedroom, with a total cap of no more than 5 bedrooms and 10 guests at any one time.
• For Vacation Rentals, 5-bedroom maximum applies; no dwelling with more than 5 bedrooms may be used.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Core Requirements for All STRs

• Zoning Permit or Conditional Use Permit (CUP): Required before operating.
• Fire Inspection: Passed inspection report ($50–$75).
• Zoning Inspection: Passed inspection after fire inspection.
• Business License: Issued by the Commissioner of the Revenue; required annually.
• Insurance:
  • Registered STRs (optional administrative registration) must carry at least $300,000 in premises liability coverage.
  • Operating under zoning certificate/CUP requires at least $1,000,000 in premises liability coverage.
• Required Signage: Interior and exterior signs with emergency contact (20-minute response), City call center phone number, and website.
• Operational Equipment and Protocols:
  • Remote entry with code changes between stays.
  • Exterior cameras covering parking/common areas; 30-day recording retention.
  • Interior decibel meters in main congregation rooms.
  • Proof of recent fire inspection and implementation of any recommended improvements.
  • Agreement to allow law enforcement entry for compliance inspections.
  • Recordkeeping of guest stays (names, dates, lengths) available on request.
  • Identification of bedrooms offered and maximum occupancy; floorplan with room labels prior to operation.
  • Identification of required parking spaces per zoning.

Additional Items Where Applicable

• Certificate of Occupancy: Required if the building contains 3+ STR units in the same building.
• Shared Driveway Permission: Written consent from all adjacent property owners if your required parking uses a shared driveway.
• Condo/Co-op Permission: Written permission from the condo association or cooperative board.
• CUP Documents: Pre-application meeting materials and any CUP conditions.
• Public Health Permit (multi-family homes): Required if using private waste service for a shared container; ensure screening per Section 5.4 and weekly emptying or end-of-stay pickup for individual units as required.

Tax and Reporting

• Transient Occupancy Taxes: Report and remit via the Commissioner of the Revenue’s Fiduciary Taxes section (Homestay/Vacation Rental Tax).
• Business License Taxes: Paid through the business license.

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals in Norfolk

Definitions (Per Zoning Ordinance, as amended)

• Vacation Rental: Provision of a dwelling unit for rent to a single-party guest for 1–29 consecutive nights when all owners are off-site during the rental period.
• Homestay: Provision of a space within a dwelling unit for rent to a guest for 1–29 consecutive nights when an owner is present on-site during the rental activity.

Conditional Use Permit (CUP) Triggers

• Vacation Rental requires a CUP when:
  • It lacks off-street parking as required by Section 5.1.7.D and Table 5.1.7(D); or
  • Located in Zoning Districts SF-T, SF-10, or MF-NS; or
  • Located in Zoning Districts R-C, SF-2, SF-4, or SF-6 and the building contains 4 or more bedrooms; or
  • Located in Zoning Districts R-C or D and on a zoning lot with 3 or more dwelling units in a multifamily building.
• Homestay requires a CUP when:
  • It lacks off-street parking as required; or
  • Is located on a zoning lot with more than one dwelling unit.

CUP Parameters

• Fee: $1,080.
• Timeline: Approximately 2–3 months.
• Pre-application: Mandatory meeting with the Planning Department required before applying.
• Validity: Zoning certificates are typically 2 years; CUP validity may extend up to 10 years if authorized as a condition of the CUP.

Parking Requirements

• Valid spaces must be 8x18 feet, paved per City ordinance, and located on your property. Garages count as only one parking spot regardless of internal capacity.
• Required parking may not be on unimproved/unpaved surfaces or City property. Clear space must remain available for use as a rental parking spot.
• Where a shared driveway is used for required parking, written permission from all adjacent owners is required, and guests must not block shared access.

Occupancy Limits

• Maximum 2 guests per bedroom.
• Total cap of 10 guests and 5 bedrooms at any one time (applies to both Vacation Rentals and Homestays).
• Properties with 3 or more STR units in the same building require a new Certificate of Occupancy prior to operation.

Operational Standards (All STRs)

• Signage: Interior and exterior, legible from the public right-of-way (unless alternative is approved), including:
  • Name and phone number of a person who can be on-site within 20 minutes to address emergencies/complaints.
  • City call center phone number (757-664-6510) and website (www.mynorfolk.org).
• Remote Entry: Provide remote access; change codes between stays.
• Surveillance: Maintain cameras facing parking areas and exterior common areas; retain recordings for 30 days and make available upon request.
• Noise Control: Maintain interior decibel meters in main congregation rooms to detect excessive noise.
• Trash Management: Place waste containers in enclosures within 24 hours after collection; maintain property free of trash/debris; comply with Chapter 41 of Norfolk City Code. Multi-family properties using private service require a public health permit; ensure container screening and service frequency per zoning.
• Insurance Minimums:
  • Registered STRs: At least $300,000 premises liability coverage.
  • Operating under zoning certificate/CUP: At least $1,000,000 premises liability coverage.
• Recordkeeping and Inspections: Maintain guest records; agree to law enforcement entry for compliance; provide proof of recent fire inspection and completion of recommended improvements.
• Floorplan and Bedroom Identification: Provide a floorplan with labeled rooms prior to operation; identify total bedrooms offered and maximum occupancy.
• Listing Requirements: Listings must be identical across platforms; include the unique identification number provided by the Zoning Administrator near the top of the listing.

Registration Option (Administrative)

• Optional administrative registration is available for both Vacation Rentals and Homestays; registration is valid for two years when all required items are satisfied (see Required Documents section).
• If a registered STR is found noncompliant:
  • First instance: Written warning and corrective action timeline.
  • Second instance within 2 years: 4-month suspension from registry.
  • Third instance within 2 years: Removal from registry for 1 year.
• Zoning certificates will be revoked if registration lapses or the CUP expires/is revoked.

Zoning Limits

• Vacation Rental unit caps per zoning lot:
  • R-C district: Up to 24 dwelling units.
  • All other districts: Up to 9 dwelling units.
• On-site management is required at properties with more than 9 dwelling units (or as otherwise required by CUP conditions).

Use Restrictions

• No STR may commence operations until both zoning approval and a business license have been issued.
• Homestays cannot operate where a boarder is currently residing.
• STRs must comply with the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code; spaces must be constructed for residential occupancy.
• Norfolk’s zoning provisions do not override private contracts or recorded covenants; operators must also comply with condo instruments, cooperative instruments, and HOA declarations.

Contact Information (Local Authority)

• City of Norfolk (General): 810 Union Street, Norfolk, VA 23510 | Phone: 757-664-6510
• Short-Term Rentals (Program Inquiries): STR@norfolk.gov
• Planning Department (CUP questions and pre-application): planning@norfolk.gov
• Commissioner of the Revenue (Business Licenses and Transient Occupancy Taxes): See the city’s Revenue page for licensing and Fiduciary Taxes for homestay/vacation rental tax reporting/remittance.
• E-Permitting Portal: Apply for zoning permit/registration and schedule inspections online.
• Pre-Application Meeting (CUP): Use the Planning Department’s pre-application form.
• Fire Marshal’s Office (Inspections): Contact for fire inspection scheduling.

Complaints

• Submit a service request on MyNorfolk or call 757-664-6510.

Links to Source Pages (References)

• Short-Term Rentals – City of Norfolk: www.norfolk.gov/4295/Short-Term-Rentals
• Zoning Text Amendment (PH-01) – STR Regulations (Staff Report and Ordinance): www.norfolk.gov/DocumentCenter/View/86385/PH-01-Zoning-Text-Amendment---Short-Term-Rental-Regulations
• Norfolk AIR (Address Information Resource) – Zoning Lookup: air.norfolk.gov/#/
• Character District Map: www.norfolk.gov/DocumentCenter/View/26335/Character-District-Map?bidId=
• E-Permitting Portal: norfolkva.my.site.com/s/login/?ec=302&startURL=%252Fs%252F
• Planning Department Pre-Application Meeting (CUP): www.norfolk.gov/FormCenter/Planning-22/CPC-PreApplication-Meeting-770
• STR Application Guide (City PDF): www.norfolk.gov/DocumentCenter/View/104674
• STR Contact Form (City PDF): www.norfolk.gov/DocumentCenter/View/104673
• How to Submit a STR Service Request (City PDF): www.norfolk.gov/DocumentCenter/View/104433
• Registered STR Properties (PDF, updated Oct 2025): www.norfolk.gov/DocumentCenter/View/61039
• Fire Inspections – Permits (City page): www.norfolk.gov/619/Fire-Inspections-Permits
• Commissioner of the Revenue – Business Licensing: www.norfolk.gov/744/Business-Licensing
• Commissioner of the Revenue – Fiduciary Taxes (Homestay/Vacation Rental Tax): www.norfolk.gov/index.aspx?NID=794
• CGP Real Estate Consulting – Norfolk STR Permit Guide (2025): www.cgprealestateconsulting.com/post/str_short-term-rental-permit-norfolk-va
• CGP Real Estate Consulting – Norfolk STR Rules and Regulations: www.cgprealestateconsulting.com/post/short-term-rental-rules-laws-regulations-norfolk
• Chalet – Norfolk STR Regulations Overview (2025): www.getchalet.com/rental-regulations/norfolk-va

Notes for Investors

• If your property meets CUP triggers (e.g., insufficient parking, certain zoning districts, 4+ bedrooms in specific zones, or multi-unit configurations), plan for the $1,080 fee and 2–3 month timeline, including the mandatory pre-application