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

• Yes. Short-term rentals are permitted in Halifax County, which includes the Town of South Boston and the surrounding county areas outside incorporated towns.
• Halifax County amended Chapter 53 (Zoning) to establish a registration and safety regime for short-term rentals. South Boston does not have a separate city-level STR ordinance; Halifax County rules govern.
• A Short-Term Rental (STR) is defined as a residential unit, or a portion thereof, rented for transient occupancy for a charge, with a stay limited to 29 consecutive days. The primary use of the property must remain residential.
• STRs are permitted by right in all zoning districts. However, if your STR offers shared amenities or allows hunting, a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) is required and must be approved by the Halifax County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors before you operate.

Note: The ordinance targets robust tax compliance (business license, business personal property tax, and lodging tax) and codified safety standards. Enforcement includes inspections by the Zoning Administrator and Building Official.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Halifax County (South Boston Market) The county strongly recommends consulting Halifax County Planning & Zoning staff before launching your STR to ensure you understand and meet all requirements. The high-level path is:

1. Tax and Licensing Setup

• Obtain a business license from the Halifax County Commissioner of the Revenue.
• Register for business personal property tax with the Commissioner of the Revenue.
• Set up lodging tax arrangements with the Commissioner of the Revenue and remit lodging taxes as required.

2. County STR Registration

• Register annually with the Halifax County Zoning Administrator.
• Pay the $75 registration fee prior to operation.

3. Property Management Plan

• Submit a comprehensive property management plan to the Zoning Administrator. The plan must include:
  • Local points of contact able to respond immediately to complaints, garbage cleanup, unruly tenant management, and utility issues.
  • A property sketch showing designated parking areas, shared amenities, outdoor recreation areas, and/or hunting areas where applicable.
  • The plan must be posted in a visible location within the STR unit.

4. CUP Determination

• If your STR has shared amenities (e.g., ponds, roads, utilities, recreation facilities, or other features shared across multiple lots) or allows hunting, you must secure a Conditional Use Permit prior to operation.
• The CUP process requires approval by the Halifax County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors.

5. Safety Compliance and Inspection

• Comply with all safety criteria (see below).
• Be prepared for inspection by the Zoning Administrator and County Building Official.

6. Ongoing Compliance

• Maintain annual registration, remit lodging taxes, respond promptly to complaints, and keep the property management plan up to date and posted on-site.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines A. County-Level (Halifax County)

• Halifax County Short-Term Rental Registration Application (fillable PDF)
  • Fields include applicant details, STR property address and parcel number, operator status, HOA status, and questions on shared amenities and hunting.
  • Submission details:
    • Halifax County Planning & Zoning
    • Address: 1050 Mary Bethune Street, P.O. Box 699, Halifax, VA 24558
    • Phone: (434) 476-3300
    • Fax: (434) 476-3384
    • Email (completed applications): detrick.easley@co.halifax.va.us
• Annual Registration
  • Register with the Zoning Administrator and remit $75 fee prior to operation.
• Property Management Plan
  • Must be submitted and posted on-site. Include local contacts, property sketch, rules, and management procedures.

B. Conditional Use Permit (If Applicable)

• Required if the STR has shared amenities or allows hunting.
• Submit and follow up with the Planning & Zoning Administrator to initiate the CUP process.
• Approval requires Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors’ authorization.

C. Taxes and State-Level Business Requirements

• Business License
  • Obtain from Halifax County Commissioner of the Revenue.
• Business Personal Property Tax
  • Register with the Commissioner of the Revenue.
• Lodging Tax
  • Register and set up lodging tax remittance with the Commissioner of the Revenue.

Safety Criteria Evaluated During Inspection Operators must meet all of the following safety requirements:

• Fire safety
  • One fire extinguisher installed at each floor’s common area, minimum 8# ABC dry powder.
  • Emergency evacuation plan posted in each bedroom and common area.
  • Each bedroom must have an emergency escape window (inspection checklist item).
• Smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detection
  • Smoke detector inside each bedroom and outside each bedroom; minimum one per floor, including basements.
  • CO detector at each floor’s common area (required if there is a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage).
• Electrical and building safety
  • GFCI receptacles in each kitchen and bathroom, meeting building code requirements.
• Parking and appearance
  • Parking must be located on driveways or designated parking areas; no parking on or along rights-of-way.
  • Property boundaries or areas where transient guests are allowed must be clearly marked at all times.
  • The property’s exterior must show no visible evidence of STR activity; address signage must be visible from the roadway.
• Burning
  • All outdoor burning must occur in a permanent, non-moveable, encircled location.

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals (County and State) Halifax County (South Boston)

• Maximum stay: 29 consecutive days per stay.
• Permitted by right in all zoning districts.
• Annual registration required ($75 fee); registration must be completed prior to operation.
• Business license, business personal property tax, and lodging tax registration are mandatory.
• Property Management Plan must be submitted and posted on-site.
• If shared amenities or hunting are allowed, a Conditional Use Permit is required and must be approved before operation.
• Safety and inspection requirements are codified and enforced by the Zoning Administrator and Building Official.
• Enforcement includes routine inspections on a schedule determined by the County.
• NOTE: Halifax County removed an earlier proposed 500-foot separation trigger for CUPs; the current rule focuses only on shared amenities and hunting as CUP triggers.

State of Virginia (General Requirements)

• A business license is generally required for rental activity (local Commissioner of the Revenue).
• Lodging taxes must be collected and remitted to the local Commissioner of the Revenue.
• Building and fire safety codes apply (e.g., smoke/CO detectors, GFCI receptacles, fire extinguishers, emergency egress).
• There is no state-level prohibition on STRs; local governments have authority to adopt STR ordinances (as Halifax County has).

Contact Information (Local Authority in Charge of STRs)

• Halifax County Planning & Zoning
  • Address: 1050 Mary Bethune Street, P.O. Box 699, Halifax, VA 24558
  • Phone: (434) 476-3300
  • Fax: (434) 476-3384
  • Email (completed applications): detrick.easley@co.halifax.va.us
  • Administrator: Detrick Easley, Planning & Zoning Administrator
• Business Licensing and Taxes
  • Halifax County Commissioner of the Revenue
  • For business license, business personal property tax, and lodging tax, coordinate with the Commissioner’s Office (phone: (434) 476-3300 via county administration).

Links to Source Pages

• Halifax County Short-Term Rental Regulations & Registration Application (PDF): www.halifaxcountyva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/611/Short-Term-Rental-Regulations-and-Registration-Application-PDF
• The Gazette-Virginian: Short-term rental ordinance approved (Sept 8, 2023): www.yourgv.com/news/local_news/short-term-rental-ordinance-approved/article_fe24f0ce-4da8-11ee-8f2a-4ffb15164a84.html
• The Gazette-Virginian: Short-term ordinance for rentals advances (Aug 18, 2023): www.yourgv.com/news/local_news/short-term-ordinance-for-rentals-advances/article_64a81cd4-3d2f-11ee-a8cb-f7b0e43c7dab.html
• Proper Insurance (state-level overview): www.proper.insure/regulations/page/2/
• State-level guidance: Virginia Airbnb/STR laws (if needed for broader context): www.proper.insure/virginia-airbnb-laws/

Operational Notes for Investors

• Annual STR registration and tax compliance are non-negotiable. Build this into your operating budget and compliance calendar.
• Inspections are not theoretical. Ensure that all safety items (extinguishers, detectors, GFCI, egress windows, posted evacuation plans) are installed, functional, and documented.
• If your property includes any shared features—ponds, private roads, lighting, signage, or other community amenities—or allows hunting, budget time and costs for the CUP process. This is a pre-operation requirement.
• While not mandated by county documents, Virginia hospitality insurers and investors often carry general liability coverage. Given the nature of short-stay occupancy, consider $1M+ liability coverage as a prudent standard; this aligns with best practices referenced during the ordinance development and many Virginia localities.
• Halifax County does not impose caps on number of STRs or occupancy limits within the ordinance text; however, unit safety, registration, and CUP triggers for shared amenities/hunting are enforceable. Monitor any future board actions for updates.

Final Guidance South Boston investors operate under Halifax County’s clear, registration-based regime. Start with the tax setup (business license, personal property tax, lodging tax), complete the annual county registration ($75), install and document all required safety equipment, and prepare your Property Management Plan. If hunting or shared amenities are present, secure the CUP before hosting any guests. Contact the Planning & Zoning office early to confirm your specific property configuration and to streamline approvals.