Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Staunton?

Short-term rentals are permitted in Staunton, Virginia, subject to city registration, zoning, and tax requirements. The city distinguishes between two related concepts: (i) “short-term rental” (defined as lodging for fewer than 30 consecutive days in exchange for charge), which must be registered under Chapter 3.37 of the City Code; and (ii) “homestay” (a subset within zoning, essentially owner-occupied STRs), which must meet additional occupancy and operational limitations under Chapter 18.152. Operators must register each STR property, obtain a business license, and collect and remit the city’s transient occupancy tax (TOT).

Key prohibitions include: no signage advertising the STR; no meals prepared/served to guests; no more than two adult guests per bedroom; and no additional off-street parking required for homestays. Repeating violations can trigger prohibition from registering and offering a property for short-term rental.

References: Staunton City Code Chapter 3.37 (Registration for Short-Term Rental) and Chapter 18.152 (Homestay). For business license and TOT processes, see the Commissioner of the Revenue pages and the city’s transient occupancy tax chapter.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Staunton

1. Confirm zoning eligibility and operational limits

• Determine whether your property will operate as a homestay (owner-occupied dwelling unit or portion thereof) or as a non-owner-occupied short-term rental. Both require registration under Chapter 3.37, but homestays must also comply with the specific zoning limitations in Chapter 18.152.
• Operational constraints (homestay): daily or weekly stays; no single stay exceeding 30 days; no limit on frequency; no meals prepared for or served to guests; no signage or advertising on the property; at least one zoning administrator inspection per calendar year upon reasonable notice; and no additional off-street parking required for homestays.

2. Register each property under Chapter 3.37

• Initial registration: register within 30 days of holding out as offering lodging (or continuing to do so).
• Annual registration: file by March 1 each year with the Commissioner of the Revenue, providing the operator’s complete name and the legal/street address (and parcel ID) for each property offered for short-term rental in the city.
• Fee: $50 per property per year (non-refundable, paid to the city).
• You cannot legally operate any property for short-term rental until you both register it and pay the associated penalty if late.

3. Obtain your business license and comply with taxes

• Business license: register with the Commissioner of the Revenue to obtain your business license as required under the City Code; this must be done contemporaneously with STR registration to enable assessment of business license taxes and TOT.
• Transient occupancy tax (TOT): operators must collect and remit the applicable TOT at the rate provided in City Code Chapter 3.35. External industry sources report a TOT of 6.7%; verify the current rate with the Commissioner of the Revenue and/or the City Treasurer. Remit per the city’s schedule and procedures.

4. Maintain compliance and prepare for oversight

• Homestays must grant the zoning administrator reasonable entry at least once per calendar year to verify compliance.
• No signage advertising the STR/homestay is permitted on the property.
• No meals prepared or served to guests.
• Occupancy: maximum of two adult guests per bedroom.
• You must comply with all other applicable provisions of the City Code and state law (e.g., building, fire, safety).
• Note: Even though homestays are exempt from providing additional off-street parking under Chapter 18.152, Staunton’s Chapter 18.125 (Parking) is the controlling authority for any parking requirements not explicitly exempted.

5. Track renewals and avoid violations

• Annual registration deadline: March 1. Late or missed registration may trigger penalties and, if repeated, can prohibit you from registering and offering that specific property.
• Keep records: maintain your business license, registration confirmations, TOT remittances, guest logs, and any communications from the city.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• STR Registration under Chapter 3.37
  • Initial registration within 30 days of holding out as offering lodging.
  • Annual re-registration by March 1 with operator name and property address(s) and parcel ID(s).
  • Annual registration fee: $50 per property.
• Business License
  • Obtained via the Commissioner of the Revenue to allow assessment of business license taxes and TOT.
• Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT)
  • Collect the applicable TOT and remit per city procedures (confirm the current rate with the city).
• Zoning Compliance for Homestay (Chapter 18.152)
  • No meals for guests; no signage on property.
  • Occupancy capped at two adult guests per bedroom; max stay 30 days; daily/weekly rentals permitted with no frequency limit.
  • Zoning administrator may inspect at least once per calendar year upon reasonable notice.
• Parking Exemption for Homestay
  • Homestays are exempt from providing additional off-street parking under Chapter 18.152; however, all other parking provisions (Chapter 18.125) remain applicable.
• Penalty for Non-Compliance
  • $500 per violation for failure to register; potential prohibition from registering and offering a property for repeated violations or multiple (>3) violations of applicable laws related to the STR of such property.

Specific Regulations: City, County, and State

• City of Staunton (Local)

  • Registration (Chapter 3.37): defines STR and operator; requires initial registration within 30 days of holding out; annual re-registration by March 1; $50 per property fee; $500 penalty per violation; prohibits operating unregistered properties; repeated violations can bar registration and operation of that property.
  • Homestay Zoning (Chapter 18.152): defines homestay; daily/weekly rentals only; maximum stay 30 days; no frequency limit; no meals; no signage; two adult guests per bedroom; zoning administrator access for inspection at least annually; homestay exempt from additional off-street parking.
  • Taxes: business license taxes and transient occupancy tax apply (TOT rate and administration set by city ordinance; verify rate with the city). See City Code Chapter 3.35 for TOT.
  • General compliance: Must comply with the City Code and applicable law, including land use provisions and building/fire codes.
  • Parking: Chapter 18.125 governs parking requirements; homestays are exempt from adding off-street parking per Chapter 18.152, but otherwise Chapter 18.125 applies.

• Augusta County (Context)

  • The provided sources do not include county-specific STR ordinances for Augusta County. If your property is outside the City of Staunton limits but within unincorporated Augusta County, consult the County Administrator, Planning & Zoning, and Commissioner of the Revenue for county requirements.

• Commonwealth of Virginia (State)

  • TOT and local business license taxes: Virginia authorizes localities to levy transient occupancy taxes and business license taxes; compliance is required at the local level (city/county where the property is located).
  • Liability and relationship considerations: Virginia courts have addressed short-term rental relationships (e.g., Haynes-Garrett v. Dunn, 296 Va. 191 (2018)). Depending on the facts, operators may owe duties akin to a landlord to a tenant (limited duties), rather than an innkeeper to a guest (higher duties). Operators should evaluate insurance coverage and property condition standards to mitigate premises liability exposure.
  • Fire and life safety: Adherence to Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code and fire safety requirements is mandatory. Operators should confirm any applicable fire/life safety permits or certifications based on property type and use.

Contact Information (Local Authority in Charge of STRs)

• Commissioner of the Revenue (Business License and STR Registration)
  • Phone: 540-332-3829
  • Office: 116 W. Beverley St., Staunton, VA 24401
  • Notes: Initial and annual STR registration (Chapter 3.37) is filed here; business licenses and tax assessments (including TOT administration in coordination with the City Treasurer) are handled here.
• City of Staunton – Planning & Zoning (Zoning Administrator)
  • Department: Community Development – Planning & Zoning Division
  • Phone: 540-332-3800 (general city line)
  • Office: 116 W. Beverley St., Staunton, VA 24401
  • Notes: Zoning verification, homestay inspections and enforcement under Chapter 18.152; confirm whether a property qualifies for homestay use.
• City Treasurer (Transient Occupiency Tax and General City Payments)
  • Phone: 540-332-3800 (general city line)
  • Office: 116 W. Beverley St., Staunton, VA 24401
  • Notes: TOT remittance and questions on payment schedules; verify the current TOT rate and filing frequency.
• City of Staunton – Main Contact
  • Phone: 540-332-3800
  • Address: 116 W. Beverley St., Staunton, VA 24401
  • Website: www.ci.staunton.va.us/

Links to Source Pages

• Chapter 3.37 – Registration for Short-Term Rental (Staunton City Code)
  • www.codepublishing.com/VA/Staunton/html/Staunton03/Staunton0337.html
• Chapter 18.152 – Homestay (Staunton City Code)
  • www.codepublishing.com/VA/Staunton/html/Staunton18/Staunton18152.html
• City of Staunton – Commissioner of the Revenue (Business Licenses, TOT)
  • www.ci.staunton.va.us/departments/commissioner-of-revenue/business-license-taxes
• City of Staunton – Permits & Licenses
  • www.ci.staunton.va.us/business/permits
• City of Staunton – Contact Page
  • www.ci.staunton.va.us/government/contact-us
• Carriage House STR – Staunton City Regulations (industry summary; user verify)
  • www.carriagehousestr.com/staunton-city-regulations

Practical Checklist for Staunton STR Investors

• Verify zoning eligibility and choose your operating model (homestay vs non-owner-occupied STR).
• Complete initial STR registration (Chapter 3.37) within 30 days of holding out.
• Schedule annual re-registration by March 1; pay $50 per property.
• Obtain business license and confirm tax assessments with the Commissioner of the Revenue.
• Set up TOT collection and monthly/quarterly remittances with the City Treasurer; confirm the current TOT rate.
• Implement compliance with homestay rules if applicable: no signage, no meals, two adult guests per bedroom, allow annual inspection.
• Maintain property safety and insurance; be mindful that Virginia case law may treat STR relationships as landlord-tenant with limited duties unless innkeeper characteristics are present.
• Keep complete records: registrations, licenses, tax remittances, guest logs, and city communications.