Urbanna, Virginia Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

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

YES — Short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Urbanna, Virginia, under Chapter 17, Article 5 of the Urbanna Town Code. The town has established a comprehensive permitting system with specific requirements and restrictions to ensure safe and responsible operation of short-term rental properties.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Urbanna?

Urbanna hosts earn a median $32,812/year with $239 ADR and 53% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $50,749+ per year.

See the full Urbanna market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Urbanna

Step 1: Initial Planning and Property Assessment

Verify your property is located within Urbanna town limits
Confirm zoning compliance (properties must be in appropriate zoning districts)
Assess parking capacity (minimum one space per bedroom required)
Evaluate safety equipment needs (smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher)

Step 2: Application Process

Complete the Short-Term Rental Permit Application (Form 8235)
Submit application to Town Office at 390 Virginia Street, Suite B, or mail to P.O. Box 179, Urbanna, VA 23175
Pay non-refundable $25 application fee
Obtain business license and lodging tax registration
Provide proof of $1,000,000 liability insurance

Step 3: Operating Requirements

Maintain guest registry with names, addresses, and phone numbers
Post required information placards in conspicuous locations
Comply with occupancy limits and parking requirements
Observe quiet hours (no outdoor amplified sound after 10:00 PM or before 10:00 AM)

Step 4: Annual Renewal

Renew permit annually prior to expiration date
Submit renewal application with updated documentation
Pay renewal fees and ensure continued compliance

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Primary Permits and Licenses

Short-Term Rental Permit ($25 fee)
- Application Form: Short Term Rental Application (PDF)
- Valid for one year from issuance date
- Must be renewed annually
Business License
- Application Form: Business License Application (PDF)
- Required for all STR operators
Lodging Tax Registration
- Lodging Tax Form (PDF)
- Must be filed with Town of Urbanna

Mandatory Documentation

Insurance Certificate: Proof of liability insurance ($1,000,000 minimum)
Guest Registry: Maintain records of all occupants
Property Information: Tax parcel ID, zoning district, property description
Safety Equipment Documentation: Proof of installation and maintenance

Required Safety Equipment

Interconnected smoke detectors throughout unit
Fire extinguisher(s)
Carbon monoxide detectors (where propane or gas is present)
Layout diagram showing equipment locations

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Occupancy Limits

Adult Guests: Maximum number equals permanent bed spaces in unit
Children Under 18: Maximum of 4 children using cots or sleep sofas in common areas
Total Occupancy: Combined adults and children must not exceed unit capacity

Parking Requirements

Minimum Requirement: One off-street parking space per bedroom
Alternative Solutions: If on-site parking insufficient, submit parking plan
Prohibition: No on-street parking permitted as part of parking plan
Compliance: Parking plan must be approved and posted

Operational Restrictions

Maximum Rentals: No more than 2 rental contracts per 7-day consecutive period
Property Limitation: Maximum one structure per property for rentals
Quiet Hours: No outdoor amplified sound after 10:00 PM or before 10:00 AM

Required Information Display

Must post in conspicuous location within rental unit:

Summary of town ordinances for short-term rentals
Copy of parking plan (if applicable)
Trash and waste pickup schedules
Emergency telephone numbers
Additional owner/agent rules for tenants
"Short Term Rental Notice to Tenants Placard" (PDF)

Inspection and Compliance

Registry Access: Zoning administrator may inspect guest registry with reasonable advance notice
Insurance Updates: Maintain current liability insurance coverage
Annual Renewal: Complete renewal process before expiration
Code Compliance: Operate in accordance with Urbanna Town Code provisions

Record Keeping Requirements

Maintain guest registry with names, addresses, and telephone numbers
Allow inspection by zoning administrator and designees
Keep records accessible for compliance verification

Contact Information for Local Authority

Town Administrator

Ted Costin

Email: t.costin@urbannava.gov
Office Address: 390 Virginia Street, Suite B, PO Box 179, Urbanna, VA 23175
Phone: (804) 758-2613
Fax: (804) 758-0389
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Application Submission

In Person: Town Office at 390 Virginia Street, Suite B
By Mail: P.O. Box 179, Urbanna, Virginia 23175
Processing: Permits mailed to Owner/Agent address after approval

Links to Source Pages

Main STR Page: urbannava.gov/pages/short-term-rental.php
STR Application Form: urbannava.gov/PDFs/forms/8235-short-term-rental-app.pdf
Business License Application: urbannava.gov/PDFs/forms/9792-business-licenses-2025.pdf
Lodging Tax Form: urbannava.gov/PDFs/forms/8952-lodging-tax-form.pdf
Tenant Notice Placard: urbannava.gov/PDFs/8235-short-term-rentals-notice.pdf
Urbanna Town Code: urbannava.gov/PDFs/6980-UrbannaTownCode.pdf

County-Level Context

While Urbanna has its own municipal regulations, the property is located in Middlesex County. County-level planning and zoning considerations may apply, particularly regarding septic systems and environmental compliance. Operators should coordinate with both town and county authorities to ensure full compliance with all applicable regulations.

This guide is based on Urbanna Town Code Chapter 17, Article 5, and current town ordinances. Regulations may be subject to change, and investors should verify current requirements with the Town Administrator before proceeding with property acquisition or operation.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Urbanna

Urbanna is a small waterfront town in Middlesex County, Virginia, with a year-round population of roughly 500 residents. Set on the south bank of the Rappahannock River just inland from the Chesapeake Bay, it has the feel of a quiet, well-preserved colonial port village, with brick sidewalks, a working harbor, and a long seafaring tradition. The town is best known as the home of the annual Urbanna Oyster Festival, one of the oldest and largest oyster celebrations on the U.S. East Coast, and it serves as a relaxed gateway to Virginia's Middle Peninsula and the surrounding tidewater. The nearest major city is Richmond, which lies approximately 60 to 70 miles to the west.

The Rappahannock River is the centerpiece of life in Urbanna, and the town's small marina and waterfront park make it a natural launching point for boating, kayaking, sailing, and fishing. The river flows southeast from the Blue Ridge and Piedmont and broadens as it approaches Urbanna, eventually opening into the Chesapeake Bay — one of the largest estuaries in the United States. Visitors drawn to Urbanna for its boating and seafood can step off a rental property and be at the docks in minutes, with charter captains, kayak launches, and crabbing spots all close at hand.

Each fall, the Urbanna Oyster Festival transforms the town into a bustling festival ground, with oyster-shucking contests, seafood tents, a parade, and live music drawing tens of thousands of visitors over the first weekend in November. For short-term rental owners, the festival creates a sharp seasonal spike in demand, while the rest of the year offers a slower, sail-and-seafood kind of pace. A short drive of about ten minutes brings guests to Saluda, the seat of Middlesex County, with its historic 19th-century courthouse and quiet country-store character.

Further afield, the larger historic attractions of the greater Tidewater region are within easy reach. Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Busch Gardens Williamsburg are roughly 60 miles to the south, making them practical day trips for guests who want a bigger-city excursion. Closer to home, the back roads of the Middle Peninsula lead to small wineries, working farms, and river-view overlooks that suit travelers looking for a quieter, more pastoral Virginia.

Urbanna's appeal for short-term rental owners lies in this combination: a charming, walkable river town with a signature event, a deep well of maritime and colonial heritage, and easy access to both the Chesapeake Bay and the major historic destinations of coastal Virginia. It is the kind of place that attracts repeat visitors looking for oysters, sailboats, and a slower pace, supported by a steady calendar of seasonal reasons to book a stay.