Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Virginia Beach?

Yes—short-term rentals (STRs) are permitted in Virginia Beach, but only under defined conditions and zones. The city allows STRs as follows:

• Sandbridge Special Service District: STRs are permitted “by right” provided an annual STR zoning permit is obtained and all tax and compliance requirements are satisfied.
• Oceanfront Resort STR Overlay District: STRs require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) in addition to an annual STR zoning permit.
• Grandfathered properties: Properties registered with the Commissioner of the Revenue (COR) and with transient occupancy taxes paid prior to July 1, 2018, remain eligible provided they comply with City Zoning Ordinance Section 241.2 and do not expand beyond prescribed thresholds.
• Pre-2021 CUPs: Properties that received an STR CUP from City Council before September 7, 2021 (and are not within the Overlay) are grandfathered, subject to CUP terms.

Outside these categories, operating an STR is prohibited. Home sharing—renting one or more rooms in a dwelling where the owner resides during all rental periods—is allowed but does not count as an STR under zoning; however, it still requires registration with the Commissioner of the Revenue.

Sources:

• City of Virginia Beach Planning (STR program overview, eligibility, zones, CUP/permit rules): planning.virginiabeach.gov/permits/short-term-rental
• Sandbridge Special Service District (Municode): library.municode.com/va/virginia_beach/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CO_CH35.1SASPSEDI
• City Zoning Ordinance Section 241.2 (grandfathering and STR standards): library.municode.com/va/virginia_beach/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CO_APXAZOOR_ART2GEREPRAPALDI_CCOUSST_S241.2SHTERE
• STR Overlay District (Municode): library.municode.com/va/virginia_beach/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CO_APXAZOOR_ART23SHTEREOVDI
• City STR overlays maps (Sandbridge and Oceanfront Resort):
  • vbgov.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=642080e73b1640cc806b5468d0c6bff3&extent=-8471346.4672%2C4392020.565%2C-8434656.6936%2C4408817.602%2C102100&showLayersEncoded=jlfr%3B2x5z%3Ba67h%3B9ur1%3Ba6zx%3Baj8t%3Bb7ql%3Bb4sd%3Ba2gt%3B8ykd%3B4ei2%3Bihjz%3Bihib%3Biq77%3Biuld%3Bh1ep%3Bkec2%3Bkp02%3Bkrde%3B22c9%3Bk3i2%3Bjqgq%3Bjxyy%3Bkeyi%3Bko1m%3Bfsts%3Bgjow%3Bgtkg%3Bf168%3Beto0%3Bg54i%3Bftn0%3Bg6oc%3Bgjpo%3Bgtl8%3Bf170%3Betos%3Bftkm%3Bg512%3Bfss6%3Bfgja%3Bgh9y%3B4ci2%3Ba6w3%3Baj4z%3B2vj5%3Blpcb%3Blhu3%3Bg2dz%3Bfvo7%3Bfimv%3Bfq53%3Bg74n%3Bgg7r%3Bgk5z%3Bfzkg%3Bfm4w%3Bej0w%3Bemkw%3B3kh3%3B3srr%3B3887%3B4vvr%3Bclgg%3Bccdc%3Bc04g%3B6xlh%3B6ro5%3B6ff9%3B6kk5%3B5qxh%3B5uhh%3B67it%3B636d%3B772t%3B77h1%3Bjbxr%3Bjne7%3Bjb5b%3Biywf%3Bil2n%3Biaen%3Binfz%3Bh4xb%3Bgxf3%3Bjnfx%3Bjb71%3Biyy5%3Bil4d%3Biagd%3Binhp%3Bixd9%3Bh4z1%3Bgxgt%3Bjbyr%3Bjnf7%3Bjb6b%3Bca5z%3B3uzb%3B3iqf%3B3vrr%3Bc19d%3Biaeq%3Bing2
  • vbgov.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=642080e73b1640cc806b5468d0c6bff3&extent=-8467161.5399%2C4413695.2399%2C-8448816.6531%2C4422093.7583%2C102100&showLayersEncoded=jlfr%3B2x5z%3Ba67h%3B9ur1%3Ba6zx%3Baj8t%3Bb7ql%3Bb4sd%3Ba2gt%3B8ykd%3B4ei2%3Bihjz%3Bihib%3Biq77%3Biuld%3Bh1ep%3Bkec2%3Bkp02%3Bkrde%3B22c9%3Bk3i2%3Bjqgq%3Bjxyy%3Bkeyi%3Bko1m%3Bfsts%3Bgjow%3Bgtkg%3Bf168%3Beto0%3Bg54i%3Bftn0%3Bg6oc%3Bgjpo%3Bgtl8%3Bf170%3Betos%3Bftkm%3Bg512%3Bfss6%3Bfgja%3Bgh9y%3B4ci2%3Ba6w3%3Baj4z%3B2vj5%3Blpcb%3Blhu3%3Bg2dz%3Bfvo7%3Bfimv%3Bfq53%3Bg74n%3Bgg7r%3Bgk5z%3Bfzkg%3Bfm4w%3Bej0w%3Bemkw%3B3kh3%3B3srr%3B3887%3B4vvr%3Bclgg%3Bccdc%3Bc04g%3B6xlh%3B6ro5%3B6ff9%3B6kk5%3B5qxh%3B5uhh%3B67it%3B636d%3B772t%3B77h1%3Bjbxr%3Bjne7%3Bjb5b%3Biywf%3Bil2n%3Biaen%3Binfz%3Bh4xb%3Bgxf3%3Bjnfx%3Bjb71%3Biyy5%3Bil4d%3Biagd%3Binhp%3Bixd9%3Bh4z1%3Bgxgt%3Bjbyr%3Bjnf7%3Bjb6b%3Bca5z%3B3uzb%3B3iqf%3B3vrr%3Bc19d%3Biaeq%3Bing2

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Virginia Beach

Define your activity. If you are renting an entire dwelling for fewer than 30 consecutive days, you are operating a short-term rental (STR) and must comply with city zoning and permitting. If you are home sharing (owner present during all rentals, renting rooms within the primary residence), no zoning permit is required; you must still register with the Commissioner of the Revenue.

Confirm eligibility. Determine if your property is:

• Within Sandbridge Special Service District (eligible by right with permits).
• Within the Oceanfront Resort STR Overlay District (CUP required).
• Grandfathered (registered with COR and transient occupancy taxes paid before July 1, 2018).
• Holds a pre-September 7, 2021 STR CUP (grandfathered under CUP terms).
• None of the above (prohibited; consider petitioning the City Council for an STR overlay if neighborhood support can be demonstrated).

Obtain required approvals and permits:

• Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for properties in the Oceanfront STR Overlay (new registrations).
• Annual STR zoning permit via Accela Citizen Access (online) or mail-in application, with the $500 fee.
• Safety inspections (life safety and structural), parking plan approval, and insurance.

Register for taxation and business licensing:

• Annual registration with the Commissioner of the Revenue’s Business License section.
• Monthly transient occupancy tax (TOT) filings/remittance; most platforms now collect and remit TOT for host bookings, but owners must maintain registration and ensure tax compliance.

Operational setup:

• Post a 4-square-foot STR identification sign on the property.
• Establish guest rules (noise, occupancy, parking, trash).
• Maintain a responsible party contact that can respond within 30 minutes.
• Ensure compliance with posted notices and city code summaries.

Sources:

• Planning Department STR portal and online permit portal: planning.virginiabeach.gov/permits/short-term-rental and aca-prod.accela.com/CVB/Cap/CapApplyDisclaimer.aspx?module=Planning&TabName=Planning&CapType=Planning/Zoning/Short%20Term%20Rental/Short%20Term%20Rental&agencyCode=cvb
• COR Short-Term Rentals and Business Licensing: cor.virginiabeach.gov/businesses/short-term-rentals
• STR CUP application (PDF): s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/virginia-beach-departments-docs/planning/Boards-Commissions/Planning-Commission/Applications/STR-Conditional-Use-Permit-Application.pdf
• City Council overlay petition process (PDF): s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/virginia-beach-departments-docs/planning/Permits/Short-term-Rentals/STR-Overlay-District_City-Council-petition.pdf
• Guest rules and identification sign policy (PDFs):
  • s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/virginia-beach-departments-docs/planning/Permits/Short-term-Rentals/STR-Guest-Rules.pdf
  • s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/virginia-beach-departments-docs/planning/Permits/Short-term-Rentals/STR-Property-Identification-Sign-Policy.pdf

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Short-Term Rental Zoning Permit (annual)

• Application instructions (PDF): s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/virginia-beach-departments-docs/planning/Permits/Short-term-Rentals/STR-Zoning-Permit-Application-Instructions.pdf
• STR Zoning Permit Application (PDF): s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/virginia-beach-departments-docs/planning/Permits/Short-term-Rentals/STR-Zoning-Permit-Application.pdf
• STR Permit Renewal Application (PDF): s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/virginia-beach-departments-docs/planning/Permits/Short-term-Rentals/STR-Permit-Renewal-Application.pdf
• Permit fee: $500, payable to “Treasurer, City of Virginia Beach”; pay online via Accela or by check/money order.

Sworn Statement Form

• Certifies STR operation intent, address, and ownership: s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/virginia-beach-departments-docs/planning/Permits/Short-term-Rentals/STR-Sworn-Statement.pdf

Safety Inspections

• Life Safety Inspection Report (first application; valid for five years; annual attestation in off years): s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/virginia-beach-departments-docs/planning/Permits/Short-term-Rentals/STR-Life-Safety-Inspection-Report.pdf
• Life Safety Attestation Form (PDF): s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/virginia-beach-departments-docs/planning/Permits/Short-term-Rentals/STR-Attestation.pdf
• Structural Safety Inspection Report (initial and every three years): s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/virginia-beach-departments-docs/planning/Permits/Short-term-Rentals/STR-Structural-Safety-Inspection-Report.pdf

Parking Plan

• Minimum one off-street parking space per bedroom; 9-foot-by-18-foot spaces; stacking allowed; no on-street parking permitted in plan.
• Acceptable existing surfaces: concrete, asphalt, abutting concrete pavers, or other materials approved by the Planning Director.
• New parking surfaces must be permeable (no concrete or asphalt) and require Planning Director approval.
• Off-site parking may be leased (form available): s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/virginia-beach-departments-docs/planning/Permits/Short-term-Rentals/Intent-to-Lease-Off-Site-Parking.pdf

Insurance

• Proof of liability insurance with at least $1,000,000 coverage underwritten by City-acceptable insurers; policy must list the STR address. (Free policies offered by online platforms are generally not acceptable.)

Proof of Transient Occupancy Taxes Paid

• Required to substantiate grandfathered status; contact COR for past receipts: (757) 385-4515.

Proof of Current STR Registration (COR)

• Submit the STR registration receipt issued by the Commissioner of the Revenue (registration must be current). Sandbridge STRs need not submit proof but must register with COR.

Signage and Guest Rules

• Post a 4-square-foot STR identification sign on the property (policy and dimensions): s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/virginia-beach-departments-docs/planning/Permits/Short-term-Rentals/STR-Property-Identification-Sign-Policy.pdf
• Guest rules must be provided to guests (PDF): s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/virginia-beach-departments-docs/planning/Permits/Short-term-Rentals/STR-Guest-Rules.pdf

Conditional Use Permit (CUP)

• Required for new STRs within the Oceanfront STR Overlay District; must be renewed every five years alongside annual zoning permit.
• STR CUP Application (PDF): s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/virginia-beach-departments-docs/planning/Boards-Commissions/Planning-Commission/Applications/STR-Conditional-Use-Permit-Application.pdf

Tax Registration and Monthly Reports

• Annual business license registration with Commissioner of the Revenue.
• Monthly transient occupancy tax filings/remittance; owners must maintain compliance even if platforms collect TOT on their behalf.

Sources:

• Planning