Washington, Virginia Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Important Discrepancy Note: The provided content contains a contradiction. The Washington County proposed ordinance from 2022 explicitly states that the Commissioner of Revenue is responsible for the STR registry. However, the Lodge Compliance page states that STRs must be registered with the Washington County Zoning Department. The official source (the county ordinance) should be considered the authoritative document, and the Zoning Department reference appears to be incorrect.

Short-Term Rental (STR) Compliance Guide: Washington, Virginia (Washington County)

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed?

Yes, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Washington County, Virginia.

Washington County has enacted regulations for short-term rentals. The provision of a room or space suitable for occupancy for fewer than 30 consecutive days in exchange for a charge is considered a "short-term rental" and is permitted, subject to a county registry requirement and state tax obligations.

The regulations are primarily outlined in a proposed (and assumed enacted) ordinance by the Washington County Board of Supervisors.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Washington County

Confirm Zoning Compliance: Before proceeding, ensure that your property is located in a zoning district that permits the short-term rental use. The county's general land use and zoning authority supersede the registry ordinance, meaning a property must be zoned appropriately for lodging to operate legally. Note: The provided content does not detail zoning requirements; contacting the Washington County Zoning Department is essential for this step.
Register with the County: This is the primary legal requirement. Register your property with the Washington County Commissioner of Revenue using the official county registry. The registration is ministerial (an administrative process) and is free of charge.
Obtain a Virginia Tax Account: You must collect and remit the state sales tax and the Washington County Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT). To do this, you need to register for a tax account with the Virginia Department of Taxation. This can be done online through the Virginia Tax website.
Comply with State Tax Laws: Ensure you are collecting and remitting the correct taxes. Many booking platforms (like Airbnb and Vrbo) will automatically collect and remit these taxes on your behalf, but it is the owner's responsibility to verify this and ensure compliance.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

The primary requirement is registration, not a permit or license in the traditional sense.

For Registration with the County Commissioner of Revenue:

Operator Information: Your complete name, residence address, and business address.
Property Information: The address(es) of all properties within Washington County that you offer for short-term rental.
Annual Renewal: Registration is required annually. After the initial registration, it is automatically renewed each year until you notify the Commissioner that you have discontinued operations.

State-Level Tax Registration (if not handled by a platform):

A Virginia Tax account to collect and remit sales tax and TOT.

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

The regulations are governed by the Washington County Code, Chapter 18, Article V (Short-Term Rental Registry).

Definition of a Short-Term Rental: Any provision of a room or space for occupancy for fewer than 30 consecutive days in exchange for a charge.
Mandatory Registration: The operator of any such accommodation must register with the Commissioner of Revenue. Failure to register is a violation.
Penalty Schedule for Non-Registration:
- First Violation (within 30 days of offering/renting): $20 penalty.
- Second Violation (within 30 days of first notice, continued operation): Additional $200, totaling $220.
- Third Violation (within 60 days of first notice, continued operation): Additional $250, totaling $470.
- Fourth and Additional Violations (61+ days after first notice): $300 per day of rental in the absence of registration, in addition to the accrued $470.
Continuing Ban on Operation: Until the penalty is paid and the property is registered, the operator is prohibited from continuing to offer the property for short-term rental.
Prohibition on Specific Property: An operator may be prohibited from offering a specific property for short-term rental if there are more than three violations within a two-year period of applicable local laws, including transient occupancy taxes.
Important Exceptions: The following are not required to register:
- Licensed real estate professionals or property owners represented by one.
- Entities registered under the Virginia Real Estate Time-Share Act.
- Properties licensed or registered with the Department of Health for lodging.
- Hotels, motels, campgrounds, and bed and breakfast establishments licensed by the locality.
Supremacy Clause: This registry requirement does not supersede the county's existing zoning authority. Properties must still comply with local land-use regulations.

State of Virginia Regulations

Washington County's ordinances are enabled by Virginia state law, specifically Virginia Code § 15.2-983, which grants localities the authority to establish a short-term rental registry. The state law provides the framework for the registry, defines key terms like "operator" and "short-term rental," and sets the maximum penalty that localities can impose for non-compliance (up to $500 per violation). Your local regulations must align with these state-level statutes.

Contact Information

Washington County Commissioner of Revenue

This is the primary authority for the STR Registry.
Website: For forms and contact information, consult the official Washington County website. (The provided content does not list a specific phone number or email for the Commissioner).

Virginia Department of Taxation

Phone: For tax registration and questions, you can contact the Virginia Tax general line at (804) 367-8031.
Website: www.tax.virginia.gov (for online registration and information on sales and transient occupancy taxes).

Source Links

Washington County, VA - Proposed Short-Term Rental Registry Ordinance (June 28, 2022): https://www.washcova.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/22-0628-Proposed-Ord-Short-Term-Rental-Registry.pdf
Lodge Compliance - Washington County, VA Regulatory Overview (Third-Party Analysis): https://www.lodgecompliance.com/local-jurisdiction/washington-county-va
Virginia Code § 15.2-983 - Creation of Registry for Short-Term Rental of Property: https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title15.2/chapter9/section15.2-983/

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Washington?

Washington hosts earn a median $34,343/year with $181 ADR and 70% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $52,946+ per year.

See the full Washington market breakdown

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Washington is a tiny, storybook town nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Rappahannock County, Virginia. With a population of only a few hundred residents, the town has a quiet, unhurried character defined by tree-lined streets, historic clapboard buildings, and rolling farmland that has long drawn city dwellers in search of a slower pace. It is best known as the home of the celebrated Inn at Little Washington and as a gateway to Shenandoah National Park, and it sits roughly 70 miles west of Washington, D.C., a little over an hour and a half by car through some of Virginia's most scenic countryside.

Just a short drive north of town, Shenandoah National Park unfolds along the crest of the Blue Ridge, and Shenandoah National Park is one of the area's most powerful draws. The park's Skyline Drive threads through wooded ridgelines with sweeping overlooks, hiking trails ranging from gentle walks to strenuous climbs, and abundant wildlife viewing. Depending on which entrance travelers use, the drive to the nearest park gate from Washington is roughly twenty to thirty minutes, making it an easy day trip for visitors based in town.

The surrounding region of Rappahannock County has quietly become one of Virginia's most rewarding wine and food destinations, with a cluster of small wineries, farm stands, and country markets scattered along the quiet rural roads. Visitors can spend an afternoon sampling vintages, browsing local farm goods, and taking in the same pastoral landscapes that inspired the area's reputation for refined country hospitality. A short drive east also leads to Sperryville, a small neighboring town with art galleries, antique shops, and the start of several popular trailheads.

For outdoor enthusiasts, the mountains just beyond town offer some of the most memorable hiking on the East Coast. Old Rag Mountain, one of the most popular and challenging hikes in the Mid-Atlantic, is reachable in roughly forty minutes by car, and the iconic Appalachian Trail also passes through the county, with several access points within a short drive. Closer to town, the Rappahannock River and its tributaries provide quieter options for fishing, tubing, and wading during the warmer months.

Washington's appeal as a base for a short-term rental rests on the rare combination of a tranquil, almost undisturbed small-town atmosphere with quick access to world-class natural beauty, a celebrated culinary scene, and the cultural and political attractions of the nation's capital. Travelers can spend their mornings on a quiet porch in the Blue Ridge foothills, their afternoons hiking ridgelines or tasting local wines, and their evenings dining at one of the country's most acclaimed country inns, all without ever feeling the rush of a larger destination. That balance of seclusion and access is exactly the kind of experience today's short-term-rental guests are looking for.