Overview: Are STRs allowed in White Stone, VA?

Explicit answer: White Stone is an incorporated town in Lancaster County, Virginia. Because White Stone governs zoning within its town limits, short‑term rentals (STRs) inside White Stone are subject to town ordinances—not county ordinances. Lancaster County’s STR rules apply only to unincorporated areas of the county. If your property lies inside White Stone’s corporate boundaries, you must follow White Stone’s STR regulations and obtain town approval before operating. Contact White Stone’s town government for the applicable requirements and permits. County approval is not valid in an incorporated town, and county STR rules do not override any homeowners’ association (HOA) or condominium association restrictions. The county emphasizes that for properties governed by town zoning, the operator must go through the town government to request information and authorization for STR operations. (Source: Lancaster County Planning & Land Use, A Guide to Short-Term Rentals) [Link: www.lancova.com/page2.asp?pageID=122]

Note on recent approvals: While the referenced county-related article discusses approvals for STRs in the county, it has specific mention of a property in White Stone (High Bank neighborhood) that neighbors sought to address through county action. This underscores that STR concerns can arise near White Stone, but the legal pathway for STRs inside White Stone remains town-specific. (Source: Citizen Portal article) [Link: www.citizenportal.ai/articles/2811573/Lancaster-County/Virginia/Whitestone-Council-approves-short-term-rental-applications-amid-public-concerns]

How to start a short-term rental business in this market

Because White Stone is zoned and governed as an incorporated town, operators in White Stone should proceed as follows:

1. Confirm you are inside White Stone’s corporate limits (not the unincorporated parts of Lancaster County). If your property is within White Stone, skip county STR processes and work directly with the town.
2. Contact White Stone’s town hall or planning/zoning office to request the current STR application package and town-specific requirements (definitions, permitted zoning districts, hosted vs. unhosted allowances, caps on rental nights, on‑site posting requirements, and inspection protocols if any).
3. Obtain HOA/condo association approval (if applicable). Even if town and county rules allow STRs, your association’s covenants, rules, or bylaws may prohibit or limit them. County rules do not supersede association documents.
4. Once town approval is secured, complete the Lancaster County STR Registry and Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) processes if the property is located in unincorporated Lancaster County; for White Stone addresses, follow town instructions on taxes and registration.
5. Set up compliance procedures:
   • Post required local STR regulations on‑site if specified by the town.
   • Submit monthly TOT returns and annual registration/renewal fees if required by county rules (for county‑governed properties).
   • Maintain documentation of permits, approvals, and tax filings for inspection or audit.
6. Operate with best‑practice controls: enforce parking, occupancy, and quiet hours; manage trash and noise; maintain septic/wastewater systems within limits; retain guest communications and response protocols.
7. Monitor for updates. White Stone and Lancaster County periodically amend STR ordinances and tax rules. (Sources: Lancaster County Planning & Land Use; News on the Neck article) [Link: www.lancova.com/page2.asp?pageID=122; Link: www.newsontheneck.com/news/lancaster-adopts-short-term-rental-regulations/article_441ab360-6858-11ee-89a1-df1de40ea752.html]

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines (town vs. county)

• Town of White Stone: Request official STR application forms and ordinances from the town hall or zoning office. The specific White Stone STR application and permitting documents are not included in the provided content; operators must obtain them directly from the town.
• Lancaster County (for unincorporated properties):
  • Short‑Term Rental Regulations (Zoning) [PDF]
  • Short‑Term Rental Registry Ordinance [PDF]
  • Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Ordinance [PDF]
  • Application for Special Exception (Unhosted STR) [PDF]
  • Application for Hosted STR [PDF]
  • Short‑Term Rental Annual Registry/Exemption Certificate Form [PDF]
  • Virginia Local Transient Occupancy Tax Return Form [PDF]
  • Emergency and Other Community Contacts (to be posted on‑site) [PDF]
  • List of Local STR Regulations (for on‑site posting) [PDF]
  • Step‑by‑step licensing guide [PDF]
    All PDFs are hosted by Lancaster County Planning & Land Use and are linked from the county’s STR page. (Source: Lancaster County Planning & Land Use, Forms & Other Related Documents) [Link: www.lancova.com/page2.asp?pageID=122]

Specific regulations: town, county, and state

• Town of White Stone (incorporated): Governs zoning and STR operations within town limits. Operators must follow town ordinances for allowable STR types (hosted vs. unhosted), districts, permits, and any caps. County STR approvals are invalid in town limits.

• Lancaster County (unincorporated areas):

  • Both hosted and unhosted STRs are allowed.
  • Allowed zoning districts include A‑2 Agriculture, R‑1 Residential General, R‑3 Residential Medium General, and R‑4 Residential Community; allowed even if also subject to the District W‑1 Waterfront Residential Overlay.
  • Unhosted STRs require a special exception permit approved by the Board of Supervisors.
  • Hosted STRs require administrative approval from the Planning & Land Use Department.
  • Annual STR registry requirement and an annual $50 fee (as applicable).
  • Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) applies to lodging revenues; operators must file monthly returns and pay the tax due. The specific TOT rate is set by county ordinance; consult the TOT ordinance and return form for the current rate and filing details.
  • On‑site posting of certain local STR regulations is required.
  • County rules do not supersede HOA or condo association rules.
  • Complaints about STRs are first directed to the operator; unresolved issues can be submitted in writing to Planning & Land Use.
    (Sources: Lancaster County Planning & Land Use; News on the Neck article) [Link: www.lancova.com/page2.asp?pageID=122; Link: www.newsontheneck.com/news/lancaster-adopts-short-term-rental-regulations/article_441ab360-6858-11ee-89a1-df1de40ea752.html]

• State of Virginia (as cited by county ordinances):

  • Virginia Code Section 15.2‑983 and Section 58.1‑3819 provide authority for local STR registration and TOT requirements.
    (Sources: Lancaster County Planning & Land Use) [Link: www.lancova.com/page2.asp?pageID=122]

Additional county context: The Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors refined the STR ordinance over multiple public hearings; enforcement measures and zoning amendments are part of the county’s ongoing approach. Operators should anticipate complaint‑driven enforcement and ongoing updates to the ordinance. (Source: News on the Neck) [Link: www.newsontheneck.com/news/lancaster-adopts-short-term-rental-regulations/article_441ab360-6858-11ee-89a1-df1de40ea752.html]

Contact information: local authority in charge of STRs

Town of White Stone (for properties within town limits):

• Contact the town hall or planning/zoning office for STR application forms, fees, and town‑specific requirements. The provided content does not include White Stone contact details; obtain the town’s official information directly.
  (Sources: Lancaster County Planning & Land Use; Citizen Portal article) [Link: www.lancova.com/page2.asp?pageID=122; Link: www.citizenportal.ai/articles/2811573/Lancaster-County/Virginia/Whitestone-Council-approves-short-term-rental-applications-amid-public-concerns]

Lancaster County Planning & Land Use (for unincorporated county STRs and county‑level STR registry/TOT):

• Andrea Pruett, Planner, Planning & Land Use
• Email: apruett@lancova.com
• Phone: (804) 462‑5220
• Fax: (804) 462‑0031
• Mailing address: Department of Planning & Land Use, 8311 Mary Ball Road, Lancaster, VA 22503
• Website: Lancaster County Planning & Land Use STR page (forms and ordinances)
  (Sources: Lancaster County Planning & Land Use) [Link: www.lancova.com/page2.asp?pageID=122]

Links to source pages

• Lancaster County Planning & Land Use, A Guide to Short-Term Rentals (includes forms, applications, ordinances, and staff contacts): www.lancova.com/page2.asp?pageID=122
• Citizen Portal article referencing approvals near White Stone and community concerns: www.citizenportal.ai/articles/2811573/Lancaster-County/Virginia/Whitestone-Council-approves-short-term-rental-applications-amid-public-concerns
• News on the Neck coverage of Lancaster County’s STR ordinance adoption and enforcement context: www.newsontheneck.com/news/lancaster-adopts-short-term-rental-regulations/article_441ab360-6858-11ee-89a1-df1de40ea752.html

This guide is limited to the provided content. Because White Stone’s town‑specific STR documents and contacts are not included, prospective operators must obtain them directly from the Town of White Stone to ensure full compliance. For properties in unincorporated Lancaster County, use the county forms and contacts above and verify the current TOT rate via the county TOT ordinance and return form.