Snowshoe, West Virginia Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Snowshoe, WV?

YES — Short-term rentals are allowed in Snowshoe, West Virginia. The market shows a low regulation environment with no specific city-wide prohibitions on STRs. However, investors must understand and comply with applicable state and county requirements, as well as any HOA restrictions specific to the resort community.

Snowshoe operates under a regulatory framework that allows both owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied short-term rentals, making it a relatively investor-friendly market compared to many other resort destinations.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Snowshoe?

Snowshoe hosts earn a median $29,602/year with $350 ADR and 43% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $43,688+ per year.

See the full Snowshoe market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Snowshoe

Step 1: Property Acquisition and Setup

Property Research: Focus on properties near Snowshoe Mountain Resort, Shavers Lake, or within the core resort areas for maximum guest appeal
HOA Compliance: Since Snowshoe is a resort community with its own Homeowners Association, review HOA bylaws before purchasing to ensure STR operations are permitted
Property Preparation: Invest in amenities highly sought after in this market:
- Outdoor amenities: Fire pits, BBQ grills, hot tubs, ski-in/ski-out access
- Storage for outdoor gear (skis, snowboards, mountain bikes)
- Indoor features: Fireplaces, fully equipped kitchens, cozy living spaces

Step 2: Licensing and Legal Compliance

Business License: Obtain a business license from the Pocahontas County Commission (required for all STR operations)
Tax Registration: Register for tax collection with the West Virginia State Tax Commissioner
Property Management Considerations: If outsourcing management, ensure your property manager holds a valid West Virginia real estate broker's license if managing more than one property for others

Step 3: Tax Setup and Collection Systems

Implement systems to collect and remit:
- 6% West Virginia state sales tax
- 6% local occupancy tax on all bookings
Set up automated tax collection through your booking platform or property management software

Step 4: Insurance and Financial Protection

Secure appropriate commercial liability insurance for STR operations
Consider loss of income insurance for seasonal fluctuations
Establish separate business banking accounts for STR operations

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Essential Licenses and Permits:

Pocahontas County Business License
- Required for all STR operators
- Contact: Pocahontas County Commission
- Application required before beginning operations
West Virginia State Tax Registration
- Required for collecting and remitting sales and occupancy taxes
- Register with West Virginia State Tax Commissioner
WV Real Estate Broker's License (if managing multiple properties)
- Required if managing more than one rental property for others for a fee
- Governed by West Virginia Real Estate Commission
- Must display license information on all marketing materials

Required Disclosures:

Property Manager License Information (if applicable):
- Broker's name and license number
- Brokerage office physical address and contact information
- Affiliation disclosures
- Equal Housing Opportunity Notice

Tax Collection and Remittance:

6% West Virginia state sales tax
6% local occupancy tax
Regular filing requirements (monthly or quarterly based on volume)

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

City-Level Regulations:

No specific STR ordinances found in Snowshoe municipal code
No prohibition on non-owner-occupied STRs
No cap on the number of STR permits issued
No minimum stay requirements at the city level

County-Level Regulations:

Pocahontas County requires business licensing for all STR operations
Standard county business compliance requirements apply
Local occupancy tax of 6% applies to all STR bookings

State-Level Regulations (West Virginia):

Broker Licensing Requirement: Managing more than one rental property for others requires a real estate broker's license under West Virginia Code §30-40
Tax Obligations: State sales tax (6%) and local occupancy tax (6%) requirements
Consumer Protection: Standard West Virginia consumer protection laws apply
Fair Housing: Must comply with federal and state fair housing requirements

HOA and Community-Specific Rules:

Snowshoe Mountain Resort HOA may have additional restrictions
Review all HOA documents before purchasing or listing
Common HOA STR provisions may include:
- Occupancy limits
- Parking restrictions
- Noise regulations
- Exterior appearance requirements
- Rental period minimums

Contact Information for Local Authority

Pocahontas County Commission

Address: County Courthouse, 900 8th Avenue, Marlinton, WV 24954
Phone: (304) 799-6949
Website: Pocahontas County Official Website

West Virginia Real Estate Commission

Phone: (304) 558-3555
Website: WV Real Estate Commission
Purpose: License verification for property managers

West Virginia State Tax Commissioner

Phone: (304) 558-3333
Website: WV State Tax Department
Purpose: Tax registration and filing guidance

Snowshoe Mountain Resort (HOA Information)

Address: Snowshoe, WV 26209
Website: Snowshoe Owner Services
Purpose: HOA rules and property management guidelines

Market Intelligence for STR Investors

Financial Performance Metrics:

Median Annual Revenue: $34,985 per listing
Average Daily Rate (ADR): $390
Occupancy Rate: 36.3%
Revenue Growth: 17.1% year-over-year
Active Listings: 611 properties

Seasonality Considerations:

Peak Season: November-April (ski season)
- Highest revenue month: January
- Average peak season occupancy: 55.8%
- Peak season ADR: $505
Off-Peak Season: April-November
- Lowest revenue month: September
- Shoulder seasons offer opportunities for extended stay discounts

Property Type Performance:

Apartment/Condo: 76.8% of market (most common)
Houses: 21.4% of market
Unique Properties: 1.9% of market (potential differentiation opportunity)

Guest Capacity Trends:

Most Common: Properties accommodating 8+ guests (35.8%)
Market Average: 6.0 guests per property
Booking Lead Time: 54 days average

Source Links

Important Note: Regulations can change frequently. Always verify current requirements with local authorities before beginning operations. Consider working with local legal counsel familiar with West Virginia real estate and business law to ensure full compliance with all applicable regulations.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Snowshoe

Snowshoe is an unincorporated mountain resort community perched near the summit of Snowshoe Mountain in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, deep within the Allegheny Highlands and the Monongahela National Forest. With only a few hundred year-round residents, it is one of the smallest year-round communities in the state, yet it swells dramatically during ski season and the summer outdoor-recreation months. Best known as the home of Snowshoe Mountain Resort, the largest ski operation in the Mid-South and Mid-Atlantic, the village functions as a four-season destination rather than a traditional town. The nearest sizable city is Charleston, the state capital, which lies roughly 180 miles to the west and about a three-and-a-half-hour drive; Washington, D.C. sits around five hours to the east, while Roanoke, Virginia is approximately two and a half hours to the south.

About twelve miles down the mountain, the hamlet of Cass and Cass Scenic Railroad State Park draw visitors throughout the warmer months and on special winter excursions. A roughly twenty- to thirty-minute drive from Snowshoe, the park preserves a former logging railroad whose vintage Shay steam locomotives haul passengers on rail journeys up into the high country, with autumn foliage trips among the most popular rail experiences in the region.

Just a short drive from the resort, the Cranberry Glades Botanical Area protects one of the largest clusters of boreal bogs in the southern Appalachians, complete with carnivorous plants and raised boardwalk trails through tundra-like terrain. The surrounding Monongahela National Forest sprawls across nearly a million acres of ridges, hardwood hollows, and trout streams, offering hiking, mountain biking, and scenic drives along routes such as the Highland Scenic Highway.

A little under an hour south of Snowshoe, the Green Bank Observatory operates some of the world's most sensitive radio telescopes within a federally protected radio-quiet zone. Visitors can tour the massive dish structures, browse exhibits on astronomy, and learn why the surrounding mountains remain largely free of cell signals and Wi-Fi, a quirky local point of pride.

Because Snowshoe pairs a self-contained, amenity-rich resort base with one of the most unspoiled natural settings in the eastern United States, it offers short-term rental owners a year-round booking story: winter brings skiers and snowboarders, while summer and fall draw mountain bikers, leaf-peepers, hikers, and railfans. Few destinations in the Mid-Atlantic let a guest trade a keycard for a ski lift and a steam-train whistle in the same weekend.