Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Bayside–Virginia Beach, VA? Short-term rentals (STRs) are allowed in Virginia Beach only under very limited circumstances and in specific zones. As of the current ordinances, an STR is defined as “an entire dwelling rented for less than thirty (30) consecutive days for compensation.” Home-sharing (renting a single room in the owner’s residence for fewer than 30 days) is not classified as an STR in Virginia Beach.

STRs are permitted only if your property qualifies under one of the following pathways:

• Sandbridge Special Service District (SSD): Operates by-right subject to obtaining an annual STR zoning permit and meeting all regulations.
• OR (Oceanfront Resort) Short-term Rental Overlay District: Requires a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) before you can apply for the annual zoning permit.
• Grandfathered status: Properties registered with the Commissioner of the Revenue and paying transient occupancy taxes before July 1, 2018.
• Properties with a pre–September 7, 2021 STR CUP: Subject to CUP renewal every five years and ongoing compliance.

All other properties in Virginia Beach, including typical residential neighborhoods outside of these overlay districts (like most of Bayside), are prohibited from new STR operations unless a neighborhood successfully petitions City Council to allow STRs in that specific area. The city’s current approach restricts new STRs outside of Sandbridge unless neighborhoods request exemptions, creating overlay districts via petition.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in This Market Step 1 — Confirm Eligibility

• Verify your property’s zoning:
  • Sandbridge SSD: May operate by-right (with permit).
  • OR Overlay District: Must obtain a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) first.
  • Grandfathered status: Only if registered/taxed before July 1, 2018.
  • Valid pre–Sep 7, 2021 STR CUP: Ensure it is current and renewed every five years.
• If your property is outside these areas, investigate petitioning for a neighborhood overlay district (requires 75% homeowner consent).

Step 2 — Conditional Use Permit (if applicable)

• Submit a CUP application to Planning for any property in the OR Overlay District.
• CUPs expire after five years; renewal requires compliance with regulations.

Step 3 — Business Registration and Tax Setup

• Register your STR business and transient occupancy (lodging) taxes with the Commissioner of the Revenue (VB). Compliance with lodging tax registration and filings is mandatory regardless of platform collection practices.

Step 4 — Apply for Annual STR Zoning Permit

• Complete the zoning permit application online or by mail.
• Pay the nonrefundable $200 application fee. If approved, that $200 is credited to the first year’s $500 permit fee.
• Submit required inspection reports (see below).
• Receive your annual STR zoning permit and post the required sign.

Step 5 — Safety and Compliance Setup

• Install life-safety and structural items per inspection requirements.
• Post required notices (parking plan summary and city code summary) for guests.
• Secure $1,000,000 liability insurance and provide proof to the Zoning Office.
• Set up operations with noise, occupancy, parking, and trash rules aligned to ordinance.

Step 6 — Ongoing Compliance and Filings

• Maintain annual permit and inspections.
• File lodging taxes as required by the city and state.
• Respond to enforcement communications and keep documentation.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• Conditional Use Permit (CUP)

  • Required for OR Overlay District properties.
  • Valid for five years; must be renewed and remain compliant.
  • Renewal is overseen by Planning; additional restrictions may apply.

• Annual STR Zoning Permit

  • Application: online or mail-in.
  • Fees: $200 application fee (nonrefundable); $500 annual permit fee (credited with application fee upon approval).
  • Inspection Reports:
    • Life-safety inspection report:
      • City Zoning Inspector annually; or
      • Certified property management company every three years.
    • Structural safety inspection report (if exterior stairways/decks/porches/balconies exist):
      • Conducted by a licensed design professional every three years.
  • 4-square-foot STR sign identifying the building must be posted.
  • Responsible party contact details available within 30 minutes.

• Registration and Taxes

  • Business registration with Commissioner of the Revenue.
  • Transient occupancy (lodging) tax registration and filings.

• Insurance

  • Minimum $1,000,000 liability insurance; proof submitted to the Zoning Office.

• Posted Notices

  • Approved parking plan summary.
  • Summary of relevant city code (provided by zoning administrator) in a guest-accessible location.

• Other Operational Items

  • Automated (weekly pickup) refuse receptacles for trash.
  • Interconnected smoke alarms; fire extinguisher; carbon monoxide detectors (for properties using natural gas/propane).
  • No open fires or fireworks.
  • Accessory structures (e.g., converted detached garages) cannot be used as STRs.

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals (City, County, State) City of Virginia Beach STR Regulations

• Zoning Pathways

  • Sandbridge SSD: by-right STR operation upon permit.
  • OR Overlay District: CUP required before zoning permit.
  • Grandfathered properties: Operate under pre-July 2018 registration and tax compliance; status runs with the land until STR ceases.
  • Pre–Sep 7, 2021 CUPs: valid for five years; subject to renewal.

• Operational Restrictions

  • Parking: 1 space per bedroom (stacking allowed if spots are 9 ft x 16 ft; street parking does not count).
  • Events: 50–100 people require a special event permit; maximum three per calendar year per property.
  • Maximum occupancy: Two individuals per bedroom after 11:00 p.m. and before 7:00 a.m.
  • Rental contracts: Maximum of two within seven consecutive days.
  • Responsible party: Must be available within 30 minutes (no on-site response required).
  • Noise: No outdoor amplified sound between 10 p.m. and 10 a.m.; no noise audible inside adjoining residences.
  • Signage: 4-square-foot STR sign required; only architectural structure naming signs allowed.
  • Taxes: Maintain current registration and payments with Commissioner of the Revenue.
  • Posted notices: Parking plan summary and code summary must be available to guests.

• Inspections

  • Life-safety: Annual by city or every three years by certified property manager.
  • Structural (if applicable): Every three years by licensed design professional.
  • New permitting process (2025 update): Inspections at the start of permitting and again every five years thereafter.

• Enforcement and Penalties

  • Zoning violations: Up to $200 for first offense; $500 for subsequent offenses.
  • Criminal penalties reinstated (2025): STR violations are now misdemeanor offenses, with fines up to $1,000 for first offense and up to $2,000 for persistent violations; property permits can be revoked and grandfather status rescinded.
  • Grandfathered properties: Status can be revoked for code breaches, neighbor complaints, or if building square footage increases by 25% or 1,000 sq ft (whichever is less), or if the property remains vacant or unused as a rental for two years.
  • Compliance window: 15 days to cure violations before hearing.

Virginia State-Level Context

• STRs in Virginia Beach are subject to state and local sales tax and local lodging (transient occupancy) tax.
• Vrbo typically collects state and local sales taxes and local transient occupancy tax for Virginia Beach hosts.
• Airbnb collects state sales tax for Virginia Beach listings but does not collect the local transient occupancy tax; hosts are responsible for remitting all lodging taxes not collected by the platform.
• State law also governs minimum life-safety standards for dwellings (e.g., smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers “to the extent permissible under state law”).

Note on “Bayside–Virginia Beach” Bayside is a City Council district within Virginia Beach. The STR ordinances summarized above apply citywide; there are no separate Bayside-specific rules. The same eligibility criteria, permit requirements, and operational restrictions govern all properties unless an overlay district is established via petition.

Contact Information (Local Authority in Charge of STRs)

• Planning & Zoning (STR Zoning Permits, Overlay Districts, CUPs)

  • Phone: (757) 385-4621
  • Website: Short-Term Rental permitting and information

• Commissioner of the Revenue (Business Registration, Transient Occupancy/Lodging Taxes)

  • Phone: (757) 385-4646
  • Website: Commissioner of the Revenue – Business Licensing and Transient Occupancy Tax

• City General Contact and 311

  • Phone: (757) 385-3111
  • Website: City Hall and departmental directory

Source Pages (Links)

• CGP Real Estate Consulting: “The Short-term Rental Laws in Virginia Beach”
• STRisker Bulletin: “Virginia Beach, VA – Criminal Penalties for STR Violations”
• WAVY News: “VB City Council bans all new short-term rentals outside of Sandbridge unless neighborhoods request exemption”
• Avalara MyLodgeTax: “New Virginia Beach ordinance restricts short-term rentals to Oceanfront and Sandbridge”
• City of Virginia Beach: Codes & Ordinances

Important Takeaways for Investors

• Virginia Beach restricts STRs to very specific zones; most neighborhoods (including much of Bayside) cannot start new STRs unless an overlay petition succeeds.
• Even eligible properties (Sandbridge SSD and OR Overlay) face a rigorous permitting process, inspections, substantial fees, and strict operational rules.
• Compliance costs and risk are high due to criminal penalties and revocation powers; due diligence and ongoing monitoring are essential.
• State lodging tax exposure exists regardless of platform collection; hosts must verify and fulfill all filing obligations to avoid penalties.

This guide is current as of recent city actions and published sources; given the pace of regulatory change, investors should reconfirm permit requirements, fees, and enforcement practices before proceeding.