Overview: Whether STRs are allowed in Blackstone, VA

• Yes—short-term rentals are allowed in Blackstone. Based on market analysis for Blackstone (Nov 2024–Oct 2025), Blackstone is characterized by a “Low” STR regulation level and a healthy active listing base (23 STRs), indicating that STRs operate without restrictive local prohibitions. Source: AirROI Blackstone STR Market Analysis (2025).
• At the state level, Virginia does not impose a statewide STR ban; it defines STRs broadly and leaves local regulation to cities and counties. This permissive framework underpins Blackstone’s investor-friendly climate. Source: GoSummer—Virginia Short-Term Rental Laws.

How to start a short-term rental business in this market The following steps reflect the common Virginia compliance pathway applicable to Blackstone. Blackstone has not adopted city-specific licensing as of the most recent market reporting, but investors should plan for statewide taxes and safety standards and confirm any county or town-level requirements with local authorities.

1. Confirm zoning and use

• Verify that your property is in a district that permits residential rental uses and that STR activity is permissible (e.g., not prohibited by HOA rules or special overlays). While Blackstone reports low regulation, zoning restrictions can still apply at the town or county level. Action: request a zoning verification letter from the Town of Blackstone and/or Nottoway County zoning departments.

2. Obtain a local business license (if applicable)

• Virginia localities commonly require a business license for STR operations to remit local taxes. Confirm whether the Town of Blackstone or Nottoway County requires an STR business license and annual renewal. Action: apply for and renew annually; maintain a copy of the license and renewal receipts.

3. Collect and remit taxes

• Virginia Sales Tax (6%) applies to most STR bookings and must be collected and remitted to the Virginia Department of Taxation.
• Transient Occupancy Tax (lodging tax) may apply at the city/county level; verify the rate and remittance process with the Town of Blackstone or Nottoway County Commissioner of the Revenue. Action: register with the Virginia Department of Taxation; set up local lodging tax collection if applicable.

4. Safety and building code compliance

• Properties must meet Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code requirements. Typical expectations include smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors (where applicable), and fire extinguishers in working condition. Action: conduct a safety audit and install/verify required devices.

5. Insurance

• Maintain liability insurance appropriate for STR operations (many hosts carry at least $1M to align with lender, platform, or local norms in Virginia markets). Action: add STR/home-sharing coverage endorsement to your homeowners policy or secure a standalone STR policy.

6. Operations setup

• Create or verify a business entity and obtain a Federal EIN (if needed).
• Prepare guest-facing materials: house rules, parking guidance, trash/recycling schedule, noise policies, emergency contacts.
• Align listings and policies with platform requirements (platform insurance, cancellation policies, safety disclosures).

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines In Blackstone specifically, there is no evidence of a city-level permit registry or licensing requirement (consistent with the market’s “Low” regulation level). However, the following are commonly required across Virginia and should be prepared in Blackstone as applicable:

• Local zoning use confirmation
  • Document: zoning verification letter/email (town or county).
• Local business license (if required)
  • Document: business license certificate; annual renewal confirmation.
• Virginia sales tax registration and filings
  • Document: Virginia TAX account confirmation; copies of filed sales tax returns.
• Local lodging tax registration (if applicable)
  • Document: local tax registration/permit; monthly/quarterly remittance confirmations.
• Safety compliance
  • Document: property safety checklist showing smoke/CO detectors, fire extinguisher locations; photos as proof of installation.
• Insurance
  • Document: declarations page evidencing liability coverage appropriate for STR operations.
• Entity and tax IDs
  • Document: Federal EIN confirmation; Virginia STATE Tax ID (if issued); business entity formation documents (LLC/Inc.).
• Property information
  • Document: floor plan (for emergency egress verification), parking plan, HOA approval or rules (if applicable).

Specific regulations for short-term rentals in this city, county, and state State level (Virginia)

• STR definition: Virginia defines a short-term rental as the provision of a room or space suitable for dwelling, sleeping, or lodging for fewer than 30 consecutive days in exchange for compensation. This statewide definition is applied broadly across Virginia localities. Source: Code of Virginia § 15.2-983; corroborated by municipal practice (e.g., Richmond). Sources: GoSummer—Virginia STR Laws and Richmond Code of Ordinances—Division 14.
• Delegated regulation: Virginia leaves STR regulation to local governments (cities, towns, counties). No state-level ban on STRs; local rules vary from permissive to restrictive.
• Safety: Compliance with the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code is expected for STR properties (detectors, extinguishers, egress, and related safety measures).
• Taxes: Virginia Sales Tax (6%) generally applies to STR bookings; localities may also levy a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT). Source: GoSummer—Virginia STR Laws.

County level (Nottoway County, where Blackstone is located)

• There is no county-specific STR ordinance identified in the provided sources. As in most Virginia jurisdictions, expect:
  • Business license requirements (confirm with the Commissioner of the Revenue).
  • Possible Transient Occupancy Tax (confirm rate and remittance process).
  • Zoning/use compliance for parcels within the county’s jurisdiction (outside town limits).
• Note: County-level requirements can change; verify current rules with county offices before listing.

City/town level (Blackstone)

• The Blackstone market shows “Low” regulation and an active STR segment, with no evidence of a city-run STR registry or permit system in the provided sources. Investors should still:
  • Confirm zoning/use with the Town of Blackstone.
  • Check for any town-level business license and lodging tax requirements.
  • Comply with state-level taxes and safety codes.
• Reference: AirROI Blackstone STR Market Analysis (2025).

Taxes and compliance summary

• Sales Tax (Virginia): 6% on bookings. Register and remit via Virginia Department of Taxation.
• Transient Occupancy/Lodging Tax (TOT): Verify whether the Town of Blackstone or Nottoway County assesses a local lodging tax and at what rate.
• Income Tax: Report STR income on federal and state returns.
• Property Tax: Assessed by locality; unchanged by STR operation.
• Deductible costs: Depreciation, property taxes, mortgage interest, insurance, utilities, management fees, cleaning, maintenance, supplies, professional services, and business travel—maintain records to support deductions. Source: GoSummer—Virginia STR Laws.

Contact information for local authority in charge of STRs Because the provided sources do not list Blackstone-specific contacts, use the following as the authoritative starting points for verification. When calling, ask for “Short-Term Rental/Business License” or “Transient Occupancy Tax”:

• Town of Blackstone (Municipal)
  • Phone: Town Hall—general line (check town website for current numbers)
  • Email: Not publicly listed in provided sources; submit inquiries via the town’s official website or in person at Town Hall.
  • Website: Town of Blackstone Official Website
• Nottoway County (Commissioner of the Revenue/Business License)
  • Phone: Commissioner of the Revenue—business license
  • Email: Not publicly listed in provided sources
  • Website: Nottoway County Commissioner of the Revenue
• Nottoway County (Treasurer/Transient Occupancy/Lodging Tax, if applicable)
  • Phone: County Treasurer
  • Email: Not publicly listed in provided sources
  • Website: Nottoway County Treasurer
• Virginia Department of Taxation (Sales Tax/Withholding/Registration)
  • Phone: Not publicly listed in provided sources
  • Website: Virginia Tax—Online Services

Proactive action: request written confirmations (email is fine) that your STR is compliant with local zoning and tax requirements, and keep those confirmations in your compliance file.

Links to source pages (if available)

• AirROI Blackstone STR Market Analysis (2025)
• GoSummer—Virginia Short-Term Rental Laws
• Code of Virginia § 15.2-983 (STR Definition)
• City of Richmond Code—Division 14 (state-aligned STR definition)
• Virginia Beach STR Program (for context on a nearby Virginia market)
• Town of Blackstone Official Website
• Nottoway County Commissioner of the Revenue
• Nottoway County Treasurer
• Virginia Tax—Online Services

Practical takeaways for Blackstone STR investors

• Blackstone’s STR market shows low regulatory friction and an active listing base—conditions conducive to entry and scale.
• Treat “Low regulation” as a green light to operate, not a substitute for compliance: confirm zoning, licensing (if any), and tax obligations before listing.
• Build a robust compliance file: zoning confirmations, business license, tax registrations, safety checklist, insurance declarations, and correspondence with local authorities.
• If you acquire multiple properties, consider centralizing licensing/tax workflows and creating a recurring compliance calendar (license renewals, tax filings, safety inspections, insurance renewals).