Goochland County (Maidens, VA) Short-Term Rental Investor Guide

Overview: Are STRs allowed in Maidens, VA?

Yes. Short-term rentals (less than 30 consecutive days) are allowed in Goochland County, including the Maidens area, subject to zoning-based permissions, annual registration with Community Development, and compliance with occupancy, safety, and conduct standards. Bed & Breakfast and hosted short-term rentals are permitted by-right in the Agricultural districts with standards; unhosted short-term rentals are allowed in Agricultural districts only with a Conditional Use Permit (CUP); most residential zoning districts require a CUP for all STR types. All STRs (except hotels) must register annually with Goochland County.

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

• Confirm zoning and path to approval
  • Determine your property’s zoning district.
  • In Agricultural (General/Limited): bed & breakfast and hosted STRs are allowed by-right subject to standards; unhosted STRs require a CUP.
  • In most residential and related districts: a CUP is required for all STR types (bed & breakfast, hosted, unhosted).
  • If a CUP is needed, contact the Planning Office to initiate the conditional use review process.
• Secure registration and tax accounts
  • Complete and submit the annual Short-Term Rental Registration with the Community Development office before advertising or operating.
  • Obtain a Goochland County business license with the Commissioner of the Revenue if you perform work or derive gross receipts in Goochland; out-of-town contractors under $25,000 in annual county work may be exempt (bring your state license to the Commissioner to qualify for exempt status).
• Tax compliance
  • The county levies a 2% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) on lodging (hotels, motels, boardinghouses, etc.). Short-term rental operators should confirm whether TOT applies to their operations with the Treasurer and Commissioner of the Revenue.
  • Short-term rental property is treated as tangible personal property held for rental; contact the Commissioner of the Revenue for classification and assessment questions.
• Set operations to standards
  • Owner-occupancy and on-site presence are required for bed & breakfast and hosted STRs; the owner/designee must be able to return within 60 minutes and be available 24/7.
  • Limit occupancy to the septic permit capacity, but in no case more than 10 people (including permanent residents and guests).
  • Install/maintain required safety equipment (smoke alarms and carbon monoxide monitors).
  • Maintain a residential appearance and observe quiet hours (no outdoor music after 11:00 p.m.).
  • Enforce additional conduct rules (no hunting or firearms discharge by renters).
• Insurance and safety
  • Consider liability coverage appropriate for transient rentals; verify coverage terms with your carrier.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

• Goochland County Short-Term Rental Registration (annual) — required before advertising or operating (excluding hotels).
• Conditional Use Permit (CUP) — required for unhosted STRs in Agricultural districts and for all STR types in most residential zoning districts; contact Planning & Zoning to apply.
• Goochland County Business License — required for any business conducted in the county; out-of-town contractors under $25,000 in annual county work can apply for exempt status by presenting their valid Virginia state license to the Commissioner of the Revenue.
• State contractor’s license (when applicable) — if bidding/performing jobs between $1,000 and $7,500: Class C; $7,500 to $70,000: Class B; over $70,000: Class A; confirm requirements with the State Board for Contractors.
• Zoning standards (summary)
  • Owner-occupied dwellings for bed & breakfast and hosted STRs; owner or designee (21+ years) must be on-site overnight and within 60 minutes response capability; 24/7 availability during stays.
  • Maximum occupancy: limited by septic system permit; never more than 10 people total.
  • Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide monitors as specified.
  • No outdoor music (amplified or acoustic) after 11:00 p.m.
  • No hunting or firearms discharge by renters.
  • Property must maintain residential appearance.
  • Advertising/operation prohibited if more than three violations of applicable laws/ordinances have occurred.

Zoning District | Bed & Breakfast | Hosted STR | Unhosted STR --- | --- | --- | --- Agricultural, General | Allowed with standards | Allowed with standards | CUP required Agricultural, Limited | Allowed with standards | Allowed with standards | CUP required Residential, Rural | CUP required | CUP required | CUP required Rural Preservation | CUP required | CUP required | CUP required Residential, Limited | CUP required | CUP required | CUP required Residential, General | CUP required | CUP required | CUP required Residential, Neighborhood | CUP required | CUP required | CUP required Residential, Office | CUP required | CUP required | CUP required Residential PUD | CUP required | CUP required | CUP required

Specific regulations for short-term rentals (county and state)

• County-level STR regulations (Goochland)
  • STR definition: lodging rented for less than 30 consecutive days.
  • Annual registration required (excluding hotels).
  • Types: Bed & Breakfast (owner-occupied), Hosted STR (owner-occupied; owner/designee on-site), Unhosted STR (entire home; may be non-owner-occupied), Hotel (11+ occupancy).
  • Occupancy caps: limited by septic permit capacity; never more than 10 people total.
  • Owner-occupancy and 24/7 responsiveness standards for bed & breakfast and hosted STRs.
  • Safety: smoke alarms in common areas and each sleeping room; at least one carbon monoxide monitor maintained.
  • Noise: no outdoor music after 11:00 p.m.
  • Conduct: renters may not hunt or discharge firearms on the property.
  • Violations: no advertising/operation if more than three violations have occurred.
• Zoning permissions (see table above)
• Taxes
  • Transient Occupancy Tax: 2% on lodging charges collected from guests staying 30 days or less in hotels, motels, boardinghouses, travel campgrounds, and similar facilities.
  • Personal property tax: STR property is tangible personal property held for rental; classification and assessment questions should be directed to the Commissioner of the Revenue.
• State-level contractor licensing (when applicable)
  • Class C for jobs $1,000–$7,500; Class B for $7,500–$70,000; Class A for >$70,000; certain trades require state testing.

Contact information (local authority)

• Planning & Zoning (Community Development) — Short-Term Rental Registration, zoning/CUP questions
  • Phone: 804-556-5860
• Commissioner of the Revenue — Business License, STR property classification, TOT clarification
  • Phone: 804-556-5807
• Building Permits & Inspections
  • Phone: 804-556-5815
• State Board for Contractors — State contractor licensing
  • Phone: 800-522-3016 or 804-367-8511
• County General Contact
  • Phone: 804-556-5800
  • Address: 1800 Sandy Hook Road, P.O. Box 10, Goochland, VA 23063
  • Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (except holidays)

Source pages and forms

• Goochland County Short-Term Rental Information and Registration:
  • www.goochlandva.us/966/Short-term-rental
• Short-Term Rental Registration Form:
  • www.goochlandva.us/FormCenter/Planning-Zoning-5/Shortterm-Rental-Registration-Form-74
• Zoning Ordinance (Goochland County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 15):
  • library.municode.com/va/goochland_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH15ZO
• Subdivision Ordinance:
  • library.municode.com/va/goochland_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=APXBSU
• FAQ — STR Tax and County Contacts:
  • goochlandva.us/FAQ.aspx?QID=271

Notes

• Maidens is an unincorporated community in Goochland County; therefore, this guide uses Goochland County regulations as the applicable local framework for STRs.