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Richmond, VA

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STR Regulations for Richmond, Virginia

Overview

Short-term rentals ARE ALLOWED in Richmond, VA under specific regulations that were adopted by City Council on September 25, 2023, through Ordinance No. 2023-235. Richmond permits short-term rentals as both principal and accessory uses to dwelling units or permitted accessory dwelling units, with comprehensive requirements designed to balance economic opportunities with community safety and neighborhood preservation.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Richmond?

Richmond hosts earn a median $33,397/year with $163 ADR and 72% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $46,609+ per year.

See the full Richmond market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Richmond

Step 1: Property Qualification and Ownership Requirements

  • Ownership Requirement: You must be the property owner of the dwelling unit you wish to rent
  • Primary Residency: In residential zoning districts, the STR must be located on the lot of your primary residence, as determined by Virginia DMV records or Richmond Registrar records
  • Property Type: Both single-family and multifamily properties are eligible, though with different limits

Step 2: Determine Zoning Compliance

  • Residential Districts: Only one STR permitted per lot
  • Non-Residential/Multifamily Buildings: Maximum of 10 units or one-third of total dwelling units (whichever is lesser) may be operated as STRs

Step 3: Application Process

  • Timeline: Applications can be submitted beginning July 1, 2020
  • Platform: Through the City's Online Permit Portal
  • Validity: Permit is valid for two years from issuance date

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Primary Permits and Applications

  1. Short-Term Rental Permit (biennial, $600 fee)
  2. Certificate of Zoning Compliance (issued after inspection)

Required Documentation

  1. Short-Term Rental Owner Affidavit

    • Acknowledges compliance with all STR regulations
    • Available in the Online Permit Portal under Supporting Documentation

  2. Dimensioned Floor Plan including:

    • Use of each room clearly labeled
    • Occupancy level of sleeping rooms
    • Cooking facilities location (if applicable)
    • Location and size of emergency egress and rescue openings
    • Location of fire extinguishers and smoke/carbon monoxide detectors

  3. Proof of Primary Residency

    • See Owner Affidavit for specific documentation requirements
    • Must establish property as your primary residence

Safety and Building Compliance

  • Building Inspection: Required prior to Certificate of Zoning Compliance issuance
  • Virginia Residential Construction Code: Compliance with current edition required

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Operational Limits

  • Nightly Operation: No limit on number of nights STR can operate
  • Occupancy Limits: Maximum 8 adult renters per night (at least one must be 18+ years old)
  • Double Booking: Prohibited - cannot have more than one booking transaction simultaneously
  • Children: No limit on number of children per rental
  • Building Code: Occupancy may be further limited under Building Code requirements

Property Use Restrictions

  • Events and Gatherings: Prohibited for non-authorized lodgers
  • Parking: No additional parking requirements for STR use
  • Hosted vs. Unhosted: Legislation does not distinguish - whole house rentals permitted in all zones

Safety Requirements

  • Smoke Detectors: Required in compliance with Virginia Residential Construction Code
  • Fire Extinguisher: Must be present and accessible at all times
  • Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Required in any room used for sleeping or cooking

Advertising Requirements

  • Permit Number: STR Permit approval number must be posted on all property advertisements
  • Compliance: All marketing materials must include permit identification

Zoning Restrictions

  • Residential Zones: One STR per lot maximum
  • Non-Residential Zones: Subject to multifamily building limits (10 units or 1/3 of units, whichever is lesser)

Enforcement and Penalties

Reporting Violations

  • Unpermitted Operation: Properties operating without permits
  • Rule Violations: Properties operating outside established parameters

Violation Process

  1. Investigation: Assigned to enforcement staff upon report
  2. Notice: Violation Notice & Correction Order sent to property owner/occupant
  3. Correction Period: 30 days to abate violation (Virginia law requires 30-day appeal period)
  4. Criminal Action: Summons may be issued if violation not abated or appeal filed

Penalties

  • Zoning Violation: Class I misdemeanor
  • Fines: Up to $2,500
  • Jail Time: Up to one year

Contact Information for Local Authority

Primary Contact: Zoning Administration Office

Office Hours

  • Walk-in Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Phone Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Additional Resources

  • Online Permit Portal: Available through city website
  • RVA311: For reporting violations and general information
  • Phone: 3-1-1 or (804) 646-7000

Violation Reporting

  • Phone: (804) 646-6340
  • Email: PDRZoningAdministration@rva.gov (include "Short-Term Rental Violation" in subject line)
  • RVA311: Online complaint submission available

Links to Source Pages

Primary Regulatory Documents

Application and Permit Resources

Historical and Background Resources

Municipal Resources

This guide provides comprehensive information for short-term rental investors considering the Richmond market. The city's regulatory framework is well-established with clear requirements, reasonable operational limits, and defined processes for both application and enforcement. The $600 biennial fee and one STR per lot limit in residential areas represent moderate barriers to entry while maintaining neighborhood character. Investors should ensure full compliance with all safety requirements and consider the operational benefits of no parking requirements and unlimited nightly operation capacity.

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Richmond

Market Saturation Score

036912
Mild Saturation
2/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
2–4 declining months: early saturation pressure - watch for trend persistence.
View Full Richmond Market Analysis

Photos of Richmond

Overview of Richmond

Richmond is the capital of Virginia and an independent city, geographically separate from any county but bordered by Henrico County to the west and north and Chesterfield County to the south. The city proper is home to roughly 230,000 residents, while the broader metro area counts around 1.3 million people. Situated on the James River in east-central Virginia, Richmond has a layered character shaped by more than four centuries of history, a thriving craft-beer and culinary scene, and an unexpected outdoor recreation culture centered on the rapids running through the heart of downtown. It is best known as a cornerstone of Civil War and early American history, and it serves as a natural gateway to Virginia's historic triangle to the east and the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley to the west. The nearest major city is Washington, D.C., approximately 100 miles to the north along Interstate 95.

The Virginia State Capitol, designed by Thomas Jefferson and completed in 1788, anchors downtown and doubles as both a working seat of government and a museum of early American political history. Visitors can stand in the chamber where figures like Patrick Henry, John Marshall, and Robert E. Lee once debated, and the building is just a short walk from the Shockoe Bottom and Shockoe Slip dining districts. The capitol sits roughly in the center of the city, easily reachable from most neighborhoods within a 10- to 15-minute drive.

Just across the James River, Belle Isle offers an unexpectedly wild escape in the middle of the city. The island was once a Civil War-era prison camp and later a site of industrial activity, but today it is a wooded park threaded with trails and surrounded by some of the only Class III and IV urban rapids in the country. Access is free, and the riverfront trails connect Belle Isle to other parks and pedestrian bridges spanning the James.

A few miles west of downtown, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is widely regarded as one of the finest general art museums in the southeastern United States. The collection spans ancient to contemporary works, including the largest Fabergé collection outside of Russia, and admission to the permanent galleries is free. The museum anchors the Museum District and is roughly a 10-minute drive from the city center.

About an hour to the east, Colonial Williamsburg extends Richmond's appeal well beyond the city limits. This living-history attraction recreates an 18th-century colonial capital with costumed interpreters, restored buildings, and artisan demonstrations, making it a popular pairing for travelers who use Richmond as a base. Further west, the foothills of the Blue Ridge and the entrance to Shenandoah National Park can be reached in under two hours.

Richmond works especially well as a short-term-rental market because it offers so many distinct experiences in close proximity. Guests can spend mornings exploring the State Capitol or strolling along the James, afternoons sampling the food scene in Carytown or Scott's Addition, and weekends taking day trips to colonial sites, amusement parks, or mountain hikes. That mix of urban energy, deep history, and easy access to nearly every corner of Virginia keeps demand steady across business, leisure, and shoulder seasons.

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