Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Surry County, VA?

Short-term rentals are currently permitted in Surry County, Virginia, but only under very specific and limited conditions.

Explicitly: Whole-house short-term rentals (the typical Airbnb model) are largely prohibited. The county's current zoning framework only allows short-term rental operations that function as bed-and-breakfast establishments in agricultural-rural zones, and these require property owners to reside on-site. The regulatory environment is actively evolving, with Surry County currently conducting a formal evaluation process to potentially develop more comprehensive STR regulations.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Surry County

Current Pathway (Limited Availability)

1. Property Zoning Verification

   • Confirm your property is located in an agricultural-rural zone
   • Verify current zoning classification with the Planning & Community Development Department

2. Conditional Use Permit Process

   • Apply for a conditional use permit specifically for bed-and-breakfast operations
   • This is the only viable pathway for STR operations under current regulations

3. Residency Requirement

   • Establish primary residence on the property
   • Operate the STR as an owner-occupied bed-and-breakfast

Future Considerations

• Monitor Regulatory Changes: The county is actively evaluating STR regulations through their ongoing survey process
• Participate in Public Process: Engage with the county's evaluation process as new guidelines are developed

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Current Requirements

Zoning Application (PDF)

• Required for conditional use permit applications
• Available through Planning & Community Development Department
• Part of the land use approval process

Conditional Use Permit

• Mandatory for any STR operation in agricultural-rural zones
• Must be approved before commencing operations
• Subject to specific operational conditions

Potential Future Requirements (under development)

• Registration systems as enabled by Virginia General Assembly framework
• Tax collection and remittance procedures
• Safety and inspection protocols

Application Process

1. Zoning Application Submission
2. Conditional Use Permit Application
3. Public Hearing Process (typically required for CUPs)
4. County Board of Supervisors Approval

Specific Regulations by Jurisdiction Level

County-Level Regulations (Current)

Zoning Restrictions:

• STRs only permitted in agricultural-rural zones
• Must operate as bed-and-breakfast establishments
• Owner-residency requirement mandatory
• Conditional use permit required for all operations

Operational Limitations:

• No whole-house rental model permitted
• Limited to hosted accommodations (owner present)
• Restricted to bed-and-breakfast format

State-Level Framework (Virginia)

Virginia General Assembly Provisions:

• Framework exists for localities to create STR registries
• Local implementation authority granted to counties
• Tax collection authority framework established
• Health and safety standard delegation possible

Local Control Structure:

• Surry County Board of Supervisors has regulatory authority
• Implementation timeline and specific rules determined locally
• Current evaluation phase expected to lead to formal ordinances

Future Regulatory Development

The county is in an active evaluation phase, with the following areas under consideration:

• Comprehensive STR registration systems
• Tax collection and remittance requirements
• Safety and inspection protocols
• Operational standards and limitations
• Enforcement mechanisms

Contact Information for Local Authority

Primary Contact

Surry County Planning & Community Development Department

• Address: 45 School Street, Surry, VA 23883
• Phone: 757-294-5271
• Website: Surry County Official Website

Key Departments

Planning & Community Development

• Responsible for zoning applications and conditional use permits
• Handles land development ordinance compliance
• Document Resources: Planning & Community Development Documents

Board of Supervisors

• Final authority on STR regulations and permits
• Decision-making body for ordinance development
• Contact through main county number: 757-294-5271

Online Resources

County Code and Ordinances:

• Surry County Code of Ordinances
• Access to current zoning regulations and land development ordinances

STR Evaluation Process:

• Short-Term Rentals Survey
• Current information on regulatory development process

Source Pages

1. Surry County Short-Term Rentals Survey
2. Surry County Planning & Community Development Documents
3. Surry County Code of Ordinances
4. Lodge Compliance - Surry County Analysis

Important Note for Investors: The current regulatory environment in Surry County is highly restrictive for traditional short-term rental operations. The county is actively evaluating potential regulatory changes, which could create opportunities for more diverse STR operations in the future. Prospective investors should monitor the county's regulatory development process and consider engaging with local officials during this evaluation period.