Fayetteville, West Virginia Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

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Fayetteville, WV

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STR Regulations for Fayetteville, West Virginia

Overview

Short-term rentals (STRs) are explicitly permitted in Fayetteville, West Virginia, provided operators secure all required permits, licenses, and comply with tax obligations. The town has established a formal vacation rental permitting system with specific application procedures, fees, and ongoing compliance requirements. Operators must satisfy city-level requirements alongside county health permits and state tax obligations. See Sources: Fayetteville Vacation Rental Protocol, Town of Fayetteville STR Checklist

How to Start a STR Business in Fayetteville

Operators must complete a multi-step registration process:

State Registration: Contact the WV State Tax Department at (304) 558-3333 to obtain a Business Registration Certificate. Submit a copy to the town.
Town Business License: Apply online for the Municipal Business License ($5.00 for owners, $15.00 for agents; renewable July 1st annually).
Vacation Rental Permit: Complete the town’s Vacation Rental Permit Application ($100.00 fee; renewable July 1st). The Town Clerk will issue the permit after review.
Health Department Permit: Apply to the Fayette County Health Department for an annual health permit (valid Jan 1 - Dec 31; fees vary by bedrooms). Submit applications by mail to 5495 Maple Lane, Fayetteville, WV 25840, or email james.bennett@fayettehealth.org.

See Sources: STR Checklist, FCHD STR Information

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses

Mandatory documentation includes:

WV State Tax Department Business Registration Certificate
Town of Fayetteville Business License
Town Vacation Rental Permit (with application details like bedrooms, parking, owner info)
Fayette County Health Department Annual Permit
Monthly Hotel/Motel Tax Returns (due even with $0 income)
Quarterly Business & Occupation Tax Returns (Class Code 20)
Agent Authorization (if applicable)
Safety Compliance Documentation (from Health Dept inspection)
Proof of Tax Remittance (Hotel/Motel and B&O taxes)

See Sources: STR Application, Reporting Procedures, FCHD STR Info

Regulations (City/County/State)

City Requirements:

Licenses/permits valid July 1-June 30; renew annually
Monthly Hotel/Motel Tax filing (6% of gross sales)
Quarterly B&O Tax filing (1% of gross sales; Class Code 20)
Town Clerk distributes permits to Police Dept and Assessor’s office
Direct booking hosts must collect and remit taxes themselves

County Requirements:

Annual Health Dept permit required for all STRs
Inspections coordinated with owners/managers
Permit fees based on bedroom count
Valid Jan 1 - Dec 31; renew annually
Permit suspended if invalid or property sold

State Requirements:

WV State Tax Dept Business Registration Certificate required
Sales Tax compliance for bookings under 30 days

See Sources: Protocol, Reporting Procedures, FCHD STR Info, State-Level Context

Contact Information

Town of Fayetteville:
Phone: (304) 574-0101
Email: kathy@fayettevillewv.gov
Address: 125 N. Court St., Fayetteville, WV 25840
Website: fayettevillewv.gov

Fayette County Health Department:
Phone: (304) 574-1617
Email: james.bennett@fayettehealth.org
Address: 5495 Maple Lane, Fayetteville, WV 25840
Hours: 8am-4pm Mon-Fri
Website: fayettehealth.org/short-term-rental

WV State Tax Department:
Phone: (304) 558-3333
Website: tax.wv.gov

See Sources: STR Checklist, FCHD STR Info

Source Links

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Fayetteville?

Fayetteville hosts earn a median $29,034/year with $189 ADR and 52% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $44,265+ per year.

See the full Fayetteville market breakdown

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Fayetteville

Market Saturation Score

High Saturation

8/ 12

months with declining YoY revenue

8–10 declining months: high saturation - supply likely outpacing demand.

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Photos of Fayetteville

Overview of Fayetteville

Fayetteville is a small town in Fayette County, southern West Virginia, with a population of roughly 2,800 residents. Set in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, the town has a relaxed, outdoorsy character that draws adventure-seekers from across the eastern United States. It is best known as a gateway to the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and as a hub for whitewater rafting, rock climbing, mountain biking, and hiking. Charleston, the state capital and nearest major city, lies about 60 miles to the north, while Beckley is roughly 25 miles to the south.

The defining feature of the area is the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, which spans more than 70,000 acres of rugged canyon country along one of the oldest rivers in the world. The park offers world-class whitewater rafting, miles of hiking and biking trails, rock climbing routes, and abundant wildlife viewing. Downtown Fayetteville sits within a few minutes' drive of the park's most popular trailheads and river access points, making it a natural base for visitors who want to spend their days outside and their evenings in a walkable small town with restaurants, breweries, and outfitters.

Just a short drive north of town, the New River Gorge Bridge is one of the most photographed landmarks in West Virginia. Completed in 1977, it is one of the longest single-span arch bridges in the Western Hemisphere and stretches more than 3,000 feet across the gorge. The bridge hosts the annual Bridge Day celebration each October, when BASE jumpers, rappellers, and crowds gather on and around the structure. Visitors can also walk across the catwalk beneath the bridge through guided Bridge Walk tours that depart from nearby Lansing.

About 15 minutes east of Fayetteville, Hawks Nest State Park sits on a bluff overlooking the gorge and the New River. The park is known for its scenic overlooks, a seasonal aerial tramway that descends to the river below, and a lake with a swimming beach. It provides a quieter, more contemplative counterpoint to the rafting and climbing culture that defines Fayetteville itself.

A bit further afield, roughly 45 minutes to the east, Babcock State Park is one of West Virginia's most photographed locations, thanks to the Glade Creek Grist Mill, a photogenic wooden mill set over a rocky stream and surrounded by forest. The park offers cabins, camping, lake fishing, and more than 30 miles of hiking trails, including segments that lead to views of Manns Creek Gorge.

Fayetteville's combination of small-town character and immediate access to a major national park makes it a compelling base for short-term rentals. Visitors come year-round for rafting in spring and summer, foliage and Bridge Day in fall, and hiking and climbing in the cooler months, creating a steady rhythm of bookings that supports well-located cabins, townhomes, and apartments in and around the downtown core.

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