Explicit overview

• Short‑term rentals (STRs) are allowed in the Town of Moorefield only as a conditional use. They are permitted in R‑1 (Single‑Family Residential), R‑2 (Multi‑Family Residential), C‑1 (Corridor Commercial), C‑2 (Historic and Neighborhood Commercial), and OS (Conservation) districts, provided you obtain a conditional use permit and meet all underlying district standards.
• An STR is defined by local ordinance as the rental of an entire house, apartment, room, or rooms ordinarily used for residential purposes, for a period not to exceed 30 days in one calendar year.
• In residential zones (R‑1 and R‑2), STRs are treated as a conditional use. In commercial zones (C‑1 and C‑2), STRs are also a conditional use; however, note that the C‑1 district allows “Hotel/Motel” by right, which is a separate, distinct use with different operational characteristics (e.g., on‑site management and services typical of lodging businesses).
• “Bed and Breakfast Inn” is a separate, conditional use with its own definition: a private residence in which overnight accommodations are provided for not more than ten (10) transient paying guests, with the owner/operator residing on site as their primary residence. If your STR fits this definition, the stricter “Bed and Breakfast” provisions apply, and a standard STR cannot exceed the 10‑guest limit; otherwise, it must be operated under the separate Bed and Breakfast use classification.

Allowed zoning districts for STR (reference summary)

• R‑1: Conditional use
• R‑2: Conditional use
• C‑1: Conditional use (not the by‑right “Hotel/Motel” use)
• C‑2: Conditional use
• OS: Conditional use
• I: Not listed as permitted or conditional; STRs are not allowed in the Industrial district

Note: “PRD” appears only in the list of districts established, not in the STR use table provided here.

Source: Town of Moorefield Zoning Ordinance (2019), Section 20‑4.05 (R‑1), 20‑5.05 (R‑2), 20‑6.05 (C‑1), 20‑7.05 (C‑2), 20‑9.03 (OS) (conditional uses including “Short‑term Rental”); Section 20‑2.03 (95) definition of “Short‑term Rental”; Section 20‑2.03 (9) definition of “Bed and Breakfast Inn”.

How to start a short‑term rental business in Moorefield

1. Confirm zoning eligibility

• Verify your parcel is in an eligible district (R‑1, R‑2, C‑1, C‑2, or OS). Obtain or review the official zoning map and confirm STR is allowed as a conditional use.

2. Determine applicable use and cap

• If your property is a private residence where you live and you offer lodging to transient paying guests, and you stay on site as your primary residence, it may be a “Bed and Breakfast Inn” and is capped at not more than ten (10) transient paying guests. If you do not reside on site, operate a separate lodging business, or exceed the 10‑guest cap, use the “Short‑term Rental” classification.
• The STR definition limits rentals to a total of 30 days per calendar year. If you plan to operate beyond 30 days of occupancy per calendar year, you must do so under a different permitted lodging use (e.g., “Hotel/Motel” in C‑1, if eligible).

3. Secure a Conditional Use Permit (CUP)

• STRs are a conditional use; you must apply to and receive approval from the Board of Zoning Appeals. The standard conditional use process typically requires:
  • Filing a complete application to the Board.
  • Paying application fees (amounts not provided in the ordinance).
  • Providing notice to adjacent property owners as required.
  • Attending a public hearing and demonstrating compliance with the ordinance and any imposed conditions.

4. Meet district development standards

• After CUP approval, ensure full compliance with the underlying district’s lot, yard, and height requirements (see district matrix below). Setbacks, lot coverage, and height limits apply just like any principal structure or use.

5. Operate legally and in good standing

• Operate the STR strictly in accordance with the approved CUP and all applicable Moorefield code provisions, including sign rules and other development standards.
• The ordinance does not impose a separate business licensing regime for STRs in the provided materials. You should confirm whether a Town business registration certificate is required by contacting the Town Clerk.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

Permits and approvals

• Conditional Use Permit (CUP) issued by the Board of Zoning Appeals (mandatory; STR is a conditional use).
• Building and fire compliance: The ordinance references standard lot, yard, height, and building code compliance. Detailed construction/occupancy documentation is not specified in the excerpt; confirm any required building or fire inspections with the Zoning Officer.

Application materials (typical)

• Site plan with setbacks, lot coverage, parking, and access.
• Floor plans showing sleeping areas and bathroom facilities.
• Proof of ownership or legal control of the property.
• Description of the STR use (duration per booking, maximum occupancy, on‑site management arrangements).
• Evidence that the property meets district dimensional standards and, if applicable, that the proposed use will not negatively affect the neighborhood (notice to adjacent property owners is required as part of the conditional use process).

Regulatory references

• Zoning Ordinance of the Town of Moorefield (No. 2019‑3; effective October 1, 2019).
• Conditional use procedures and approval authority via the Board of Zoning Appeals (Section references above).
• STR definition and eligibility (Section 20‑2.03, item 95).
• Bed and Breakfast Inn definition and cap (Section 20‑2.03, item 9).
• District dimensional standards and conditional use listings per district (R‑1, R‑2, C‑1, C‑2, OS).

Note: The ordinance excerpt does not specify whether Moorefield requires a local business registration certificate for STRs; confirm with the Town Clerk. State business and tax obligations (e.g., sales/use tax classification for transient lodging) are not detailed in the excerpted materials.

Specific regulations for short‑term rentals (city/county/state)

Moorefield Zoning Ordinance (local)

• Allowed use type: STR is a conditional use in R‑1, R‑2, C‑1, C‑2, and OS; not allowed in I (Industrial).
• STR definition: “The rental of an entire house, apartment, room, or rooms ordinarily used for residential purposes for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days in one calendar year.”
• Bed and Breakfast Inn (B&BI) is a separate conditional use:
  • Private residence with owner/operator residing on site as primary residence.
  • Overnight accommodations for not more than ten (10) transient paying guests.
  • Ancillary services permitted (e.g., breakfast, small events).
  • If your STR meets this definition, it cannot exceed the 10‑guest cap; otherwise, use the STR classification.
• Hotel/Motel is a separate “permitted by right” use in C‑1 (Corridor Commercial). This is not an STR use and has different operational expectations (e.g., on‑site services and management typical of commercial lodging).
• No city‑specific occupancy limits, on‑site manager, or safety‑equipment mandates are stated in the excerpted ordinance beyond standard building code references.
• Nonconforming uses: If a use was lawful and actively operated before the effective date and later becomes noncon