How to get a short-term rental permit in Virginia Beach, VA (2026)
Virginia Beach requires Short-Term Rental Zoning Permit (plus Conditional Use Permit in the Oceanfront Resort STR Overlay District) — the fee is $500, renewed annual. Here's how to get and keep it.
Permit at a glance
| Permit required | Yes |
|---|---|
| Permit name | Short-Term Rental Zoning Permit (plus Conditional Use Permit in the Oceanfront Resort STR Overlay District) |
| Permit fee | $500 |
| Renewal | Annual |
Step by step
- 1
Confirm your property is eligible
Confirm the property's zoning allows short-term rentals. STRs (entire dwellings rented for under 30 consecutive days) are prohibited citywide except: (1) the Sandbridge Special Service District, where all properties are eligible with an annual zoning permit; (2) the Oceanfront Resort STR Overlay District, where newly registering properties must first obtain a Conditional Use Permit from City Council; and (3) grandfathered properties - those registered with the Commissioner of the Revenue before July 1, 2018 with taxes paid, or granted an STR CUP before Sept. 7, 2021. Grandfathered status is revoked if the dwelling is expanded by more than 25% or 1,000 sq ft (whichever is less). Home sharing (owner-occupant renting rooms while present) needs no zoning permit, only Commissioner of the Revenue registration. Operational limits under City Zoning Ordinance sec. 241.2 include max 2 rental contracts in any 7-day period, max 2 people per bedroom overnight (11 p.m.-7 a.m.), one 9'x18' off-street parking space per bedroom, and no events larger than 2 people per bedroom.
- 2
Apply for the Short-Term Rental Zoning Permit (plus Conditional Use Permit in the Oceanfront Resort STR Overlay District)
Submit the Short-Term Rental Zoning Permit (plus Conditional Use Permit in the Oceanfront Resort STR Overlay District) application to Virginia Beach and pay the $500 fee. STR Zoning Permit is $500 per address, renewed annually. New STRs in the Oceanfront Resort STR Overlay District also need a Conditional Use Permit with a $360 application fee (CUP expires after 5 years and must be renewed). Annual registration with the Commissioner of the Revenue carries a $50 registration fee for whole-house rentals by owner. Avalara (Oct 2025) reported a new $200 application fee credited toward the $500 annual permit fee as part of the Aug 2025 changes, but the city's permit page still lists a flat $500 fee, so this could not be confirmed on an official source.
- 3
Register for occupancy taxes
Register to collect and remit the applicable lodging/occupancy taxes for Virginia Beach. Some are collected automatically by the booking platform and some you may need to remit yourself.
- 4
Renew on schedule
The permit renews annual — set a reminder so it never lapses, since operating on an expired permit typically triggers fines.
STR rules change without warning.
Get an email the moment Virginia Beach changes its short-term rental rules — plus renewal reminders before your permit expires.
Watch Virginia Beach for changes →Free monthly digest · same-day alerts from $5/mo · cancel anytime
Keep going
Verified July 10, 2026. Informational only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Permit requirements and fees change; confirm current requirements with Virginia Beach before applying.