Is Airbnb legal in Virginia Beach, VA?

Restricted

For the October 2026 safety, eligibility, tax and renewal review, continue to the Virginia detailed host guide and worksheet. The city summary below retains its own review date.

These rules are changing or in active litigation. Verify the current status directly before you rely on it.

Airbnb is restricted in Virginia Beach, VA

New STRs are permitted by right only in the Sandbridge district, need a conditional use permit in the Oceanfront overlay, and are otherwise barred unless grandfathered. Each STR needs a 500 dollar annual zoning permit, at least one million dollars of liability insurance, and a responsible party reachable within 30 minutes, and is limited to one rental contract per week.

City Zoning Ordinance 241.2 + Art. 23 (STR overlays)View the ordinance

Verified July 2026. Not legal advice. Rules change and may be enforced differently than written. Confirm with the city before you list.

Key rules at a glance

Permit or registration

Required

Primary residence only

No

Annual night cap

Not confirmed

Registration fee

$500

How short-term rentals work in Virginia Beach

The first step in Virginia Beach is the city's permit or registration process, with a fee of about $500. The status card above has the full detail on the current rules.

Non-owner investors can operate in Virginia Beach, but within the city's limits above. Read the ordinance closely before you buy, because permits, caps, or zoning can make a specific property ineligible.

What it means for investors

An STR can still work in Virginia Beach, but the limits shrink the pool of eligible properties and add compliance cost. Underwrite conservatively and confirm the specific address qualifies before you commit.

Analyze a rental hereCheck long-term rent

Short-term rental rules elsewhere in Virginia

Last reviewed July 2026. Informational and educational only, not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created. Rules change and may be enforced differently than written. Verify the current ordinance with your local jurisdiction or counsel before acting.

Frequently asked questions

Is Airbnb legal in Virginia Beach?

New STRs are permitted by right only in the Sandbridge district, need a conditional use permit in the Oceanfront overlay, and are otherwise barred unless grandfathered. Each STR needs a 500 dollar annual zoning permit, at least one million dollars of liability insurance, and a responsible party reachable within 30 minutes, and is limited to one rental contract per week. This reflects the rules as of July 2026; confirm the current ordinance with the city before you list.

Do I need a permit to run a short-term rental in Virginia Beach?

Yes. Virginia Beach requires a permit or registration to operate a short-term rental, and platforms increasingly require the permit number on the listing.

Can I run a non-owner-occupied Airbnb in Virginia Beach?

Yes, Virginia Beach does not require you to live in the property, though other limits such as caps, zoning, or licensing may still apply.

Is there a limit on how many nights I can rent in Virginia Beach?

No specific annual night cap was confirmed for Virginia Beach, though minimum-stay rules or license caps may effectively limit operations. Check the ordinance.

What taxes apply to a short-term rental in Virginia Beach?

Short-term rentals in Virginia Beach are generally subject to state and local lodging or occupancy taxes on top of income tax. Airbnb and VRBO collect some of these automatically, but not always all of them, so confirm the current rate and who remits it with Virginia and the city.