Richmond Short-Term Rental Regulations

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Permit & Licensing

Certificate of Zoning Compliance (Short-Term Rental Permit)

The property must be your primary residence. This means investment properties are not eligible for this permit type.

Application Process

Owner must submit a letter to the Zoning Administrator with operator contact information, an acknowledgement confirming STR use, and (for condos/co-ops) board approval; owner must also obtain a certificate of zoning compliance, which requires a property inspection before issuance

Tax Obligations

Combined rate: 14% of gross rental income.

Collection: Accommodations intermediary (e.g., Airbnb, Vrbo) collects and remits when booking is made through the platform; otherwise the accommodations provider (property owner) collects and remits directly

Filing: Monthly, due by the 20th of each month

Rental Limits

Richmond does not impose an annual cap on the number of nights you can rent.

Occupancy & Density Limits

8 adult renters maximum (at least one must be 18 or older); no limit on children

Zoning & Restrictions

Only one short-term rental permitted per lot in residential zoning districts

Insurance & Safety

Insurance

Richmond does not require short-term rental operators to carry specific insurance. Standard homeowner policies often exclude short-term rental activity, so many hosts obtain dedicated short-term rental or landlord liability coverage.

Safety & Operating Requirements

• Smoke detectors compliant with the current edition of the Virginia Residential Construction Code
• Fire extinguisher present and accessible at all times
• Carbon monoxide detectors in any room used for sleeping or cooking

Platform Requirements

Short-Term Rental Permit approval number must be posted on all advertisements/listings for the property

Compliance Checklist

Follow these steps to legally operate a short-term rental in Richmond:

1. Confirm eligibility. The property must be your primary residence. Investment properties are not eligible.
2. Meet safety requirements. Smoke detectors compliant with the current edition of the Virginia Residential Construction Code. Fire extinguisher present and accessible at all times. Carbon monoxide detectors in any room used for sleeping or cooking.
3. Apply for Certificate of Zoning Compliance (Short-Term Rental Permit). Submit application + $600 fee.
4. Register for tax accounts. Set up lodging tax accounts with City of Richmond Department of Finance.
5. Collect and remit taxes. 14% on all bookings.
6. Renew every 730 days (2 years). $600 renewal fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in Richmond?

Yes. Operating a short-term rental — including an Airbnb or Vrbo — in Richmond requires a Certificate of Zoning Compliance (Short-Term Rental Permit).

How much does a short-term rental permit cost in Richmond?

A Certificate of Zoning Compliance (Short-Term Rental Permit) in Richmond costs $600 per year.

Does Richmond require a short-term rental to be your primary residence?

Yes. Every Richmond permit type requires the property to be your primary residence, so investment or non-owner-occupied rentals generally are not eligible.

How many days a year can you short-term rent in Richmond?

Richmond does not cap the number of nights per year you can short-term rent, though permitting, zoning, and occupancy rules still apply.

What taxes do you pay on a short-term rental in Richmond?

Short-term rental stays in Richmond are subject to a combined 14% in lodging taxes. This combines 8% Richmond Transient Occupancy Short-Term Rental (S-TR) Tax + 6% Virginia Retail Sales and Use Tax (Central Virginia Region rate, applies to City of Richmond). The host is responsible for collecting and remitting them.