Morgantown Short-Term Rental Regulations

Last verified: 2026-06-18
TL;DR
Morgantown requires Letter of Compliance (rental registration) (fee varies) with no primary-residence requirement. Combined tax rate is 13%. No annual day limit.
Disclaimer
This information is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or regulatory advice. Short-term rental regulations change frequently. Always verify current requirements with your local government before listing your property or making investment decisions.
Key Requirements at a Glance
Permit ✓ Required — Letter of Compliance (rental registration) (fee varies)
Primary Residence Not required
Annual Day Limit No limit
Tax Rate 13%
Max Penalty $500 (plus a separate offense for each day a violation continues)
Insurance Not required

New to short-term rentals? Jump to the compliance checklist →

Permit & Licensing

Letter of Compliance (rental registration)

FeeAmount
Initial costfee varies
Renewalfee varies

This permit type does not require primary residence. Zoning restriction: Morgantown has no standalone short-term rental zoning category; STR-type uses are classified under the zoning land-use table as a Bed and Breakfast Inn or a Lodging or Rooming House, which are permitted in some districts and allowed only as conditional uses (C) in certain residential districts. Maximum occupancy is set by the Building Code, Fire Code, and the City zoning ordinance.

Application Process

Register the rental property with the City (applications are submitted through the Cityworks PLL portal) and file a complete application for a letter of compliance at least 60 days before occupancy. A Housing Inspector then inspects the dwelling for Building Code and Fire Code compliance. Once the dwelling is in compliance and all fees and penalties are paid, a letter of compliance is issued, valid for three years. Article 1751 was amended by Ord. No. 2021-30 (adopted Sept. 21, 2021).

Tax Obligations

TaxRateAuthority
West Virginia Consumer Sales and Service Tax 6% West Virginia Tax Division
Hotel Occupancy Tax 6% City of Morgantown / Monongalia County (municipal hotel occupancy tax, statutory maximum 6%)
City of Morgantown Municipal Sales & Use Tax 1% West Virginia Tax Division

Combined rate: 13% of gross rental income.

Collection: Operators must obtain a West Virginia business registration certificate and collect the 6% state sales and use tax plus any applicable municipal sales/hotel occupancy tax. Hotel occupancy tax is remitted directly to the county or municipality imposing it. If state and municipal sales tax is collected through a marketplace facilitator (Airbnb, VRBO, etc.), it does not need to be separately collected and remitted by the owner.

Rental Limits

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

Occupancy & Density Limits

Maximum occupancy is determined by the Building Code, Fire Code, and the City zoning ordinance; no fixed STR-specific occupancy cap is published.

Zoning & Restrictions

STR-type uses fall under Bed and Breakfast Inn or Lodging or Rooming House in the zoning land-use table; these are permitted outright in some districts and allowed only as conditional uses in certain residential districts.

Insurance & Safety

Insurance

Morgantown 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

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Maximum penalty: $500 (plus a separate offense for each day a violation continues).

Compliance Checklist

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

  1. Meet safety requirements. City inspection of the dwelling for compliance with the Building Code and Fire Code before a letter of compliance is issued. Re-inspection once every 3 years under the I.C.C. property maintenance code. Code violations found on inspection must be corrected within 20 days or the owner faces citations, condemnation, or both.
  2. Apply for Letter of Compliance (rental registration). Submit application. Contact city for fee details.
  3. Register for tax accounts. Set up lodging tax accounts with West Virginia Tax Division (state sales and use tax); City of Morgantown / Monongalia County (hotel occupancy tax).
  4. Collect and remit taxes. 13% on all bookings.
  5. Renew every 3 years. Contact city for renewal fee details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in Morgantown?
Yes. Operating a short-term rental — including an Airbnb or Vrbo — in Morgantown requires a Letter of Compliance (rental registration).
Does Morgantown require a short-term rental to be your primary residence?
No. Morgantown allows non-owner-occupied short-term rentals, so investment properties can qualify provided you hold the required permit.
How many days a year can you short-term rent in Morgantown?
Morgantown 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 Morgantown?
Short-term rental stays in Morgantown are subject to a combined 13% in lodging taxes. This combines 6% West Virginia Consumer Sales and Service Tax + 6% Hotel Occupancy Tax + 1% City of Morgantown Municipal Sales & Use Tax. The host is responsible for collecting and remitting them.
What happens if you run a short-term rental without a permit in Morgantown?
Operating without a permit can cost up to $500 (plus a separate offense for each day a violation continues).

Official Sources

  1. Rental Information | Morgantown, WV
  2. Article 1751. - Housing Code | Code of Ordinances | Morgantown, WV
  3. TSD 435 - Short-Term Leases and Rentals of Real Property | West Virginia Tax Division
  4. West Virginia Code Section 7-18-2 - Rate of tax; effective date
  5. Municipal Sales and Use Tax (Morgantown 1%) | West Virginia Tax Division