Yes, but only in certain places. Virginia Beach allows whole-home short-term rentals in the Sandbridge Special Service District, the Oceanfront Resort STR Overlay District and at grandfathered properties. Every STR needs a $500 annual zoning permit, inspections, parking and insurance. New Oceanfront STRs also need a conditional use permit first.
Key facts
- A short-term rental is an entire dwelling rented for less than 30 consecutive days for compensation, according to the city.
- Allowed areas: Sandbridge Special Service District, Oceanfront Resort STR Overlay District and grandfathered properties.
- Zoning permit: $500 per address, renewed every year.
- Oceanfront overlay: New STRs need a conditional use permit (CUP) before the zoning permit. CUPs must be renewed every five years.
- Grandfathered: Generally STRs registered with the Commissioner of the Revenue before July 1, 2018, with all lodging taxes paid, plus certain properties with STR CUPs granted before September 7, 2021.
- Home sharing in your own principal residence, while you're there, doesn't need a zoning permit, but it does need registration.
- City STR team: 757-385-8862 or STR@vbgov.com.
Where can I operate a short-term rental?
| Area | Can I operate a whole-home STR? | What's required |
|---|---|---|
| Sandbridge Special Service District | Yes | Annual STR zoning permit and Commissioner of the Revenue registration |
| Oceanfront Resort STR Overlay | Yes, with approval | CUP from City Council first (new STRs), then annual zoning permit and registration |
| Grandfathered property elsewhere | Possibly | Must meet the city's grandfathering conditions |
| Everywhere else | Generally no | Long-term rentals (30+ days) or home sharing only |
Before buying, check the exact address against the city's Sandbridge SSD and Oceanfront overlay maps. Also check condo or HOA rules. An association can ban short-term rentals even where the city allows them.
For area guides, see is Sandbridge a good place to buy a home? and living at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.
What does the city require for an STR permit?
According to the city, every STR needs all of the following:
- STR zoning permit. $500 per address, renewed annually.
- Sworn statement form certifying the address, ownership and STR use.
- Life safety inspection report. Submitted with your first application and good for five years. In other years, you can submit a life safety attestation form.
- Structural safety inspection report. Submitted with your first application and every three years after. Stairs, decks, porches and balconies under 30 inches high only need photos.
- Parking plan. At least one 9-by-18-foot off-street space per bedroom, using the Assessor's bedroom count. Stacking is allowed, but on-street parking can't count. New parking surfaces must be permeable.
- Liability insurance of at least $1 million covering the rental activity, with the property address on the policy. The city says several free policies offered through rental platforms aren't acceptable.
- Commissioner of the Revenue registration, and proof of it for properties outside Sandbridge.
Parking is the requirement that most often surprises buyers. A five-bedroom house needs five off-street spaces. Count them before you make an offer.
How does the Oceanfront overlay work?
The Oceanfront Resort STR Overlay District covers parts of the resort area. If you want to start a new STR there, you need a conditional use permit approved by City Council before you can finish the zoning permit. That process involves an application, a Planning Commission review and a Council vote, so it takes time and approval isn't guaranteed.
The overlay map has been under review. In 2026 the city proposed a revised map, and City Council deferred the vote indefinitely. Existing permitted STRs weren't affected. Rules can change, so check the city's Proposed STR Overlay page and talk with the STR team before you rely on rental income.
How does Sandbridge work?
All properties in the Sandbridge Special Service District are eligible for STR use. The Virginia General Assembly directed this for Sandbridge. Owners still need the annual zoning permit, inspections, parking and insurance, and they must register with the Commissioner of the Revenue and pay lodging taxes. Sandbridge properties don't have to submit proof of registration or proof of paid lodging taxes with the zoning permit, but the registration and taxes are still required.
Sandbridge also has a higher real estate tax rate ($0.98 per $100 for FY27) that helps pay for beach replenishment. See Virginia Beach property taxes.
What is a grandfathered STR?
The city considers an STR grandfathered if it was registered with the Commissioner of the Revenue before July 1, 2018, and all transient occupancy taxes were paid. Some properties with STR conditional use permits granted before September 7, 2021, outside the overlay, are also grandfathered under their CUP conditions.
Important for buyers:
- Ask for proof. Get the registration, tax payment records and current zoning permit.
- Confirm with the city. Call the STR team to confirm status for the address.
- Watch expansions. Adding more than 25% or 1,000 square feet, whichever is less, revokes grandfathered status.
What taxes apply to short-term rentals?
According to the Commissioner of the Revenue, guests pay:
- 9% city lodging tax plus 6% sales tax in most of the city.
- 10.5% city lodging tax plus 6% sales tax in Sandbridge.
- A $2 per night flat tax.
Owners or their managers collect and remit these taxes. You'll also pay income tax on rental profits. Talk with a tax professional about how STR income and expenses are treated. My post on 5 tax tips for turning your home into a rental is a starting point.
What about home sharing and mid-term rentals?
Home sharing means renting a room or rooms in the home you live in as your principal residence, while you're there for every stay. No zoning permit is needed, but you must register with the Commissioner of the Revenue at 757-385-4515.
Rentals of 30 days or more aren't short-term rentals under the city's definition. Traveling nurses, military members on temporary duty and people relocating often look for furnished monthly rentals. HOA and condo rules still apply.
How should I evaluate an STR purchase?
- Confirm eligibility for the exact address with the city.
- Read HOA or condo documents for rental bans.
- Count parking against the bedroom count in Assessor records.
- Get the rental history, including tax filings and booking records, not just projections.
- Price flood and liability insurance. See my flood insurance guide.
- Budget for management, cleaning, furnishings, repairs and taxes.
- Plan for rule changes. Have a backup plan, such as long-term renting, if rules tighten.
For broader context, see real estate investing for beginners in Virginia Beach and the Virginia Beach rental market trends post.
Ready to look at STR-eligible homes?
Search homes near the Sandbridge area and homes near the Oceanfront, and contact me or call or text (757) 919-8874. I'll check STR eligibility, parking and HOA rules for any property before you make an offer.
Barry Jenkins, Legacy Home Team at LPT Realty
Sources
- City of Virginia Beach: Short-Term Rentals
- City of Virginia Beach: Proposed STR Overlay
- City of Virginia Beach Commissioner of the Revenue: Transient Occupancy Taxes
- Virginia Beach Code of Ordinances, Zoning Article 23: Short-Term Rental Overlay Districts
- City of Virginia Beach Assessor: Tax Rates
Frequently asked questions
Where are short-term rentals allowed in Virginia Beach?
Whole-home short-term rentals are allowed only in the Sandbridge Special Service District, in the Oceanfront Resort STR Overlay District, and at grandfathered properties that meet the city's conditions. Everywhere else, whole-home rentals of less than 30 days generally aren't allowed.
How much is a short-term rental permit in Virginia Beach?
The STR zoning permit costs $500 per address and must be renewed every year. New STRs in the Oceanfront overlay also need a conditional use permit from City Council first.
Can I rent a room in my house on Airbnb in Virginia Beach?
Yes, if it's home sharing: you rent a room or rooms in your principal residence and you're there during every rental. No zoning permit is needed, but you must register with the Commissioner of the Revenue.
How much can a Virginia Beach short-term rental earn?
I don't quote income estimates because they depend heavily on the property, location, season and management. Ask for the seller's actual rental history and tax records, and build your own budget.
Does a grandfathered STR stay grandfathered after a sale?
Grandfathered status depends on meeting the city's conditions, including prior registration and paid lodging taxes. Expanding the home by more than 25% or 1,000 square feet, whichever is less, revokes it. Confirm the status with the city's STR team before you buy.
What taxes do short-term rental guests pay?
According to the Commissioner of the Revenue, stays are charged city lodging tax plus state sales tax plus a $2 per night flat tax. The city lodging tax rate is higher in Sandbridge than elsewhere in the city.
Are the Oceanfront STR overlay rules changing?
The city has proposed revising the overlay map. In 2026, City Council deferred a vote on a revised map indefinitely, so the current overlay remained in effect. Check the city's Proposed STR Overlay page for the latest before you buy.