PLEASE READ THIS SECTION BEFORE SCROLLING DOWN TO THE ONLINE AND MAIL-IN PERMIT APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
A Short-Term Rental Zoning Permit is required for each address used for Short-Term Rental purposes and the permit must be renewed each year
Before applying, please first review the property types eligible for a Short-Term Rental Zoning Permit.
Properties eligible for a Short-Term Rental Permit are:
- Grandfathered properties (click here to learn more)
- Those located in the Sandbridge Special Service District (click here to learn more)
- Those granted a Conditional Use Permit by City Council (click here to learn more)
PERMIT INSTRUCTIONS (online):
Online Short-Term Rental (STR) Zoning Permit Application Instructions:
1. Ensure that you have the following documents ready for upload prior to starting the online permit request:
- Sworn Statement:
Download the Sworn Statement Form. A completed Sworn Statement form must be uploaded to the permit request
- Life-Safety Inspection Report:
Download the Life-Safety Inspection Report. A completed Life-Safety Inspection Report must be uploaded with your Zoning permit request every year unless the STR property is managed by, and inspected by, a City of Virginia Beach certified property management company, who must submit the report every three years. If using a City Zoning Inspector to conduct this inspection, please review the homeowner's responsibilities by clicking here.
- Structural Safety Inspection Report:
Download the Structural Safety Inspection Report. A completeted Structural Safety Inspection Report must be uploaded with your Zoning permit request initially, and then every three (3) years thereafter.
- A current (up-to-date) physical survey of the property, sealed by a Commonwealth of Virginia Registered Design Professional, such as a surveyor, must be submitted with your STR Zoning Permit application
- A parking plan illustrating and notating compliance with the minimum number of required off-street parking areas. The STR is required to have one 9-foot by 18-foot off-street parking area per bedroom (bedroom count is determined by the City Assessor's records)
- Acceptable existing parking area surfaces include: concrete, asphalt, abutting concrete parking pavers, or another suitable material approved by the Planning Director. All new parking surfaces must be created using permeable material (no concrete or asphalt) and must be approved by the Planning Director
- All parking plans are subject to approval by the Zoning Administrator in accordance with the City Zoning Ordinance
- Insurance Policy:
- Proof of liability insurance applicable to the rental activity of at least one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) underwritten by insurers acceptable to the City. Most insurers are acceptable, with the exception of several free policies offered through online vacation rental platforms
- Please ensure the policy document lists the address of the Short-Term Rental
- Proof of Current Short-Term Rental Registration (Commissioner of the Revenue):
- Provide a copy of the Short-Term Rental receipt of registration issued by the Commissioner of the Revenue
- The registration date must be current (not expired).
- The Commissioner of the Revenue can be reached at 757-385-4515
- STRs in the Sandbridge Special Service District are not required to submit proof of registration; however, the property owner, or their representative, must still register the STR with the Commissioner of the Revenue's office as required.
- Proof of Transient Occupancy Taxes Paid (required for all grandfather status claims):
- Provide proof of taxes paid to the Commissioner of the Revenue that is associated with the subject address Short- Term Rental use.
- Copies of past payment receipts are available by calling the Commissioner of the Revenue at 757-385-4515
- STRs in the Sandbridge Special Service District are not required to submit proof of transient occupancy taxes; however, the property owner, or their representative, must still pay all applicable lodging taxes to the Commissioner of the Revenue's Office.
2. Apply for a Short-Term Rental Zoning Permit:
- Complete the Accela Citizen Access online Short-Term Rental Zoning Permit request here (after clicking the link and creating a login, choose the "PLANNING" option - DO NOT click "PERMITS")
- The fee for the STR Zoning Permit is $200.00.
PERMIT INSTRUCTIONS (mail-in for homeowners only):
Hard Copy of the Short-Term Rental (STR) Zoning Permit Application Instructions
If you prefer to submit your STR Zoning Permit by mail. Please complete the following:
1. Download the annual (yearly) application form by clicking here, or if renewing your previously approved application, click here.
2. Download the annual Life-Safety Inspection Report by clicking here, then complete it after reading the instructions page. If using a City Zoning Inspector to conduct this inspection, please review the homeowner responsibilities by clicking here.
3. Download the Structural Safety Inspection Report by clicking here, then complete it after reading the instructions page.
4. Submit all required documents and fees to:
Zoning Administration, Attention STR Team
2875 Sabre Street, Suite 500
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
What to Expect After Submitting An STR Zoning Permit Application:
1. Your Short-Term Rental Zoning permit request will be reviewed in full by a Zoning Staff member.
2. Once the review is complete, a representative of our office will contact you by email if more information or documentation is necessary to establish Zoning compliance.
3. If the Short-Term Rental is found to be in compliance with the City Zoning Ordinance, you will receive an email asking that you pay for your permit. Payment must be made online for all online submittals. For mail-in applications, please follow the instructions on page #1 of the mail-in application.
4. Once paid, a Zoning permit will be issued and emailed to you. This is a permit and receipt all in one.
5.Your permit will expire one year after the issuance date.