Short-term Rental Information and Registration

A short-term rental is a dwelling where a portion of the dwelling, or the entire dwelling, is used for sleeping or lodging for transient renters, which is rented for less than thirty (30) consecutive days in exchange for a charge. All short-term rentals, except for hotels, shall register with the Community Development office on an annual basis. Please use the short-term rental registration form or contact the Community Development office at 804-556-5860.
Below is a list of the types of short-term rentals allowed in the County.
  • Bed & Breakfast: An owner-occupied dwelling, where a portion is used for sleeping or lodging for transient renters, which is rented for less than 30 consecutive days in exchange for a charge. Occupancy shall be limited by the number of residents allowed by the septic system permit, but shall not exceed 10 people. Providing meals may be included as an accessory use.
  • Short-term rental, hosted: An owner-occupied dwelling, where a portion is used for sleeping or lodging for transient renters, which is rented for less than 30 consecutive days in exchange for a charge. Owner or designee must stay overnight at the dwelling during all rental periods. Occupancy shall be limited by the number of residents allowed by the septic system permit, but shall not exceed 10 people total.
  • Short-term rental, unhosted: A dwelling where a portion of or the entire dwelling is used for sleeping or lodging for transient renters, which is rented for less than 30 consecutive days in exchange for a charge. Occupancy shall be limited by the number of residents allowed by the septic system permit, but shall not exceed 10 people total.
  • Hotel: A facility, with permitted occupancy of 11 or more, which offers accommodations for transient lodging of 30 days or less to the public.
Due to the nature of short-term rentals, the County regulates their location based on the zoning of the property. Below is a chart showing where, by zoning district, short-term rentals are allowed in the County. If a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) is required, please contact the Planning Office for more information.
Zoning District Bed & Breakfast Short-Term Hosted Short-Term Unhosted
Agricultural, General Yes, with standards Yes, with standards CUP required
Agricultural, Limited Yes, with standards Yes, with standards CUP required
Residential, Rural CUP required CUP required CUP required
Rural Preservation CUP required CUP required CUP required
Residential, Limited CUP required CUP required CUP required
Residential, General CUP required CUP required CUP required
Residential, Neighborhood CUP required CUP required CUP required
Residential, Office CUP required CUP required CUP required
Residential Planned Unit Dev. CUP required CUP required CUP required

Please note that if a bed & breakfast or short-term rental, hosted is allowed, there are certain minimum standards:
​1) Registration: Before advertising or operating use, dwelling must be registered using the below registration form.
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​2) Owner-occupied dwelling: Dwelling must be owner’s primary residence. Owner or designee shall stay overnight at dwelling and be able to return to dwelling within 60 minutes during all transient occupancy. Owner or designee shall be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to respond to and resolve issues and complaints that may arise during transient occupancy. Designee must be at least 21 years of age.
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​3) Maximum occupancy: Occupancy shall be limited by the maximum number of residents allowed by the septic system permit; however, in no circumstance shall occupancy exceed 10 people including permanent residents and transient renters.
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​4) Residential appearance: Property shall maintain a residential appearance.
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​5) Smoke alarms; carbon monoxide detector: There shall be at least one carbon monoxide monitor installed and maintained in good working order. Smoke alarms shall be installed and maintained in at least one common area and in each room providing overnight accommodations to transient renters.
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​6) Outdoor music: There shall be no outdoor music, amplified or acoustic, after 11:00 p.m.
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​7) Hunting; firearms: Renters shall not hunt or discharge firearms on the property.
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​8) Violations: Property may not be advertised or operated as a short-term rental or bed and breakfast use if violations of any applicable state and local laws, ordinances, or regulations relating to short-term rentals or bed and breakfast uses have occurred on more than three occasions.

All short-term rentals (excluding hotels) shall register with the Community Development office annually. Please use the below form to register your short-term rental or call the Community Development office at 804-556-5860.
Short-term rental registration form