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Short-Term Residential Rentals
A short-term residential rental is the provision of a room or space that is suitable or intended for occupancy for dwelling, sleeping, or lodging purposes, for a period of fewer than 30 consecutive days, in exchange for a charge for the occupancy.
Operating a Short-Term Rental
Operators of short-term rentals are required to do the following:
- Annual Property Registration
- Obtain a Zoning Permit
- File for Business Tangible Personal Property Tax
- Other STR Regulations
Annual Property Registration
Operators of short-term residential rentals in Loudoun are required to register their properties online annually. Registration is free and active July 1 - June 30.
After completing the registration form, operators will receive a confirmation e-mail with a copy of the registration for their records. Operators who do not register with the county may face a fine of $500 per violation.
The State Code of Virginia provides for exemptions to the registration requirement. (See Section B.2). Individuals who are exempt from registering are still required to obtain a zoning permit for the short-term rental property.
Determine Zoning Requirements and Obtain a Zoning Permit
All short-term residential rentals require a zoning permit.
Commercial Whole House properties may also require a minor special exception or special exception.
- Review this chart to determine whether a special or minor special exception is required.
- Learn more about the legislative land use review process.
- To begin the process for a minor special exception or special exception, apply for a Legislative Land Development Premeeting in LandMARC.
When you are ready to apply for a zoning permit, complete the following steps:
- Complete this application form (PDF).
- Gather the following documents:
- Parking: Submit a drawing showing the location of the dwelling unit and/or accessory dwelling on the parcel used for the Short-Term Rental and all required parking. A minimum of 1 off-street parking space must be available for the Short-Term Rental, in addition to the required number of parking spaces for the dwelling unit.
- Floor Plan: Submit a drawing showing the location of the room(s) being rented and illustrating compliance with the safety requirements in Section A.8 of the zoning permit application.
- Individual Sewage Disposal System Capacity Verification (does not apply if Short-Term Rental is served by Public Sewer): Records to verify that the total number of guests permitted per night does not exceed the maximum capacity of the individual sewage disposal system. Find septic records online.
- For a commercial whole house use: Roads/Access: If the parcel where the short-term rental is located does not have frontage on a Class I or Class II Road, documentation must be provided with the Zoning Permit application that demonstrates that the private road serving such parcel may be used to provide access to the Short-Term Rental - Commercial Whole-House use.
3. Apply for a Zoning permit and include the completed application and the applicable documents outlined above.
- Apply online in LandMARC (account required).
- Apply using the Zoning Only-Residential application and attach the completed form and the other required documentation from above. Fees can be paid online.
- Apply using the Zoning Only-Residential application and attach the completed form and the other required documentation from above. Fees can be paid online.
Other ways to apply:
- In person at the Government Center (1 Harrison Street, Leesburg VA): Visitors will be required to check in to the virtual line and will be guided on using the LandMARC self-service portal. Fees can be paid by check or online.
- By Mail: Send the completed application form and required documentation to:
Department of Building & Development
1 Harrison Street S.E., P.O. Box 7000, Leesburg, VA 20177-7000
Include a $165.00 check or money order made payable to “Loudoun County.”
File for Business Tangible Personal Property Tax (BPPT)
Short-Term Residential Rentals should report equipment located in the rental spaces annually for assessment. Learn more about BPPT.
- For a whole house rental, this would include:
- Furniture in the bedrooms and living areas,
- Televisons and other media sources,
- Hot tubs, outdoor furniture, pool tables, etc.
- If only renting a room, it would include furniture in the rooms offered for rent and other property made available to the renter.
- Review the BPPT Guide for Short-Term Rentals
- Download a blank BBPT asset list template (EXCEL).
Other Regulations Regarding Short-Term Residential Rentals
Taxes
- Short-term residential rental operators are required to file and pay all applicable taxes if they meet the filing requirements.
- Transient occupancy tax (TOT) applies to each stay at lodging facilities that offer lodging or accommodations for compensation to one or more persons. These taxes are collected and paid to the county by the short-term rental platforms, such as Airbnb and VRBO. Learn more on the TOT webpage.
- For the Business, Professional, and Occupational License tax, the requirement is the provision of “in excess of seven bedrooms.”
- For questions, email the Commissioner of the Revenue or call 703-777-0260.
Environmental Health
- Contact the Health Department to determine what is required for a short-term residential rental. You can contact the department by email or by phone at 703-777-0234.
- The Health Department reviews the specifics of the rental to determine if the property meets the definition of a Bed and Breakfast.
Towns and HOAs
- If you live in a homeowners or condo association, contact your association to verify their regulations regarding short-term rentals.
- If you live in an incorporated town, contact the town for information regarding their regulations.
Ordinances Regarding Short-Term Rentals
- Short-term residential rental registration ordinance
- Zoning Ordinance that established short term rental uses.