{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-983.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-983.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-983.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-983.html"}],"law_id":81829,"edition_id":1,"section_id":81829,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-983","catch_line":"Creation of registry for short-term rental of property","history":"2017, c. 741; 2024, cc. 700, 792.","full_text":"A\n\nAs used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Operator” means the proprietor of any dwelling, lodging, or sleeping accommodations offered as a short-term rental, whether in the capacity of owner, lessee, sublessee, mortgagee in possession, licensee, or any other possessory capacity.\n\t\t\t“Short-term rental” means 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.B\n\n1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, general or special, any locality may, by ordinance, establish a short-term rental registry and require operators within the locality to register annually. The registration shall be ministerial in nature and shall require the operator to provide (i) the complete name of the operator, (ii) the address of each property in the locality offered for short-term rental by the operator, and (iii) an attestation that the property owner has granted permission for use of such property as a short-term rental if the operator is a lessee or sublessee. A locality may charge a reasonable fee for such registration related to the actual costs of establishing and maintaining the registry.2\n\nNo ordinance shall require a person to register pursuant to this section if such person is (i) licensed by the Real Estate Board or is a property owner who is represented by a real estate licensee; (ii) registered pursuant to the Virginia Real Estate Time-Share Act (§ 55.1-2200 et seq.); (iii) licensed or registered with the Department of Health, related to the provision of room or space for lodging; or (iv) licensed or registered with the locality, related to the rental or management of real property, including licensed real estate professionals, hotels, motels, campgrounds, and bed and breakfast establishments.C\n\n1. If a locality adopts a registry ordinance pursuant to this section, such ordinance may include a penalty not to exceed $500 per violation for an operator required to register who offers for short-term rental a property that is not registered with the locality. Such ordinance may provide that unless and until an operator pays the penalty and registers such property, the operator may not continue to offer such property for short-term rental. Upon repeated violations of a registry ordinance as it relates to a specific property, an operator may be prohibited from registering and offering that property for short-term rental.2\n\nSuch ordinance may further provide that an operator required to register may be prohibited from offering a specific property for short-term rental in the locality upon multiple violations on more than three occasions of applicable state and local laws, ordinances, and regulations, as they relate to the short-term rental.D\n\nNo local ordinance shall prohibit an operator from offering a property as a short-term rental solely on the basis that such operator is a lessee or sublessee, provided that the property owner has granted permission for such property’s use as a short-term rental. Localities may enact an ordinance that limits a lessee or sublessee to one short-term rental within the applicable locality. No local ordinance enacted after December 31, 2023, or any subsequent amendment, shall require that a special exception, special use, or conditional use permit be obtained for the use of a residential dwelling as a short-term rental where the dwelling unit is also legally occupied by the property owner as his primary residence.E\n\nExcept as provided in this section, nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit, limit, or otherwise supersede existing local authority to regulate the short-term rental of property through general land use and zoning authority. Nothing in this section shall be construed to supersede or limit contracts or agreements between or among individuals or private entities related to the use of real property, including recorded declarations and covenants, the provisions of condominium instruments of a condominium created pursuant to the Virginia Condominium Act (§ 55.1-1900 et seq.), the declaration of a common interest community as defined in § 54.1-2345, the cooperative instruments of a cooperative created pursuant to the Virginia Real Estate Cooperative Act (§ 55.1-2100 et seq.), or any declaration of a property owners’ association created pursuant to the Property Owners’ Association Act (§ 55.1-1800 et seq.).","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":293164,"text":"As used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Operator” means the proprietor of any dwelling, lodging, or sleeping accommodations offered as a short-term rental, whether in the capacity of owner, lessee, sublessee, mortgagee in possession, licensee, or any other possessory capacity.\n\t\t\t“Short-term rental” means 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.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":293165,"text":"1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, general or special, any locality may, by ordinance, establish a short-term rental registry and require operators within the locality to register annually. The registration shall be ministerial in nature and shall require the operator to provide (i) the complete name of the operator, (ii) the address of each property in the locality offered for short-term rental by the operator, and (iii) an attestation that the property owner has granted permission for use of such property as a short-term rental if the operator is a lessee or sublessee. A locality may charge a reasonable fee for such registration related to the actual costs of establishing and maintaining the registry.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B2"},"2":{"id":293166,"text":"No ordinance shall require a person to register pursuant to this section if such person is (i) licensed by the Real Estate Board or is a property owner who is represented by a real estate licensee; (ii) registered pursuant to the Virginia Real Estate Time-Share Act (§ 55.1-2200 et seq.); (iii) licensed or registered with the Department of Health, related to the provision of room or space for lodging; or (iv) licensed or registered with the locality, related to the rental or management of real property, including licensed real estate professionals, hotels, motels, campgrounds, and bed and breakfast establishments.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"C"},"3":{"id":293167,"text":"1. If a locality adopts a registry ordinance pursuant to this section, such ordinance may include a penalty not to exceed $500 per violation for an operator required to register who offers for short-term rental a property that is not registered with the locality. Such ordinance may provide that unless and until an operator pays the penalty and registers such property, the operator may not continue to offer such property for short-term rental. Upon repeated violations of a registry ordinance as it relates to a specific property, an operator may be prohibited from registering and offering that property for short-term rental.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"C2"},"4":{"id":293168,"text":"Such ordinance may further provide that an operator required to register may be prohibited from offering a specific property for short-term rental in the locality upon multiple violations on more than three occasions of applicable state and local laws, ordinances, and regulations, as they relate to the short-term rental.","type":"section","prefixes":["C","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"C2","prefix_anchor":"C2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"D"},"5":{"id":293169,"text":"No local ordinance shall prohibit an operator from offering a property as a short-term rental solely on the basis that such operator is a lessee or sublessee, provided that the property owner has granted permission for such property’s use as a short-term rental. Localities may enact an ordinance that limits a lessee or sublessee to one short-term rental within the applicable locality. No local ordinance enacted after December 31, 2023, or any subsequent amendment, shall require that a special exception, special use, or conditional use permit be obtained for the use of a residential dwelling as a short-term rental where the dwelling unit is also legally occupied by the property owner as his primary residence.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C2","next_prefix":"E"},"6":{"id":293170,"text":"Except as provided in this section, nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit, limit, or otherwise supersede existing local authority to regulate the short-term rental of property through general land use and zoning authority. Nothing in this section shall be construed to supersede or limit contracts or agreements between or among individuals or private entities related to the use of real property, including recorded declarations and covenants, the provisions of condominium instruments of a condominium created pursuant to the Virginia Condominium Act (§ 55.1-1900 et seq.), the declaration of a common interest community as defined in § 54.1-2345, the cooperative instruments of a cooperative created pursuant to the Virginia Real Estate Cooperative Act (§ 55.1-2100 et seq.), or any declaration of a property owners’ association created pursuant to the Property Owners’ Association Act (§ 55.1-1800 et seq.).","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13545,"edition_id":1,"name":"Additional Powers","identifier":"5","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13058,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:10","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:10","permalink":{"id":156673,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13545,"identifier":"5","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5","url":"\/15.2\/II\/9\/5\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13058,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Powers of Local Governments","identifier":"9","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12733,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:11","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:11","permalink":{"id":156357,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13058,"identifier":"9","token":"15.2\/II\/9","url":"\/15.2\/II\/9\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12733,"edition_id":1,"name":"Powers of Local Government","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12720,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","permalink":{"id":152369,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12733,"identifier":"II","token":"15.2\/II","url":"\/15.2\/II\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12720,"edition_id":1,"name":"Counties, Cities and Towns","identifier":"15.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":151279,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12720,"identifier":"15.2","token":"15.2","url":"\/15.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":59834,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-950","catch_line":"Appropriations","url":"\/15.2-950\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-950","metadata":false},{"id":82496,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-951","catch_line":"Acquisition, disposition and use of personal property by localities generally","url":"\/15.2-951\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-951","metadata":false},{"id":80950,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-952","catch_line":"Political subdivisions may acquire property from United States","url":"\/15.2-952\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-952","metadata":false},{"id":56590,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-953","catch_line":"Donations to charitable institutions and associations, volunteer and nonprofit organizations, chambers of commerce, etc","url":"\/15.2-953\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-953","metadata":false},{"id":72872,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-954","catch_line":"Loans to volunteer firefighting and rescue organizations","url":"\/15.2-954\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-954","metadata":false},{"id":69377,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-954.1","catch_line":"Volunteer firefighter or volunteer emergency medical services personnel tuition reimbursement","url":"\/15.2-954.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-954.1","metadata":false},{"id":69752,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-955","catch_line":"Approval by local governing body for the establishment of volunteer emergency medical services agencies and firefighting organizations","url":"\/15.2-955\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-955","metadata":false},{"id":65390,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-956","catch_line":"Participation in certain federal development programs","url":"\/15.2-956\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-956","metadata":false},{"id":87224,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-957","catch_line":"Participation by localities in certain leasing programs","url":"\/15.2-957\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-957","metadata":false},{"id":63172,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-958","catch_line":"Local funding for repair or production of low and moderate income rental property or repair of residential property; 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This law was first created in 2017. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 741<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 1 time. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. That modification is as follows: in 2024, chapters 700<\/a> and 792<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":80070,"section_number":"36-96.3","catch_line":"Unlawful discriminatory housing practices","order_by":null,"url":"\/36-96.3\/"},{"id":55602,"section_number":"4.1-100","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/4.1-100\/"},{"id":78528,"section_number":"4.1-200","catch_line":"Exemptions from licensure","order_by":null,"url":"\/4.1-200\/"},{"id":78097,"section_number":"58.1-602","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/58.1-602\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":55467,"section_number":"54.1-2345","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-2345\/"},{"id":65321,"section_number":"55.1-1800","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1800\/"},{"id":55215,"section_number":"55.1-1900","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-1900\/"},{"id":58909,"section_number":"55.1-2100","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-2100\/"},{"id":56667,"section_number":"55.1-2200","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/55.1-2200\/"}],"permalink":{"id":156895,"object_type":"law","relational_id":81829,"identifier":"15.2-983","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-983","url":"\/15.2-983\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-983\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-983","dublin_core":{"Title":"Creation of registry for short-term rental of property","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-983","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> As used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Operator<\/span>” means the proprietor of any dwelling, lodging, or sleeping accommodations offered as a short-term rental<\/span>, whether in the capacity of owner, lessee, sublessee, mortgagee in possession<\/span>, licensee, or any other possessory capacity.\n\t\t\t“Short-term rental<\/span>” means 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. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> 1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law<\/span>, general or special, any locality<\/span> may, by ordinance<\/span>, establish a short-term rental<\/span> registry and require operators<\/span> within the locality<\/span> to register annually. The registration shall be ministerial in nature and shall require the operator<\/span> to provide (i) the complete name of the operator<\/span>, (ii) the address of each property in the locality<\/span> offered for short-term rental<\/span> by the operator<\/span>, and (iii) an attestation that the property owner has granted permission for use of such property as a short-term rental<\/span> if the operator<\/span> is a lessee or sublessee. A locality<\/span> may charge a reasonable fee for such registration related to the actual costs of establishing and maintaining the registry. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> No ordinance<\/span> shall require a person to register pursuant to this section if such person is (i) licensed by the Real Estate Board or is a property owner who is represented by a real estate licensee; (ii) registered pursuant to the Virginia Real Estate Time-Share Act (§ 55.1-2200<\/a> et seq.); (iii) licensed or registered with the Department of Health, related to the provision of room or space for lodging; or (iv) licensed or registered with the locality<\/span>, related to the rental or management of real property, including licensed real estate professionals, hotels, motels, campgrounds, and bed and breakfast establishments. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> 1. If a locality<\/span> adopts a registry ordinance<\/span> pursuant to this section, such ordinance<\/span> may include a penalty<\/span> not to exceed $500 per violation for an operator<\/span> required to register who offers for short-term rental<\/span> a property that is not registered with the locality<\/span>. Such ordinance<\/span> may provide that unless and until an operator<\/span> pays the penalty<\/span> and registers such property, the operator<\/span> may not continue to offer such property for short-term rental<\/span>. Upon repeated violations of a registry ordinance<\/span> as it relates to a specific property, an operator<\/span> may be prohibited from registering and offering that property for short-term rental<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Such ordinance<\/span> may further provide that an operator<\/span> required to register may be prohibited from offering a specific property for short-term rental<\/span> in the locality<\/span> upon multiple violations on more than three occasions of applicable state and local laws<\/span>, ordinances<\/span>, and regulations, as they relate to the short-term rental<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> No local ordinance<\/span> shall prohibit an operator<\/span> from offering a property as a short-term rental<\/span> solely on the basis that such operator<\/span> is a lessee or sublessee, provided that the property owner has granted permission for such property’s use as a short-term rental<\/span>. Localities may enact an ordinance<\/span> that limits a lessee or sublessee to one short-term rental<\/span> within the applicable locality<\/span>. No local ordinance<\/span> enacted after December 31, 2023, or any subsequent amendment, shall require that a special exception, special use, or conditional use permit be obtained for the use of a residential dwelling as a short-term rental<\/span> where the dwelling unit is also legally occupied by the property owner as his primary residence. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> Except as provided in this section, nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit, limit, or otherwise supersede existing local authority to regulate the short-term rental<\/span> of property through general land use and zoning authority. Nothing in this section shall be construed to supersede or limit contracts<\/span> or agreements between or among individuals or private entities related to the use of real property, including recorded declarations and covenants, the provisions of condominium instruments of a condominium created pursuant to the Virginia Condominium Act (§ 55.1-1900<\/a> et seq.), the declaration of a common interest community as defined in § 54.1-2345<\/a>, the cooperative instruments of a cooperative created pursuant to the Virginia Real Estate Cooperative Act (§ 55.1-2100<\/a> et seq.), or any declaration of a property owners’ association created pursuant to the Property Owners’ Association Act (§ 55.1-1800<\/a> et seq.). <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCREATION OF REGISTRY FOR SHORT-TERM RENTAL OF PROPERTY (\u00a7 15.2-983)\n\nA. As used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Operator” means the proprietor of any dwelling, lodging, or\nsleeping accommodations offered as a short-term rental, whether in the capacity\nof owner, lessee, sublessee, mortgagee in possession, licensee, or any other\npossessory capacity.\n\t\t\t“Short-term rental” means the provision of a room or space that\nis suitable or intended for occupancy for dwelling, sleeping, or lodging\npurposes, for a period of fewer than 30 consecutive days, in exchange for a\ncharge for the occupancy.\n\nB. 1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, general or special, any\nlocality may, by ordinance, establish a short-term rental registry and require\noperators within the locality to register annually. The registration shall be\nministerial in nature and shall require the operator to provide (i) the complete\nname of the operator, (ii) the address of each property in the locality offered\nfor short-term rental by the operator, and (iii) an attestation that the\nproperty owner has granted permission for use of such property as a short-term\nrental if the operator is a lessee or sublessee. A locality may charge a\nreasonable fee for such registration related to the actual costs of establishing\nand maintaining the registry.\n\n 2. No ordinance shall require a person to register pursuant to this section if\n such person is (i) licensed by the Real Estate Board or is a property owner\n who is represented by a real estate licensee; (ii) registered pursuant to the\n Virginia Real Estate Time-Share Act (§ 55.1-2200 et seq.); (iii) licensed\n or registered with the Department of Health, related to the provision of room\n or space for lodging; or (iv) licensed or registered with the locality,\n related to the rental or management of real property, including licensed real\n estate professionals, hotels, motels, campgrounds, and bed and breakfast\n establishments.\n\nC. 1. If a locality adopts a registry ordinance pursuant to this section, such\nordinance may include a penalty not to exceed $500 per violation for an operator\nrequired to register who offers for short-term rental a property that is not\nregistered with the locality. Such ordinance may provide that unless and until\nan operator pays the penalty and registers such property, the operator may not\ncontinue to offer such property for short-term rental. Upon repeated violations\nof a registry ordinance as it relates to a specific property, an operator may be\nprohibited from registering and offering that property for short-term rental.\n\n 2. Such ordinance may further provide that an operator required to register\n may be prohibited from offering a specific property for short-term rental in\n the locality upon multiple violations on more than three occasions of\n applicable state and local laws, ordinances, and regulations, as they relate\n to the short-term rental.\n\nD. No local ordinance shall prohibit an operator from offering a property as a\nshort-term rental solely on the basis that such operator is a lessee or\nsublessee, provided that the property owner has granted permission for such\nproperty’s use as a short-term rental. Localities may enact an ordinance\nthat limits a lessee or sublessee to one short-term rental within the applicable\nlocality. No local ordinance enacted after December 31, 2023, or any subsequent\namendment, shall require that a special exception, special use, or conditional\nuse permit be obtained for the use of a residential dwelling as a short-term\nrental where the dwelling unit is also legally occupied by the property owner as\nhis primary residence.\n\nE. Except as provided in this section, nothing herein shall be construed to\nprohibit, limit, or otherwise supersede existing local authority to regulate the\nshort-term rental of property through general land use and zoning authority.\nNothing in this section shall be construed to supersede or limit contracts or\nagreements between or among individuals or private entities related to the use\nof real property, including recorded declarations and covenants, the provisions\nof condominium instruments of a condominium created pursuant to the Virginia\nCondominium Act (§ 55.1-1900 et seq.), the declaration of a common interest\ncommunity as defined in § 54.1-2345, the cooperative instruments of a\ncooperative created pursuant to the Virginia Real Estate Cooperative Act (§\n55.1-2100 et seq.), or any declaration of a property owners’ association\ncreated pursuant to the Property Owners’ Association Act (§ 55.1-1800\net seq.).\n\nHISTORY: 2017, c. 741; 2024, cc. 700, 792.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}