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.

In 2018, Loudoun County established a short-term residential rental registration ordinance intended to help the county monitor and evaluate the growing industry of short-term residential rentals. The registry established by the ordinance created a channel for the county to provide operators of short-term residential rentals with important business-related information and resources.

Zoning Ordinance Amendment Regarding Short-Term Rentals

Following the adoption of the registration ordinance, the county began evaluating public safety and land use/zoning issues associated with short-term residential rentals, with an eye toward amending the county’s Zoning Ordinance to adopt standards for such rentals. 

This process resulted in a proposed ZOAM that includes separate standards for the short-term rental of an owner-occupied residence, which would be an “accessory use”, and for the rental of a non-owner-occupied dwelling, which would constitute a principal “whole-house commercial use.

Board  Forwards Item to February 22, 2023, Transportation and Land Use Committee Meeting

The Board of Supervisors held a public hearing January 11, 2023, regarding the proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendment related to short-term residential rentals. The Board voted to forward the item to the Board's Transportation and Land Use Committee meeting scheduled for February 22, 2023:

October 13, 2022, Planning Commission Work Session 

The Planning Commission held a work session October 13, 2022, and forwarded the Short-Term Rental Zoning Ordinance Amendment (ZOAM-2018-0001) to the Board of Supervisors with a recommendation of approval.

September 8, 2022, Planning Commission Work Session

The Planning Commission held a work session on September 8, 2022. 

June 28, 2022, Planning Commission Public Hearing

The Planning Commission held a public hearing Tuesday, June 28, 2022, regarding the proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendment related to short-term residential rentals

February 22, 2022, Public Information Meeting

Loudoun County held a virtual public information meeting Tuesday, February 22, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. to present a proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendment (ZOAM) related to short-term residential rentals.

Stay Informed About the Zoning Ordinance Amendment Process 

  1. Registration Requirements
  2. Register Your Rental
  3. Other Regulations Regarding STRRs

Registration Requirements for Short-Term Residential Rentals

Operators of short-term residential rentals in Loudoun are required to register their properties online annually. 

Registration is free. 

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).

Information about the registration process and the exemptions may be found in this Short-Term Residential Registration Fact Sheet (PDF) that you may download or print.