Overview: Are Short‑Term Rentals Allowed? Yes—short‑term rentals are allowed in Henrico County, Virginia. The County legalized short‑term rentals by ordinance on February 25, 2020, with rules that balance neighborhood stability and property rights. STRs are permitted in specific single‑family residential districts and the A‑1 Agricultural District, and only at the owner’s primary residence. Hosted stays may operate by right if they meet clear criteria; most other scenarios require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP).

How to Start a Short‑Term Rental Business in Henrico The County has a three‑step process: zoning approval, change of use (COU), and online registration.

1. Confirm Eligibility and Zoning

• Verify the subject property is in an allowed zoning district (One‑Family Residence Districts R‑0, R‑0A, R‑1, R‑1A, R‑2, R‑2A, R‑3, R‑3A, R‑4, R‑4A; or A‑1 Agricultural District).
• Confirm the property is your primary residence.
• Determine whether your operation meets “hosted” by‑right criteria (below). If not, plan to obtain a Conditional Use Permit (CUP).

2. Zoning and Change of Use

• Create a Change of Use (COU) request in Build Henrico (Henrico’s permitting system).
• If you must apply for a CUP, file that with the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA); fees apply.

3. Online Registration and Go‑Live

• Once zoning approval is granted and you receive a permit number, complete the online registration through the County’s STR portal (HostCompliance).

Hosted STRs: By‑Right Criteria (No CUP Required) A hosted short‑term rental may operate without additional zoning approval if all of the following are satisfied:

• Owner resides on the property during the rental (hosted stay).
• Renters lodge in the principal dwelling (no detached guesthouse).
• Lot has at least 80 feet of road frontage.
• No more than six short‑term renters occupy the property at any time.
• Property is used as an STR no more than 60 days per calendar year.

Unhosted STRs and Other Scenarios: CUP Required A Conditional Use Permit from the Board of Zoning Appeals is required when:

• The property is not hosted (owner not on site during the rental).
• More than six guests at a time.
• Property used as an STR more than 60 days per year.
• Less than 80 feet of street frontage.
• Any rental of a detached guesthouse or other detached building.

CUP Process and Considerations

• The County notifies neighbors and holds a public hearing.
• The BZA may approve, deny, or impose conditions tailored to the location.
• Fees apply (see Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines).

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines Documents

• Short‑Term Rental Application (PDF)
• Short‑Term Rental Residency Affidavit (PDF)

Permits and Authorizations

• Zoning approval (by right for hosted criteria or via CUP for other scenarios)
• Change of Use (COU) created in Build Henrico
• Short‑Term Rental Online Registration (via HostCompliance)

Fees

• Annual STR registry fee: $200
• Conditional Use Permit application fee: $300
• 8% transient occupancy tax (collected from guests; hosts file monthly returns and remit to the County)

Additional Operational Requirements

• Life‑safety equipment consistent with the building code must be provided.
• Certain information must be posted within the rental.
• Designated adult(s) must be available to respond to complaints.
• Keep records of short‑term rentals.
• Provide off‑street parking.
• Double‑booking is prohibited.

Allowed Districts and Property Types

• Permitted districts: One‑Family Residence Districts (R‑0, R‑0A, R‑1, R‑1A, R‑2, R‑2A, R‑3, R‑3A, R‑4, R‑4A) and A‑1 Agricultural District.
• Not permitted: apartments, townhomes, and urban mixed‑use developments (e.g., Libbie Mill).

Taxes and Reporting

• 8% transient occupancy tax applies to STR stays.
• Hosts are responsible for collecting, filing monthly returns, and remitting the tax to the County.
• Platforms (e.g., Airbnb/Vrbo) do not collect Henrico’s lodging tax on behalf of hosts—compliance is the operator’s duty.

Specific Regulations (County-Level)

• Primary residence requirement.
• Hosted vs unhosted distinctions with differing pathways (by right vs CUP).
• Caps: maximum six guests; maximum 60 STR days per year for by‑right hosted operations.
• Lot frontage: at least 80 feet for by‑right hosted stays.
• Detached structures (guesthouses) require a CUP.
• Enforcement: neighbors notified; public hearing for CUPs; zoning inspectors handle complaints; 911 for emergencies.

Complaint and Enforcement Contacts

• Emergencies: dial 911
• Non‑emergency violations: Department of Community Revitalization at (804) 501‑4757
• After hours/weekends: leave a detailed message; an inspector will follow up
• Online complaint and tracking: Build Henrico portal (register as a user to track responses)

Contact Information (Local Authority) General Contacts

• Main County Phone: (804) 501‑4000
• Police (non‑emergency): (804) 501‑5000
• Mental Health Emergency Services: (804) 727‑8484

Permit Center

• Phone: (804) 501‑7280
• Email: permitcenter@henrico.gov
• Locations:
  • Permit Center – West: 4301 East Parham Road, Henrico, VA 23228
  • Permit Center – East: 3820 Nine Mile Road, Henrico, VA 23223
• Mailing Address: P. O. Box 90775, Henrico, VA 23273‑0775

Planning Department

• Phone: (804) 501‑4602
• Email: planning@henrico.gov
• Physical Address: 4301 East Parham Road, Henrico, VA 23228
• Mailing Address: P. O. Box 90775, Henrico, VA 23273‑0775

Short‑Term Rental Program

• Short‑term rental questions: STR@henrico.gov
• Phone: (804) 501‑7280

Sources (Official Henrico Pages and News Coverage)

• Short‑Term Rental (Service Page) – County procedures, fees, and registration portal: henrico.gov/services/short-term-rental/
• Ordinance Amendment (Short‑Term Rentals) – Legal basis, zoning districts, hosted vs unhosted rules, FAQs: henrico.gov/planning/ordinance-amendment-short-term-rentals/
• Short‑Term Rental Zoning Regulations Summary (PDF): henrico.gov/pdfs/planning/ordupdate/summaryZoningReg.pdf
• Short‑Term Rental Application (PDF): henrico.gov/assets/2024-Short-Term-Rental-Application.pdf
• Short‑Term Rental Residency Affidavit (PDF): henrico.gov/assets/App2024.STR_.Affidavit.pdf
• Adopted Fees (including STR registry and CUP fees) (PDF): henrico.gov/pdfs/planning/ordupdate/adoptedfees.pdf
• Short‑Term Residential Rental Online Registration (HostCompliance): secure.hostcompliance.com/henrico-county-va/permit-registration
• Build Henrico Permitting System (COU and complaint portal): build.henrico.gov/
• Conditional Use Permit Service Page: henrico.gov/services/zoning-appeals-applications/
• Zoning Ordinance Section 24‑4431 (Short‑Term Rental) (PDF): henrico.gov/pdfs/planning/ordupdate/Extract24-4431_ShortTermRental.pdf
• Finance Department – Short‑Term Rental Registry Information: henrico.gov/finance/short-term-residential-registry/
• NBC12 coverage of Board approval and key rules: www.12onyourside.com/2020/02/26/henrico-leaders-approve-short-terms-rentals-like-airbnb-operate-across-county/
• Avalara MyLodgeTax – Summary and tax compliance note (8% transient occupancy tax; hosts remit): www.avalara.com/mylodgetax/en/blog/2020/08/new-vacation-rental-rules-go-into-effect-in-richmond-and-henrico-county-virginia.html

Quick Checklist for Launch

• Confirm zoning district and primary residence status.
• Choose hosted vs unhosted pathway; assess whether CUP is required.
• Prepare Short‑Term Rental Application and Residency Affidavit.
• Create COU in Build Henrico; upload documents.
• If needed, apply for CUP (public hearing; neighbor notification).
• Complete online registration after zoning approval and permit number issuance.
• Set up 8% transient occupancy tax collection, filing, and remittance.
• Install life‑safety equipment, post required information, arrange off‑street parking, designate a complaint responder, and maintain STR records.