What type of STR should I apply for?

An STR is a dwelling unit offered for rent for fewer than 30 consecutive nights. 

There are two types of STRs: 

Homestay

• The provision of a space within a dwelling unit when any owner of the property uses the dwelling unit as their primary residence.

Vacation Rental

• The provision of a dwelling unit, or any portion thereof, when all owners of the dwelling have their primary residence elsewhere.

After determining the type of Short-Term Rental your property is classified as, your next step is to determine whether your property should apply as an administrative or CUP Short-Term Rental. 

For more information on how which application process you'll require, please review the "Administrative" and "Conditional Use Permit" tabs above.

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See below for requirements of either Vacation Rental or Homestays.

The basic requirements a property requires are sourced from the Norfolk Zoning Ordinance (4.2 and 4.3) and can also depend on VA State Building Code depending on location or structural characteristics. Additional requirements or restrictions may apply.

These requirements will be reviewed either during the application or inspection process. 

If a CUP is also required, additional conditions may apply, specific to the CUP.

Homestay Requirements

The basic requirements a property requires are sourced from the Norfolk Zoning Ordinance (4.2 and 4.3) and can also depend on location and structural characteristics. Additional requirements or restrictions may apply.

1. A proof of current residency via Driver's License or Voter Registration Card shall be provided to verify owner’s primary residency. Utility bills, mail, etc., are not considered for residency. 

2. Condominiums are permitted to operate as Homestays, but written permission from the condo association will be required in the application.  

3. Boarders are not permitted. 

4. The maximum occupancy of all guests is two (2) for each bedroom being offered for rent. All online listings must match the number of maximum guests and bedrooms listed on the property’s Zoning Permit. No additional spaces may be offered as sleeping quarters.

5. Identification of the maximum number of bedrooms that will be made available for rental to guests and the maximum number of guests that will be permitted at any one time.

   • Number of bedrooms is determined by the official record maintained by the Real Estate Assessor. The current bedroom count for homes can be found on NorfolkAir by searching the property address. 

   • Changes of bedroom count require a Building Permit. Please contact STR@norfolk.gov with questions on how to proceed.

6. The name and phone number of a person to be contacted at any time to address emergencies or complaints about activity at the property.

7. Whenever a driveway area is shared with an adjacent property, written permission from all owners of the adjacent properties shall be provided in your application. Example HERE.

8. If the applicant is different than the owner of the property, written permission from the owner shall be required to operate a Short-Term Rental.  

9. An agreement to maintain records of stays, including names of each guest, dates of stays, and lengths of stays, has been executed. For each year after the first year of registration, a copy of these records for the previous year shall be provided.  

10. Proof of premises liability insurance covering accidental injury to a guest on the property.

11. Identification of the additional parking spaces required in Section 5.1.7.D and Table 5.1.7(D), Minimum Number of Parking Spaces. 

Vacation Rental Requirements 

1. Operators shall post a sign on the interior AND exterior of the property informing guests and neighbors of the name and phone number of an emergency contact individual WHO CAN RESPOND ON-SITE TO THE PROPERTY WITHIN 20 MINUTES, as well as the phone number of the City’s call center (757-664-6510) and website (www.mynorfolk.org) in the event of any complaints or issues. 

   • The name and phone number of the person shall be available to be contacted for emergencies or complaints about activity at the property.

2. The operator shall provide remote entry for all guests, changing the access code between stays. 

3. Remote accessible surveillance cameras shall be maintained facing the parking area and all exterior common areas. Recordings shall be stored for 30 days after a stay and be made available to city staff upon request. 

4. Interior decibel meters shall be maintained in the home's main congregation rooms to notify the operator upon detecting excessive noise levels. 

5. The operator shall be responsible for ensuring that waste containers are placed in their enclosures within 24 hours after the day the waste is collected for disposal.  

6. The maximum occupancy of all guests is two (2) for each bedroom being offered for rent. All online listings must match the number of maximum guests and bedrooms listed on the property’s Zoning Permit. No additional spaces may be offered as sleeping quarters.

7. Identification of the maximum number of bedrooms that will be made available for rental to guests and the maximum number of guests that will be permitted at any one time.

   • Number of bedrooms is determined by the official record maintained by the Real Estate Assessor. The current bedroom count for homes can be found on NorfolkAir by searching the property address. 

   • Changes of bedroom count require a Building Permit. Please contact STR@norfolk.gov with questions on how to proceed.

8. Whenever a driveway area is shared with an adjacent property, written permission from all owners of the adjacent properties shall be provided in your application. Example HERE.

9. If the applicant is different than the owner of the property, written permission from the owner shall be required to operate a Short-Term Rental.  

10. An agreement to maintain records of stays, including names of each guest, dates of stays, and lengths of stays, has been executed. For each year after the first year of registration, a copy of these records for the previous year shall be provided.  

11. Proof of premises liability insurance covering accidental injury to a guest on the property.

12. Identification of the additional parking spaces required in Section 5.1.7.D and Table 5.1.7(D), Minimum Number of Parking Spaces.

An administrative permit is issued by-right to a property that meets the basic requirements of the Zoning Ordinance without triggering the need for a Conditional Use Permit. 

This permit is free to apply for, lasts 2 years, and can take approximately 4-6 weeks to complete in full.

Overview of the administrative STR process HERE.

Operating without a ZP and BL risks enforcement action.

 Usually, properties falling within the guidelines below may be eligible for an administrative permit. *There may be additional limits or requirements as determined by staff.*

1. The property has adequate, permitted parking on the property. (Please see "STR Eligibility" tab for more information.)

2. AND, property falls within one of these 2 parameters:

   1. Vacation Rental or Homestay: any property with fewer than four total bedrooms in the building in the following Zoning Districts: R-C, SF-2, SF-4, SF-6 

   2. Homestay only: any property with fewer than four total bedrooms in the building in the following Zoning Districts: SF-T, SF-10, MF-NS

*For a courtesy review to confirm application type and property, please contact STR@norfolk.gov.*

How much does it cost to apply?

Submitting an application is free; however, there are some associated costs.

• Fire Inspection: $50 to $75

• Business License: $50 to $75

Are you ready to submit for an administrative STR application? 

Please click here to apply: E-Permitting Portal

Questions on how to fill out this application? Please click here: Guide

• Administrative permits are valid for two years. 

• If applying for a duplex as a Short-Term Rental, operators will need to submit an application for each individual unit.

In your application, please attach the following forms under the Permit Documents section:

1. Proof of liability insurance, covering injury to a guest on the property, of no less than $300,000, including medical payments (any amount) if under a homeowner's policy.

2. Photograph of the off-street parking area on the property. Parking on city property is not permitted for Short-Term Rentals.

3. A completed Short-Term Rental Contact Form.

4. If required- Photo of driver’s license to confirm primary residency (if operating as a Homestay).

5. If required- Written permission of all adjacent property owners if there is a shared driveway.  Example HERE.

6. If required- Written permission from the Condo Association or other similar organization (if applying for a Homestay permit in a Condominium).

7. If managed by a property manager, written permission from the homeowner granting permission for the agent to operate on their behalf is required.  

*Please allow 5-10 business days to process your application*

A Conditional Use Permit (CUP) is a discretionary permit issued from City Council to the applicant, granting an additional use on the property (Short-Term Rental use). 

A CUP has associated fees to apply and takes approximately 3-6 months to be issued. 

Following CUP approval, the applicant will work with the STR team to "activate" the CUP (under the property's current owner) by fulfilling all conditions listed in the CUP ordinance as well as obtaining a Zoning Permit (ZP) and Business License (BL).

Overview of the Conditional Use Permit STR process HERE.

Operating without a ZP and BL risks enforcement action.

Usually, properties falling within the parameters below would require a CUP:

• Any property without sufficient parking

• Any Vacation Rental properties in Zoning Districts: SF-T, SF-10, MF-NS

• Any Vacation Rental/Homestay with 4 or more total bedrooms in the building 

• Any Vacation Rental/Homestay with 3 or more total dwelling units on the property

Additional information about an STR Conditional Use Permit:

Once issued, a CUP will remain associated with the land until expiration; however, the Zoning Permit/Business License will be tied with the current owner/applicant of the property. If/when ownership is transferred, it is the responsibility of the new owner to obtain a Zoning Permit and Business License for Short-Term Rental use. Operating without a CUP, ZP and BL risks enforcement action.

Initial applications are usually valid for 2 years; CUP staff will determine if/when exceptions are made. 

CUPs cover all dwelling units on the property. Not all units are required to operate as an STR, but the CUP grants the opportunity to pursue a Zoning Permit should the owner choose to do so. 

How much does it cost to apply?

A CUP application has a fee, in addition to associated costs. (This is not an all- inclusive list; after staff review the property, applicants will be notified of additional requirements.)

• Fire Inspection: $50 to $75

• Business License: $50 to $75

• First Conditional Use Permit: $1080

• Subsequent CUPs: $355

Are you interested in obtaining a CUP for your property for Short-Term Rental (STR) use? 

To initiate or inquire about the CUP process, please fill out the pre-application form below and a staff member from the CUP team will reach out to you as soon as possible. Form Center • CPC Pre-Application Meeting

Has City Council already granted a CUP and you need to finish the permitting process?

To activate your CUP by completing the required conditions, apply here: E-Permitting Portal     

Questions on how to fill out this application? Please click here: Guide

• Zoning Permits expire on the same date as the CUP’s expiration date. 

• Only one STR portal submission is required for each CUP issued. (Because the CUP authorizes all units of a property to operate, only one zoning permit is issued.)

In your application, please attach the following forms under the Permit Documents section:

1. Other documents as required in your CUP (encroachment agreements, elevation certificates, etc.).

2. Proof of liability insurance, covering injury to a guest on the property, of no less than $1,000,000.

3. A completed Short Term Rental Contact Form.

4. Approved fire inspection report conducted within the last quarter. (Please contact the Fire Marshal's office to schedule an inspection at 757-664-6604.)

*Please allow 5-10 business days to process your application*

Frequently Asked Questions

• I received a violation; what should I do now?

  • A violation for operating an STR without the appropriate permit and business license can be abated by removing the listing and cancelling all bookings until you obtain the appropriate permits.

    •  You can reach out to the inspector who issued the violation (information on the violation paperwork) with questions about abatement and your violation.

    • Please contact STR@norfolk.gov with questions about submitting your application for a Zoning Permit.

• What is the difference between a Vacation Rental and a Homestay?

  • A Vacation Rental is the rental of a home that is not used as the owner’s primary residence. 

  • A Homestay is the rental of a home that serves as the primary residence of any one of the property owners. 

• Do I need a business license to operate my home as a STR?

  • Yes. All STRs are required to obtain a business license for STR use from the Commissioner of Revenue (COR).

    • You are required to complete Zoning Approval PRIOR to applying for your Business License. COR will not be able to process an application submitted to their office without Zoning Approval.  

  • To contact COR, please call 757-664-7886 or email CORBT@norfolk.gov. Please direct all business license or fiscal related questions to COR's office.

    • Business licenses are issued by the Commissioner of the Revenue. Commissioner of the Revenue website.

    • Business licenses must be renewed annually.

    • All taxes must be up to date with the City of Norfolk before a business license will be issued.

    • Taxes can be paid using the online portal at www.eservices.norfolk.gov , US Mail, in person or by using the drop boxes located at the city hall building.

    • Business owners are responsible for reporting and paying room taxes and transient occupancy taxes if these taxes are not being reported and paid by a 3rd party intermediary.  To learn more about your tax responsibilities, visit the Commissioner of the Revenue’s Fiduciary Taxes website and scroll to "Homestay Rental/Vacation Rental Tax."

• Do I need a zoning permit to operate my home as a STR?

  • Yes. All STRs are required to have an approved zoning permit. For administrative properties, permits are valid for two years. For CUP properties, Zoning Permits are valid for the duration of the CUP. 

  • Even if you have renewed your business license annually, you will still need to apply for a new Zoning Permit upon its expiration. To receive a new Zoning Permit, please apply through our E-Permitting Portal here Version Options Short Term Rentals- update Concerns/ComplaintsOperatorsGetting StartedHeadline. For guidance on how to submit via the portal, please review this guide. In your application, you will need to upload parking photos, proof of liability insurance and a completed STR Contact Form. If you are applying as a Homestay, please upload your Driver's License or Voter Registration Card to verify your proof of residency. 

*Operating without both an active Business License and approved Zoning Permit risks enforcement action.*

• I have already renewed my business license, am I still able to operate without a new zoning permit?

• • No. In order to legally operate within the City, you will need to apply for a new zoning permit.  

• If I purchase a property that received a CUP by City Council, does that mean I am ready to operate?

  • No. Although Conditional Use Permits run with the land, the Zoning Permit runs with the owner. It is the new owner’s responsibility to apply for a Zoning Permit and obtain a Business License before any STR operations begin. Any operation without all three items (a CUP, ZP, and BL) risks enforcement action. 

• I have an ADU on my property. Can I use that as an STR?

  • An ADU could operate as a Short-Term Rental if the owners of the property are residing on-site during times the unit is available for rent. The ADU also needs to be built with the proper permits to ensure that it complies with the VA State Building Code.  (For building questions, please reach out to the permit team at 757-664-6565 or email planreviewpermits@norfolk.gov.)

    • Please see section 4.3.3.E.(1)(a)(v) of the City of Norfolk Zoning Ordinance: The property owner shall reside on-site, either in the principal dwelling or in the accessory dwelling unit, during times that the unit is available for rent.