🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Newport News, VA
Time’s Up: Newport News Starts Enforcing STR Rules in August
A Deep Dive into Your Area’s STR Updates — Helping You Navigate the Ever-Changing Rental Landscape.
Time’s Up: Newport News Starts Enforcing STR Rules in August
If you own a short-term rental in Newport News, it’s officially time to double-check your paperwork. Starting August 1, the city is no longer turning a blind eye to the STR rules it introduced back in 2022.
The city originally passed its STR ordinance to manage the boom in vacation rentals driven by Airbnb, Vrbo, and other platforms. The law came with clear parameters: a cap of six guests, only two people allowed per bedroom, and a requirement that owners live in the property more than half the year. It raised eyebrows then, especially among STR operators who weren’t used to being told how to host.
But now, the city’s had enough. “When we passed it two years ago, the plan was really not to enforce it,” said Mayor Phillip Jones at the June 10 council meeting. “We are now going to enforce it.”
What sparked the shift? A violent incident at a short-term rental in Merry Point Estates—a shooting—drew attention to the potential risks of unregulated STRs. The property in question broke several of the city’s rules, and the backlash was swift.
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Residents like Linda Kenwood used the incident to call for tighter control.
“There’s the good and the bad and the ugly that goes along with short-term rentals,” she said. “My request to the city is that you do have some very strict guidelines that you expect to have in place.”
The Planning Department sent out official notices in May, giving operators until August 1 to comply. That could mean changing how a property is used or applying for the proper permits. If a property is still out of line after that? It’s facing a 30-day warning, followed by permit revocation. On top of that, owners will be blocked from applying for a new certificate of zoning compliance for two full years.
How to Get Permitted in 3 Easy Steps
| Step 1 | Download the Application | Fill Out the Application |
|---|---|---|
| Step 2 | Gather Your Documents | Use the Checklist to Ensure You've Got Everything |
| Step 3 | Submit Your Application | Email it to zoning@nnva.gov |
City Council is also reviewing possible updates to the ordinance during its July 8 retreat, and further rule tightening could be on the horizon.
So what’s the takeaway? If you’re hosting in Newport News, it’s time to get your ducks in a row—or risk getting shut down.
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