🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach Cracks Down on Rule-Breaking Rentals: Violators Could Face Jail Under New Proposal
Virginia Beach Cracks Down on Rule-Breaking Rentals
Virginia Beach is putting short-term rental owners on notice—and this time, it’s serious. The city is considering a major crackdown that could make violating STR rules a criminal offense, with the possibility of jail time and convictions. That’s right—if you’re skirting the rules, it might cost more than just a fine.
These proposed changes will go before City Council on August 12, fresh off their summer break. They come straight from a short-term rental task force that wrapped up its work last year, aiming to clean up inconsistencies and tighten enforcement.
One of the most talked-about updates is the shift from civil to criminal penalties for property owners who break the rules. Since 2020, violations have been met with civil fines—$500 for the first offense and up to $1,000 for repeat infractions. But Zoning Administrator Kevin Kemp says those fines aren’t cutting it. “A lot of owners factor it in as an operating cost,” Kemp explained. Turning these into criminal charges could finally be the deterrent the city needs.
But that’s not all. ✨ Other key changes include:
- Easing inspection rules: Instead of annual checks, inspections would be required only every five years. In between, owners would submit attestations of compliance.
- Expanding inspector qualifications: Class A, B, and C contractors could now perform safety inspections, a relief for owners struggling to find licensed architects or engineers.
- Reducing parking requirements: Proposed changes would require just one space per two bedrooms, not one per bedroom—but this idea isn’t sitting well with everyone. Task force member Nancy Parker raised concerns about applying this broadly instead of limiting it to grandfathered properties in the North End.
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Kemp defended the parking changes by pointing out the strain on beachfront parking. He says opening up city garages for STRs could ease pressure and benefit the public too.
Also in the mix: a signage rule requiring property management contact info to be clearly posted out front, and a staffing boost for the city’s STR enforcement team. As of July 1, the zoning department added three new inspectors, making it a seven-person squad—the largest team in the division.
With 2,700 registered short-term rentals—over 400 of which are grandfathered—Virginia Beach is making it clear: rentals are welcome, but only if they play by the rules. Stay tuned after August 12 to see if these hard-hitting changes get the green light.
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