🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Virginia Beach, VA
City Council Revives Criminal Penalties for STR Violations in Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach Gets Tough on STR Rule Breakers
Big changes just rolled out for short-term rentals in Virginia Beach, and they’re making waves for both property owners and neighbors alike. On Tuesday night, City Council unanimously decided to get tougher on violations by moving them from civil penalties back to criminal offenses. In other words, breaking the city’s STR zoning rules now comes with more serious consequences.
This isn’t the first time Virginia Beach has shifted gears on enforcement. Back in 2020, council carved out an exception to treat short-term rental violations as civil rather than criminal. The idea was to speed up enforcement and make the process less cumbersome. But after years of frustration and little improvement, the city is hitting reset—and reinstating misdemeanor penalties for violations.
So, what does that actually mean for STR hosts? A spokesperson for the city laid it out: fines can reach $1,000 for a first offense, and if issues continue, the cost only climbs. Persistent violations could rack up additional misdemeanors and fines up to $2,000. That’s a heavy hit for operators who thought they could fly under the radar.
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But fees aren’t stopping at penalties. Virginia Beach is also tightening its permitting process. The annual permit fee, which already doubled earlier this year from $200 to $500, now comes with a $200 application fee upfront. Even if a permit isn’t approved, that $200 isn’t coming back. If approved, though, the application cost counts toward the first year’s permit fee. It’s a financial nudge meant to ensure only serious, rule-abiding hosts get into the STR game.
Adding to the checklist, operators will also face property inspections. A rental must pass inspection at the start of the permitting process and again every five years. The move reflects growing concerns about safety and compliance—not just neighborhood harmony.
Community debates over short-term rentals in Virginia Beach aren’t new. Some residents have long argued that regulations are too strict, while others worry about neighborhood impacts like noise, traffic, and housing availability. With last week’s unanimous vote, City Council made it clear they’re leaning toward stronger oversight and enforcement.
The takeaway for hosts? Virginia Beach isn’t just asking for compliance—they’re demanding it. Between higher fees, property inspections, and criminal penalties, the city is drawing a firm line: follow the rules or face some serious consequences.
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