Information for Hosts

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for an Accessory Homestay Permit, you must:

Demonstrate that you are the primary resident of the property (live there at least 185 days per year).
Operate the homestay within a legally established dwelling unit.
Comply with Arlington County’s Zoning Ordinance and safety regulations, including occupancy limits and fire safety standards.

Regulations for Hosts

Note: These are highlights, please see the Zoning Ordinance for more information.

Occupancy Limits: A maximum of six overnight guests is permitted per rental, or two guests per bedroom, whichever is greater. Detached accessory buildings are limited to three guests per night.
Safety Compliance: The residence must have functioning smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers.
Property Appearance: No exterior evidence of short-term rental activity (e.g., signage, displays, or storage) is allowed.
Prohibited Activities: Commercial meetings, including luncheons, banquets, parties, weddings, and advertising events, are not allowed.
Parking: Guests may park on public streets but must adhere to residential parking restrictions

How to Apply

1. Obtain an Accessory Homestay Permit

The Community Planning, Housing, and Development (CPHD) – Zoning Division is responsible for issuing the Homestay Permit:

Submit an application online through Permit Arlington.
Provide proof of residency. (i.e., your lease, utility bill, etc.)
Provide a diagram showing parking for the dwelling (whether on- or off street).

2. Obtain a Business License and Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Account

The Office of Commissioner of Revenue (COR) is responsible for issuing a Business License and will help you to determine if you need a TOT account.

Register for a business license under Section Code 72.A – Lodging (Accessory Homestay) through Arlington’s Customer Assessment and Payment Portal (CAPP).
Obtain a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Account
* Please note that COR will help to determine if you need a TOT account.

*Permit Renewal

Once approved, your Accessory Homestay Permit from Zoning will be valid for one year and must be renewed annually by submitting a new application.
Your business license will be valid until March 1. Upon renewal, providers must update their business license.

Questions? Schedule an optional consultation before submitting applications.
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Fees & Taxes

Operating a short-term rental in Arlington County requires compliance with the following financial obligations:

Accessory Homestay Permit Fee: See the Zoning Division Fee Schedule
Business License Fee: Varies based on gross receipts and can be filed and paid through CAPP [LB1] . The tax rate for lodging businesses is $0.36 per $100 of gross receipts.
Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT): This can be filed and paid through CAPP or by the rental platform if it collects taxes on behalf of the host. Effective May 1, 2021, the Arlington County Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) is 8.25%.

Enforcement & Penalties

If you suspect an unlicensed rental, you can report it to Arlington’s zoning enforcement staff for investigation. Please include the property address including any applicable unit number. Zoning concerns must be researched and investigated by zoning enforcement staff to determine if zoning violations exist and may initially result in a verbal or written warning. The warning provides an opportunity for the violator to correct the violation before any formal enforcement activity is required. If voluntary compliance does not occur, a formal violation notice requiring compliance is issued within approximately 10 days. Failure to comply with a violation notice may result in the issuance of a monetary fine for civil penalties or prosecution as a criminal misdemeanor.

To file a complaint:

Register or log in to Permit Arlington to submit a Zoning Enforcement Complaint.
Email: ZoningEnforcement@arlingtonva.us
Call 703-228-3792 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.