Accessory Homestay Permit

Accessory homestay permits allow residents to host overnight guests for stays of less than 30 days in residential dwelling units that they reside in as their primary residence. Accessory homestays are a means for residents to utilize online booking platforms such as Airbnb, Craigslist, VRBO, and similar.

An accessory homestay permit is a special type of Home Occupation. In addition to meeting the applicable requirements of a traditional home occupation (detailed in Zoning Ordinance §12.9.11), there are additional specific regulations that apply exclusively to an accessory homestay (detailed inZoning Ordinance §12.9.12).

Dwelling Unit & Submission Requirements

Accessory homestay permit applications must be submitted online.

• Complete an Accessory Homestay Permit Application in Permit Arlington.
  • From the Create drop-down menu, select Zoning Application, then select Accessory Homestay and complete the application. 
  • View Permit Arlington Help for assistance with the online system.
• Accessory homestay permits expire one year from the date of issuance. To continue operating after this date, providers must file another accessory homestay application. The current accessory homestay permit number must be included on the renewal application. For more info about renewals, see the section at the bottom of this page. 
• The applicant must occupy the dwelling unit (for which the permit is being sought) as their primary residence, which means that the person who is the applicant resides in the dwelling unit at least 185 days per year.
  • Proof of residency must be submitted with the permit application. Acceptable documents proving residency include copies of a current drivers’ license or other government ID showing the applicant's address. Secondary proof may also be required, and may include, voter registration card, or executed lease (for renters). The name and address on the document(s) used for proof of residency must be the name of the applicant, and the address of the dwelling unit to be used for the accessory homestay. 
  • Multiple documents and/or additional documents may be requested by staff as needed to confirm residency. 
• All rented bedrooms must be in the main building of the dwelling, except, accessory homestay permits may also be issued for an approved detached Accessory Dwelling.
  • The applicant for an accessory homestay permit for an approved detached accessory dwelling, may be either the resident of the main dwelling or the resident of the accessory dwelling. 
  • No more than 3 lodgers may stay in the accessory dwelling unit.
• The maximum permitted occupancy is 6 lodgers total, or 2 lodgers per bedroom, whichever number is greater. Under no circumstances shall occupancy exceed what is permitted under the Building Code.
  • For example: every living room shall contain at least 120 sq. ft. of floor area and every bedroom shall contain at least 70 sq. ft. of floor area. Every bedroom occupied by more than one person shall contain at least 50 sq. ft. of floor area for each occupant.
• For multi-family buildings, read the Chief Building Official’s Code Interpretation.
  • Accessory homestay permits do not exempt any dwelling from the rules or restrictions imposed and enforced by condominium or homeowners’ associations to which the property may be subject. Likewise, renters may be subject to additional rules or restrictions under the terms of their lease which are not preempted by an accessory homestay permit).
• Any dwelling used for an accessory homestay must contain working fire extinguishers, smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors (if required as part of the original building).
• Commercial meetings (including banquets, luncheons, parties, weddings, etc.) are not permitted.
• For questions about accessory homestay permits, contact the Zoning Division: 703-228-3883

Business License Requirements

All accessory homestay operators must register as a business with the Commissioner of Revenue (COR). Business licenses can be applied for online and in person.

• Register online (select Register a Business) or in-person at 2100 Clarendon Blvd, Suite 208. 
• For accessory homestays, the “section code” for the business license is “72.A – Lodging (Accessory Homestay)". 
• For questions about business license requirements, contact COR: 703-228-3060

The operator must obtain business license and Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) accounts (County Code Ch. 40) from COR. A TOT account is automatically created once a business license is issued. WHere an accessory homestay is advertised determines how the TOT account is handled by COR. COR will contact operators about where their accessory homestay is advertised. If the operator doesn't respond, COR will conduct an automatic assessment based on previous activity.

Use the following table to determine if and how to pay the TOT account:

Operators filing a tax return with COR must report income every month. For a month with no guests or income, operators still must report zero income to COR. If not, operators may face penalties. 

How to Renew and Accessory Homestay Permit and Business License

Accessory homestay permits and business licenses are renewed in different systems and have separate deadlines. 

In the event that an accessory homestay permit is renewed, operators must notify the Commissioner of Revenue (COR) of their new permit number to update their business license and Transit Occupancy Tax (TOT) accounts. 

Use the following table to determine when and where to renew:

Fees

Fee Schedules provide the range of fees charged for each type of application or activity related to land development in Arlington. Fees cover permitting, plan review, enforcement, inspection, service delivery, performance agreements and conditions. There are separate fee schedules for Inspection Services Division (ISD), Zoning and the Department of Environmental Services (DES). Some permits involve fees from more than one schedule.