Adopted Short-Term Residential Rental Ordinance
Next Steps
Staff are currently working to establish the short-term rental permit system through APEX, the City’s online permit portal. To efficiently process hundreds of short-term residential rental permits, City staff will stagger permit submission deadlines based upon the first digit of the street address. Please visit this page in mid-August 2025 for specific permit application submission deadlines and more detailed instructions.
Timeline and Background
What are short-term residential rentals?
‘Home sharing’ (or short-term residential rentals) refers to the rental of houses, condos, or apartments to short-term guests, which has become a popular way for owners to earn extra income across the United States. Short-term residential rentals typically occur through online home-sharing platforms, such as Airbnb, Expedia, FlipKey, HomeAway, TripAdvisor, and VRBO.
Background
Why a Study?
In 2017, the Virginia General Assembly adopted a law that allows a locality to adopt an ordinance to establish a local short-term residential rental registry. In 2018, Alexandria established its short-term rental registry which is maintained by the Department of Finance. At the time of the registry adoption, the City Council determined that regulation of short-term rentals should be handled via existing City Code and Zoning Ordinance regulations.
Due to recent calls for additional regulation of short-term rentals, the City Council directed staff to research the topic, provide a report and presentation, and begin a study to include community engagement. Below are the report and presentation shared with City Council in May 2024:
Community Engagement
- May 2024 City Council Meeting
- Presentation to City Council (May 28, 2024)
- May/June: Continue research on short-term rental regulations implemented in other jurisdictions.
- August 15-September 15
- Community members were invited to watch an 18-minute video to help understand the background, benefits, and impacts of short-term rentals. The video also presents proposed new policies to address common concerns.
- An online feedback form was open from August 14-September 15 for community comments and questions. Feedback received will help staff better craft policy recommendations.
- September 20: Planning Commission Retreat Update
- October 29 - November 17
- Community members were invited to watch a 14-minute video that shares what the City has heard to date and how input received informed revised proposed regulations.
- An online feedback form was open from October 29 - November 17. Based on comments received, staff may propose additional changes prior to City Council’s consideration of the proposed regulations in February.
- February public hearings on recommendations and proposed text amendment
- Proposed Short-Term Residential Rental Ordinance At-a-Glance
- February 4: Planning Commission
- February 22: City Council
- March 15, 2025 Adoption Public Hearing
- Effective Date of Short-Term Residential Rental Ordinance
- September 1, 2025
- Begin processing short-term rental permits
- Mid-September 2025
Further Resources and Information
Questions?
Contact zoning staff at pczoning@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.4666.