City Watch
Short-term rental rules in Roanoke, VA
How Roanoke regulates short-term rentals: the rules that apply, their sources, and pending changes.
Rules here limit which homes may operate as short-term rentals, how many, where, or for how many nights a year.
- Residential-zone exclusion: whole-dwelling short-term rental not a listed use in any residential district (RA through RMF)
- Homestay in residential districts is owner-occupied host-present only (owner occupies the property during guest stays), by special exception, max 2 guest bedrooms / 4 guests
- Bed and breakfast in residential districts requires an owner-resident; special exception in R-12 through RM-2
- Whole-dwelling short-term rental by right only in mixed-use, commercial, downtown and institutional districts
Based on: City Code Ch. 36.2 (Zoning). Appendix A defines 'Short-term rental', 'Homestay', 'Bed and breakfast' (amended by Ord.
Summary of the rule
Sec. 36.2-311, columns RA|R-12|R-7|R-5|R-3|RM-1|RM-2|RMF. Dwellings: P|P|P|P|P|P|P|P. Bed and breakfast: P|S|S|S|S|S|S|- (36.2-405). Homestay: S|S|S|S|S|S|S|S (36.2-405). No Short-term rental row. 'A blank cell indicates the use is not permitted; any use not listed in this table is not permitted in residential districts.'
Last reviewed Oct 22, 2026 · Sources · Report an error
Pending legislation
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City Watch provides good-faith summaries of publicly available information as of the review date shown. Rules, enforcement, and permit availability can change, and summaries may contain errors or omissions. Ratings describe the general regulatory environment; they do not establish whether a particular property or stay is permitted. This is general information, not legal advice. Before buying, listing, or hosting, verify applicable requirements with the responsible authorities and review any HOA, condominium, deed, or lease restrictions.