Short-Term Rental Laws in Williamsburg, Virginia

Williamsburg permits STRs only with a Special Use Permit (SUP) issued by the City Council — application is reviewed case-by-case with public hearing. Approval is more readily granted in mixed-use and commercial zones than in single-family residential zones. The Historic Preservation Commission must clear any exterior modifications to parcels in the colonial Historic District (an extensive overlay covering most of the central city). The combination of SUP requirement + HPC overlay makes Williamsburg one of the slower / more administratively involved Virginia STR markets to enter.

STRs allowed by SUP in most zones (R-1, R-2, R-3 single + multi-family; LB Limited Business; B-1, B-2, B-3 Commercial; MX Mixed-Use) subject to City Council case-by-case approval. The Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area overlay restricts exterior changes and signage. The neighboring James City County and York County (where most of the broader "Williamsburg-area" STR inventory actually sits) operate separate STR frameworks — generally more permissive. Confirm whether your parcel is in City of Williamsburg vs James City County vs York County before any offer — this is the single biggest acquisition-stage mistake in this market.

Operators must hold a short-term rental permit before listing. See the official permit portal.

Williamsburg Planning + Zoning + City Council administer the SUP program. SUP application requires neighborhood notification, public hearing, designated 24/7 local responsible-party contact, life-safety inspection, parking plan, and (for Historic District parcels) HPC clearance. Annual TOT filing with the Williamsburg Commissioner of Revenue. Operating without an SUP: civil fines + stop-rental + back-tax. Enforcement is active; the city employs zoning inspectors who cross-check platform listings against the SUP registry.

Combined short-term lodging tax in Williamsburg is approximately 13.000% of gross nightly revenue (state sales + state TRT + local TRT + applicable resort/city options).

Virginia State sales tax 5.3% + Williamsburg Transient Occupancy Tax 5% + Williamsburg Tourism Zone tax 1% + James City County overlap surcharge — combined ~13.0% on transient lodging

Verify the current combined rate via the Utah State Tax Commission before remitting — rates drift quarterly.