Short-Term Rental Laws in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia

Berkeley Springs (officially incorporated as the Town of Bath) is a very lightly regulated STR market — the spa-town economy is heavily tourism-dependent and the town has no zoning-class STR restrictions or caps. STR is permitted by right in all residential and commercial zones with a town business license + Morgan County Hotel Occupancy Tax registration. The town's historic spa district adds Historic Preservation considerations for exterior modifications but does not restrict STR use itself.

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

Town of Bath / Berkeley Springs Town Hall administers business licensing. Application is procedural — annual business license + designated local responsible-party contact + Morgan County Hotel Occupancy Tax (6%) registration with the Morgan County Sheriff's Tax Office. Inspection is not required by the town (though life-safety standards are still expected). Operating without a license: civil fines + back-tax assessment. Enforcement is minimal and primarily complaint-driven. Note: ordinance dates and tax rates here are based on aggregator summaries — confirm current Morgan County Hotel Occupancy Tax rate at the County Sheriff's Tax Office before relying on figures for underwriting.

Combined short-term lodging tax in Berkeley Springs is approximately 12.000% of gross nightly revenue (state sales + state TRT + local TRT + applicable resort/city options).

West Virginia State sales tax 6% + Morgan County Hotel Occupancy Tax 6% — combined ~12.0% on transient lodging

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