Short-Term Rental Laws in Charleston, West Virginia

Charleston (West Virginia's capital) permits STRs in most zoning districts but distinguishes Owner-Occupied from Non-Owner-Occupied STRs, with the latter requiring additional zoning compliance review in single-family residential zones. The 2022 ordinance added a city business license + life-safety standards + designated local contact requirement without imposing a citywide cap. Most investor STR activity concentrates in the East End historic district, the Kanawha City riverfront, and the South Charleston border neighborhoods.

Charleston permits STR by business license in most residential and commercial zones. Single-family R-1, R-2 zones permit STR with the non-owner-occupied compliance review; R-4 / R-6 multi-family and commercial / mixed-use zones permit STR by right. The Historic East End overlay adds Historic Preservation Commission review for exterior changes. South Charleston (across the Kanawha River) is a SEPARATE municipality with its own STR rules.

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

Charleston Business Licensing + Planning administer the program. Annual renewal. Application requires designated 24/7 local responsible-party contact, proof of property insurance, life-safety self-certification, parking plan, and (for non-owner-occupied) zoning compliance verification. Kanawha County Hotel Occupancy Tax (6%) filed quarterly with the Kanawha County Sheriff's Tax Office. Operating without a license: civil fines + back-tax. Enforcement is moderate and primarily complaint-driven; the state capital location means STR-friendly visiting-legislator demand has produced a relatively stable market.

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

West Virginia State sales tax 6% + Kanawha 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.