Short-Term Rental Laws in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

Harpers Ferry — a National Historical Park gateway town with a tiny year-round population — permits STRs in most zones but layers the Historic Preservation overlay across the entire core town (the historic Lower Town, Bolivar Heights, Camp Hill). Exterior modifications require Historic Landmarks Commission review. The town has periodically debated stricter density-based STR caps in response to neighborhood pressure but has not enacted any as of mid-2026. STR is permitted with a business license + life-safety certification + designated local contact.

Most Harpers Ferry parcels sit within the Historic Preservation overlay. Allowed STR zoning includes R-1 (Single-Family Residential), R-2 (Two-Family Residential), B-1 (Limited Business), and the Historic Town Center overlay. Exterior modifications + signage require HLC clearance. Properties just outside the town limits in unincorporated Jefferson County (e.g. Bolivar — which is actually a separate town with its own rules; Halltown; Bakerton) operate under Jefferson County's separate STR framework, which is generally even more permissive but has been considering tightening as of 2024-2025.

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

Harpers Ferry Town Hall administers business licensing. Annual renewal. Application requires designated 24/7 local responsible-party contact, proof of property insurance, life-safety self-certification (smoke + CO detectors + fire extinguisher + posted occupancy), parking plan, and HLC clearance for exterior changes. Jefferson County Hotel Occupancy Tax (6%) filed quarterly with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Tax Office. Operating without a license: civil fines + stop-rental + back-tax assessment. Enforcement is light-touch and primarily complaint-driven; the National Park Service does NOT enforce STR rules but neighborhood pressure has shaped recent Town Council discussions.

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

West Virginia State sales tax 6% + Jefferson 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.