A Homestay Rental, or short term residential rental, is defined in Va. Code § 15.2-983 as “the provision of a room or space that is suitable or intended for occupancy for dwelling, sleeping, or lodging purposes for a period of fewer than 30 consecutive days, in exchange for a charge for the occupancy.”  This use is not considered a bed and breakfast, commercial inn, dormitory, hotel/motel, or tourist home.

Yes, the Town of Leesburg Town Council adopted a Homestay Rental ordinance on October 27, 2020 as amended on November 29, 2022.  (See Town of Leesburg Zoning Ordinance Section 9.3.11.3 Homestay)

A Homestay Rental business may be operated only by the property owner or an authorized agent.  The property owner or authorized agent must be available in person or by phone during the operation of the Homestay.  The property owner shall be notified in writing of failed attempts to receive timely responses from the authorized agent.  Failure to respond within 24 to 48 hours shall result in a zoning complaint subject to penalties.

There are no residency requirements for the resident-owner.

A Homestay Rental business is registered through a Homestay Home Occupation Permit issued by the Department of Community Development. A Homestay Home Occupation Permit should be applied for using the Town's eTRAKiT portal. Additionally, the property owner will need to obtain and maintain a Town of Leesburg Business License which is issued by the Town of Leesburg Department of Finance and Administrative Services. Failure to register the Homestay Rental use via a Home Occupation Permit shall result in penalties as described in Section 17.2.2.b (Civil Violations and Penalties) of the Town of Leesburg Zoning Ordinance.  Unless and until the property owner pays the penalty and registers such use, the unregistered Homestay Rental use will be terminated immediately.

The Home Occupation Permit authorizing the Homestay Rental use will remain valid from January 1 (or other such date during the calendar year in which such permit is issued) through December 31 of that calendar year in which the permit was issued. Each subsequent year the Town will send a request by mail to re-register (without fee) the Homestay use. The owner has thirty (30) days to resubmit the Home Occupation Permit to the Zoning Administrator, or their designee. 

Yes. The Homestay Rental business will be subject to a pre-inspection prior to the issuance of the Homestay Home Occupation Permit.

A maximum of six (6) lodgers per night may occupy the dwelling.  This number shall be reduced to conform to the occupancy requirements of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code as necessary.

When the entire principal dwelling is used as a Homestay, no additional parking is required. When the basement or detached accessory structure is used as a Homestay, a minimum of one (1) off-street parking space, but not more than two (2), shall be provided on the property. A sketch plan to accompany the Home Occupation Permit submission shall identify the location of all required on-site parking (principal dwelling and homestay). Required parking may be satisfied by residential parking permits for principal dwellings within the H-1 Overlay (Old and Historic District). 

The Zoning Administrator may modify the parking requirements outlined in Section 9.3.11.3.7.a-c if the permanent resident demonstrates that the perking requirements cannot be met because of:

1. the exception size and/or shape of the lot; or 
2. environmental or engineering constraints on the lot; or 
3. special accessibility needs; or
4. other extraordinary situations or conditions of the lot

The Zoning Administrator may attach conditions to any parking modification to ensure that the results of the modification will be in accordance with the purpose and intent of this ordinance section. 

Required parking may be satisfied by residential parking permits for principal dwellings within the H-1 Overlay Old and Historic District where required parking for the principal dwelling was lawfully established via on-street parking, and where the entire principal dwelling is operating as a Homestay. Please contact our Public Works Department at (703) 771-2791 to learn more about obtaining a residential parking permit. 

Yes, a Homestay may be permitted within a conforming accessory structure meeting all applicable codes, regulations, and ordinance for habitation.

No.  A Homestay Rental business may not have exterior signage.  There shall be no evidence or indication visible from the exterior of the dwelling that the dwelling is being utilized in part or in whole for any purpose other than residential occupancy.

The Homestay Rental ordinance is Section 9.3.11.3 Homestay of the Town of Leesburg Zoning Ordinance.

For questions regarding the requirements to operate a Homestay Rental business, please contact Planning and Zoning 703-771-2765 or email permitting@leesburgva.gov. 

For concerns or complaints about Homestay Rental businesses in the Town of Leesburg, please contact Planning and Zoning at 703-771-2765 or email permitting@leesburgva.gov. 

For tax or business license related questions regarding Homestay Rental businesses, please contact the Finance & Administrative Services Department at 703-771-2723 or email businesslic@leesburgva.gov.